In response to special requests, I am sharing a look at my journals this week.  While journaling might not seem outwardly related to organization, when I started to really think about it, I realized that journaling is a powerful tool I use to keep on top of both my physical and emotional health.  That sounds like personal organization to me!  I keep a number of journals that I use for various purposes, each of which are detailed below.

Personal Journal

I’ve kept a personal journal with some frequency since I was about eight years old.  Twenty-three years later I’m still reaping the benefits of writing!  I use this as a place to express my feelings, work through difficult emotions, and record important events and milestones.  I don’t write in my personal journal on a consistent basis, just when I feel like it.  I’ve been using Moleskine Volant Large Ruled Notebooks for the past couple of years as my journals of choice.  I truly love this brand (as you’ll see by my loyalty across the board for all of my journals).  The Volant line in particular is great because they are well made, reasonably priced notebooks that come in a set of two in a nice variety of colors with ruled or plain pages.  I love how lightweight and portable they are.  Plus, I really like the kind of paper in them, which is smooth and easy to write on.

Health Journal

Over the past year I have started keeping a more detailed health journal to help me keep track of my general well being.  I started this journal early last summer when I was experiencing some minor but chronic health issues.  While I have since gotten a handle on those issues, I have found that good health is something I have to actively pursue.  I don’t write in this journal on any sort of regular basis, really just when something of note comes up, but it does prove to be a valuable resource when I need to discuss my health with doctors and other health practitioners.  Again, I use a Moleskine Volant Large Ruled Notebook for this.  I also like to color code in my health journal and use a set of my favorite pens called Le Pen by Marvy.

Food & Fitness Journal

I’ve kept a log-style journal of my eating and exercise habits off and on for over nine years now.  I find this is an excellent tool to keep on top of my nutrition.  It also comes in handy when I am training for a race or if I’m experiencing any health problems that could be food-related.  Most of all, this journal helps me stay on track by being accountable and helps me really pay attention to my nutrition.  While I tend to go in and out of phases with using this journal, I find that I generally feel better when I’m in an “in phase” with it as I tend to be more mindful about my nutrition.  Sometimes I will go months without keeping a food & fitness journal, but when I am keeping track, I will do so every day, usually filling in the previous day during breakfast.  I have an older video where I go into much more detail about how I keep this journal and my basic practice has not changed since.  You can watch it target=”_blank”>here if you’re interested.  I used the Moleskine Classic Pocket Notebook for many years, before just recently switching over to the Moleskine Volant Pocket Notebook just this year as it is much smaller and lighter so it is easier to travel with.  Plus it tucks nicely into a pocket in my Filofax.  I also use the LePen pens in this journal, as well, as I am particularly fond of color coding.

Gratitude Journal

My gratitude journal is the only one I write in every single day without fail.  I started this practice about five years ago after reading about the benefits doing so can provide one with in Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort & Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach.  Every night right before I lay down to go to sleep I will write down five things that I am grateful for that day.  There is no right or wrong when it comes to gratitude and I find I can always immediately come up with five things, no matter what kind of day I have had.  The beauty of this practice is that it puts me in the best frame of mind possible right before I go to sleep.  I noticed a big change in my anxiety and general outlook almost immediately after starting this practice five years ago, which is why I have incorporated it into my daily routine and will continue to do so.  I have never found a quicker, easier, or cheaper pick-me-up with such a strong influence and lasting effect.  I’m using a Moleskine 2014 Daily Planner in the pocket size with the soft cover as my gratitude journal this year after making the switch from the Paperblanks planners I was using previously.  I like having a dated notebook for this practice and the Moleskine planner is perfect as it offers the same wonderful paper and construction that I love in my other journals.

Journal Pouch & Supplies

As you may already know, I am particularly fond of keeping things contained whether that be in boxes, bins, or pouches.  I keep both my personal and health journals in a Kate Spade pouch I’ve had for a few years.  I find the 7″ x 10″ size is perfect to fit both of my Moleskine Volant Large Notebooks as well as my pens.  This keeps it all together and easily accessible.  While this case is no longer available, you can find others in the same size and style at Barnes and Noble.  I am especially fond of the Jonathan Adler designs.

Collage Journal & Supplies

One last journal I have that I do not access nearly as often as my others is my collage journal.  This, again, is based off of advice from the Simple Abundance book I referenced above.  For this, I use a Moleskine Volant Large Notebook with plain paper.  I keep it as well as my collage supplies, which include scissors, double-sided tape runner, markers, stickers, and magazine clippings, in a Jonathan Adler Accessory Pouch.  While I do not use my collage journal all that often I find that it is nice to have on hand for when the mood strikes.  Something about making collages is so therapeutic and refreshing!  Sometimes I find that I don’t quite have the words to work through something or express myself properly and it is at those times that I turn to this journal.

If you’d like to watch me talk through my journals and journaling practices, check out the video below:

I would love to know if you journal, what kind of journaling you do and what your favorite journal accessories and rituals are.  Sharing ideas is a great way to motivate and inspire each other to try something new.  I always love hearing from you!

* Post contains referral links.  This is not a sponsored post. All products shown were purchased by me with the exception of the 7 Year Pen, which was a gift.  All opinions are genuinely my own. *