The 16 Best Journals for Self Discovery in 2023

Best Overall

BestSelf Co. Self Journal

4.6

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The Self Journal by BestSelf is our top pick for self-reflective journals for a reason. This undated and budget-friendly 13-week journal will guide you through pages of daily planning, weekly intentions, habits to work on, and much more. Given its easy navigation, straightforward layout, and ample space for reflection outside the guided prompts, this journal is a staple for anyone needing to realign with themselves.

Features like a hardcover, elasticated closure, and heavyweight pages keep this journal feeling elevated and chic, not dated and childlike. The brand even ensured that the pages within increased productivity, utilizing science to ensure goal setting and cultivation of happiness were metrics that would improve by the end of the 13 weeks.

Some reviewers note that certain aspects of this self journal are a bit repetitive. For example, each day features gratitude sections twice. Overall, though, the quality materials, easy-to-use layout, and ample space for journaling make this a standout pick.

Price at time of publish: $32

_{Dimensions: ‎5.75 x 8.5 inches | Format: Prompt | Page Count: Not specified | Weight: 1.52 pounds}

Best for Manifestation

Manifest: 7 Steps to Living Your Best Life

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Our expert source, Roxie Nafousi, is a self-development coach who knows a thing or two about manifesting the life you want. Her own journal, Manifest: 7 Steps to Living Your Best Life, is equal parts spiritual journey and introspective as journalers learn her seven steps to leading a bountiful life in an interactive and easy-to-digest format. The guide blends philosophical practices with intentional prompts to help you understand what may be holding you back in your life and what you can cultivate more of to become your most authentic self.

Filled with writing exercises as well as real-life examples, it’s easy to take this journal’s guidance and apply it within your own life. The listed steps are simple to follow, and the advice is widely applicable. However, it doesn’t offer as much room for writing on your own as other options on our list. 

Price at time of publish: $15

_{Dimensions: 5.55 x 0.85 x 8.05 inches | Format: Prompt | Page Count: 192 | Weight: 0.93 pounds}

Best with Prompts

A Year of Zen: A 52-Week Guided Journal

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A Year of Zen is one of the few high-quality guided journals on the market that encompasses a whole year's worth of self-discovery. Zen priest and teacher Bonnie Myotai Treace, sensei, takes you through pages of seasonal and emotionally-introspective prompts that help you explore–not judge–your consciousness. Filled with open-ended prompts, this journal will lead to thoughtful consideration and offers up plenty of room to write in responses. 

While this option does feel more advanced for someone just starting in the world of journaling, a seasoned journaler will find this both enlightening and gratifying once completed. It’s worth noting that while you can technically dive into this year-long journal at any time, the prompts are seasonal, which means you may find that the week in which you start doesn’t exactly match up to the time of year if you go off-calendar.

Price at time of publish: $12

_{Dimensions: 6.25 x 0.75 x 9.25 inches | Format: Prompt | Page Count: 176 | Weight: 1.05 pounds}

Best Notebook

Appointed Co. The Notebook

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The highly coveted and industry-loved products from Appointed Co. leave nothing to be desired, and The Notebook is no exception. It’s spiral bound, made in America, and built not only to last, but also with the environment in mind. This notebook-style journal utilizes water-resistant book cloth for the cover, keeping everything inside dry just in case you encounter water or other liquids. It’s also environmentally-friendly, thanks to the use of FSC-certified paper. 

You can customize The Notebook, too. There are eight color choices, varying page formats (lined, grid, and dotted), and optional cover monogramming. These details make this the unguided journal to beat. However, because it’s unguided, there are no prompts inside–and the cost of this notebook runs on the expensive end.

Price at time of publish: $34

_{Dimensions: 7.5 × 9.5 inches | Format: Lined, grid, blank | Page Count: 75 | Weight: 0.95 pounds}

Best Guided

FORM Daily Check In Journal

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The FORM Daily Check In Journal is nothing like the guided notebooks you've experienced previously. As this journal takes you through 200 pages of self-reflective prompts, you'll find yourself more grounded and aligned with the goals and intentions you set each morning. Along with thought-provoking and intention-building prompts, creator Sami Clarke offers you space to express any pent-up emotions or moments of gratitude. It's easy to navigate and offers a chic, minimalistic design that makes the journaling process feel genuine, not like a chore.

This journal encourages plenty of self-reflection, but it is a bit stricter in its questions and guidance. Journalers who prefer a bit more of a free-flowing reflection style may find there’s little space to deviate from the step-by-step process. 

Price at time of publish: $32

_{Dimensions: 7 x 9 inches | Format: Prompt | Page Count: 200 | Weight: 1 pound}

Best Leather

Leatherology Snap Journal with Pen Loop

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Leather is a material that can serve two purposes, aesthetics and protectiveness. One mainstay in the leather journal market is the Snap Journal with Pen Loop from Leatherology. The brand offers nine shades of this classically styled notebook and features 128 pages of acid-free paper (and it’s refillable, so you can add pages once they’re all used up). As an unguided journal, you won’t find any prompts, questions, or steps in its pages; it’s more like a lined notebook for freeform journaling and reflection. 

The biggest drawback of this journal is its price tag. The genuine leather cover makes it far pricier than most, even though it’s relatively small in size. However, while it is higher in price, this journal was built to last and handle whatever life throws at it (and you). 

Price at time of publish: $80

_{Dimensions: 8.25 x 6 inches | Format: Lined | Page Count: 128 | Weight: 8.6 ounces}

Best Unlined

PAPERAGE Blank Journal Notebook

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If empty pages are your style, the PAPERAGE Blank Journal Notebook is everything you need. It includes 160 blank sheets ready to take on the most creative and thoughtful musings–or even designs. This journal also features a flat-lay design to make journaling a breeze and ensure consistency in material. The addition of pockets on the inner covers for any notes or cards you care to tuck away offers more convenience. Simple, yet to the point is the ideal way to describe this journal option.

Without any prompts, this notebook-style journal is best for more experienced individuals who like the freedom to let thoughts flow freely. The wide range of vibrant color choices offer something for every taste, and the slim profile makes this a journal you can take anywhere.

Price at time of publish: $12

_{Dimensions: 7.95 x 5.67 x 0.7 inches | Format: Unlined | Page Count: 160 | Weight: ‎12 ounces}

Best for Art

Dingbats Wildlife Plain Medium Notebook

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Journaling has no strict rules, so if you find yourself gravitating toward art in the process, that's wonderful. Just make sure you have a notebook like the Plain Medium Notebook from Dingbats Wildlife to support your creative endeavors. Format options like dotted, lined, plain, and square mean this journal offers universal appeal. Of course, the 192 pages of acid-free paper support pens, markers, and fountain ink, making page bleedthrough minimal to non-existent. As a personal touch, each of the 14 color variations has an animal on the cover, so make sure you select the shade and creature that's expressive to you. 

Just note that this hardcover journal doesn’t lay completely flat, which can make it a little tricky for those who prefer a totally even writing or drawing surface. The paper has a slightly waxy feel, which may affect how some pens or pencils react on its surface. 

Price at time of publish: $22

_{Dimensions: ‎8.46 x 6.3 x 0.79 inches | Format: Dotted | Page Count: 192 | Weight: ‎1.01 pounds}

Best Monogrammed

Papier Monogram Leather Notebook

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For anyone who is looking to elevate their journaling experience, the Monogrammed Leather Notebook from Papier is a cut above the rest. With options to personalize the bottom right corner or center of the hardcover leather casing with a monogram stamped in hot-pressed foil, this journal can sit beautifully on any vanity, dresser, or side table. There are 96 pages of 90 GSM lined paper nestled inside, just waiting to be written on.

However, this self-reflection ready journal does come with a high price, thanks to its supple leather cover. Although it is higher in price, the details–like the use of recycled leather and pages sourced from sustainable, FSC-certified forests–make it a personalized and eco-minded choice. 

Price at time of publish: $55

_{Dimensions: 5.5 x 7.75 inches | Format: Lined | Page Count: 96 | Weight: Not listed}

Best Compact

Animusphere Pocket Notebook

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Nothing is worse than having a one-off thought or idea in the middle of your day, with nowhere to write it down. That's when the Animusphere Pocket Notebook comes in handy. Compact in size, this dual set of journals includes 200 pages of cream-lined sheets of paper held within a leather hardcover. The functional pen holder on the side means you won't have to scramble to look for a writing tool. The size is slightly bigger than an iPhone, so you can rest easy knowing it won't monopolize too much space inside a desk drawer, bag, or pocket.

However, this petite notebook doesn’t include some of the extras that beginners may want in a self-reflection journal. Without prompts, guided introspection, or insight, it’s really best for those who prefer brief, jotted-down notes rather than longer-form journaling.

Price at time of publish: $6

_{Dimensions: 4 x 5.7 inches | Format: Lined | Page Count: 200 | Weight: ‎9.9 ounces}

Best Classic

Moleskine Classic Notebook

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Nothing beats the classics, and whether you're a novice or a pro journal user, the Moleskin Classic Notebook is one you've likely encountered before. This staple notebook includes 240 ruled and lined pages open for anything from brain bumps to goal setting to expressive poetry and everything in between. There are 19 different shades of this hardcover, elasticated closure notebook to choose from, so when it comes to getting a replacement, you'll only have trouble deciding which you want next.

Some journaling enthusiasts note that the 70 GSM paper thickness is a little thin for their liking. Depending on how you’re using this notebook, you may find it to be lighter and thinner than anticipated–but its longevity and flexibility allow for all the versatility you could want.

Price at time of publish: $23

_{Dimensions: 5 x 8.25 inches | Format: Lined, plain, dotted, double, square | Page Count: Not listed | Weight: 12.3 ounces}

Best for Anxiety

The Anti-Anxiety Notebook

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Finding ways to cope with anxiety isn’t an easy task to take on. Finding the right routines and practices requires ample trial and error and might not always work to soothe and regulate the nervous system. If writing is your escape, the aptly named Anti-Anxiety Notebook from Therapy Notebooks offers over 100 guided journal entries powered by the psychological method of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). As you progress through the notebook, you'll be able to understand your triggers and guide yourself, in real-time, to a more tranquil state.

User reviews tout the benefits of putting this journal’s self-reflections, tips, and behavioral tricks into practice. However, if you’re not facing anxiety, this journal may not be as helpful for your needs. 

Price at time of publish: $38

_{Dimensions: 8 x 5 inches | Format: Guided | Page Count: 270 | Weight: Not listed}

Best for Beginners

Intelligent Change Inc. The Five Minute Journal

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The Five Minute Journal has gone viral time and time again, and for good reason. It’s a beginner-friendly pick for anyone who's interested in self-reflection, and the pages are simple to follow. Inside, you'll find a wealth of self-reflective prompts that take no more than–you guessed it–five minutes to complete. With enough pages to last six months, you'll find yourself in a completely different mental state when it's time for a replacement.

From quotes to challenges to questions, this quick daily journal covers every kind of reflection. The only real complaint is that most users wish it lasted longer than six months total! Fortunately, you can always grab a second one to finish out the year.

Price at time of publish: $29

_{Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches | Format: Guided | Page Count: Not listed | Weight: 10.9 ounces}

Best Dotted

Leuchtturm1917 Medium A5 Dotted Hardcover Notebook

4.9

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Every bullet journaler knows just how important the page format of a notebook can be. That's why one of the trusted brands in the journal industry, LEUCHTTURM1917, created the Medium Dotted Hardcover Notebook. With just over 250 numbered pages, this acid-free paper can support the inks found in fountain pens and detailing markers alike. Plus, the hardcover and elastic closer ensure all your creations are tucked away from harm if you're on the go.

While this journaling-ready notebook is meant to work with a variety of pens, markers, and ink types, it isn’t 100 percent guaranteed to prevent those inks from bleeding through. Due to the thinner paper, it can happen, depending on your utensil of choice. 

Price at time of publish: $23

_{Dimensions: 5.75 x 8.25 inches | Format: Dotted | Page Count: 251 | Weight: ‎14.9 ounces}

Best Vegan

Beechmore British A5 Journal

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Beechmore Books offers the British A5 Journal, a vegan leather journal that’s ideal for anyone seeking an option built for longevity. The cream-lined pages are exactly what every free writer needs to relay their thoughts, manifest goals, and reflect on moments of gratitude. With six possible color options and a standard fabric page marker, this journal won't break the bank or harm any animals in the process.

However, you may want to test out your go-to journaling tool before putting pen (or marker) to paper. Although this journal includes thicker 120 GSM weight pages in between its covers, user reviews mention that certain inks can bleed through the pages, so it’s best to do a spot test first.

Price at time of publish: $20

_{Dimensions: 9.06 x 6.3 x 0.98 inches | Format: Lined | Page Count: 160 | Weight: ‎1.19 pounds}