Why I’m growing my journal ecosystem and why you should too

I’m sure by now social media has made the rounds on the concept of a ‘journal ecosystem’, but for those not familiar, it is essentially a collection of notebooks, each with different purposes, that come together to form a sort of routine (or very loose pattern). Some are very extensive, upwards of 10 notebooks, and some are very efficiently and cleanly separated, giving each notebook a clear role. Journaling is always recommended for organisation, or the mind, or the soul. In reality, it can help all these things and more, as long as you make it work for you. This is why I am invested in the idea of a journal ecosystem; you can create a rotation of journals with different purposes that fit your life and needs. So without further ado, here’s my journal ecosystem.

First is my day-a-page diary which I re-purchase every year, this year in a deep red with gold-gilded edges. In this, I religiously plan every minute of my day (perhaps to an unhealthy degree), as well as including deadlines, events, and anything with a date attached to it. These sorts of diaries usually also have some pages for notes at the back – I include a reading log in here, but this could also be a great place for monthly summaries, finance trackers, or birthdays (because I know those are hard to remember). This one goes with me almost everywhere, and is probably the one I rely on most (and recommend most) – without it, I would be lost.

Paired with this is another day-a-page notebook, used in this case for daily journaling (think: Dear diary…). Sometimes this comes with journaling prompts found online, but generally I like to recap my day, everyday. This way, the days don’t go by quite so quickly. As this is the most classic style of ‘journaling’, it’s probably one that everyone has tried. It’s easy to try and quickly give up on daily writing, but stick through it, even if you’re writing the same things every day, and you’ll find some different, even special thoughts come up and onto the page.

Next, an unassuming black notebook, very thick due to the almost 5 years of use it has been through. Although it has had many different purposes in the past, for now one of the roles of this all-encompassing journal is a scrapbook, or a collection of receipts and other scraps of paper I collate throughout day-to-day life. More than anything, this for me is a fun way to reflect on events with low-stakes, and a great-looking result. This is such an easy way to be creative, as all you need are the scraps, colour, and your thoughts. I especially like to do this after a holiday, and pick a theme for the spread. Another role that this black notebook has picked up this year is a habit tracker: a simple table, with 30/31 days down the side, and the habits I want to keep up with along the top. Again, this is a low-stakes way of keeping grounded in life (and the set-up at the beginning of each month is also fun if you like a ruler and pen). This black notebook is also a catch-all for thoughts and feelings that are a bit too rambly for the daily journal. Look on your shelf: almost certainly, there is a discarded, mostly-empty notebook lying there. Pick it up, find the first empty page, and let loose.

I’d like to give a special mention to the humble sketchbook – perhaps this is not a journal, but a flick through it gives me snapshots of myself making those pages, which I think counts for something. This is a sign to embrace your creativity (everyone has creativity), pick up a pencil, and scribble until it looks like you (metaphorically, of course).

Finally, this one may be controversial, but I feel the need to include it because it is a staple: my gcal (Google Calendar, for those unacquainted). Controversial because it’s not on paper, and I really laud the importance of pen to paper. However, I make an exception in this case, because my gcal houses all my events, timetables, deadlines, and tasks. I mean, it does a lot. Could I survive without it? Quite possibly, considering I also have paper versions of all of the above. Regardless, seeing my day laid out in digital format makes it seem just that extra bit more professional. Plus, customising the colours every month is fun, if you know how to have a good time.

And of course, I am always looking for more. At the moment, I am considering a little A6 notebook to start a commonplace journal. This is essentially another miscellaneous notebook, but more pointed towards learning and inspiration. For example, learning a new word and writing down its definition, or finding a quote in a book and wanting to remember it in the future. Whilst I do have some worries that this may be relegated to the same fate as the black journal, I think I would be willing to give this a go.

While this collection can seem pretty full on for someone who has never journalled before, or even really written things down very much, it’s important to stress that you do not have to create an ecosystem. Continuing the metaphor, this will grow organically as you find more things in your life that you want to record, or organise, or reflect upon. The best starting point is to buy a notebook, crack it open at the end of the day, and write. It doesn’t have to be poetic, or even full sentences, but if you can make this first step, and then continue it for the next day, and then a week, and then even longer, then journaling can become a habit, and grow into something even bigger, helping you to grow with it.