If you’ve been wanting to start a journaling practice but don’t know where to start, then you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll share our picks for the leading journals of 2025. Whether you’re looking for a simple and minimalistic design or something that’s more luxurious, we’ve got it all.
All of the journal options below can help you document your thoughts, keep track of your goals, or allow you to express yourself through art. With the right kind of notebook, you’ll have even more reason to try writing every day. And to help you out even more, we’ll include a buying guide that’ll break down all the features you should be looking out for as you shop.
The A4 journal by Avocado and Spice is a fantastic, high-quality journal that is perfect for organizing your life and unleashing creativity. With its velvet bag and premium gift box, it also makes a great gift to yourself or someone special in your life.
This notebook comes with 200, 120gsm pages that you can use for a variety of purposes including writing, drawing, sketches, stories, daily activities, goal-setting, lists, and anything else you can possibly think of! Plus, the 7-millimeter gap between lines leaves plenty of room for various uses!
The PU leather cover is soft and buttery smooth like leather and comes stamped with a gold foil emblem. It also includes a ribbon bookmark, built-in pen holder, elastic band, and pockets for storing cards and notes. With its durable construction and thoughtful design features, this journal is the top pick on our list!
The PAPERAGE Lined Journal features a high-quality, vegan leather cover and rounded corners, making it both stylish and durable. Inside it features 160 pages of 100 gsm acid-free paper in a light ivory color, allowing you to use most pens, pencils, and markers without fear of bleed-through.
Its convenient, lay-flat design is perfect for both left and right-handed users. The journal also contains an expandable inner pocket for storing notes, receipts, and other documents. The notebook even comes with an elastic closure band for convenience.
PAPERAGE offers plenty of vibrant colors to choose from that make writing even more enjoyable. And they offer a selection of page styles besides lined including blank (for sketching), and dotted (for bullet journaling), giving you the freedom to find one for your individual needs. Plus, each notebook includes a sheet of sticker labels to personalize your cover and spine.
The Persian Grove Journal by Peter Pauper Press is a stunning piece of art that doubles as a writing companion. The cover features a reproduction of a 16th-century binding of mystical Persian poetry, complete with a lacquer painting with gold and pearl dust. The matte black background showcases beautiful flowering trees and deer, all outlined in gold foil with embossed dimensional detailing.
The spine is also foil-enhanced to match the cover trim, creating a cohesive and luxurious look. Inside, you’ll find 160 lightly lined writing pages, providing ample space to write personal reflections, favorite quotations, or jot down your latest poem.
The acid-free, archival-quality paper takes various pens beautifully, ensuring that your words will last for years. And the complimentary gold interior end sheets add a touch of sophistication, while the gilded-gold page edging and elegant ribbon bookmark complete the package. This hardcover journal measures 6-¼ inches W x 8-¼ H, making it the perfect size to carry around with you.
The Dingbats Journal has a PU vegan leather design and micro-perforated cream 100gsm pages, so it’s sure to stand the test of time. The size A5 notebook contains 192 pages (96 sheets) of the world’s highest quality cream 100gsm, acid-free fountain-friendly, and perforated squared paper.
The construction is perfect for those who want to keep their ideas organized in one place. This notebook also includes an elastic closure and pen holder, an inner pocket for a little added detail, and animal footprint end sheets. And it can easily function as either a secret diary or a to-do list pad, depending on your needs.
For those looking to make a difference in the environment, this handsome squared notebook is 100% Vegan Certified from recyclable materials and purely FSC-certified paper. Plus, the brand donates 2% of its revenue from UK sales to WWF-UK charity. This means it’s not only a stylish notebook, but also one that supports an important cause.
The Artfan Ruled Journal is the perfect choice for anyone looking for an attractive, durable, and practical way to take notes, record memories, and more. Its hardcover binding protects the 144 pages inside, while a faux leather exterior in a fashionable design provides a smooth surface to write on.
Each premium paper page is thick and can reduce ink leakage, erase fraying and shade issues, and is acid-free. The notebook even comes with a handy expandable pocket on the back in case you need to store any small items.
The elastic closure band provides further convenience to keep the notebook closed when it isn’t in use. Plus, its classic ruled pages design makes it ideal for everyday use. And the sun stamping on the front cover and stylish design makes it especially eye-catching, while its water-resistant build will protect all of your important notes and memories inside for years to come.
The binding of a journal can affect its durability and ease of use. Hardcover journals are usually more durable and provide a sturdy surface for writing or drawing, while softcover journals are more flexible and lightweight. Spiral-bound journals allow you to lay the pages flat, making them easier to write or draw on, while stitched-bound journals provide a more traditional look and feel.
Types of Journal Pages
Blank journals: These journals have no lines or grids and are ideal for sketching or free-form writing.
Lined journals: These journals have lines or grids, making them ideal for writing or note-taking.
Bullet journals: Bullet journals combine elements of traditional journals, planners, and to-do lists to help users organize their thoughts and tasks.
Gratitude journals: Gratitude journals guide users to focus on the positive things in their lives and cultivate a sense of gratitude.
Things To Consider Before Buying a Journal
Quality
Research and read customer reviews to understand what people think of the quality of the journal. Look for journals that have high-quality paper, binding, and construction so that they will last through regular use.
Features
Depending on your needs, there are various features available in journals. You can find them with blank pages, ruled pages, pockets, or special inserts for storing photos and cards. To narrow down your options, you’ll need to determine which features are crucial for organizing your thoughts and ideas in the most effective way.
Design
The design of the journal plays a big role in enhancing your writing experience. Consider colors, patterns, textures, and materials when deciding which design will best fit your style and personality.
Durability
Durability should be an important factor when selecting a journal. Look for ones made from materials such as leather that will stand up to regular use and keep your writing protected for years to come.
Longevity
Consider how frequently you use journals when selecting one. If you plan to use it regularly or fill it up quickly, try to look for one that has plenty of pages.
Sizes of a Journal
Pocket-sized: These journals are typically small enough to fit in your pocket or purse and are ideal for jotting down quick notes or ideas on the go. They are usually around 3.5 x 5.5 inches in size.
Standard: Standard-sized journals are a popular choice for daily journaling, note-taking, or sketching. They typically measure around 5 x 8 inches or 6 x 9 inches.
Large: Large-sized journals offer plenty of space for more extensive writing or drawing. They are generally around 8.5 x 11 inches in size.
It completely depends on the individual. Some people may benefit from journaling every day, while others may only need to journal once a week or bi-weekly. The frequency of journaling is up to the individual's needs and preferences.
Journaling can help with stress management, improve mental clarity, boost creativity, and provide a tool for self-reflection and personal growth. It can also serve as a way to document meaningful experiences.
A diary usually serves as a way to log day-to-day log of activities, while a journal can encompass broader topics such as reflections on life experiences, creative writing, or even artwork. But it’s good to remember that many people (and brands) use the words interchangeably.
You can make your journal unique by writing and drawing in a way that reflects your personality. It can include photos and artwork if desired. You can also pick a design or color scheme that represents you or has some special meaning for you.
Including photos in your journal can help capture memories, enhance your written entries, or even serve as prompts for ideas or stories you want to write about at a later date. It’s entirely up to you.
To start a journal, set aside some time each day (or week) that you will dedicate to writing in your journal. This will help you create a regular habit of writing in your journal. Next, pick a type of writing that suits your needs. This could range from reflections on current events, plans for the future, creative writing projects such as short stories or poetry, or simply keeping track of daily activities. Finally, choose a style of journal that best suits you. This could be anything from a traditional notebook to an app on your phone or tablet.
This ultimately comes down to personal preference. Some people may prefer writing by hand due to its calming effects, the ability for more creativity, and the fact that it’s a physical copy. Others may find typing into a computer faster and easier. If you’re not sure what kind of journaling outlet is right for you, why not try both?
This depends on each and every individual. Some people may prefer to write in great detail while others are comfortable with brief summaries of their thoughts or activities. It’s crucial to keep in mind that you should never feel any pressure to write more than what feels comfortable for you.
At Art Life Today, our passion for arts and crafts is at the heart of everything we do. We understand that the right tools and materials can make all the difference in your creative projects, so we take our responsibility as reviewers seriously. Our goal is to help you discover the best products that will inspire your creativity and bring your artistic visions to life.