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Ready to transform your life one habit at a time?
Imagine a companion that not only encourages accountability but also turns goal-setting and productivity into an adventure of self-discovery.
Whether your aims include meditating, improving sleep quality, financial management, or boosting your daily water intake, documenting your journey offers a vivid snapshot of your personal evolution.
Among the diverse methods available for habit tracking, the bullet journal distinguishes itself with its unparalleled adaptability and creative potential.
We’ve carefully selected 49 Bullet Journal Habit Tracker Ideas & Examples to ignite your creativity and assist in tailoring your tracking to fit your unique needs and interests.
Our collection ranges from the streamlined DHG Monthly Habit Tracker to the enchantingly detailed Gingerbread-Themed Habit Tracker, and the indispensable Pet Care Habit Tracker, ensuring there’s a perfect match for everyone.
Experience the delight of vibrant colors with the Colorful Habit Tracker, seek tranquility in the precision of the Moon-themed Habit Tracker, or tap into your magical side with the Hogwarts-Inspired Habit Tracker.
Each concept offers a glimpse into the myriad ways you can visualize your progress and commitment, whether through the blossoming design of the Pink Flower Habit Tracker or the meticulous organization of the Square and Grid Habit Tracker.
Dive into our curated selection and find the ideal habit tracker that resonates with your personal aspirations.
Remember, every entry you make is a step forward towards becoming the version of yourself you’ve always dreamt of.
Key Benefits of Habit Tracking Journaling
But before we get to our list, we want to share with you some of the benefits of habit tracking:
Accountability. Keeping a habit tracker helps you develop your sense of accountability. Whenever you don’t accomplish a task or habit you promised yourself to fulfill, it makes you feel a little guilty. Thus, you try your best to achieve it the next time.
Goal-setting. Habit trackers improve your goal-setting abilities, too. It is true that there are specific goal-setting planners you can use to focus on achieving your goals, but a habit tracker is a good tool in general to help you break down the tasks you need to master in order to achieve them.
Motivation. Habit trackers allow you to see your progress on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. If you have long-term goals, you can even create one that is designed to depict your yearly accomplishments. And whenever you look at that progress, you feel more inspired and motivated to continue your habit development.
Productivity. Motivation is what keeps us going, and helps us maintain our productivity. Whenever you look at your planner or tracker, you feel a sense of accomplishment knowing that you’ve been doing things according to plan. That can give you the motivation to be more active and consistent in doing your daily habits and tasks.
Self-development. Bullet journalists and writers agree that one of the best ways to practice self-care and self-development is through habit tracking. You get to know yourself better and understand what you are best and worst at. Habit tracking helps you define your strengths and weaknesses.
These are only a few of the many advantages of having a habit tracker in your journal. Now let’s check out our list of habit tracker ideas you can use!
If you’re looking for a calendar-format habit tracker for major habits, you might want to give our monthly tracker a try. It allows you to track up to four habits for a particular month and comes in a muted pastel color scheme.
Each habit calendar features encircled dates that you can mark with a check or an X. You can also fill them in with colored markers to indicate you’ve done the habit for the day. A section at the bottom of the page allows you to write down important notes and reminders.
Tired of complicated habit trackers? We’ve got you covered with our minimalist template that’s specifically designed to be easy to use without sacrificing the functionality of an effective habit tracker.
This teal-themed template provides space for keeping track of eight habits over seven days. The tracker has a Sunday start.
More importantly, this tracker has a section for writing observations and reflections about your routine (e.g., which habits worked and which need improvement).
3. Three Time Periods Habit Tracker
What makes this habit tracker template unique is the division of morning, workday, and night habits—three time periods that you can further organize via color-coding. You can use various colors if you prefer to come up with your own beautiful design.
4. Butterfly Habit Tracker
With this journal template, you can include as many as 10 habits. If your journal notebook is big, you can even add more habits at the bottom. Then, you can customize it by pasting cuttings like the butterflies in the example, according to your preference.
5. Another Minimalist Habit Tracker
This is a great minimalist bullet journal habit tracker and sleep tracker (or any tracker you may want to put on the other side of the notebook, for that matter). It is perfect for a dotted notebook, as the dots can serve as your guide when tracking.
6. Weekly Habit Tracker
This is another great habit tracker for minimalistic bullet journal users. The dates are even divided on a weekly basis, making your habits easier to track. In addition to being simple to use, it is also not very time-consuming to create.
7. Graph Habit Tracker
Try out this template if you want to keep your habit, mood, and sleep trackers all in one place. According to the creator of this tracker, it is perfect for those with self-destructive tendencies and sleep problems.
8. Three-in-One Habit Tracker
This design comes complete with daily, weekly, and monthly habit trackers. It even has an affirmations schedule and space for notes. The way the space is used is just so adorable, plus you can put a lot of elements on one page.
9. Mandala Habit Tracker
This circular, mandala-like habit tracker is perfect for those who are practicing Zen-related habits. Mandalas are known to increase focus and attention, and reduce stress and tension. However, this template can also be useful for anyone who simply wants a circular habit tracker.
10. Pink Flower Habit Tracker
Here we have a minimalist habit tracker that is perfect for those who love flowers. You can also change the design if you want to, but can still keep the boxes, which you can highlight, shade, or color.
11. Meditation Habit Tracker
This template is specifically intended for your meditation habit. It can be useful if you want your trackers for each habit to be on separate pages. You can track 10 habits—one per page—so you’ll have a better (and wider) view of your progress. This is recommended if you have a journal notebook with many pages.
12. Beauty Routine Habit Tracker
This is a tracker for your beauty and skin care routine, as well as your reading and knowledge habits. It is a great way to keep tabs on the positive habits you are trying to integrate into your life.
13. Pink & Floral Graph Habit Tracker
We personally like this tracker because of the graphs and simplicity. It is an excellent template to use if you want to see correlations between your habits and mood. It is also very clean, and has a lot of space where you can add notes.
14. Savings & Spending Habit Tracker
This is another saving and spending habits tracker, albeit a bit more detailed than the previous one. It separates your savings from your spending, and even has values for your target savings. There is also space for notes where you can write reminders about the things you decide to buy.
15. Sleep, Work, Study, and Exercise Tracker
This habit tracker may take a while to create, but it is easy to use once done. You just have to highlight the days you did a habit, and you’re set. But don’t forget to use color-coding so you don’t get lost when you are reviewing different habits.
16. Piano Lessons Habit Tracker
Here we have a habit tracker in landscape layout. In the example it is being used as a piano tracker, but it can be a good template for just about any kind of habit. It can even serve as a general tracker where you can list all of your habits.
17. Baby’s Height and Weight Tracker
This example is designed for moms who want to keep track of their newborns. It has height and weight elements on one page, and a record of the baby’s teeth on the other. If you want, you can even track your baby’s sleep and food or milk intake.
18. Baby’s Feeding and Sleep Log
Here is another template specifically for the mommies out there. This design helps you keep track of your baby’s feedings and sleep. It is printable, so you can have as many copies as you want.
19. Pet Care Habit Tracker
This is a habit tracker for your pet—since pets need good self-care habits too! This tracker will be most useful for those who take pet care very seriously.
20. Another Pet Care Habit Tracker
Here’s another pet care habit tracker for you and your favorite animal. As you can see, this is actually a planner with a habit tracker, which will come in handy if you want to track your pets’ progress in a variety of categories.
21. Square and Grid Habit Tracker
This habit tracker is great for those who like geometric lines and illusions. It is a combination of a habit tracker and a mood tracker, and looks absolutely beautiful when the month is done (assuming, of course, that you have accomplished most of your goals).
22. Simple Habit Tracker
There’s something about this habit tracker that is so refreshing to the eyes. It’s probably the combination of black and pastel colors on white paper, plus the habit names written in a floating style. Whatever it is, you can try this format on your next bullet journal spread.
23. Moon-themed Habit Tracker
If you are following marthasjournal on Instagram, you probably know that she is one of the most popular bullet journalists at the moment. This moon-themed habit tracker is just so calm and peaceful, it will inspire you to meet your habit goals every day.
24. Cloudy Habit Tracker
This is another design from marthasjournal, and is laid out in calendar form per habit. The design is what makes the difference. You can customize this template with cut-outs from your used magazines or art papers at home.
25. Flower-themed Monthly Habit Tracker
It’s no mystery why the lovely designs from marthasjournal are some of our favorites. This particular habit tracker is flower-themed, and includes eight categories. If you are in the mood to do some artwork, you can even use the next page to include eight more habits.
Are you a fun and playful person? Then this habit tracker design and template might just suit you. It also has a mood tracker format that you can copy into your bullet journal notebook.
27. Black and Yellow Habit Tracker
If you are a fan of the combination of black and yellow, you will likely appreciate this template. It’s simple yet fancy, and very appealing. If you happen to like any other color instead of yellow, then that’s perfectly fine too, since black works well with any color.
28. Printable Two Designs Habit Tracker
This printable habit tracker by Savanna Williams is available on Etsy.com, and provides a nice dose of variety. There is a vertical version and a circular one. If you purchase it, you’ll get a copy in four sizes—letter, half-letter, A4, and A5.
29. Flower-themed Printable Habit Tracker
This lovely, printable habit tracker from Anna Galiano is available on Etsy.com in A5 and half-letter size. It has all the essentials of a habit tracker, such as the month and date, and a space where you can write the habits you want to monitor.
30. High-Contrast Tracker
If you prefer a high-contrast spread, you might try something like this example. You can track up to 10 habits, using pre-assigned symbols for each one. It also comes with trackers for steps and fluid intake.
You can use neon highlighters or markers against a black background to represent days when you’ve accomplished an activity.
31. Take the Cake
In this scrumptious example, the owner drew slices of different cakes to represent each day of the month. She then colored in each slice, using the colors she had assigned the different habits she’s tracking.
32. All Colors of the Light Spectrum
Tired of minimalist spreads? If you love to see an explosion of colors in your bullet journal, here’s a habit tracker example that incorporates every color of the rainbow.
33. Fuzzy Wuzzies
This spread features more subtle colors. It allows you to track up to five habits, and each one is represented by a cute caterpillar.
34. Gorgeously Illustrated Habit Tracker
Get more inspired to perform your daily habits with this gorgeous, hand-drawn spread. The tracker page features mini-calendars with headers in shades of blue and green. Providing visual interest on this page is an underwater theme created using brush pens and fineliners.
35. Cacti Spread
Here is another colorful example of a habit tracker. As you can see, this one has desert scenes, with succulents and sand dunes as the feature images.
36. The “Envelope System”
Incorporating tactile elements is a great way to create a unique and eye-catching habit tracker page. In this example, the owner created tiny felt envelopes and placed mini-calendars within. Each envelope represents a habit that the owner wishes to track.
37. Watercolor Tracker
This habit tracker features a watercolor silhouette of a city skyline. There are calendar boxes for tracking up to six habits. Just use markers or highlighters to fill in each box, representing that you’ve accomplished a habit on a particular day. If you are into watercolors, you might want to try this kind of tracker for your next habit tracker spread.
38. Golden Hearts Habit Tracker
Metallic gel pens produce a stunning effect when used in black-paged bullet journals, as shown in this example. There are three habits being tracked in this spread. Each one is written in calligraphy, serving as vertical headers. Once a habit has been accomplished, a heart is placed on the row corresponding to the date.
39. Green-and-Orange Color Scheme
This habit tracker uses brush pens in orange and green tones to create a gingham effect in each habit calendar. Each colored square within the calendar represents a day when the owner has performed a habit.
40. All That Matters Most
This habit tracker from creator @leftyartlover features a beautifully illustrated two-page layout. The trackers are drawn as part of the overall artwork. For example, the window is the tracker for the owner’s workout routine, the painting is the vitamin-intake tracker, and the bottom of the bed is a month-long sleep log. Pretty clever, isn’t it?
41. Yuletide Habit Tracker
This tracker features a seasonal theme, and there is enough space to track a multitude of habits. However, for the greatest chance at success, it is recommended to track no more than 10 habits at a time.
42. Gingerbread-Themed Habit Tracker
Looking for more hand-drawn examples? If you’re artistically gifted and have sufficient time to make a hand-drawn habit tracker, then this tasty example might serve as inspiration.
43. Inspired by Honey
This tracker is inspired by honey, which is considered to be nature’s liquid gold. The bright colors of this tracker make it fitting for a spring-themed spread.
44. Sweet and Simple Theme
Here’s a figure-skating theme that you might try for your own bullet journal tracker page. This tracker’s charming design belies its power to motivate and encourage the owner to stay on track with their chosen good habits.
45. Gingham-Themed Tracker
In this example, the owner of the bullet journal tracks their reading, workout, and self-care habits. The background of this tracker takes inspiration from gingham cloth. The two-color, checked pattern evokes a cozy atmosphere, such as during the fall season.
46. Hogwarts-Inspired Habit Tracker
Here’s a habit tracker that takes inspiration from the wizarding world of Harry Potter. The hand-drawn, striped scarves are filled in with specific colors, indicating the days a habit has been accomplished.
The colors represent each of Hogwarts’ houses: red for Gryffindor, green for Slytherin, yellow for Hufflepuff, and blue for Ravenclaw.
47. Tracker for Health Habits
This tracker pays tribute to the moon and keeps track of your healthy habits. The spread is decorated with scraps of printed magenta paper, Kraft paper, stickers, and doodles drawn by the journal’s owner.
48. Halloween-Themed Habit Tracker
If you’re looking for a Halloween-themed tracker, here’s a minimalist example with just the right amount of creepy and spooky. This tracker has sufficient space to log 12 habits.
49. Grayscale Tracker
This minimalist tracker features a two-page spread, with different habits grouped according to category. For example, you’ll notice that training habits are divided into different activities and focus areas. The spread also has areas on the right-hand side to keep track of events for the month.
Conclusion
Habit tracking is one of the best ways to help you know which areas in your life need a bit of work and improvement. At the same time, it allows you to reevaluate your choices and eliminate the things in your life you no longer think are worth spending time on.
Personalizing your bullet journal habit trackers is also a great way to stay motivated and on track to follow through. There are many kinds of bullet journal supplies that you can use to enhance the look of your habit trackers.
If you want to live an organized yet interesting lifestyle, we suggest adding a habit tracker to your bullet journal and also a bullet journal index.
There might be affiliate links on this page, which means we get a small commission of anything you buy. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Please do your own research before making any online purchase.
If you’re new to bullet journaling, you might be looking for some pointers to get you started.
Although you can dive right in and start bullet journaling with just a notebook and a pen, having other journaling supplies on hand can give you a truly satisfying creative experience as you track of your schedule, to-do list, ideas, and artwork.
Today’s post features a list of the essential bullet journal supplies you need to get started organizing your life.
The cover of Dingbats Earth Dotted Hardcover Journal is made from 100% PU vegan leather, with 12 vibrant colors to choose from. It feels luxurious and provides an elegant protective cover for the pages of your bullet journal.
If you’re looking for a notebook that’s primarily designed for bullet journals, you might want to try this one. It features dot-grid, numbered pages. The first few pages are labeled for bullet journal use, including index, key pages, and future log. The pages are creamy white 100 gsm paper, so they’re thick enough for sketches and heavy writing.
This notebook also comes with an expandable envelope for essential documents you need to carry with you. In addition, there are 16 perforated pages, so you can easily detach art work or to-do lists. Lastly, there are a couple of ribbon bookmarks that make it easy for you to find your place within the journal.
If you’re looking for a high-end notebook, this is a very good option.
This notebook also has 100 gsm paper. Its cover is made from PU leather and comes in 10 colors.
Many bullet journal enthusiasts prefer using a dot grid notebook because it allows them some flexibility in creating their spreads, which can be a bit difficult to pull off on a squared or lined page. A dot grid notebook also provides some structure compared with a plain notebook.
Here is another notebook from the Dingbats line. This time, the notebook contains plain pages.
Dingbats Wildlife Collection Notebook is ideal for those who do bullet journaling, but also use their notebooks as sketchbooks. This product also has a vegan leather cover. Its 192 pages are entirely perforated, and it comes with a pen holder, an expandable envelope, and a single ribbon bookmark.
Its sturdy black cover has a classic, elegant design. There are 240 pages on 120 leaves of acid-free paper. That gives this notebook an archival quality, ensuring that your notes do not fade with time.
It also comes with a ribbon bookmark and an expandable pocket.
Scriveiner Luxury Pen provides a smooth writing experience, such as you’d get when using a fountain pen. In addition, it offers the convenience of a ballpoint in an elegant writing instrument.
If you want a luxury pen for filling in the daily, weekly, and monthly spreads in your bullet journal, this pen is worth a try.
Are you looking for pens that are suitable for both writing and sketching?
Sakura Pigma Micron Pen set offers various nib sizes, making it ideal for writing and sketching. The set provides great value for money. Furthermore, the ink is archival quality, which ensures that what you write in your journal won’t fade as time passes.
Using colored pens adds visual interest to bullet journals. Gel pens, such as those found in Paper Mate InkJoy Gel Pens, are popular for drawing icons, sketches, and other images for your spreads.
Gel pens have the advantage of working on almost any type of paper. They produce less ghosting, and rarely bleed through a page.
There are a lot of choices for writing tools that work well with bullet journals. Your choice should be determined by how comfortable you are when handling these pens, markers, etc. Always take into consideration:
How comfortable you are using the pen
If you’re doing more sketching or more writing
How well your pen prevents bleed-through or ghosting
Remember, just because a pen is expensive does not necessarily mean it will perform best for your needs.
Most bullet journal users have a favorite set of fineliner pens. These are typically used for creating graphics. However, they are also a favorite for writing by hand. Perhaps this has something with the softer feel of the fiber tip that you cannot get with a regular ballpoint pen.
iBayam 18-Color Fineliner Pens comes in 18 colors, and provides great value for your money. The ink does not bleed through your journal’s pages, and people have used the pens for creating calendars, drawing, coloring, charting their trackers, and more.
Zebra Mildliner Creative Marker is a favorite amongst creatives. It features soft colors that are pleasing to the eye. The highlighters come with double tips—a broad and a fine tip—that can accommodate all types of journaling, drawing, and other applications.
This set of black, felt-tip pens is awesome for bullet journals. You’ll appreciate the vivid black ink that makes note-taking a pleasurable experience. The best part is that these Paper Mate Flair Felt Tip Pens do not bleed through paper. And in bullet journaling, that is a big plus.
If you’d like to incorporate more color into your bullet journal, colored pencils are ideal. They do not bleed, feather, or ghost on paper.
Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils comes with 150 richly saturated colors, providing a smooth coloring experience. In addition, they are durable and lightfast.
Wanshui Oily Color Pencils are more affordable alternative to the set featured previously. It comes with 12 metallic colors and 8 fluorescent ones, for added fun while you’re coloring.
Although inks are often considered “advanced” bullet journal supplies, you can start incorporating them into your journal designs early on to make interesting spreads. Tom Holtz Distress Mini Ink Set provides awesome effects when used as a medium in bullet journals.
It can be written, stamped, and drawn over. Tom Holtz’s Distress Ink guarantees no bleed-through when used even on the thinnest journal paper.
Stencils are an easy way to create an artistic effect in your bullet journal no matter what level of artistic talent you possess. They work well with any writing medium.
Furthermore, stencils give you consistent shapes, letters, and other images every time. This is quite useful when you’re creating icons for your trackers and banners for your page headers.
20-Piece Journal Stencil contains the alphabet, banners, and other icons and shapes that you usually encounter in a bullet journal. Enjoy using them to add artistic touches to your journal pages.
Here are some other types of stencils that you definitely need in your collection:
Alphabet stencils – For a more orderly penmanship and creating a more polished look, especially for headers and title pages.
Architectural stencils – Different sizes of squares, circles, triangles, and other shapes work well in bullet journals, especially when creating monthly/weekly spreads and trackers.
Seasonal stencils – These are great for when you’re creating monthly spreads or depicting the seasons.
Stickers are another way to add attractive designs to your journal. Featured here is Zicoto Sticker Set with over 1,500 designs that you can use in your trackers, monthly pages, and other parts of your bullet journal.
If you want to create a themed bullet journal layout, stickers provide a professional look with minimal effort on your part.
So Many Planner Stickers has 2,600 stickers and is great for decorating planners and bullet journals. The stickers are just the right size, and there are a lot of designs to choose from.
The book’s format is wonderfully convenient, especially when you’re doing your bullet journaling on the go.
You can also check out more sticker options in this post.
Washi tapes are another quick and awesome way to decorate your bullet journal. They can be used for practically anything, such as:
Page borders
Tabs
Covering up mistakes on a page
Highlighting
Notepaper
Word art
Swatch decor
Color coding
Decorative adhesive
Kovano 48 Rolls Washi Tape Set depicts charming landscape scenes and are a great addition to your collection of journaling supplies. This set has 48 uniquely designed washi tapes. They are versatile, eye-catching, and durable.
Aguatape 48 Rolls Washi Tape features assorted designs that are great as page dividers in your bullet journal. The set provides great value for your money, and is a great way to grow your washi tape collection.
When you get serious about bullet journaling, you tend to accumulate a lot of supplies. If you don’t have the right storage system, items could get misplaced or lost.
Furthermore, if you’re constantly on the go, you will want to make sure that you have all your essential bullet journaling supplies with you.
Qianshan Pencil Case Holder has the capacity for up to 202 colored pencils, and comes in nine eye-catching designs. There are four compartments so you can organize your pens, coloring materials, adhesives, etc. in their appropriate receptacles.
If you are carrying only the basic supplies for your bullet journal, you can use the non-expanded version of this carrying case. Easthill Big Capacity Pencil Case expands if you need to store more items, and it comes in a size that’s convenient for taking in a backpack.
The design is minimalistic, and is available in four color options.
Final Thoughts on Bullet Journal Supplies
There you have it—our recommendation for the best supplies you need as you begin your journey into bullet journals.
As a rule of thumb, the best products are those that you feel most comfortable using. We hope you’ve found several favorites among the supplies featured here today.
If you need further resources about bullet journals, the following posts are worth checking out:
There might be affiliate links on this page, which means we get a small commission of anything you buy. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Please do your own research before making any online purchase.
If you’re in a hurry and just want to know what the best daily personal journal and notebook is, then we recommend BestSelf Co. The SELF Journal – Daily Planner as the best choice.
Are you looking to make positive changes in 2024? Most of us like to begin each new year with a few goals in mind that can enrich our lives. Unfortunately, for many of us, the motivation we feel in January begins to fizzle as time goes on, and we lose sight of those goals.
A good journal will keep you motivated and encourage your personal growth journey. So with that in mind, here are the 20 best daily journals and journaling notebooks on the market.
Our Picks for Best Journal Notebooks
Don’t have time to read the entire journal notebook review? Then check out this table for a quick review…
The Benefits of Journal Writing
At first, jotting down our thoughts, goals, and challenges to overcome may seem like a trivial endeavor. But studies have shown that journal writing is beneficial for our brains and overall well-being.
Journal writing is a proven stress reducer, as the simple act of laying out our fears and perceived hurdles can free our minds from negative thoughts.
Many people find that putting their goals and aspirations on paper provides a more tangible, attainable goal when compared to simple thoughts, which are much easier to ignore than permanent ink.
For many of us, having a set schedule is crucial to getting things done. Journal writing is no exception.
You’ll find it easier to write—and to remember to do so—if you adhere to a journal writing schedule. For instance, making time in the morning to lay out the day’s agenda can make goals more attainable.
Conversely, you may find it easier to do your journal writing at the end of the day. As you lay out your daily accomplishments, it can give you a sense of pride, seeing tangible evidence of your successes of the day.
Finally, just as the choice of journal notebook is a highly personal one, so is your writing schedule. You can write daily, or less often if you find the idea of daily writing to be daunting.
Once you get into the habit of journal writing, the process will become easier. You’ll find that the habit becomes ingrained—part of your daily routine.
The right type of journal can help you foster discipline and be a stepping stone to other healthy habits that can improve your life.
What Should I Look for in a Journal?
Any notebook can be used as a journal. Getting specialized journals like the ones on this page are more about having guidance to prompt your daily writing.
Journaling is a personal endeavor. Some people prefer the freedom that comes from a blank journal but others need guidance or writing prompts.
Many people find it difficult to achieve the discipline needed to journal regularly. So those who have trouble focusing or remembering to write may find success with pre-formatted journals, rather than blank notebooks.
Even a simple motivational quote can provide an extra boost of inspiration and help you develop a habit of writing. Some journal notebooks feature quotes followed by a section where you can respond to the daily message, and this is a feature I find immensely beneficial.
Above all, you’ll find the most success with a journal notebook that inspires you and nudges you towards writing down your thoughts every day.
As you sort through the plethora of available notebook options in order to find the perfect tool for your needs, you’ll discover that journal notebooks come in every color of the rainbow and every size imaginable.
Types and Features of Journal Notebooks
Journals and notebooks come in myriad sizes to meet a variety of user needs.
Some are small enough to fit in your pocket, while others are the perfect size for a backpack or purse.
If portability isn’t a concern, you can opt for a large, hardcover journal. These can be constructed of letter-size paper, about 8 by 11 inches, and some are even larger.
Journals can be constructed with soft or hard covers, and are available in a variety of page counts, but most journal notebooks average around 200 pages.
Many journals are outfitted with integrated elastic straps or fabric ribbons you can use to mark your page, giving you quick access without rifling through the notebook.
Keep your ideal journal features and goals in mind as you search for the perfect one. The following twenty journals are very different, but each one is designed to improve your life and lead you toward positive life choices and healthy habits.
20 Best Journal Notebooks for Personal Development
1. Best Overall Choice: BestSelf Co. The SELF Journal – Daily Planner
BestSelf Co. The SELF Journal – Daily Planner is the best overall journal. It offers the perfect balance between allowing users to keep track of goals, time management, and gratitude.
This journal offers a 13-week program that is backed by science and developed by entrepreneurs and is ideal for men who aren’t quite sure where to start when it comes to journaling or have a hard time sticking with the practice.
The scientific structure of this journal includes space to record your morning and evening gratitude, your goals for the day, a 6am-9pm hourly schedule for each day and lots of clean space for notes.
This journal is a great tool for success because it presents men with an outline to simply fill in the details. It is especially helpful for those who are looking to improve their accountability, track their progress toward both short and long-term goals, and who want to see their results.
This journal offers spreads that are daily, weekly, and monthly to help men organize their lives with as much detail as needed. And, because this journal is not dated, it isn’t necessary to write in it every day.
The hard cover is wrapped in canvas and includes thick paper that’s durable enough for fountain pens. It also comes with a durable fabric bookmark.
PROS
Undated, so can be started at any time
The layout is backed by science to be effective in helping people achieve goals
Durable
CONS
Created to be used for 13 weeks, which is the amount of time one typically needs to achieve a goal–but some users may need longer, depending on the goal
Some find this journal to be geared toward business goals only
The lines in this journal are too light for some to see clearly
If your ideal journal is one that gives you free rein and flexibility, then the classic Moleskine Journal Notebook is a no-brainer.
No matter the subject matter or length of your written reflection, this journal notebook can accommodate you. Consisting of 240 blank, lined pages and measuring 8.2 x 5.2 x 1 inches, the large Moleskine Journal Notebook is conveniently portable.
The Moleskine Journal Notebook helps you foster your creativity in a way that many other journal notebooks cannot. The notebook’s blank pages are an open canvas where you can free write, draw, make goal lists, and reflect on disappointments—the choice is yours!
The Moleskine company boasts a rich history, crafting durable and attractive notebooks since 1997.
The quintessential “little black book,” today’s Moleskines are designed with a timeless look, harking back centuries, which makes these journal notebooks a staple among writers from all walks of life, from novelists to journal writers.
A top seller, the basic Large Ruled Moleskine Journal Notebook features a cardboard-bound cover with rounded corners, an elastic closure, an attached dark violet ribbon bookmark, and an expandable inner pocket. The notebook’s thick, acid-free pages stand up to most types of ink with no bleeding through.
PROS
Well-constructed with a classic look
Fits easily in your purse, messenger bag, or even large pockets
Allows for writing freedom and flexibility
Warm page color is relaxing and inviting
CONS
Cover is cardboard bound and less durable than its hardcover counterparts
Not designed for specific goal-setting
3. Best Value for the Money: C.R. Gibson Brown Bonded Leather Journal
This beautiful journal has a cover made from genuine European bonded leather, a matching ribbon marker, and a gusseted storage pocket, giving it the look of a luxury journal that costs twice as much.
With a generous number of lined pages, Smyth sewn binding, and an elastic closure, this journal is a great value for the money.
The C.R. Gibson Brown Bonded Leather Journal measures 5 x 8.2 inches, so it’s the perfect size for a purse or laptop bag. It has 240 lined pages, with 32 lines per page. The cover is made of brown bonded leather, with an elastic strap to hold the journal closed.
The journal has Smyth sewn binding, so it lays flat as you write. The ribbon marker helps you stay organized, and it also has a gusseted pocket on the rear cover to hold notes and cards.
PROS
Bonded leather cover
Good size for convenience and portability
Matching ribbon marker and elastic band look attractive
Rear pocket holds loose items
240 pages lasts for a while
Lined pages for organization and lists
CONS
Pages are thin and some inks may bleed through
No pen loop
4. Most Budget-Friendly: AmazonBasics Classic Lined Notebook
AmazonBasics is known for their functional, affordable products, and this notebook is no exception. It’s a simple, useful, compact notebook with a generous 240 pages, gusseted pocket, and convenient elastic band.
The cover is a classic black, suitable for any work or school environment, and it’s offered at an extremely reasonable price. What more could you ask for?
The AmazonBasics Classic Lined Notebook measures 5 x 8.25 inches, so it’s compact and portable. It has 240 lined pages, with 30 light grey lines per page. Pages are made from acid-fee, archival quality paper, and resist damage from light and air.
The notebook has a rigid, cardboard cover so you can use it as a writing surface, thread-bound binding, and an expandable inner pocket for notes and cards. It has a sewn-in full length ribbon marker, and an elastic band for closure.
PROS
Classic black cover goes anywhere
Compact size perfect for portability and travel
240 acid-free lined pages
Ribbon marker and elastic closure for convenience
Inner pocket stores loose notes
Affordable price
CONS
Not very durable
Cover may rub color onto other items
5. Best Journal for Women: Erin Condren’s Dot Grid Journal
If you are looking for a good women’s journal, a diary, or something to serve as a day planner, or even as a contact book, the Erin Condren’s Dot Grid Journal is an ideal option to consider.
This is a dot grid journal, which comes in handy for making quick bullet points, whether they be daily events or just quick reminders.
That said, if you choose, you can also go with lined pages. You could choose to use the dotted pages as a way to draw some really cool geometric art pieces.
The pages are all 5 x 8 inches, with the cover being just a bit larger, making it an ideal size to fit in a small purse or in a small drawer, but large enough to write down all of your most important thoughts and reminders.
Keep in mind that the type of paper used in the Erin Condren’s Dot Grid Journal is 80# (120 GSM), which means that it is fairly thick and durable.
The pages feature stitched binding to ensure that they stay in place. They won’t easily tear out of the journal, always a big factor as many notepads and journals often feature weak binding.
What’s also pretty neat about Erin Condren’s Dot Grid Journal is that you can choose to have the cover personalized; you can choose to have your name written in foil on it, thus really making it yours, although this will cost a little extra. The journal itself comes in at around $20.
PROS
Compact size
Good binding
Tough pages
Choose from lined or dotted pages
Optional cover personalization
Reasonable price
CONS
Not ideal for writing large journal entries
6. Best Small-Sized Journal: Passport Travelers Notebook
There’s just something about travel that inspires the writer and diarist in all of us. It’s irresistible to want to record the day’s sights, thoughts, activities, and impressions, so that you can relive them later.
But travel requires a journal that is small, light, and rugged, so that it can keep you company on all your adventures, without weighing you down. This traveler’s notebook from Sovereign-Gear is perfect, with a rugged cover made of real leather, a classic design, and a size that is perfectly portable.
The Passport Travelers Notebook measures just 5.4 x 4.3 inches, the size of a passport. The cover is made of real leather, treated to allow scuffs to be rubbed away. This cover will last a lifetime, and, to be honest, a few scuffs might only increase the rugged charm of the notebook.
The notebook stays securely closed with a durable leather tie, and it has a PVC storage pocket for keeping loose items safe and secure. It also has beautiful decorative toggles and a bookmark that shows your love of travel and adventure.
The notebook comes with a handsome pen and has a hidden pen loop to keep your pen safe at hand no matter where you are. This notebook is refillable, so it really will last a lifetime.
It comes with three quality paper packs, including cream-colored unlined paper, cream-colored lined paper, and brown plain craft paper. This journal takes Midori-style refills and accessories, so it can be customized and expanded as needed.
Sovereign-Gear makes journals that are ethically sourced and fairly traded. They donate a portion of their profits to Afrinspire, to help support communities in East Africa.
PROS
Makes an excellent gift for a travel-lover or for yourself
Genuine crazy horse leather cover will last a lifetime
Cover is treated to reduce scuffs
Refillable and reusable
Compact size perfect for travel
Has a clear PVC pocket for storage of loose items
Cover ties closed for secure travel and storage
Handsome toggles and bookmark
Comes with an attractive pen
Comes with three types of page inserts
Sustainably sourced and fairly traded
Profits benefit families in Africa
CONS
Pen loop is small if you prefer thicker pens
Included pen is not refillable
7. Best Planner to Accomplish Your #1 Goal in 100 Days: The Freedom Journal
If you struggle with productivity and time management, then The Freedom Journal may be the ideal tool for your needs. You can get your life back on track using the simple and clear prompts laid out in The Freedom Journal.
Perfect for anyone with a single large goal they would like to accomplish in the immediate future, The Freedom Journal doubles as a self-help book.
Whether you’re working for a promotion, seeking to achieve greater financial stability, or want to improve your social life, The Freedom Journal can help you accomplish your goals.
It comes with a money-back guarantee and guides you towards your goal from day one while helping you learn how to avoid distractions and stop procrastinating.
The principles of The Freedom Journal are based on science, and you’ll learn how to set and achieve goals according to the SMART system. Using the prompts laid out in this journal notebook, you’re encouraged to set goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound.
The SMART system is designed to put your goals in a simple, digestible format that seems almost easy rather than daunting.
Along with writing prompts, advice, and motivational text designed to lead you to your number one goal, The Freedom Journal also includes 10-day sprints so that you can accomplish micro-goals.
You’ll also be able to identify problem areas in your life that may need adjustment thanks to the journal’s quarterly reviews.
It sounds like a no-brainer, but writing down your goals is the first step towards accomplishing them. You can think more deeply and analyze your moves in an objective manner with help from The Freedom Journal.
This journal notebook measures 10 x 7 x 1 inches, and you can use the attached elastic straps to mark your place.
In addition, The Freedom Journal is perfect for your modern, mobile lifestyle. Every journal purchased comes with access to a private Facebook group where you can connect with your peers. An audiobook, mobile app, and PDF are also included with The Freedom Journal.
PROS
Hardcover, and non-dated, so you can begin it at any time
Well-constructed and durable
Encourages accountability and focus
Keeps you motivated and helps you set a realistic time-frame for achievement
Simple layout, with separate sections for day and night goal review
Smartphone integration with the corresponding app and fillable PDF
CONS
Contains a large amount of text as opposed to blank writing pages
Rigid format
Has a $39 price tag, which is on the high end for journal notebooks
8. Most Stylish and Customizable Notebook: Erin Condren’s Coiled Notebook
If you can’t rest until you have The Perfect Notebook, and none of them are just right, you can always create your own perfect notebook with Erin Condren’s coiled notebooks.
These notebooks allow you to choose your own cover from dozens of existing designs and themes, or make your own. You can choose the layout, choose the coil, even add accessories and make it your own. It’s the perfect choice for your own notebook, or for a thoughtful gift for the hard-to-please diarist in your life.
Erin Condren’s Coiled Notebooks come in two sizes, and allow you to choose from a huge range of beautiful cover designs with different cover options, or upload your own artwork to make your own custom cover.
You could also upgrade to a re-usable cover, and even build a cover collection for all your notebook needs.
The notebooks have rich, 80# paper that is beautiful to write on, and you can choose from classic college-ruled lined pages, a productivity layout with college ruled lines and a functional checklist, a blank sketchbook layout, or a dot grid layout.
The pages are micro-perforated, so it’s easy to cleanly remove used pages. You can also choose to customize the color of your coil, making it platinum (included), or gold, rose, or black for an additional charge.
Every notebook comes with a free sticker sheet, with fun matching sticky notes and tabs to help you stay organized.
Erin Condren also includes a wide range of notebook accessories, including re-usable and swappable covers, a range of sticker sheets, and even snap-in “dashboards.”
These snap-in dashboards can be added to any Erin Condren coiled notebook, and are designed to add more functionality to your notebook, with to-do list and checkbox list dashboards, planner dashboards, and even dashboards specifically designed to help you track your wellness, plan for travel, or manage busy life as a teacher.
Stickers, dashboards, and other accessories are all coordinated to match your notebook cover or theme, and fit into any Erin Condren notebook or planner.
The coiled notebook from Erin Condren gives you endless options for customization and personalization, so you can finally find the perfect notebook that has everything you need, and nothing you don’t.
PROS
Huge range of existing covers or make your own
Optional accessory of re-usable covers that can be transferred to new notebooks
Choose different page layouts for your needs
Comes with an included sticker sheet
Can customize your coil color if you choose
Add optional accessories like sticker sheets, dashboards, planner bags, reusable covers, and more
High-quality paper
CONS
If you choose a lot of accessories and customization, the costs can add up quickly
9. Best Digital Reusable Notebook: Rocketbook Smart Reusable Notebook
Rocketbook is the leading name in digital reusable notebooks, because not only do their notebooks have a smooth, intuitive, paper-like writing experience, but their innovative technologies bring notebooks into a whole new generation.
With the companion Rocketbook app, you can not only scan your pages and store them in a huge range of cloud storage options, but you can also add them to popular apps like Evernote and Trello, or share them as pdfs or jpgs.
OCR allows Rocketbook to read your handwriting, so you can search for text within your digitized notes and stay organized.
With Rocketbook Beacon technology, you can even live-stream your pages to share with others, making remote collaboration and brainstorming a snap.
Rocketbook is a fantastic digital notebook for students, artists, diarists, or anyone who wants to share their ideas visually without sacrificing the convenience of natural, pen-to-paper writing, sketching, and drawing.
There are several different Rocketbook notebooks to choose from. The core of Rocketbook technology is that these notebooks have a classic pen and paper experience, and when you write on them with a Pilot Frixion pen, your writing adheres just like regular paper.
When your page is done, use the Rocketbook app to capture, store, share, or edit your pages. Then use water to erase your notebook, and the writing disappears like magic. Here’s a quick overview of Rocketbook notebook versions:
Comes in letter or executive size, with cover color options. It has 32-36 reusable pages, and you can choose lined pages or dot grid pages. It’s infinitely reusable, and comes with a pen and microfiber cloth for erasing.
Comes in letter or executive size with cover color options. It has 42 infinitely reusable pages, with a layout that has task lists, weekly planners, monthly calendars, OKR goal templates, idea lists, lined pages, and dot-grid pages. It comes with a pen.
Comes in standard or executive sizes with a wave cover design. Has 80 pages with a dot-grid pattern.
The acid-free, fine-grained paper is designed for a real paper feel, perfect for drawing and sketching, and the pages are erasable and reusable up to 5 times. This notebook “erases” when microwaved, so it can be erased and reused all at once, rather than page by page.
Comes in letter and executive sizes with a soft-touch imperial purple cover and stylish pewter binding. It has 140 acid-free, fine-grained dot grid pages.
This notebook is not reusable, so it works with any pen. It’s designed to allow you to have a traditional, non-reusable notebook with the convenience of the Rocketbook app storage and sharing features.
Measures 20.3 x 24.1 cm, with a colorful cover. It has 12 pages total: 8 bland pages designed for drawing and coloring, 2 dot-grid pages, and 2 lined pages. This Rocketbook is compatible with Crayola dry-erase products (and some other brands of dry-erase markers).
Rocketbooks are an incredible way to have the convenience and natural writing and drawing experience of a paper notebook, with the advanced ability to store, share, and collaborate offered by digital apps and tools.
The wide range of Rocketbook notebooks allows you to choose the perfect one for you or a friend. Their compatibility with the Pilot Frixion line is incredibly helpful, rather than developing a proprietary pen technology.
Frixion pens have all the versatility of standard pens, with a huge range of colors, inks, and point sizes. You can get Frixion highlighters, Frixion refillable pens, erasable markers, and any other features you expect in a pen.
PROS
Wide range of reusable notebooks for different purposes
Rocketbook app scans, reads, stores, edits, and shares your pages
Can be used to live-stream and collaborate remotely
Erases cleanly
Huge range of compatible pens with different colors and tips
Stylish and professional notebooks
More affordable than you might expect
CONS
OCR technology can be a bit unpredictable, and may not be able to “read” your handwriting if you have unusual handwriting or don’t press hard on the page
10. Best Journal for Your Travels: The Wanderings Grande Refillable Travel Notebook
This full grain 100% leather journal is ideal for those who are looking for the best quality journal.
The Wanderings Grande Refillable Travel Notebook looks and smells beautiful in addition to its authentic and expected leather feel. This notebook can be purchased once and used for a lifetime due to its durability and the available refill paper that can be purchased online.
The blank, unlined paper is 120 gsm, making it thick enough to handle fountain pens or paint without bleeding. It comes with 90 double sided sheets, giving you 180 pages to begin journaling with. However, these journals are very customizable, as there are refills available that are blank, lined, and dotted.
Unlike other notebooks or journals, these won’t fall apart, as they are carefully made to ensure quality. They are available in both small and medium sizes, so users can choose whichever size fits their journaling lifestyle best.
These journals are described as being classic, antique vintage, and rustic, making them something that will be in style for years to come.
This is a great high-quality notebook to be used for a variety of reasons, including recording your personal thoughts, writing down ideas, drawing, planning, creating to-do lists, writing poetry, or as a blank slate for anything else you could want.
PROS:
The dark brown genuine full-grain leather ages just like high-quality leather should
Comes with an elastic closure that doubles as a pen holder
Paper can withhold ink-heavy pens
CONS:
Expensive
Some find the leather to be too flimsy
Paper is too thick for some users
11. Best for Bullet Journaling: Essentials Dot Matrix Notebook
Bullet journaling is a great way to stay organized, move toward your goals, capture your experiences, and explore your creativity all at once. And dot matrix lined sheets are simply the only way to do it properly.
Dot matrix patterns allow you to create lists and checkboxes, write freeform, draw, design, and do it all in a way that looks organized and beautiful.
The Essentials Dot Matrix Notebook is a beautiful hardcover dot matrix journal that is letter-sized, measuring 8.2 x 11.6 inches.
The hard cover allows you to use it even when there isn’t a table or desk handy, making it a great choice for students and commuters, and its moisture- and stain-resistant for lasting good looks. It has a generous 192 pages, so it lasts for a long time.
The premium quality paper has a smooth finish that beautifully accepts pens and other media, and its acid-free and archival quality so you can keep your bullet journals for a lifetime.
It has a black satin ribbon bookmark, and an elastic band closure. There is also a back cover pocket to store loose notes, cards, and other items.
PROS
Light dot matrix pattern keeps you tidy without interfering with your designs
Durable hard cover has classic style
Satin ribbon marker and elastic closure look great and add convenience
Back pocket for extra storage
Acid free paper is archival quality
Generous number of pages
CONS
Some gel pens may bleed through
12. Best Journal with Refillable Pages: Poromo’s Refillable Leather Journal Notebook
This is the best journal for writing, as it offers the cleanest space for users to write as much as they want. It can also be used for drawing, traveling, and offers extra features to help users stay on top of their busy lives.
This stylish journal is helpful for many writing purposes, whether you want to record your thoughts and goals or you want to keep track of your appointments.
Poromo’s Refillable Leather Journal Notebook is made with high-quality, distressed cowhide leather, and includes a leather strap so users can keep it tightly closed, ensuring your important information is secure.
This journal is refillable, so you can keep the high-quality cover and add in pages as you need them. It also lays flat, allowing users to have more space on each page to write, draw, or record any type of information.
The pages are 6” by 9” and the cover includes an inside pocket and card slot. It initially comes with 100 sheets of plain, white paper, which can be added to at any time.
When ordering this journal, users also receive a pen and a pen holder. Because the securing strap is so long, users are able to keep multiple books of paper in this journal at a time.
PROS
The journal can be refilled with any type of paper of your choosing
The distressed leather improves with age
Great notebook for people who are looking for something simple to really personalize themselves
CONS
The pad of paper that comes with the journal is unlined, which does not suit everybody
Some find it cumbersome to have to unwrap the securing strap
Until you have used this journal enough to break in the leather, it can be stiff and refuse to stay flat while in use
13. Best Vintage Journal: Handmade Leather Journal with Thick Vintage Lokta Paper
How better to record and capture your own story, than in a notebook that already tells one? This notebook is hand made in Nepal by artisans practicing a 1,000 year old craft of making paper.
The journals are individually stitched and bound with genuine buffalo leather and thick, handmade vintage paper. This journal is eco-friendly, supports traditional handcrafts, and each one is unique. What better way to express your own uniqueness?
This paper is sustainably created by harvesting the bark of the bushes, rather than cutting down trees, and is naturally renewable, acid-free, not treated with chemicals, and is one of the world’s best handmade papers.
The papers are then roughly cut for imperfect, natural edges on each page, and hand bound in high quality real leather binding. The covers are hand-stitched, with a loop closure that is both useful and beautiful.
This journal measures 8 x 5.5 inches, and has 192 premium-quality blank pages. The real leather cover and acid-free paper ensure that this journal will last a lifetime.
PROS
Handmade and unique
Sustainably sourced
Supports native Nepalese crafts
Rugged and durable
Thick paper can be used for writing, drawing, or even watercolor
Convenient strap closure
CONS
14. Best Journal for Self-Improvement: The Five Minute Journal
What if you could improve yourself in just five minutes a day?
This daily guided journal does just that, with a format designed by psychologists to help boost your happiness and reduces loneliness, anxiety, and isolation. It’s amazing that a simple journal can do that, but over half a million people have benefitted from this daily journal.
The Five Minute Journal is structured with a morning and night-time section, to provide inspiration and motivation throughout the day.
Daily prompts include gratitude, prioritizing the day, recording amazing things, sharing inspiring quotes, daily affirmations, and quiet self-reflection.
It may sound like a lot, but it takes just minutes, and is a tested and research-supported way to help experience more positive emotions every day. The journal measures 8.3 x 5.3 inches, and can be used during moments of thoughtfulness in the morning and evening, or throughout the day.
The sturdy hard cover design lets you use it even when there isn’t a desk or table nearby. The neutral color scheme and design creates a calm, restful backdrop for your thoughts and feelings. It has space for 6 months of daily reflections and includes powerful quotes to help motivate and inspire you.
PROS
Based on proven psychological research to help boost happiness
Format makes it easy to use in just minutes a day
Sophisticated, neutral design looks attractive and promotes calm thoughtfulness
Inspiring quotes and messages to provide motivation
Many people find the daily practice life-changing
CONS
Not designed for free-form journaling, but to support a daily positivity habit
15. Best Journal with Prompts: Q&A a Day: 5-Year Journal
This is a small journal, but it is best to use when it comes to engaging users to write every day. The journal actually spans a five year period, so users can watch their progress in a variety of areas in their lives advance with time.
The Q&A a Day: 5-Year Journal offers you a specific question about your life to answer each day for a year. Once the year is over, you return to the beginning of the book and start over.
After five years, you’re left with a five-year-long study of your life and growth, and a written reminder of how you were able to overcome challenges in the past.
This journal offers a thought-provoking question to answer every day of the year that often leads to greater self-awareness. This is one of the quickest and easiest ways to track your self-development through the years and see how far you’ve come.
This journal only requires users to write 2-3 sentences per day, so it isn’t a huge time commitment. Users find it to be a convenient size and unique in the sense that it makes you think about things that you possibly wouldn’t normally consider.
Users find these thought-provoking questions to be a great way to engage in some self-reflection every day.
PROS
Users love having the long-term memento of their lives
Small enough to carry around in your bag
Asks unique questions that make users think
CONS
Some find that the binding is a bit tight
There is the possibility that this journal can bring back bad memories in the future
Not a lot of space to write aside from answering the questions
16. Best for Creative & Visual Thinkers: Lemome Sketchbook
This is the best option for a graphic journal because the pages work well for sketching and drawing, as well as for note-taking. It comes in a timeless, simple, versatile design.
It comes with an elastic pen holder to ensure you always have a pen when you have an idea that you need to record.
The thick, premium paper holds up well, making it perfect to use for writing and drawing, no matter what kind of pen you are using. There are 90 sheets in this notebook, allowing users to have 180 pages to write on.
PROS
Perfect pages for sketching and drawing.
Ink does not bleed.
The cover has a nice leather feel.
CONS
The elastic band used to hold the notebook closed tends to come undone.
Paper and cover may separate from the binder.
Some people find there is not enough room to write on the pages.
17. Best Genuine Leather Journal: MOONSTER® Leather Journal
The company behind this product believes in making products that can benefit the world in some way. This notebook, along with all of their other products, is ethically sourced and fairly-trade certified.
This has an antique and vintage feel to it, with its leather-bound cover and creamy, textured, unlined paper. The paper is made from recycled cotton paper, making this a sustainable product. The cover is 100% hand-made from crazy-horse leather, which has a natural tan with oils added to preserve it.
However, this means that these notebooks vary in color, making no two journals exactly alike. Further, the leather gives this notebook a rich, earthy scent. The soft leather with a distressed finish will further improve with age, and will last for many years.
Writing in this journal is easy because the paper prevents ink from bleeding. The paper can handle a soft B pencil, a variety of different inks, and even watercolor. It comes with 240 blank pages measuring 7” x 5”, making it the perfect size to take with you on the go. This is the best leather-bound notebook.
PROS
Attractive and great for gifting.
Proceeds donated children in Africa.
Each leather notebook is unique.
CONS
Some users experience bleeding in the paper.
Cannot remove pages.
It does not lay completely flat, making it difficult to write on one side, depending on your dominant hand.
You can use one notebook per subject, and they are inexpensive, so you can easily buy a replacement if you run out of space. The wired spiral locks prevent snags from occurring in your bag.
These notebooks are college-ruled and have a three-hole punch so they can easily be put inside of a binder. You can distinguish which notebook you assign for which subject because of the variety of colored covers that come in this pack. The six colors include light pink, purple, yellow, light blue, green, and orange.
Each notebook contains 70 sheets of paper that can be written both on the front and back. This should be sufficient space for the notebook to last you for the duration of a course.
PROS
Great for students.
Won’t snag in your bag.
It comes in a variety of colors.
CONS
There is a large label on the front of the notebook.
The ink may bleed through pages.
The pages may tear out too easily.
19. Best Notebook for Laboratory Work: HVAC Premium National Laboratory Notebook
It is one of the best paper notebooks for work because it has carbonless pages for convenience and is sold at a reasonable price compared with lab notebooks sold in most school bookstores.
The brown cover is made of sturdy pressboard and has a stitched binding to ensure the pages are secure. Inside, this notebook has 100 4×4 quad carbonless numbered sets of white and yellow paper, so you always have a copy of what you’re writing.
The second sheet in each set is perforated for easy removal. This notebook also opens up flat, so writing in it is easy, regardless if you are right- or left-handed.
The fabric on the binding is water-resistant, protecting it from water or spills in the lab. The cardboard cover is also water-resistant. This journal even includes a table of contents and only has grid numbers and page numbers on the carbonless copy pages.
PROS
Best notebook for lab work.
It provides you with a carbonless copy of each page.
Reasonably priced.
CONS
The page divider in the back is difficult to remove.
Some find the writing to bleed or leak through pages.
Some find the carbon copy pages to be messy.
20. Best for Heavy-Duty, All-Weather Use: Rite in the Rain Weatherproof Top-Spiral Notebook
Their compact size and durability make them ideal for field notes. The pages have a unique moisture shield that allows you to write on them, regardless if the paper is wet or dry. You can easily use pencil, pen, or crayon on this paper.
This rugged writing surface was created almost 100 years ago to stand up to rugged weather elements. They come in a pack of three black 3″ x 5″ top-spiral notebooks, which are small enough to easily fit into your pocket and tough enough to survive rough conditions.
These notebooks have a non-glare gray paper that is easily legible, even in bright sunlight. The wire binding is resistant to impact and will not become misshapen.
The notebooks have a polydura cover that protects your notes from scratches and smears. These notebooks are recyclable as well, making them environmentally friendly.
PROS
Waterproof, great for outdoor use.
Small and convenient to carry into the field.
Heavy-duty.
CONS
Slightly expensive.
Some find these notebooks to be flimsy.
It cannot be submerged in water.
Final Thoughts on the Best Journal Notebooks
There you have it — twenty journals that are perfect for building a powerful habit. We did our best to provide you with specific “categories” you can use to purchase the journal that’s right for you.
So, if you’re stuck with “what” to get, then think about how you’d use the journal. If you’re someone who needs specific prompts, then I’d recommend checking out Q&A a Day Journal.
There might be affiliate links on this page, which means we get a small commission of anything you buy. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Please do your own research before making any online purchase.
Did you know that keeping a bullet journal can make you a happier person?
According to a 2004 research study, people who fail to meet their goals and expectations tend to be lonelier. This is because they lose the desire and motivation to succeed.
But if they can see their goals laid out before their eyes (just like in bullet journaling), it is easier for them to accomplish their objectives and be happier.
Starting your own bullet journal isn’t that hard. There are thousands of bullet journal ideas available on the internet today. However, to begin such a practice, you need to have the best bullet journal supplies first (mainly a notebook).
In this post, we’ve reviewed the five best bullet journals that you can use to start your bullet journaling practice. We’ve categorized them based on their quality, choosing only those that can help you write easily and comfortably.
But before we introduce the top products, we would like to share with you some information we have gathered regarding the benefits of keeping a bullet journal. We will also share with you the considerations you need to think of when purchasing one.
Don’t have time to read the entire review?
If you’re a busy person who doesn’t have time to read this entire review, we’ve simplified everything. Here is a table to show you a quick rating of the best bullet journals.
Benefits of Bullet Journaling
Bullet journaling keeps everything in your life organized. Having a bullet journal allows you to lay down all of your to-dos in one single place.
You don’t have to worry about forgetting a task that needs to be done. Being organized also allows you to become happier. You can literally keep track of everything in your bullet journal.
From the time you get up to the time you turn in for the night, you can record everything you do and new ideas that come to mind in your bullet journal.
If you keep an ongoing to-do list, you don’t have to recreate a new list each day. Rather, you can make a list each week and cross items off as you go. This saves time and reduces duplicated efforts.
Similarly, bullet journaling allows you to track all your activities and progress. With so many things happening in your busy life, you need to make sure you don’t forget your urgent and not-so-urgent tasks.
You can customize your lists based on the things that you need to do, keeping a specific place for things that need to be done right away and putting ongoing tasks in another list.
Recording your daily, weekly, and monthly achievements is one of the main purposes of bullet journaling. Research shows that tracking your efforts to reach your goals can set you up for success.
Tracking your progress will help you stay motivated and keep up your momentum. Getting some bullet journal accessories can help you organize your journal even more efficiently.
A bullet journal allows you to lay down all of your to-dos in one single place and keeps everything in your life organized.
A bullet journal allows you to lay down all of your to-dos in one single place and keeps everything in your life organized.
There are a lot of bullet journal ideas that you can use, including tracking your mood, health, and goals, while watching your progress in each area. You can even monitor your finances and savings.
The good thing about doing this in a bullet journal is that you can break your larger goals down into smaller, more manageable pieces that will help you move toward your ultimate success.
Bullet journaling reveals your artistic and creative side! Since bullet journaling is an art, it allows you to explore your creative talents.
Studies show that being creative can lower stress levels, and less stress means more happiness. Even if you don’t feel like you are a talented artist, bullet journaling can still be a form of self-expression for you.
Don’t compare your artistic abilities to other people. Get some stickers and colored markers and allow yourself to have fun with it. Look into any bullet journal supplies for beginners to find some inspiration.
This activity will inspire you to become more productive. When you know that your life is in order, you tend to be more enthusiastic about doing things the right way.
Keeping a bullet journal motivates you to continue doing the things that make you happy and productive. Often, it is these intangible metrics, like peace, improved concentration, and increased energy, that ultimately make you more productive in the long run.
You are probably wondering where to start, or how you know a certain bulleting journal will fit your lifestyle better than the next. Let’s look at some factors that differentiate bulleting journals.
Considerations When Choosing the Best Bullet Journal
Although you could simply use a pen and paper to start bullet journaling, this isn’t the best option for everyone. Your needs will vary depending on how you’re using your bullet journal.
Some people enjoy drawing, while others write calligraphy or paint with watercolors. Some people just stick to writing down their day-to-day tasks. Choosing the right journal for your needs is important to allow you to have an enjoyable experience.
First, consider the size. The most common size for bullet journaling is A5. But you always have the option to choose the larger B5 size if you want to be able to write more content.
Alternatively, if you’re planning to bring your bullet journal along with you each day in your bag, then going for the smaller A6 might be your best bet.
It really depends on your preference. When considering size, you will also want to think about the number of pages included in your journal. If you’re planning to create a lot of sections for your bullet journal, you need one that has a lot of pages.
Also, consider the design. Some people like their journal notebooks nicely decorated with colors, while others prefer a minimalistic design. Whatever your preference is, make sure that the design you pick will inspire you.
You also have to consider if you prefer a hardcover or a softcover. You also must consider the design or type of the inside of your journal.
There are different types of bullet journals: plain (blank), dotted, lined, or squared (graph-like). It’s really up to you which one you prefer, and how large your handwriting is.
But you should consider the thickness of the lines and how dark they are if you choose a journal that has lined or squared pages. You can also look into the best bullet journal supplies to personalize your journal to your liking.
Journal and diary keepers will surely agree that the quality of the paper matters. When the paper you’re using is easy to write on, has a smooth surface, and has high opacity, you will enjoy writing in your journal.
One way that you can measure the quality of the paper is to look at the grams-per-square-meter measurement, which shows the weight of the paper.
Another thing to consider when choosing your preferred paper quality is the type of writing instrument you prefer using. For example, if you write with a nice fountain pen but use low-quality paper, it will bleed and smear.
There are many types of bullet journals. It’s up to you which one you prefer, and how large your handwriting is
All of these qualities help determine the price of your journal. There are expensive notebooks, but there are also cheap ones.
For beginners, it is recommended to use the more affordable notebooks. But if you are really into bullet journaling, and the brand matters, you can always choose to purchase an expensive (yet really worthy) journal.
Now that you know the possible differences between bullet journals, let’s take a look at the best products that are on the market today.
5 Best Bullet Journals to Capture Every Idea and Plan Your Life
1. Best Overall Idea Capture Journal: Essentials Dot Matrix Notebook
This choice is great for bullet journaling, sketching or drawing, designing, and writing. This is a great notebook for people who are just starting to practice bullet journaling because it is a high-quality notebook, but not so expensive that you may worry about messing it up or altering your journaling style partway through.
This journal comes with 192 100-gsm acid-free/archival pages with a dot-matrix/dot-grid design. The paper is 25% heavier than other leading brands, which helps preserve your work.
It also includes a pocket on the inside back cover to hold your loose papers, notes, and business cards that you collect throughout the workweek. The elastic band that is attached to the back cover ensures that the journal remains closed and any papers you have in the folder stay put.
PROS
Has a durable hardcover.
The elastic band protects the notebook.
Convenient pocket to store loose notes.
It has thick, smooth pages.
Low price for high quality.
CONS
Only available in black.
Pages do not have numbers on them.
It has only one ribbon, while some people prefer two.
2. Best Sectioned Bullet Journal (200+ pages): Dotted Journal by Scribbles That Matter
Dotted Journal by Scribbles That Matter is the best bullet journal for people who prefer to have many sections. With over 200 pages, it can keep all of your tasks and goals compartmentalized.
Each page offers 27 dots across and 38 dots down to allow for convenient journaling. Additionally, the dots line up across the pages, so it is simple to spread your page designs across two pages.
The company behind this product knows the benefit of journaling for mental health and aimed to make a product that was both beautiful and affordable. One appeal of this product is that it is completely vegan, which is a huge selling point for people who live a vegan lifestyle.
This bullet journal includes a key code page, index pages, dotted numbered pages, and two color-coded bookmarks to help you keep track of every page.
Another convenient factor of this product is that it comes with a pen holder for easy access so you won’t be scrambling to find a pen when you are working on your journal.
There is also a “pen test” page in this journal, which is convenient when you want to try out new pens. By testing your pens first, you will know right away if they will bleed through the pages of the journal.
The durability and size of this journal allow you to take it along with you every day. It has a silky yet sturdy faux leather cover that protects your work against environmental factors.
The strong binding ensures you won’t have to worry about pages falling out due to heavy use, and its lay-flat design is ideal for smoother writing. This journal is A5, making it perfect for portability so you can keep it on you at all times.
PROS
It has convenient features such as a pen holder and an index section.
Great for people who need a lot of sections.
Durable.
CONS
Pages may bleed if you have a heavy hand.
Some find the bullets to be uneven.
Some have found page numbers to be out of order.
3. Best Bullet Journal for On-the-Go Users: Dotted Grid Notebook by Poluma
If you like to bring your journal with you on the go, Dotted Grid Notebook by Poluma might be the perfect fit. The narrow A5 size is ideal to carry in your bag. It comes with a hard vinyl cover, a back pocket, and a ribbon place marker. This journal is convenient, as it opens flat at 180°, allowing you to spread your work across both pages.
This is a very inexpensive option for a bullet journal, but can still withstand daily use. It is stitched with a standard Smythe binding, and the vinyl cover is a bit flexible, allowing users to easily grip the cover. The elastic covering the book is appropriately sized and has a snug fit, keeping it neatly together.
The inner cream-colored pages have a dot grid design, ruled at 5mm. The paper is thick and smooth, making it perfect for fountain, gel, ballpoint, and rollerball pens.
When using pens with more ink (like a fountain pen), the lines turn out true to nib size, and there are no signs of feathering. This book includes 28 unnumbered pages.
PROS
It has a solid binding that opens completely for easy journaling.
High-quality paper.
Perfect for on-the-go use.
CONS
No page numbers or index.
Some users prefer to have more pages.
Some people find the inside pages to be warped.
4. Best Bullet Journal Choice for Travel and Recipe Journaling: Dingbats Wildlife
Dingbats Wildlife is the best bullet journal for a variety of other types of journaling. While many choose to use it as a bullet journal, it can also be used as a travel notebook, journal, diary, professional notebook, exercise journal, recipe journal, etc. It is made from degradable and recyclable materials and is 100% vegan.
The acid-free paper used in this journal is 100gsm, silk, cream-colored, fountain-friendly, and FSC-certified. The journal comes with 92 pages that can be used on the front and back, and are micro-perforated for easy removal. This journal also lies flat when it is open.
The Dingbats Wildlife journal comes with several bullet journal essentials. It has an inner pocket, a bookmark so you can mark your place, a pen holder, and an elastic closure. The cover is well-constructed to ensure durability, and each page has a square grid that extends throughout the entire page.
PROS
Superb paper quality.
Environmentally friendly product from a family-owned company.
Pages are perforated for neat removal.
CONS
It does not include an index page.
Due to the high quality of this journal, it is heavier than others.
BookFactory Ghost Grid Dot Journal is the best bullet journal for people who have heavy handwriting skills. It offers 70-pound paper, which is perfect for various pens, including markers, fountain pens, and watercolors. The ink does not bleed or ghost on this heavy, acid-free paper.
This notebook is spring-bound, making it easy to lay flat. It comes with 60 grid-designed pages, allowing you to write on 120 pages.
With this format, you can align your text and use a variety of layouts in your journaling practice. It offers a four-page index to allow you to categorize the things that are going on in your life.
PROS
70-lb paper is great for any kind of pen.
It comes with a four-page index.
Spring design makes it easy to lie flat.
CONS
Some find the dot marks are too dark.
It comes in only one design.
Some people find the dots to be too close together.
Final Thoughts on the Best Bullet Journals
The products we have mentioned above are the best bullet journals available on the market today. This is according to the positive reviews and high ratings from customers who have already tried them.
There might be affiliate links on this page, which means we get a small commission of anything you buy. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Please do your own research before making any online purchase.
If you spend any time on social media—especially sites like Instagram or Pinterest—you’ve probably come across pictures of bullet journals.
The neatly handwritten notes and carefully designed pages might seem difficult to replicate or too pretty to be useful, but I’ve found that a bullet journal is actually a simple and effective way to plan my day.
Created by New York-based designer Ryder Carroll, the bullet journal is an organizational notebook system that can keep track of anything you want in a coherent and easy-to-manage way. It can be a to-do list, a sketchbook, an event planner, an idea catcher, or whatever else you can think of.
In fact, bullet journals are often all-of-the above.
The bullet journal is meant to be a fast and customizable alternative to traditional journaling methods, which take a lot of time and effort. According to Carroll, a bullet journal is an “analog system for the digital age,” and all you need to get started is a pen and a notebook.
What are the Benefits of a Bullet Journal?
The whole premise of bullet journaling is that it is a fast and simple way to record your life, and it accomplishes this through what Carroll calls “rapid logging.” Rapid Logging is a simple note-taking language that will make journaling fast.
There are four parts to rapid logging:
topics
page numbers
short sentences,
bullets
By eliminating long sentences and paragraphs, you can take notes in just a few spare moments, and be done.
A bullet journal is completely customizable. If you want to write long sentences or decorate each page, there is nothing stopping you.
By combining ease of use and personalization, the bullet journal inspires both creativity and productivity while keeping everything organized.
How to Get Started with Bullet Journaling
Bullets
The most basic element of a bullet journal is, of course, the bullet. Bullets, which are written as short objective sentences, are essential to rapid logging.
There are three kinds of bullets:
Tasks are “to-do” items, such as “do laundry” or “take out trash,” and are represented by a dot.
Events are represented by a circle, and can be logged before (e.g., “Dad’s birthday”) or after they occur (e.g., “got the job”).
Finally, notes are represented by a dash. They can be any fact, thought, idea, or observation that you want to remember.
You can add on to bullets with signifiers, such as a star to mark priority or an exclamation point to mark your best ideas. I think it’s best to keep bullets simple in the beginning, though, so you can get used to the system.
Modules
After bullets come the modules. There are four basic modules in the bullet journaling system:
Index
Future log
Monthly log
Daily log
The index is where you will keep track of the rest of your pages by logging their titles and page numbers (always be sure to number your pages, because no entries in a bullet journal need to be consecutive). Check out these bullet journal index ideas to get you started!
The monthly and daily logs are where the bullet journal becomes especially useful. On the left side of your monthly log, write down every date and day of the week in a vertical line.
This is an overview of the whole month, and you can write down everything coming up next to the day it’s happening.
For example, if you have a meeting on Monday, September 15, your September log could read “15M Meeting.” Entries here should be as short as possible—you can add more detail in your daily log.
Finally, the daily log is for everyday use. You won’t record your daily logs ahead of time, because you don’t know how much space you’ll need until that day.
At the top of the page, write down the date, and then record your tasks, events, and notes throughout the day. If you don’t fill the page, just go on to the next day in the free space below.
Now, if you’re wondering what’s the best time to bullet journal, try making bullet journaling a part of your evening routine. Watch the video below to learn about the 9 evening routine habits of the world’s most successful people.
Who Would Be Interested in a Bullet Journal
Any and all of the above might mean a journal is right for you. Why not check out one of the different types of bullet journals below and see about making your own.
Where to Buy a Bullet Journal
Any journal can be a bullet journal, as long as it has the features that will meet your journaling needs.
If you’re just starting out with bullet journals, a Moleskin is a great option, as its blank pages are versatile and can accommodate lists, drawings, paragraphs, and calendars—just about everything you can think of.
Bullet journaling has changed the way I use my daily journal. I can just open up my notebook and see what needs to be done each day, what I’ve already completed, and the goals I’m tracking.
Every important date, task, and idea is stored in one place, and I can find what I want in a matter of seconds. No other journaling method I’ve used has been this effective!
For more bullet journal inspiration, be sure to check out these articles:
