Types of Journals

Types of Journals

One of the most fun parts about starting a journal is choosing a journal to buy. There are many choices.

Journaling Software

If you feel the most comfortable writing at your computer, there’s no reason why you can’t journal at the computer.

You could use a simple word processor as your journal and save it in a folder. You might choose to use one file per month, depending on how much you write, and save it to a folder.

If you share your computer or worry about other’s reading it, password protect it or save it only to a flashdrive. Using a flashdrive can also allow you access to it on multiple computers.

Using a simple word processor could be to your advantage if you decide to use some of what you write later on because you already have it typed. It might become a problem if you are continuously editing yourself. Journaling should be free flowing and not slowed down by editing.

If you are looking for something more advanced, you can purchase journaling software.

Pen and Paper

If you’d rather go the more traditional route, you can always buy a notebook. No, I don’t mean a notebook computer, but a notebook with paper and a cover.

Many people prefer pen and paper because it feels more natural and puts them in a writing “frame of mind”. Of course, it’s also more portable and can’t be easily erased.

Which notebook you use is entirely up to you! You can use a basic composition notebook. Maybe you are rough with your books and notebooks; a composition notebook will hold up and it shouldn’t matter if there’s tears and scratches.

If you want something more durable with more pages, get a nice 5 star spiral notebook available in many sizes.

For those of you who cherish your notebooks, pick up a fancy decorative journal. There is always a huge selection of high quality, fancy notebooks at large bookstores and online.

You could use a leather bound book, a sketchbook if you also like to draw, or a hardcover notebook with a magnetic flap covered in beautiful artwork.

For journaling, a pen is the best choice. Pencils will fade much more quickly over time and often smudge. Use the cheapest pen you can find or a hundred dollar fountain pen. The most important point is that you get writing!

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