5 Types Of Journals You Can Write In
Journaling has always been a huge part of my journey and life. Growing up I would collect the cute fuzzy journals that came with a lock and pen. Although I would never write my thoughts in them I would still collect them and write random notes. It wasn’t until middle school when my mom, made the best decision ever to put me into counseling after a few traumatic events. Until this day I am forever grateful for those moments.
I remember walking into my first appointment with the therapist at 13 years old, after we began to talk she walked me over to a closet which was full of stacked journals. I remember how I felt when looking into that closet, it was like a colorful closet that seemed so magical at the time almost like a Lisa Frank closet. After a few moments in awe, I finally picked out my first journal and immediately set out on my new journey of journaling.
I wrote everything in that journal during middle school, I never left the house without it and would spend hours writing at a time. Journaling has saved me and has helped me get through so many situations that probably should have led me down to a long journey of depression. After middle school, there were been moments when I didn’t journal anything high school was one of those moments.
Why You Should Write In A Journal
Once I moved to Chicago in 2010 I began to journal like never before. I am so happy that I did, ten years of living in Chicago I have been able to collect a stack of journals that share my journey through Fashion Design school experiencing my first heartbreak. I’ve been able to document prayers of me asking God for things and finally being able to see (10 years later) God’s work in bringing some of those things to fruition. It was then I realized that I created several different journals. I am always sharing with you guys on my Instagram Stories behind the scenes of my journaling. Because I get so many questions about what to journal or how to journal. I thought I would put together this quick blog post covering several types of journals you can create.
I don’t know what to write about.
This is so common and sometimes I have no idea what to write either. Some days I do not journal at all, while other days I can’t help to pull out my pen and notebook and write until my hands hurt. Some mornings I wake up so inspired with so many ideas that I have to write in most cases I get a very strong urge to write and if I do not release I won’t be able to focus until I do write. Everyone is different, if you are new to journaling you may feel overwhelmed and may not be sure where to start. You know that it’s something you want to do, just need some guidance. I recommend starting with a simple vision journal. In the past vision boards was my thing, but I felt that for me a vision board just wasn’t as effective as it was for others. So after much prayer, God led me to create a vision journal instead. My vision journal is my BABY and I will not be sharing any pictures on this post because it’s just so delicate and I want to protect my vision.
Vision Journal: I decided to create a vision journal because I live in a small apartment at the moment and hanging a vision board on the wall just seemed a bit odd especially when we had company over. Not only that but I feel that I have much more freedom when it comes to a journal as I am not limited to just a board. I do not write in my vision journal every day I only write in it when I feel led to do so or whenever I feel down, defeated, etc. My vision journal is huge and I started my vision journal with the things that I want to accomplish in 2020. I also write things that I desire to have and I go into detail about how these things will come to pass. As someone who suffered from anxiety in the past, I realized that there were certain things that were triggering this feeling and that the only way that I could really overcome it was if I programmed my mindset. Vision journaling helps me with that. For example, if I am struggling with my blog or business Instead of falling into a pity party I reach for my journal and flip the thing that I was discouraged about into something positive. When I journal I also include images and use different colored pens to really bring my journal pages to life.
What to write in your Vision Journal
Write out your yearly goals
Create monthly intentions
Plan out your dream house
Write out how you will start your day when you finally reach your goals
Use the journal to document images and pictures that really bring you joy and fulfillment
Selecting the right journal
I was gifted the journal I am currently using a few years ago. Unlike my prayer journal, my vision journal is huge and full of space to write and draw in. I prefer a big one because I tend to write alot and include a ton of images in mines. I also prefer a lined vision journal rather than a blank page one. My current journal has cute lined pink pages along with floral and butterfly drawings that you can color in which I tend to do.
Vision Journals To Write In
Prayer Journal: There was a time in college where I had to move home, if you don’t know the cost of living in Chicago is crazy. I went to a art school so it wasn’t a traditional college. I lived in a loft instead of a dorm and not only that I was a fashion design major which meant that I was constantly spending hundreds of dollars on fabrics, art supplies, groceries and other materials that I would need for school. It got so expensive that I had to move home for a quarter and take online classes. It was so embarrassing and very few people knew this because I told my mom to not let anyone know. As you can imagine fashion has ALWAYS played an intricate part of who I am so having to move home was soo depressing. My faith took a different route and I was so disappointed and felt that God had let me down. I remember journaling in a purple notebook with a cross on it, I began to make list of things that I wanted. Some of my prayers happened immediately and some took time. Some of my prayers and goals simply were fleshly desires and had nothing to do with who God created me to be. Some of the goals were so small I now understand why God did not bless me with those things. Because of these journals over 10 years worth I now have PROOF for myself and my children and grandchildren of how miracles works and how God operates. I understand it because I’ve experienced it. I now know that I was simply acting on instinct looking back. I don’t think I was really hearing from God in 2011 and 2010 but I was going by what felt right which now I guess you could say was God the whole time.
What to write in your prayer journal
Make list of things you would love to accomplish
Make list of things that you need
Document your prayers
Draw your visions and dreams. I have a journal from 2011 during my bible study time I would receive visions of different designs and styles of clothes I could create during my design classes.
Document your conversations with God, what is he saying to you?
Selecting the right journal
I am very picky about my journals, for me, it’s about feeling. If I pick up a journal and I can’t connect to the blank sheets of paper then I will probably only fill up a few pages until I find a better one. For my prayer journals, I prefer a smaller sized notebook one that isn’t too thick. I get overwhelmed with larger size notebooks and always feel guilty if I don’t complete them. I am going to include some of my top favorite journals that I recommend for your prayer journal. I was recently gifted this coffee mug, journal, calendar & pencil case from Shades Of Colors.
Here are some of my other favorite journals from Shades of Color
Journals- I love their journals because they always have cute drawings or bible quotes. Shop here, here
Coffee Mugs- I have a soup mug from them and I LOVE IT! However, this coffee mug I have been reaching for it daily. Here are some similar styles here, here
They also have variou style planners, this is a similar one I have . Their planners are full of various tips to help you stay motivated, staying on track of your budget & also recipes ,quotes and other helpful content
Lastly, is their handbags & pouches. I have a handbag that’s similar to my coffee mug & I carried it with me to Jamaica last year on my honeymoon and it was super helpful & stylish. I received a ton of compliments on that bag. You may view the handbag in this post here
I have a cosmetic pouch too which I LOVE I actually keep my pens in this bag. This is the exact pouch I have
Feel free to click each image so you can get a full view. I’ve also made sure to stick to Amazon for fast delivery.
Business/ Success Journal- This journal is more so how I organize my blog content, my styling service content and more. Often went attending webinars and different courses that I’ve signed up for, and I tend to write things in this journal. I am not to picky about my success journal or what I write in it. It’s simply used to plan content and jot down any random drops of inspiration.
What to write in your business journal
Plan your blog content
Write out your business profit goals
Take notes from any masterclasses you attend
Write out your blog post
Write out new ideas
Selecting the right journal
I am not too picky about my business and success journals however I do naturally reach for moleskine notebooks or spiral-bound notebooks.
Bible Study Journal: My prayer journals used to be combined with my bible study journals but now I prefer to keep a really cute sparkly notebook that makes me sooo happy. It’s really small and not too bulky. I tend to do a lot of topical studies which often cause me to write a lot. But I also get board with using the same notebook for a very long time. Sometimes I do not write in my bible study journal but when I do it’s because I’m doing an in-depth study or I need to write out a revelation from the latest study.
What to write in your bible study journal
Church Notes
Keep track of your dreams
Do word studies
Do topical studies
I really hope you all enjoyed this post!!! I started writing this post at about 5am and it’s now 10am and it’s finally complete! I want to hear from you!
Do you journal? What are some of the biggest breakthroughs you have experienced?
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