A daily journal is a powerful tool that helps you to find your direction. It may help you to set and achieve goals, focus on positivity or maintain a gratitude practice. To accomplish any of these aims, it is advisable to find the best daily journal.
Thousands of options are available, but most people don’t have time to review them all. Fortunately, we’ve done the work for you, arriving at a list of 10 daily journals that are durable, attractive and have unique features.
With an emphasis on maximizing productivity and positivity, these journals are designed to improve your life.
10 Best Daily Journals:
1. The Freedom Journal – The Best Daily Planner to Accomplish Your #1 Goal in 100 Days – Increase Productivity & Time Management – Hardcover, Non Dated – 1 Year Guarantee
Review
Using a scientific approach, this journal is designed to help you achieve a goal in 100 days. Inside the hardcover, you’ll find pages on which to organize daily tasks and nightly recaps. With 10-day sprints in addition to quarterly reviews, this is a single-minded approach to making your dreams come true.
Begin each day with a gratitude exercise and identification of your main focus for the day. Then, you’ll name three primary objectives and create a plan to execute them. In the evening, you’ll reflect on what worked and what failed so that you can find real-world solutions.
The next section features 10 10-day sprints so that you can accomplish your overall goal in 10-day segments. Use the quarterly reviews to reflect on the prior 25 days.
This daily planner a pricey choice. Critics don’t like the occasional cartoons on the pages or the recommended reading suggestions which are perceived as advertisements.
- Classic, durable design
- Excellent tools for achieving a goal
- Corny cartoons
- You’ll also need an overall planner
Conclusion
If you have a big goal that you want to accomplish in 100 days, this is the ideal journal for you.
2. Moleskine Classic Notebook, Hard Cover, Large (5″ x 8.25″) Ruled/Lined
Review
Fans of bullet journaling frequently choose this offering from Moleskine. It’s available in ruled lines, dotted pages or graph pages. Choose the blank-page version for the ultimate in versatility.
This stylish journal also is available in several colors like black, brown, gray and blue as well as more fanciful colors such as daisy pink and dandelion yellow. Elastic strap closure is included as well as a ribbon bookmark and an envelope on the back cover.
The simple, classic design makes this an elegant accessory for the classroom and the boardroom. Design the pages any way you like to help you manage your daily schedule, boost your productivity and start achieving your goals.
People who use this Moleskine journal like its lay-flat binding and the ivory color of the pages. However, they say that the 70 gsm paper simply isn’t thick enough to prevent ink from bleeding through.
- Simple, stylish design
- Elastic closure and bookmark
- The ultimate in flexibility
- Pages are too thin to prevent ink bleed through
Conclusion
Moleskine makes lovely journals that are suitable for a variety of uses. Just keep in mind that the pages may show significant ghosting.
3. The 5 Second Journal: The Best Daily Journal and Fastest Way to Slow Down, Power Up, and Get Sh*t Done
Review
Mel Robbins wrote this journal to tie in with her The 5 Second Rule book. It includes a journaling method that’s back up by research.
Robbins asserts that people who use this journal will get more done in half the time and that they’ll stop feeling overwhelmed. This is accomplished by focusing on what’s most important. By doing so, you build confidence, feel more passion for your activities and take control of your life.
While this journal is informed by great research, it’s important to keep in mind that it’s set up in a 60-day format. Accordingly, you’ll need a new one every two months. For the price, that’s an expensive habit.
- Good focus on productivity and setting goals
- Thoughtful design
- A good way to take control of your life
- Only a 60-day format
Conclusion
For the right person, this is an extraordinary journal that helps them accomplish tasks like never before. If you’re a fan of Robbins’ book, then you shouldn’t pass up an opportunity to tie this journal to your reading.
4. BestSelf Co. The SELF Journal – Planner 2019-2020 – Monthly, Weekly, Daily Planner – Increase Productivity and Happiness – Undated Hardcover – Navy
Review
This undated planner journal has a navy hardcover with a bright yellow elastic closure. It’s a more attractive look than you might imagine, but what’s really impressive is the daily exercises. These include morning and evening gratitude practices and space to record the day’s goals. An hourly schedule keeps things on track, and there are blank pages for journaling.
Monthly and weekly spreads are included for planning. Each journal is set up for 13 weeks of goal setting and targeting. Use the daily lessons learned and wins spaces for reflecting on gains and losses for even greater improvement.
For the price, this is one of the more expensive journals listed here. Considering that three or four will be needed to cover a year, you definitely need to love the format.
- Thoughtful design
- Good for motivation
- Works as a daily planner
- Expensive
- 13-week format
- Not enough space for true journaling
Conclusion
Without a doubt, this is an attractive planner that is filled with numerous useful tools. It’s used by many successful people, particularly entrepreneurs. In fact, this journal really seems designed for people who are running a business and have a crazy schedule.
5. The 6-Minute Diary (Sky Blue) | 6 Minutes a Day for More Mindfulness, Happiness and Productivity | A Simple and Effective Gratitude Journal and Undated Guided Journal | The Perfect Gift
Review
This journal operates on the theory that everyone has six minutes every day that they can use to improve their outlook and productivity. It begins with a table of contents and several introductory pages with information regarding how to use the diary.
Follow three-minute morning and evening routines to help you focus on motivation, positivity and gratitude. Also included are five weekly questions that are designed to give you insight. A monthly check includes a habit tracker and a page for notes. Several blank pages are included
One of the main complaints about this journal is the hefty number of introductory pages. This is helpful in the first journal, but users say they don’t need it in subsequent journals. The company is now producing a “Pure” version without the introductory pages.
- Includes a clear and detailed guide for use
- Thoughtful layouts
- Two bookmarks
- Some users think the introductory pages are too much
Conclusion
The six-minute format is ideal for busy individuals who want a better sense of control over their lives but don’t have much time. With thoughtful layouts, this is a useful tool.
6. 2020 Daily Organizer Planner in Protect Box – Full Year Dated Productivity Planner for Achieve Goals – A5 Vegan Leather 5.5”x8.5″ – Calendar Stickers 2020
Review
This journal has many stated purposes. From managing your schedule to planning your goals and achieving a better work-life balance, this is a multi-purpose book. As a planner for minimalists, it has a simple design that’s easy to use.
The publishers keep things simple by doing away with quotes, unnecessary information, and artwork. Additionally, users are encouraged to choose a few goals at a time and to choose one priority task each day. The journal includes undated pages for gratitude practice and tracking habits and rituals.
With a soft-cover of gray vegan leather, this is a stylish journal. It includes a bookmark, gold-edged pages, and 80 gsm paper. Good construction ensures durability, but some people note that the writing spaces are small. Some users also note that some pens will cause significant bleed through.
Critics also note that there are no blank pages.
- Elegant design
- Minimalistic approach focuses on priorities
- Bookmark
- No blank pages
- Paper allows ink to bleed
Conclusion
This is a straightforward planner that works great for someone who needs to stay on top of busy days.
7. The 90-Day Gratitude Journal: A Mindful Practice for Lifetime of Happiness
Review
Combining mindfulness practice with gratitude is natural. Mindfulness requires attention to the present moment, and many people experience increased gratitude with this awareness.
Each day, this journal asks three questions. Two are always the same, but the third changes. Requiring only 10 minutes, this is an opportunity for personal reflection and positivity. People use this journal when they want to focus on what’s going right while placing less of an emphasis on negativity.
This undated journal contains an introduction with plenty of research-backed instructions for making the most of your practice.
Like other entries on this list, this journal has a specific purpose. It’s not designed to help you keep track of your daily schedule. The most common complaint from users is that there’s no space for a calendar and schedule.
- Lightweight design for portability
- Puts the emphasis on gratitude
- Insightful questions to generate thoughtful responses
- You’ll need a planner or blank book to keep track of your schedule
- Only goes for 90 days
Conclusion
Keep in mind that this journal supports your gratitude practice. You’ll want a planner for maintaining your schedule.
8. Daily Positivity Journal For Happiness, Wellness, Mindfulness & Self Care – Inspirational Journals To Write In, Writing Prompt Journal & Guided Journal Gifts For Men & Women – Hardcover Diary Notebook
Review
This stylish, hardcover notebook has a lay-flat binding and a convenient pocket for holding small but important items. The publishers describe it as a journal for self-improvement and happiness. To do this, an emphasis is placed on making small changes that have a positive impact on mental health.
The Best Journal Ever achieves this in its 222 pages by providing four sections. Each one has prompts for personal development and self-care.
Sections for self-assessment, 60-day reflections, a six-month habit tracker and daily pages make this possible. The daily pages include space for journaling, tracking sleep, an affirmation for the day, an inspirational quote and a gratitude practice.
The habit tracker is thoughtfully designed while the 60-day reflection exercises are instructive.
With its 100 gsm paper and durable cover, this undated journal is designed for heavy use. Critics say that the daily pages don’t provide enough room for true journaling.
- Durable, attractive cover
- Thick paper
- Thoughtful, inspirational design
- Daily pages could use a little more room to write
Conclusion
This stylish journal is thoughtfully designed and elegantly executed for optimal usefulness.
9. More Than Yesterday – The Best Daily Food and Activity Journal: 100 little steps to become the best version of yourself!
Review
This 100-day journal is designed for tracking food intake and activity. With a minimalist design, this journal helps users to lose weight, lead a healthier lifestyle and get in shape. It’s also ideal for people who are coping with a long-term illness or are healing from an eating disorder.
The six by nine-inch size is portable, and the included quotes are inspirational. Space is provided for tracking food intake and meal times. Water-intake and exercise trackers build healthy habits. Emphasis is placed on the emotions so that users can track how this affects eating and activities.
The spiral binding of this journal makes for easy use. This low priced planner is a bargain. Keep in mind that you’ll need an additional planner for tracking your appointments and events.
- Stylish, lightweight, portable design
- Concise trackers for food intake, water intake, sleep and mood
- Helpful explanatory pages in the front of the journal
- You’ll need another planner to keep track of your other goals and activities
Conclusion
If you want to be more aware of what you put in your body and how active you are, there’s no better daily journal choice.
10. Morning Mindset: A Daily Journal to Get You in the Best Headspace Every Day. Change Your Mornings, Change Your Life.
Review
If you’ve ever wished that you could begin each day with excitement, then this daily journal is perfect for you. The publishers believe that using it each morning sets the tone for the rest of the day.
The daily pages contain questions that encourage reflection on yesterday and planning for today. There’s space for gratitude practice, and the inspiring daily quotes help you find motivation on the toughest days.
A weekly layout provides space to reflect on the past week and the one that’s coming up. This means that you can spend some time figuring out where you’ve been and where you’re going.
While this is a great daily journal, it’s not perfect. Some users remark that the lack of a lay-flat binding is a detriment. It’s simply not particularly easy to write in this journal. However, other users say that the book’s dimensions and light weight make it perfect for carrying with you.
- Inspirational quotes
- Ideal for tracking habits
- Space for gratitude practice
- Insightful daily questions
- No lay-flat binding
- No bookmark
Conclusion
This journal offers a great way to build healthy habits and to keep your values in mind when you’re making decisions.
Tips for Choosing the Best Daily Journal
Purpose
PurposeEach journal described above is unique. One is filled with blank pages while another focuses on eating and exercise. Others are designed to help you meet a challenging goal.
Before you choose the right journal for you, reflect on what you’re hoping to accomplish. Deciding that you want to start a business, take control of your life or run a marathon will dictate which journal you choose.
Size and Cover
Do you want your journal to travel with you? If so, then you need one that is small but durable. Consider whether or not it will fit into your favorite bag or purse before making a purchase.
Guidance
GuidanceHow much guidance do you want? People who are dedicated to bullet journaling or who just want a place for free-form journaling may thrive with a blank or dotted notebook.
Others are looking for inspirational quotes and thought-provoking questions. Maybe they need an hourly schedule and plenty of blank pages. Carefully consider what level of guidance you prefer.
Bookmarks
Do you need bookmarks? Many of the journals listed here don’t include bookmarks. While this is no big deal to some, others are bothered by having to find their place every day. What seems most efficient to you?
Goal Setting
Do you struggle with setting goals? If so, you’re not alone. Many people have difficulty achieving their dreams. Fortunately, plenty of journals are designed to get you to focus on your goals and to take incremental steps to achieve them.
Do you feel like you never get anything done? Maybe you’re overwhelmed by a frantic schedule. A good journal can help you overcome this with effective planning. Look for a journal that supports your goal of looking forward so that you’re less likely to be taken by surprise.
Choosing the Best Journal for Your Daily Routine
A journal is a personal item. The format that’s loved by one individual may seem like a waste of time to another. All of the journals listed here are unique and effective. However, that doesn’t mean that you will like them all equally.
Start by choosing the one that seems most in line with your current goals. Perhaps you’ll discover that it’s not ideal, but you’ll be better off than you were before thanks to your new focus on gratitude, positivity and gaining important personal insights. Take a closer look at any of these journals today.
