* Guided journals are an organized upgrade from childhood diaries
* These 5 options will help you explore what’s important to you
* Journals for both creativity-focused and organization-focused people
Are you over the days of “Dear Diary…” but not convinced to jump on the complicated Bullet Journal bandwagon? Or maybe you want to keep better track of your days but just don’t know how to get started? Thankfully, there are countless options of guided journals to help you focus on what’s important in your life, whether that’s sparking creativity, monitoring personal growth or managing stress.
Guided journals come in a variety of formats, but most provide daily writing or artistic prompts to help you explore one aspect of your life or psyche. Some are as quick as a line or a few minutes a day, while others give you free rein to spend as much time and write as many words as you’d like.
Here are five guided journals ranging from vibrantly-designed and hilarious to intelligently-organized and motivational to help you take stock of your life.
1. Start Where You Are: A Journal for Self-Exploration
This journal is the holy grail of creativity-nurturers. From reflective writing prompts to chart-making exercises to art activities, you’ll be constantly stimulated to get to know yourself better and express your emotions through new mediums. Bright designs and inspirational quotes bring further positivity to what customers call a gorgeous road map to reconnecting with yourself.
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2. Zen as F*ck: A Journal for Practicing the Mindful Art of Not Giving a Sh*t
Swearing has been scientifically proven to help you relieve stress in a variety of ways. So, what better way to find your inner calm than with a quirky, empowering and, of course, profanity-forward journal? “Zen as F*ck” provides affirmations, colorful artwork and a variety of writing prompts aimed at making you more comfortable with relaxing and finally letting go of stress.
3. Q&A a Day: 5-Year Journal
The Q&A journal keeps things short and sweet: just answer one provided question each day. Every page has lines to fit five years’ worth of answers so you can see just how much changes in your life over time. You might be surprised to see the differences 365 days can make, and you’ll definitely want to keep this record of personal growth as a memento for years to come.
4. “The Best Journal Ever”
The name is a lot to live up to, but this journal hits multiple marks in being a great option with daily inspirational quotes, gratitude logs, a line for affirmations and a half page to rehash the day’s highlights. Add in habit trackers, monthly reflections and space for sleep tracking, and you have yourself one incredibly well-rounded journal. Customers say it’s been instrumental in developing good habits and monitoring progress towards personal goals.
5. The Sunrise Manifesto: Guided Morning Journal
Everyone can find a spare ten minutes in their schedule to practice gratitude and self-care. This simple but meaningful journal gives you one full-page for free-writing the morning’s thoughts and one page for the daily manifesto, including a gratitude log, to-do’s and other prompts. There’s also a weekly review to help you reflect on the past and plan for your best future.