13+ Creative Ways to Use Your Journal
Are you looking for a new way to keep track of your day-to-day life? Do you want something that is more creative than a simple notebook or journal? In this post, I will go over 13 ways to use your journal. Whether it’s making a chore list, using the pages as a calendar, or even turning them into artwork, there are plenty of creative ways to make your journal work for you!
Journaling can be one of the most fulfilling and creative ways to express yourself. You can keep track of any books you’ve read, record quotes that inspire you, or make a diary for recording your precious thoughts. There are many possibilities for what you can do with your journal, the ideas are endless. I would love to hear your favorite ways of using journals so we can come up with new ideas for using ours. Comment below and let’s brainstorm together!
13 Creative Ways to Use Your Journal
There are many ways in which people use a journal, whether for their own creativity or for meditation and self-care. I have a TON of journals and they are all for different things. Journaling allows people to reflect on experiences and help them create new memories. Journals can be passed down and read later on. They can be used for more than just recording one’s thoughts. Your memoir is unique to you and can even be a big mix of things that bring you joy, help you get to know yourself, and allow you to see how far you have come.
Journals are one of the most classic tools for keeping track of thoughts, prayers, memories, quotes, experiences, and more. Stickers, coloring, and writing in your journals will make them into personalized works of art! I may be slightly addicted to fine tip pens and markers because of my love for journaling. No matter how you use them, they’re a great way to express yourself.
Keep track of your progress towards a goal
When it comes to reaching new goals nothing helps quite as much as seeing progress happen right in front of your eyes. Your journal is a great place to track the progress of your goals over time. From fitness goals to learning a new language or writing that novel, you have always dreamed of, tracking your progress can be very motivating in all aspects of life. I have a walking journal which I include the walk I did, the time, and the date. I also like to write about what I saw on that walk, at the end of the week I tally the amount of time I spent walking and the miles I went.
Bullet Journaling Fun!
I remember the first time I saw a bullet journal I thought it was the dot-dot game or the squares game as others may call it. Do you remember that game? Making the most of your bullet journal can be as simple as using it for planning or tracking the goals that enrich your life. There are plenty of creative ways to use it, from being prepped each night before bed by creating a schedule or checking how many hours you’ve spent working on specific projects.
There are many top journals out there today that will serve your purpose for whatever life throws at you, from the simple and pretty to full-on art pieces. Some of these difficult journals to find in stores and online can be ordered via Amazon. I hope you enjoy the journey that lies ahead.
Start keeping lists in one spot
Do you write down lists on random pieces of scratch paper and lose them? Lists are an amazing thing that can help you think, plan, and appreciate your life in new and amazing ways. One helpful way to use your journal is to keep a bunch of lists and keep them all in one place! From your bucket list (40 by 40) to a list of your favorite books (and thoughts about them), you can use this idea to really get to know yourself on a deeper level than you ever imagined before.
Here are a few simple Journal list ideas:
● Places I want to visit (Greece, Italy, Travel all the states)
● My favorite books (that’s a tough one so I need a book of them)
● Bucket List (This can be your own bucket list or a family bucket list)
● Brainstorming pages (I have so many ideas but when I sit to write I have none so I need this)
● Countdown list (wedding day, birthdays, holidays, deployment)
● Bible Verses that speak to me
● Goals I want to achieve
● Things I am proud of myself for (Bachelor’s Degree, Etsy Shop, etc)
Create a Dream journal
Dream journals are an immensely helpful tool for achieving greater clarity and creativity. A dream journal allows you to preserve important storytelling details that often escape your head the moment you get up and start doing your routine. Write it while it is still fresh in your mind. Keep a journal and pen beside your bed so you can quickly jot it down.
Write down all the details you can remember. How it made you feel, what was going on that day, who was in the dream with you, etc. Dream journals can help if you can’t sleep or aren’t getting enough sleep. Sometimes you can figure out just what’s going through your mind through your dreams.
A Vision Journal
This is what some would call your vision board but in the form of a journal. It’s your ultimate wants, wish lists, etc. You’ve always dreamed of doing something, write them down and later write down when you achieved them. You can use this journal to stay focused on your goals and improve your life.
- What are your dreams?
- Where do you want to be in 5 years? 10 Yrs? 25 years?
- What products do you wish to own? House? Car?
Write letters to loved ones
When we are long gone, our journals will be left behind. A heartfelt way to make use of your journal is to write letters to your loved ones that will be found when you are no longer here with them. This can be one big journal for everyone to pass around or you could work on smaller journals for each person to hold close to them one day.
This is the perfect place to write your hopes, your dreams, and the things they have done that make you proud of them. I have thought about this many times, and currently, I write in five different bibles. Each bible is intended to go to one of my children when they are old enough.
Write affirmations and Say them Outloud
Negative self-talk happens to the best of us, but learning how to conquer that takes work. Affirmations are an amazing technique for self-love and self-growth. Filling your journal full of affirmations reminding yourself that you are valuable, loved, and worthy can offer a great mental boost. Sometimes it can help by writing out the problem, then creating affirmations that go with it. I like to write down bible verses that go with the affirmations.
Make an Inspirational Words Journal
Think of all those inspirational words by famous people you love or have heard and don’t want to forget. Bible verses can be inspirational as well as movie quotes.
No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. – Aesop
Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’! – Audrey Hepburn
When you have a dream, you’ve got to grab it and never let go. – Carol Burnett
Save your favorite recipes
That’s right, write down all of your favorite recipes in one place. Don’t forget to write down what you might want to add to this dish or take out for the next time. What better place than your journal to look back on your favorite recipes and the memories connected to them?
The best place to store your favorite recipes in a journal. You’ll want to keep some of them new, but if you have notes taken on memorable cooking experiences (like what you made the meal for or who made it with you), pull out the old favorites and make new memories by whipping up the recipe again with the family! Don’t forget to take pictures to put in it. I love to look through recipes that have pictures.
Doodles & Art Journaling
Did you doodle on your homework as a kid? I always did, in fact, a guy that sat behind me once asked me to sign a doodle because he thought I’d be famous for them one day. I still doodle today. My daughter uses her journal as an art journal, she paints, draws with watercolor pencils and sketches things she sees every day. This can be a creative way to relax and calm stress. Use your journal as a place to doodle to help you relax on a rough day. If you are more serious about art, store all your important ideas and sketches in a journal.
You can turn your doodles into a whole art book if you want! The possibilities with journaling truly are endless and I love seeing what everyone comes up with when they tap into their creativity. Even if you don’t feel like you’re the best at drawing, a journal is a perfect spot to practice all of your skills. You could even practice lettering, calligraphy, etc. So fun!
Work on your own gratitude journal.
Gratitude journals(<–free one for kids I made) are a great way to readjust your mindset. Writing down what you are thankful for is a wonderful way to change your mindset on a rough day. When you are having a hard time finding joy on a particular day, look back at your gratitude journal to see all the things you have to be thankful for. Make this a daily habit to truly change your life. If you aren’t sure what to write about, try these gratitude journaling prompts.
Scripture Journaling helps you Reflect on the Word
At the beginning of the book you can write down all the verses you want to read for the month and mark them off as you go. Write the scripture you are reading that day on the first line of that particular page with the bible verse. I like to write out the word/words that pop out to me. Circle the word, do a bit of research on it, and write it down. Next either write the verse out again or put it in your own words what it means to you and how you will apply it to your life. Finally, use the verse in a prayer.
Prayer Journal to Keep track of those Prayers
A prayer journal or even just keep track of what you want to pray for helps me out a lot. Prayer journaling is a great way to remember those things that we may forget after time has passed including our prayer requests. We can go back through and see how God answered those prayers and be reminded of all the mighty ways He used us over the years! This is such a great way to share the story of your life with God. If you don’t know how to make a prayer journal you can see how I made ours.
A Journal for Kids
Now is the perfect time to get kids involved with journaling and this is the perfect way to do it! They will enjoy filling out each day’s activities.. Dollar Tree has a ton of stickers you can purchase and slide in a sticker book. It helps them document all that they love to do.
My son does Reading Counts for school as many around the country do. This would be the perfect opportunity to write down all the books he/she reads and can give it stars to show what he thought of it with a brief review. This will also help me whenever I swing by the library/store and want to get more books. I won’t be grabbing repeats since they don’t count. (Reading Journal)
10 Gratitude Journal Prompts for Kids
(Download this Gratitude Journal for Kids)
1) What three things did you like today?
2) What is one good thing that happened to you today?
3) What can you be grateful for about your bedroom? Your house? Floor? School?
4) Do something that makes you feel happy. Write about it!
5) Think of three things to be thankful for with your family.
6) What’s one thing you want to remember from today?
7) What has God been showing you lately?
8) Write about your favorite memories from today.
9) What does gratitude mean to you? Why is it important?
10) Who can you thank today? What will you say?
Kids will love having their own journals to do with however they want and adults will love that they are writing.
How will you use your journal?
Record an interesting quote, keep track of books you’ve read, or just make a scrapbook. Sometimes just using it as a diary helps the mind. You’ll find that keeping a journal is great fun and it has lots of benefits. I’d love to hear more ideas! Leave a comment below letting us know the most creative ways you use your journals. Who knows, you may inspire someone!
