Some of us who struggle with our mental health sometimes tend to keep everything bottled up inside. We would love to talk about what we’re feeling with someone, but it becomes so hard to open up, because we’re scared of being judged.
Sometimes, we all need to put our thoughts and feelings into a piece of paper and what better than finding the best writing journals?
Growing up with depression and anxiety sparked a creative side of me and I used to spend hours writing stories. Stories that weren’t about me, but of what the mysterious side of my mind wanted me to portray.
As I grew older I started buying journals to keep all of my thoughts in one place, a sacred space.
Alright, enough about that. Let’s get into my top writing journals.
I tried finding the most affordable ones out there, so you don’t have to spend a crazy amount of money on any of these journals.
The Best Writing Journals
Becoming: A Guided Journal For Discovering Your Voice
I wanted to start off this list with my absolute favorite journal at the moment.
Name: Becoming: A Guided Journal For Discovering Your Voice
Author: Michelle Obama
Publication date: November 19, 2019
Number of pages: 208
Price: $19.99 but you can get it for just $9.99! You’re saving 50% off
Where to purchase: Amazon
Overall rank: 5 out of 5
A national bestseller created by former First Lady, Michelle Obama. A successful and inspiring Harvard Law School graduate. I’m sure you’ve heard about her and all the success she has gained all by herself by working hard and giving it all her best, right?
In this journal, Michelle pieces up parts of her life’s journey, giving you positive insights and empowering you regarding how you can achieve whatever it is that you’re aspiring to do.
Each page on this book will help you document your achievements, so you can, in a couple of weeks or months, look back on everything that you have accomplished.
My favorite things about the journal:
• It contains more than 150 questions and quotes by Michelle that will help you structure your path in an easier and more inspiring way.
• It helps you focus on yourself, a positive attitude, your worth, and power as a human being
• It guides you to take a moment and appreciate your life, family, goals, dreams and what you aspire for your future regarding yourself and the people surrounding you
My Prayer Journal: A 3-Month Guide To Prayer, Praise and Thanks: Modern Calligraphy and Lettering
Acclaimed to be a #1 best-seller! And for all of you that like the integration of your thoughts and your prayers, this is a must-have from one of the best writing journals
Name: My Prayer Journal: A 3-Month Guide To Prayer, Praise and Thanks: Modern Calligraphy and Lettering
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Publishing date: April 9, 2017
Number of pages: 108
Price: $6.99
Where to purchase: Amazon
Overall rank: 3.5 our of 5
As the name says, it’s a prayer journal. Don’t mistake it for just a regular journal because it is not. This journal contains a 3-month guide to help you built a better relationship with yourself, but also with God. The journal contains several pages with biblical verses, it’s suitable for either Bible studies, self-reflection and you can even travel with it since it doesn’t take so much space.
What I like about this journal:
• It’s affordable
• It’s not complicated
• Pages include the biblical verse of the day, what you’re thankful for and prayer requests
Celestial Journal
Another personal favorite. This journal can be used as a notebook, business journal or as a diary, whatever you prefer.
Name: Celestial Journal
Publisher: Peter Pauper Press
Publication date: June 1, 2014
Number of pages: 160
Price: $12.99 but get it now for only $11.69
Where to purchase: Amazon
Overall rank: 4.5 out of 5
This journal has a perfect size, hardcover and also contains golden edgings making it twice as beautiful. It contains 160 cream-colored pages are thread sewn, so that can guarantee you that the pages won’t fall off while you’re writing. The hardcover has details of planets, stars, and golden suns. This design was created by Henry T. Wood, who is known for creating extraordinary and unique designs.
What I like about this journal:
• It contains acid-free papers
• It comes with a ribbon-shaped bookmark
• My absolute favorite part are the gold page tipping and the gold foil details
• It can be a perfect gift for someone who really enjoys journalism 
Q&A a Day: 5-Year Journal
I think this may be one of the most fun and entertaining type of journals I’ve seen so far. It’s an exciting journey when there’s a different question every day for you to answer and elaborate on. A lot can happen in five years so the possibilities are endless.
Name: Q&A a Day: 5-Year Journal
Publisher: Potter Style
Publication date: November 23, 2010
Number of pages: 368
Price: $16.99 but you can save up 35% and only pay $10.99
Where to purchase: Amazon
Overall rank: 4.9 our of 5
This journal focuses on asking you questions each day and then, it helps you compare how you were feeling when you finish your five-year journey.
How does it work? As I said, each day you turn to your daily question that will be at the top of the page and you’ll write your answer on the space below. It includes 365 questions that you will obviously answer every day and when the year ends you’ll come back to the first question again and see if your answer changes, or if it stays the same. Five years, that’s about 1,825 different, or similar answers.
It includes questions such as:
• What are you reading right now?
• Can people change?
• Who do you want to know better?
• What song is stuck in your head?
• What do you not want to talk about?
And the list just goes on and on. By now, I’m pretty sure I don’t have to say what I like most about this journal because it’s self-explanatory. I love answering questions about myself, and questions that really make me think and analyze the current state that I’m in at this very moment. By far, it’s one of my favorite types of journals.
The Bullet Journal Method: Track the Past, Order the Present, Design the Future
Last but certainly not least, we have this amazing bullet journal. I’ve found out about bullet journals over a year ago, and I remember making one myself; it was a fail because I’m not that creative when it comes to design, but regardless I really enjoyed the feeling of having everything organized. So, on my last product on the best writing journals list, we have this one.
Name: The Bullet Journal Method: Track the Past, Order the Present, Design the Future
Author: Ryder Carrol
Published date: October 23, 2018
Number of pages: 320
Price: $26.00 but you can get it for just $14.99
Where to get it: Amazon
Overall rank: 5 out of 5
One of New York bestsellers! I honestly don’t know for how long bullet journals have been around, but as I get older and realize what I want to do with my life, I prefer everything being organized, in a creative way that motivates me to actually contribute to my goals. That’s basically the whole point of bullet journals – at least that’s how I see it – this journal is no different from what I was expecting.
This journal doesn’t only base itself on organization and to-do lists, but rather, it tries to help you focus on what’s truly meaningful for you in your life.
This journal helps you to:
• Trace your past with the simple exercise of writing what’s on your mind
• Find balance every day in a more cautious, organized and productive way by tracking your to-do lists and events in general.
• Planning your future by turning your abstract curiosities into concrete targets, and then you can split those objectives into action steps that leads you to wonderful results
What I like the most about this journal:
• What is not to love about a bullet journal? I find it to be one of the most creatives ways to feel like you’re accomplishing something, and at the same time you’re taking a big step towards a life-changing experience
Conclusion
There you had an insight on the best writing journals I personally found fascinating. I’m pretty sure that you can tell what my favorites were, right? If not, these are my top 3 favorite writing journals: Becoming: A Guided Journal For Discovering Your Voice, The Bullet Journal and lastly, Q&A a Day: 5-Year Journal.
Journals can be whatever you want them to be. You don’t have to follow a specific rule to own one of these. Just get your hands on one and let your imagination, thoughts, worries and creativity flow.
If you’re not someone who likes journalism so much, or at all, I can suggest you try the Q&A a Day: 5-Year Journal, since it’s not really a complete full journal, but rather, a list of questions that you may be interested in if you’re traveling, bored, without anything else to do. It’s just a fun little compliment to your everyday life.
We all know someone who loves journals, so why not surprise them with one of these! I’m sure they would be amazed by the thought of you getting them something they enjoy…I know I would.
I would love to hear from you in the comment section down below. What were your favorite journals from this list? Do you own one? What have you achieved so far?
Stephanie,
As humans, I feel being able to communicate and be understood is a basic need. Sometimes due to verbal and other kinds of abuses, communication becomes more difficult. For some, not being able to talk to someone, can lead them to be suicidal. But I appreciate your post because through journals it’s as if we are speaking to someone, and being understood.
Thanks,
JR
Thank you for stopping by!
Wow, this are all really good reviews here and it’s very nice to see that you can give us your own insight on it. You know, didn’t know about the best seller you mentioned on the first journal here which happens to be the best writing journal according to you. I think that’s the one I should go for since that’s the one that you currently love. Nice work here.
Thank you for stopping by!
Thank you for this wonderful selection. I was never really fond of writing journals. It was part prejudice and my personal feel that these kind of books are not worth reading. However, after reading one bestseller, I was blown away how interesting and how good this kind of writing actually is.
From your list I think my personal favorite is Bullet Journal Method because I really enjoy self help and modern popular psychology.
Thank you for sharing these.
Truly one of my favorites! Thank you for stopping by.
This is a great overview of best journals, I enjoyed going through it and choosing one that would suit me best. I have to say the Bullet Journal aroused my curiosity and it really seems a good thing. I think it may help me focus more on my goals and have better results.
Thanks for this list!
Stephanie,
I think your Best Writing Journals article is amazing. I can relate to a lot of what you wrote about because at 62, I suffer from depression and anxiety and for a long time kept it inside. I did the same thing you talked about doing. I wrote down my thought because I didn’t feel I could tell them to any one. I met a marvelous friend in 1992 who has become my best and closest friend. Right from the start I knew I could talk to her about anything. Than 4 years ago, I was diagnosed with Cancer and after the Chemo and Radiation treatments, I went into a dark hole and thought I would never pull myself out. Even my best friend couldn’t help, she could only stand by and what it happen.
One day, I had to go to my family doctor because I had developed pneumonia and she said I needed to get professional help. Realizing I needed to make some changes, I agreed. I am now seeing a therapist twice a week and it is really helping. I can talk about whatever I want and there is no judgement. I actually walk on out my sessions with a clearer head and a reason to get out of bed each day.
I still write my thoughts down and most of them turn into poems. Thank you for sharing your story and having the courage to open up through your writing.
All the best to you!
Barbara
I am so deeply sorry to hear about what you’ve been through. I really hope you’re somehow managing right now. Sending you positive vibes only. Please take care!
I am a big fan of Michelle Obama, I think that would be a great journal to have. I can only imagine what advice she could spread to anyone reading that. She seems to be such a positive person, and I think we could all use some positive words to help get through this life sometimes. I have never kept a journal myself, but after reading this post I am thinking about doing so. The Q & A might be the best one for me as a beginner, and then if I enjoy it I could try another one. Thank you for sharing, this looks like a lot of fun!