1: Gratitude Journal

Taking note of what you’re thankful for is an absolutely great journal to have. Arianna Huffington of The Huffington Post recommends that each night before bed, you should think of three things you’re thankful for instead of your stresses, worries and concerns. This is said to give you a more relaxed and happy rest. Instead of just thinking about them, why not write them down? Jotting down a few notes every night before bed is a great way to reflect on positivity, and also enables you to revisit these thoughts later on!

2: Dream Journal

On a similar note, keeping a dream journal is always a fun idea! Dreams can be so powerful, peculiar, happy, sad, and everything in between, but most people tend to forget them after a few hours. Getting in the habit of writing down your dreams each morning gives those dreams significance, and is also just a great way to start the day.

3: Hobby Journal

Everybody has a favorite hobby, so why not write about what you’re truly passionate about?! Write about projects, challenges, new things you’ve learned, and anything else you want! If you have more than one hobby, try splitting the journal into different sections. You can write about what you’re working on that day and keep them in different tabs rather than worrying about chronology.

4: Personal Journal

Yep, also known as a diary. Obviously, this is one of the most common journals you can keep, because the possibilities are endless. Write about your day, what made you happy, what made you sad, what made you angry (heck, we all need to vent sometimes!), and anything else that’s on your mind. Even if you write for ten minutes each night, it can be a great time to reflect on the day and release some of your inner monologue!

5: Lyrics Journal

If you’re like me, your Spotify is always playing! I have the tendency to hear a song, and if the lyrics are remotely applicable to a situation that I’m currently going through, or that I’ve been through, I’m connected to the lyrics in a whole new way. My next step is to write/sketch them. This is a great journal to have, because it acts like a diary but with a variety of other artists’ words. It’s also a fun way to try new ways of writing -- maybe give calligraphy or hand-lettering a try!

6: Relationship Journal

If you’re in a relationship, this is a great collaborative journal to share. It’s a way to share your thoughts and feelings, and acknowledge what makes your significant other special to you. Either used for serious or lighthearted topics, t’s a great extra way to show your love for one another. If you’re in a long-distance relationship, mailing the journal back and forth is a fun way to keep surprising each other. Because who doesn’t getting packages, right? (And for all of you currently riding solo, do not fret! Try this one with a friend or family member!)

7: Letters Journal

This one is similar to the Relationship Journal, but entirely different! Use this journal to write letters to people that you don’t ever have to send. (Or if you do decide to send, go for it!) These could be letters to your parents, a loved one that has passed away, your children (or future children), an ex-boyfriend, or anyone in between. Writing to someone, even if they never read it, can be very beneficial for your relationships.

8: Travel Journal

A travel journal can be a collection of all sorts of things -- photos, postcards, receipts, ticket stubs, doodles, and of course, notes of what you’ve seen and what you’ve done! Traveling is a great way to experience new cities, sights, sounds and cultures, and documenting these new experiences is beneficial and fun. You can keep track of what you ate, what music you heard, who you met, and so much more.

9: Planning Journal

What are your goals for today? This week? This month? Or even this year? It helps to write these things down to keep track of your progress! Think of it as a to-do list, but with the ability to add notes or comments about each task. Think of what you’d like to accomplish, then simply keep track of your progress!

10: Bucket List Journal

Similar to the Planning Journal, start a bucket list! Everyone has things that they want to do and see before their time is up, so why not document these things? The great thing about keeping your bucket list as a journal is the ability to keep adding and keep checking off as time goes by!

11: Pregnancy/Motherhood Journal

This one won’t apply to everyone, but it will apply to a lot of mama bears out there! Keeping a quick journal while you’re pregnant or a new mother is a good way to relieve some of your stress each day. Getting your thoughts out of your head and onto paper is a therapeutic thing, and who knows, maybe you’ll even want to share with your kids one day!

12: Art Journal

More commonly known as a sketchbook! Pretty self-explanatory, but use this journal to draw and sketch whatever comes to mind! At the risk of sounding cheesy, sometimes pictures really are worth a thousand words.

13: Birthday Journal

This one’s easy -- write about each of your birthdays! This one is peculiar because it’s a journal you only write in one day a year, but it’s so worth the wait! Every birthday is special, but we tend to only remember the big ones. Once you start keeping a Birthday Journal (complete with memories, pictures, and significant moments from the past year), you’ll be able to look back to see what you did for your 29th - or 37th - or even 76th birthday!

14: Diet/Exercise Journal

I’m no doctor, so I’ll try not to go into any specifics with this one, but keeping track of your diet and exercise is beneficial in so many ways! It’s a great way to keep track of your fitness progress, your calorie intake, what foods might upset your stomach, or so much more!

15: Reading Journal

If you’re a book nerd, then a Reading Journal is the journal for you! Jot down your thoughts and feelings about each book you read. Not only is it a great way for you reflect on what you’ve read, but it’s also great for remembering later what books you liked and disliked -- and which ones you’ll recommend to others!