If you’ve read my post 4 Types of Journals to Keep + Tips and Benefits of Each, consider this post the part 2 that I didn’t know was coming! (Yes, a 2nd week in a row with a part 2 post!) That post outlines the basic go-to types of journals on a general level. This post will delve into types of journals based on specific purposes they’ll each serve. Some of these can fall under the categories of “miscellaneous brain dump” journals and prompted journals, as were discussed in part 1. So, let’s delve into the array of ways we can utilize journaling!
1- Gratitude journal
You’ve likely heard of this one before, as it’s become very popular! There are several different ways to set up this type of journal. You can make it a daily practice where you sum up what you’re grateful for each day in a few sentences or bullet points. Alternatively, you can choose to only write in it when you’re feeling particularly grateful.
The first option can be helpful in the sense that it may train your brain to be more conscious of little things to appreciate regularly. On the other hand, the second option allows you to express gratitude on the most authentic level, because you’re feeling it on your own enough to voluntarily journal about it.
In weighing these options, and any options in between, consider what you feel like you need. If gratitude comes very naturally to you without needing to be prompted, or it would just feel more natural to you to hold off until you’re feeling genuine gratitude, the second choice may speak to you more. If you feel that you could benefit from making gratitude an intentional part of your everyday, the first choice might be your best bet. You can always experiment with different options and see what works best for you!
2- Goal journal
This could be a place where you set your goals and/or reflect on your progress regarding them. Again, the specifics are up to you! You can make a basic list of all your current goals, break them into several lists by categories, or write in paragraph format describing your goals in greater detail. Similarly, for your progress, you can track it in a chart, explain it in a paragraph, or anything in between. Regardless, this journal should help you stay organized and give you direction when it comes to your goals. As for your progress, it should shine light on your little wins (the most underrated), as well as your big victories!
3- Emotional outlet
This one’s for the venting, the self-expression, the reflection…all the messiness! As hard as it may be to let it all out, hopefully you’ll feel lighter when it’s released. As per my post Journaling 101: Tips for a Beginner, full-fledged honesty in journaling is the best policy. Your journal should act as your safe space, where the truth will set you free.
Also as per that post, be choosy with which entries you reread regularly. Writing an entry from a sad/angry/frustrated place can be incredibly healthy and therapeutic, but that entry may not be healthy to reread often, as doing so might put you back in that negative energy. Alternatively, an entry written from an inspired place can be an amazing resource for your future self to look back on when needed. Using your journal as an emotional outlet doesn’t need to be strictly for releasing the negative. It can be just as much for celebrating the positive and finding inspiration amid turbulent times. Whatever emotions you’re feeling, let yourself express them!
4- Memory journal / scrapbook
If you have a bunch of old pictures and little souvenirs / mementos that you don’t know what to do with, this journal might just be the answer! A scrapbook is much easier to store and access than a box in the attic. You can get creative with the way you lay everything out, add captions with descriptions of the memories, etc. Make it a fun project for yourself that brings you nostalgia every time you revisit it!
The bottom line…
Hopefully this list gave you a broader view of the endless possibilities that our journals hold! Something else to consider is that these categories don’t have to each have their own journal. If you want to keep them all in one place, that’s fine, well, and good, too! This list is just a way of categorizing some of the purposes journals can serve, meaning that you can separate them accordingly if you wish. Enjoy exploring the possibilities discussed here (and beyond)!
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