11 journal layouts you need to try in 2024

A planner doesn’t have to be boring and full of deadlines

Credit: 123rf
Credit: 123rf
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The benefits of journaling are well-documented: it’s a healthy way of expressing yourself as well as managing your mental health, as journaling helps to reduce stress, anxiety and depression. Keeping a journal can help you identify stressors and create order in the chaos, while also giving you a platform to write about anything and everything.

Sounds good. But where do we start?

For those who are new to journaling, or simply aren’t sure what to do with the pile of brand new and basic journals you’ve accumulated from goodie bags and Christmas gifts, take heart. We’ve compiled 10 of the best journal layout ideas to get you started, whether you’re looking to start a new (good) habit, track progress, be more organised or simply stay positive.

With these easy-to-use journal layouts, you’ll not need to buy a fancy bullet journal or be stumped by how to fill those pages ever again. Go on and journal your way through a fruitful 2024.

Break down resolutions into achievable goals

1/11

You know the trick to goal-setting: it works only if those goals are achievable.

Break down your new year resolutions into monthly goals – that will make your resolutions feel more realistic, and empower you to work towards them at a comfortable pace.

Track your mood - and its sources

2/11

Writing out how you feel and what made you feel that way is a great way to be honest with the most important person in your life: yourself.

And that will go a long way in improving your relationship with yourself, as you better understand your emotions and triggers.

Over time, tracking your mood will help you do more of what makes you happy, and learn how to feel better on bad days.

Track your habits

3/11

For most of us, it can be hard to follow a fixed routine, especially when we’re trying to cultivate it.

A habit tracker will allow you to track how often you carry out the habit of your choice. It also acts like a reminder to keep you on track with the routine.

Refine your to-do list

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To-do lists can sometimes become very overwhelming when you have a million things on your mind.

Categorising them into different groups will definitely create some order and help you visualise the urgency and importance of the tasks on your list.

Play self-care bingo

5/11

Self-care bingo is a visually fun way to present self-care activities. Plus, you can create your own bingo that consists of the things that relax you.

When you feel the stress building up, take some time to try out one of these activities and let that pressure dissipate.

Pick your favourite positive quotes

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We all have our own motivational quotes that speak to us. Why not compile your favourites – from shows, songs or celebs – and write them in your journal?

Use the quotes as a driving force to achieve the goals you’ve set for that month.

Practise gratitude journaling

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Gratitude journaling can lower your stress level and give you a new perspective of what is important, as you reflect on the things that you appreciate in your life.

They don't have to be spectacular, and can be the small stuff like a good cup of coffee.

When you’re feeling down, look back on this gratitude list and remind yourself that there’s much to be thankful for.

Make monthly music playlists

8/11

Jot down some of your favourite tunes of the month and by the end of the year, you’ll have a robust playlist that not even Spotify can compete with.

Sounds and music are closely related to memories, so pick the songs that remind you of positive moments and people.

Try a show tracker

9/11

A show tracker is a cute way to make journaling feel more casual. Plus, it’s very satisfying to tick off the episodes as you finish a show, isn’t it?

If you’re feeling like a TV pundit, you can even add your review and rating at the end.

Keep your savings goals in check

10/11

Saving up for something special? A savings tracker can help you keep track and even might accelerate your progress towards your goals.

Set a monthly target amount for each objective that you're saving for, and draw out weekly savings objectives. Dividing large savings goals into smaller weekly targets makes them less daunting!

Do a monthly reflection

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Monthly reflections let you look back on the past month and think about how you can improve for the next month.

The best thing about keeping a physical journal is that you can easily flip through the pages, know exactly how you were feeling and doing at any point in time, and see how much you have progressed throughout the year.

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