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The Best Guided Journals, Organized By Personality Type

Author:

Lindsay Kellner

September 17, 2020

Contributing Wellness & Beauty Editor

By Lindsay Kellner

Contributing Wellness & Beauty Editor

Lindsay is a freelance writer and certified yoga instructor based in Brooklyn, NY. She holds a journalism and psychology degree from New York University. Kellner is the co-author of “The Spirit Almanac: A Modern Guide to Ancient Self Care,” with mbg Sustainability Editor Emma Loewe.

Graphic by mbg Creative

September 17, 2020

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Ever open a fresh notebook you bought specifically for the purpose of journaling and felt completely overwhelmed by the sight of a honking blank page? Same here. Making the first mark in a new journal feels like a big deal, and it's because most of us are hard-wired to follow some kind of structure. Without a container for our thoughts and words and doodles, knowing where to begin can be disorienting.

Hence the inspiration for this list of guided journals that'll inspire you to put a pen to paper. They're divided by personality type, but we'd bet that any of them would make a wonderful addition to your desk or bedside. Happy journaling!

The person who cares too much: Let That Sh*t Go

Author Monica Sweeney understands that we, the self-help community, have a tendency to take ourselves pretty seriously. With casual f-bombs and witty quips throughout, her pages will make you laugh and encourage you to loosen up a bit! It's all OK! And it's OK to have fun, even if you're feeling blue, even if you're failing. The Let That Sh*t Go journal is a reminder that you're not on this journey alone.

Let That Sh*t Go by Monica Sweeney, $14

For someone who wants to track habits and emotions: Instant Journal

If you like the idea of bullet journaling but want to track inner workings—habits, emotions, tendencies—versus productivity, the Instant Journal is for you. Plus, you don't have to do any monthly, weekly, or daily charting. It's all done for you; all you have to do is show up.

Instant Journal by Mia Nolting, $11

instant journal mia nolting

mbg creative x Instant Journal

For people who process life visually: 99 Stories I Could Tell

Author Nathan Pyle has compiled a book that will guide you to doodle 99 stories from your life that will, without a doubt, invoke emotion, nostalgia, and help you process some deep, raw feelings. While you'll be able to write a bit, this journal encourages drawing. Don't worry about drawing well—guidelines and tutorials abound.

99 Stories I Could Tell by Nathan Pyle, $17

mbg creative x 99 Stories I Could Tell

For the time-pressed person who wants to remember the little things: One Line A Day—A Five-Year Memory Book

When it comes to journaling, consistency matters more than anything else. This book gives you a few lines each day to write down a sentence or two about small details, huge accomplishments, and everything in between. With a few minutes of daily diligence, you will have a book full of memories and insights and observations from the last five years. It's a great journal for busy parents and people.

One Line A Day—A Five-Year Memory Book by Moglea

mbg creative x Moglea

For the aspiring bullet-journaler who craves more structure: Clear Habit Journal

New York Times best-selling author James Clear teamed up with Baron Fig, a company that designs deskwares and productivity-enhancing tools, to design the Clear Habit Journal. It's set up like a bullet journal but requires no charting or line-drawing on your part, making it easier to start and to keep up when time is tight.

Clear Habit Journal by James Clear and Baron Fig, $24

mbg creative x Baron Fig

For the person who already has a journaling practice: Practice You: Daily Awakening Deck

If you already have a journaling practice, good on you! Try adding something new with a card-pulling practice. Yogi Elena Brower's beautiful creation is a deck full of beautiful watercolor cards that pull heartfelt, authentic insights and true emotions to the surface in the most loving and gentle way.

Practice You Daily Awakening Deck by Elena Brower, $13