Our Favorite Journals
“ Journaling can help you to name emotions you’re experiencing or poke some holes in anxiety thoughts about future events that won’t ever come to pass.”
Above all, we want your self-care rituals and habits to feel luxurious and pleasurable. These moments of taking care of yourself should feel a little bit indulgent, rather than like a time out -- no one is going to lock you in a room to think about what you’ve done. Part of convincing yourself to do something good for yourself is to look forward to -- and even enjoy -- nurturing activities.
To cultivate a long-term habit journaling, we recommend buying a notebook to dedicate solely to journaling. It creates a special space for your thoughts and feelings, plus you’re less apt to forgetfully leave it at a coffee shop.
If staring at a blank page makes you nervous, start with one of our journal prompts. We always include it in each IDYLHOUR box because we know it’s easier to react to something than to start from scratch.
In the spirit of reacting rather than starting from scratch, here are three of our favorite notebooks to get you started on your quest for the perfect journal.
The Notebook from Appointed
The Notebook from Appointed
This elegant option comes from DC-based Appointed, a company that makes thoughtfully designed desktop products. The Notebook is their cornerstone product, with a book cloth cover, luxuriously thick paper, and brass wire binding. They’re focused on sustainability and everything is made in the US, so you can feel like a responsible shopper cruising their line.
Shop the Notebook here.
Pros: luxe vibes; durable and sleek cover; available in grid, lined or blank pages
Simple Notebook from Poketo
Simple Lined Notebook from Poketo
On the other side of the spectrum, this cheerful print is optimism in notebook form. It’s still durable, but a little more flexible than the stately Appointed Notebook. The Smyth-sewn binding is sturdy and adds a smidge of old-world class. Poketo is also committed to sustainability, and uses environmentally friendly tree-free paper.
Pros: fun colors and prints; lightweight for easy transport; quality binding
Large Spiral Rollbahn Notebook
Rollbahn’s Spiral Notebook
Made in Japan, spiral Rollbahn notebooks are a classic choice. They come in cool colorways (think 1970’s Winter Olympics hues), include plastic sleeves for keeping notes and other ephemera, and are printed with hip graph pages on sturdy cream paper. They’re great for on-the-go because a smart elastic closure keeps everything nice and tidy.
Pros: non-bleed paper, slick colorways, classic notebook vibes, smart closure
Shop journals here.