Ways to Fill a Blank Notebook and Overcome “Journaling Fear”
First I’ll say I love notebooks and journals. I’ve loved them since I was a teenager. Back then, for me a journal was simply a place to write about what was going on in my life and save the occasional postcard or ticket stub. The memories of my teachers, friends, my immature behavior and silly quarrels – all there.
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Those memories would have been completely lost, without those journals. When I read them, it’s as if I’m reading about some other person, and it’s really intriguing! The journal entries are both poignant and funny. (And, very revealing, too! Although I was a tall, slim, athletic teenager, immersed in swim team, basketball team, tennis team, etc., many of my journal entries include my thoughts that I was “fat” and “really needed to lose weight.”) Yikes
Diary journals are so wonderful, but notebooks can be used for so many other things too. They can be lists, planners (bullet journals), and even pieces of art.
(I have more ideas for ways to fill your notebooks at the end of the post.)
I like my journals to be visual and fun, with hand lettering and colorful elements. (But, they don’t have to be, of course. A journal can be simple or elaborate – no rules.) The words in the journal are the most important thing.
The artsy/craftsy side of me wants to decorate the pages, though. I love washi tape. I’m always trying to think of creative things to do in a journal and ways to use my journals.
But, again, simply writing in your journals is the most important thing!
In the recent past, I’ve had glorious intentions and have purchased multiple journals, but, sadly, many of them are still blank. There is something so intimidating to me about a blank page.
Within the past few years, I discovered discbound notebooks. Because of the discbound style, the pages are removable, without the need to open rings, etc. I can remove pages or move them around very easily. That’s a particularly useful feature in a planner or art journal. I made my own version of a discbound journal, and you can visit here to see how I did it: How to Make a Discbound Notebook.
There are very nice Tul discbound notebooks that come with lined paper, and there are several different kinds of refills available. Those notebooks are nice for notetaking. You can pick up the Tul Discbound hole punch and use any kind of paper you want in them. My paper preference is the HP Premium 32 paper, because it’s super smooth (safe for my brush pens), acid free, and heavyweight. It’s my go-to paper for brush lettering practice, journaling, etc.
Here are some ways to fill your blank notebook:
- Gratitude journal
- Diary
- Sketches and doodles
- Goals
- Quotes
- Lettering practice
- Book log
- Planner
- Prayer Journal
- Home decor journal
- Gardening journal
- Swatches
How do you use your notebooks and journals?
This post was originally published in 2019 and updated in 2024.
Linking to:
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I am a total journaling nerd, and I love this post. I kept a gratitude journal for 6 years, and am now transitioning into a "list journal." I think of topics I want to explore; e.g. What Does Love Look Like? or How Do You Define Satisfaction?" and just add to the lists as I think of things. It's kind of fun.
Thanks Michele! I love the idea of a list journal. It sounds like so much fun and will be so much fun to look back on. My son does this a lot. He has so many wonderful lists! Thanks for visiting today!
Pam, I only just saw this now. Yes, you've got to use those journals! Journaling is too good to miss out on because of fear. Have you kept up with it since?
Hi Carin! I am trying to get into the journaling groove! I love having a journal with removable pages now!
I've never taken to the beautiful journals that I see in stores. I write seriously, but I don't want anything that asks to look perfect–or even passable–once I'm done with it. I make a mess–notes, rewrite, rewrites of rewrites, endless crossing out.
I understand, Ellen! My day to day planning notes are scribbles, and I do my serious writing on the computer. As a pen/stationery/artist/journal nerd, though, I am drawn to pretty journals for memories, quotes, lettering, etc. My perfectionist tendencies need to go though!
I've kept a journal for years. And years. I type it now. A record of my day. I can't believe how many times I've turned to my journal to remember dates. Or purchases. Or birthdays. Or what the weather was like a year ago because this stupid winter is, I'm sure, twice as long as last year's…
That is so great. I wish I had done more than I have. I'm grateful for the little bits I wrote when my kids were babies. I would never remember that stuff now.
This year I started a book log journal. I've always kept book lists but having an actual journal with favorite quotes from each book and thoughts about the book has helped me be more intentional about what I'm reading and keep my reading pace going this year.
Wow, I love that idea! So much better than just a book list. I'm going to borrow this idea!
Hi Pam, just popped across after your message – sorry I haven't been here for ages! Everything is looking very beautiful on here – lovely and light. My working journals are shocking – you wouldn't want to see them! Scribbled lists of things to do that often reflect my mood, so most days you can't read my writng :-). Re the washi tape, I've never really understood how to use it – so this is helpful. I'll try to be more inventive.
Hi Gilly, Thanks so much for the nice words about my blog! My to-do lists are very messy too. My planner with my to-do's is very utilitarian and not pretty, and sometimes I can't even read my own writing. But I love to be creative in my actual journals! I have a bunch of washi tape, and I need to use it more. It's so useful and pretty. I'm so glad you stopped by.
Thank you so much for visiting 🙂 I love your blog! I love journaling and lettering too ^^
xoxo
Thank you so much, Bella. I love your blog too!
Your journals are like writable scrapbooks! It would be nice to sit down to jot in one each day.
Yes, that's a good way to put it! 🙂
Pam,
Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by!! I have kept a Gratitude Journal for several years now and I have always loved pretty notebooks and journals and stationary!! Stay safe, healthy and happy!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Debbie, I love gratitude journals! A wonderful record to keep, absolutely.