Whether you’re shopping for yourself or on the hunt for a thoughtful gift, you can’t go wrong with these guided journals.
There’s a reason guided journals are so big right now: they get your creative juices flowing, offer thought-provoking prompts, and feature inspirational quotes to keep you motivated. Whether you’re looking for an in-depth gratitude journal or want a lightly guided notebook to aid you in goal-setting, there are seemingly endless options.
Most well-rounded guided journal
Amazon
The Best Journal Ever from Incredible Journals, $24.95, available at Amazon
Sample prompt: “I am grateful for…”
For a guided journal that focuses on all aspects of your life, The Best Journal Ever lives up to its name. It’s a great option if you just want simple, straightforward prompts to list what you’re grateful for, what you learned in the past month, and steps for self-improvement. It also has easy-to-follow habit and sleep trackers so you can get a fuller picture of your health and happiness.
Funniest guided journal
Amazon
“Let That Sh*t Go: A Journal for Leaving Your Bullsh*t Behind and Creating a Happy Life” by Monica Sweeney, from $8.99, available at Amazon and Bookshop
Sample prompt: “Make a list of a few of the things that have bothered you recently. They can be life crises, pet peeves, or little frustrations that are generally benign but make you want to hurl.”
Monica Sweeney is the author of several “Zen as F*ck” journals, which encourage self-love (peppered with lots of swearing and cute imagery). This edition feels especially unique because it’s more about letting go of things that hold you back (rather than focusing on what you always need to change).
Quickest guided journal
Amazon
The Five Minute Journal, from $28.99, available at Amazon and Intelligent Change
Sample prompt: “What would make today great?”
If you feel overwhelmed by vast, empty pages, this pretty journal is designed to keep your answers short and meaningful (hence the “five-minute” promise). Every page features a few brief prompts around gratitude and affirmations, as well as inspirational quotes and weekly challenges. It’s perfect if you feel too busy to write for a long time but still want to carve out time to fill out a few lines a day.
Best guided journal for anxiety management
Amazon
“No Worries: A Guided Journal to Help You Calm Anxiety, Relieve Stress, and Practice Positive Thinking Each Day” by Bella Mente Press, from $9.95, available at Amazon and Bookshop
Sample prompt: “How might I reframe those thoughts?”
If you’re in the market for a solid anxiety journal, this is a great one to add to your daily journaling practice. It spans 12 weeks, which makes it less intimidating to finish, but the takeaways can be enormous. It comes with habit trackers and plenty of mental health-boosting exercises that can stay with you long after you get to the last page.
Best goal-setting guided journal
Amazon
Self Journal, from $31.99, available at Amazon and BestSelf
Sample prompt: “What did your key relationships look like this week?”
If you’re serious about hitting a concrete goal or setting a new habit, this guided journal is meant to be completed in 13 weeks and is structured to keep you on track the whole time. It’s particularly great if you want some extra help breaking down bigger goals into manageable steps, like listing out people who you can connect with or hitting smaller milestones first.
Most vulnerable guided journal
Amazon
“Burn After Writing” by Sharon Jones, from $6.99, available at Amazon and Bookshop
Sample prompt: “The single biggest waste of energy in my life right now:”
While you don’t have to literally burn this book when you’re done filling it out, it’s designed to have you share your most vulnerable, personal thoughts and emotions with yourself. Beyond going through your likes, dislikes, and childhood memories, it also pushes you to get really honest with yourself about wasted opportunities, fractured relationships, and deep changes you want to make in your life.
Most inspirational guided journal
Amazon
“Get Untamed: The Journal (How to Quit Pleasing and Start Living)” by Glennon Doyle, from $10.24, available at Amazon and Bookshop
Sample prompt: “Write yourself a note about all the good in your life, relationships, and world. Return to it when you forget.”
A journal inspired by Glennon Doyle’s hit memoir “Untamed,” “Get Untamed” is full of vibrant illustrations and longer quotes and passages to get you in the mood to open up. It’s a great option for fans of the memoir, as it touches upon the themes of uncaging yourself and giving yourself permission to live the life you’ve always wanted.
Most holistic guided journal
Papier
Joy Wellness Journal, $29.75, available at Papier
Sample prompt: “Meals that nourish me:”
Things like food, exercise, and rest all play huge roles in our mental health, and this sleek journal encourages tracking these habits as much as affirmations and career goals. It also provides plenty of room for writing a lot, plus dotted pages if you’re interested in bullet journaling.
Best guided journal for self-discovery
The School of Life
Who Am I? Guided Journal, $20, available at The School of Life
Sample prompt: “What tricky character traits do you find yourself being drawn to?”
The School of Life is a UK-based brand known for its self-help books and conversation cards, all of which offer psychology-backed advice. This guided journal is designed around figuring out who you actually are and what you care about, with journal prompts that feel like questions a therapist might ask you.
Most creative guided journal
Amazon
“Do It For Yourself: A Motivational Journal” by Kara Cutruzzula and Tessa Forrest, from $15.29, available at Amazon and Bookshop
Sample prompt: “Is fear holding you back from beginning?”
If you’re looking for a journal that’s visually fun to leaf through, this one comes with pages of bright, sleekly designed quotes like “Start Before You’re Ready” and “Comparison Will Kill You.” The prompts themselves offer a short intro or explanation before giving you a page to answer an in-depth question about your motivations, fears, and hopes.
Most nostalgic guided journal
Uncommon Goods
My Life Story – So Far, $32, available at Uncommon Goods
Sample prompt: “What we did for fun & hangout spots”
If you’re looking for a great gift — or a reason to reflect on your life more deeply — this gorgeous guided journal comes with questions that encourage revisiting your most cherished memories, from teenage drama to first crushes. After you’re done, it can be a valuable keepsake to pass down to family or loved ones.
