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The start of a new year is always a good time to recenter and think about what you want to focus on going forward. Whether you are looking to just set intentions or quantifiable goals, or simply start the habit of writing down your thoughts and emotions before you go to sleep, or jot down your dreams, getting a journal to keep everything organized and collected is a good place to start.
Journals and notebooks really do come in all shapes and sizes, depending on their intended purposes. From bullet journaling or just needing a space to free-write (with an occasional doodle or two), we have rounded up eight nine notebooks that are way better than just scribbling something on a scrap piece of paper.
So, you’re looking for the best notebooks for journaling?
➼ Our top picks
➼ More tried-and-true items
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Our top picks
If you’re new to journaling, it’s helpful to have writing prompts to guide your thoughts and motivate you to stay consistent. This planner-journal hybrid features deep-dive questions, dedicated space to reflect on past goals and create new ones, and weekly and monthly check-ins. The Cut’s shopping writer and editor Hanna Flanagan loves it.
This one from Inside Then Out also has prompts that will help you grow personally and professionally — it’s a favorite of the Cut’s fashion and beauty writer Asia Milia Ware. “I like that there’s a different question every day that makes me think,” she says. “It challenges me every morning, and now that I’ve been using it for a few years, I enjoy going back and seeing how I answered the questions different every year because it’s a clear sign of personal growth for me.”
A classic, softcover Moleskine is perfect for those of us trying to live out your “Lonely Boy” fantasies. These come in tons of colors and a variety of ruling types, so they are a great option whether you are looking for a plain journal for drawing, dotted or squared for bullet journaling, or traditionally ruled to write the next Great American Novel. Bend back that soft cover and have your main-character moment in a coffee shop.
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More tried-and-true items
Papier has tons of beautiful notebooks and planners in a variety of colors and designs, but we particularly like how sophisticated this one feels with the simple color and monogram. The leather hardcover makes it durable enough to carry around with you and not have to be too precious about it. The paper is also on the thicker side so it is great for those who like to use inky pens.
If you are looking for a splurge-worthy option for yourself or a gift for someone who appreciates the analog things in life, we suggest Smythson’s handcrafted notebooks. The British luxury-stationery brand holds three Royal Warrants, meaning if it’s good enough for the households of the British royal Family, the softcover grained lambskin notebook is probably suitable enough for you. The edges of the paper are even gold.
If you want to start journaling but do not really know where to start, a little structure might be helpful. With each page dedicated to a day, The Five-Minute Journal includes morning and night prompts to help you focus on what you are grateful for and what you are trying to manifest. The daily practice is a mindful way to start and conclude your day.
Another wallet-friendly option, this lined journal is the No. 1 best seller on Amazon in the “hardcover journal” category, with over 27,000 reviews and a 4.8-star rating. Available in 15 different colors, this journal is made of 160 thick pages so you can confidently use pens and markers without worrying about it bleeding through. Bonus: It has an inner pocket to keep track of receipts, notes, or anything else.
For paper enthusiasts, this notebook’s pages have a silky feel that helps your pen effortlessly glide. The stitch binding allows it to easily lie flat, and the card-stock cover is durable enough to make this a great all-purpose notebook for anything from journaling to brainstorming to doodling.
Set your five-year goals in the prettiest journal we’ve seen. This will look great on your nightstand and hopefully will motivate you to write down your every thought.
