Buying a New Journal? The Best Features to Look For

When it comes time to buy a new journal, you don’t want to rush the process. You might 
be using it for months before getting another one, so it should be something that checks 
off all the boxes, from the size to how it looks. Here are some features to consider when 
looking for a new journal.


Consider the Size

Size matters when it comes to your journal. It can change the weight, determine 
whether or not you can bring it with you in your purse, and it changes how long your 
pages end up being. If you journal at home and always have it sitting on your desk, then 
a larger journal might be good for you. You don’t have to worry about carrying it around, 
and this gives you more space to write. However, if you tend to bring it with you or write 
while holding it on a couch or chair, you don’t want it big and heavy.


Look at the Binding

Some people like the hardcover binding because it looks more like a book, but others 
prefer soft binding or a spiral journal since the pages are easier to open and write in. 
The hardcover journals are beautiful and wonderful to have, but they aren’t easy to write 
in because the pages don’t always open flat on the desk or table. If this bothers you, 
look for either a spiral journal or a soft binding that allows you to open it and lay it flat on 
the surface. 


Do You Want Blank or Lined Pages?

Another thing to consider is on the pages themselves – do you want lines or blank 
pages? If you do writing only in your journal, lined pages are the way to go. It keeps 
everything in one place, without being frustrated that you aren’t writing straight. 
However, if you do lists and notes, along with pictures and doodles, the black pages 
might work better for you. 


You Want to LOVE Using the Journal

Remember that the journal you choose should be something you love. This includes a 
cover that really appeals to you. This might seem trivial, but it does matter. If you have a 
journal that isn’t really appealing on the outside or a color you don’t love, it isn’t going to 
be exciting to open it every day. You want something you just have to have, because 
you are much more likely to use it on a regular basis.





