things to put inside your journal

hello.

it’s safe to say we’re all prioritizing journaling this year, yes?

until recently, i hadn’t realized the sheer variety of journals one could keep—book journals, daily logs, planners, gratitude journals, even the chaotic beauty of a catch-all notebook. i think for many of us, we’re clinging to the nostalgia of print magazines, creating collages, and indulging in an evening that begins with, “dear diary…” it took years of stopping and starting, of listening to therapists and journaling enthusiasts to decided whether or not my thoughts were worth committing to the page. but once i let go of the idea that journaling needed to be performative—that it had to be for someone else’s eyes—it became something therapeutic and necessary to decompress from my day.

as much as i cringe at the cliché, writing for myself has been unexpectedly transformative. it’s grounding, introspective, even cathartic in a way that feels almost indulgent—like reclaiming a corner of the day to sit with my thoughts and let them spill out in whatever form they take. it’s not about being neat or coherent, but about giving shape to the intangible, capturing fleeting moments before they disappear entirely.

joan didion, in her essay on keeping a notebook, reflects on how journaling is less about recording life’s events and more about capturing who you were in a specific moment. it’s not about documenting every detail or creating a perfect record. instead, it’s about holding onto the fleeting, the small things we think we’ll remember forever but rarely do.

we write to preserve the way a person made us feel on a certain day, the impression a place left on us, or the thoughts we had in passing. it’s easy to believe we’ll hold onto those moments, but they slip away faster than we realize. journaling becomes a way to freeze time, to save those fragments of life before they vanish.

it’s not just about memory—it’s about giving ourselves a way to return to those moments when we’re ready, to revisit them with fresh eyes. and maybe, by putting them on paper, we can stop them from lingering in the background, unfinished or unresolved.one of the most satisfying parts of journaling is turning it into something tactile—scrapbooking little pieces of your life alongside your thoughts, integrating mementos and keepsakes that bring texture and memory to the pages. it’s not just about writing; it’s about creating something that feels alive, like a tiny time capsule of the everyday.

there’s something so meaningful about collecting fragments from your day—things most people might overlook—and tucking them into your notebook. a receipt from a coffee shop you lingered in too long, a pressed flower from a walk you didn’t want to end, a movie ticket from a night that feels hazy but perfect in retrospect. journaling becomes less about documenting and more about curating a life you want to remember.

if you’re looking for ideas, i’ve put together a little list of things you can collect to include in your journal—tiny, tangible reminders of the moments we often let slip away. i’m also sharing some of my favorite journals and stationery today.

oh! i must recommend martina calvi’s book. she is such a gem and everything she creates is lovely and beautiful. if you’re looking for inspiration, get her book.

my favorite journals:

book journals:

leuchtturm1917 soft cover notebook

moleskine classic large squared

daily journals:

leuchtturm1917 hard cover notebook

leuchtturm1917 soft cover notebook

moleskine classic large squared

planner journals:

leuchtturm1917 weekly planner

hobonichi techo planner

hobonichi techno weeks

my favorite stationery items & stores:

pens:

uni jetstream 0.5 pen

muji 0.38 pen

muji 0.38 colored pens

uni ball 0.38 colored pens

pencils:

kokuyo pencil

muji mechanical pencil

misc:

midori pen case

grid post it notes

muji stationery set

tombow correction tape

tombow double stick tape

stores for cute stationery:

niconeco zakkaya

things to put inside your journal:

• cinema tickets: from a special movie night, even better if the film meant something to you.

• museum tickets: tiny pieces of history and art to remind you of an inspiring day.

• love notes: sweet words from someone you care about, or even ones you’ve written to yourself.

• confetti: from a celebration, birthday, or a random joyful moment you want to keep.

• pressed flowers and leaves: from walks, gifts, or moments in nature you want to hold on to forever.

• polaroid photos or photo strips: imperfect snapshots of people and places you want to remember.

• postcards: sent from a loved one or collected from places you’ve traveled to.

• handwritten letters: fold them neatly, tie them with string, and tuck them in for rainy day rereads.

• stamps: vintage or new, beautiful little reminders of faraway places.

• concert tickets: memories of your favorite bands or magical nights filled with music.

• event wristbands: a tangible piece of the moments that felt larger than life.

• doodles and sketches: your own or someone else's creative marks, unfiltered and honest.

• fortune cookie fortunes: small, cryptic wisdoms that might someday mean something more.

• poetry snippets or favorite quotes: handwritten or typed, beautiful words that resonate deeply.

• dried tea bag herbs or petals: the scent and memory of a comforting cup of tea.

• maps: whether of a city, subway, or even an antique map of somewhere you've always wanted to go.

• receipts: from meaningful moments—an unforgettable dinner, a bookstore trip, or your favorite café.

• stickers or seals: playful or vintage, they add charm to any page.

• fabric swatches or ribbon: soft textures that bring a tactile, cozy vibe to your journal.

• book pages or clippings: old book quotes, illustrations, or even torn magazine snippets.

• boarding passes: airplanes, trains, buses—tokens of adventure and movement.

• wine or beer labels: a classy keepsake of a night with friends or a special celebration.

• scribbled song lyrics: words from a song that captures a moment or feeling perfectly.

• festival or fair programs: colorful and fun, they hold memories of lively days.

• tags from gifts or clothing: a reminder of something new or a thoughtful gesture.

• menu cards or coasters: from a charming restaurant, a favorite bar, or a lovely dinner.

• handwritten recipes: passed down from loved ones or ones you’ve written yourself.

• feathers or small natural objects: collected on walks, from beaches or forests.

• wax seals: from special letters or just decorative seals you’ve made yourself.

• ribbons from flowers or gifts: dainty touches that carry personal sentiment.

• pressed herb leaves: like rosemary or sage, grounding reminders of calm.

  

before i leave you today, let me provide some journaling prompts to get you started…

thoughtful journal promts

-things to learn/study/research

-foods that shaped your childhood

-monthly wishlist

-describe your perfect day alone

-letter to your grandparents

-watch list: films, video essays, tv shows, youtube creators, etc

-monthly goals

-different ways to say i love you

-where would you run away to?

-talk about the first photo in your phone

-a constellation of your dreams

-thoughts on aging

-list of guilty pleasures

-green flags

-what brings you comfort?

-monthly reading list

last things i want to mention…

carry your notebook with you everywhere. slip it in your tote bag, always carry a pen and a book or two.

okay, that’s all i have for you today.

if you’re not ready to become a paid subscriber and you have the capacity to leave a tip, that would be so appreciated.

i love you.

bye.

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