5 Best Guided Journals for Beginners (My Top Picks!)
Whether you're completely new to journaling or someone who’s dabbled a bit and wants to dive deeper, choosing the right journal can make all the difference.
Guided journals are a fantastic way to ease into journaling because they provide prompts and structure, which can be a lifesaver when you’re staring at a blank page, unsure where to start.
In this post, I’ll share my top five guided journals for beginners, each chosen for its unique approach to personal growth, mindfulness, and self-reflection. I will also explain what I like about each journal and provide some extra tips to start journaling as a beginner.
1. The Dream Life Journal - My Overall Top Pick
If you’re dreaming big (and let’s be honest, who isn’t?), The Dream Life Journal is the perfect companion to help turn those dreams into actionable goals.
This journal is all about making self-improvement simple and achievable, with a 27-step personal growth plan that’s flexible enough to fit your unique goals.
Why I like it:
This journal stands out because it doesn’t just give you prompts—it provides a roadmap. It walks you through every stage of personal growth, from visualising your dream life to setting actionable goals and creating habits to achieve them.
Plus, it’s backed by evidence-based strategies, so you know it’s not just fluffy feel-good advice.
With over 300 prompts and activities, you’ll never run out of things to explore. There are sections for affirmations, gratitude, and reflection, as well as helpful worksheets that encourage you to dig deep. The minimalist, chic design makes it a joy to use, and let’s face it, it looks pretty fab sitting on your bedside table too.
2. The Five Minute Journal
This journal has been a game-changer for so many people since it launched back in 2013. It’s perfect if you want to dip your toes into journaling but don’t have loads of time to spare (hello, busy bees).
Why you’ll love it:
As the name suggests, The Five Minute Journal is designed to be completed in—you guessed it—five minutes.
Each day, you’ll answer a set of simple prompts focused on gratitude and self-growth.
It’s all about building the habit of focusing on the good in your life, even on those “meh” days.
What’s more, the journal includes weekly challenges to help you step out of your comfort zone, and it’s undated, so you can pick it up whenever you need a boost.
And if you’re all about sustainability, you’ll be pleased to know it’s printed on 100% recycled, compostable paper. Win-win!
3. Three Questions Journal
This journal is a hidden gem for anyone looking to build self-awareness and bring more calm into their life.
It’s based on the idea that asking yourself three thoughtful questions each day can transform your mindset and help you make better decisions.
What makes it special:
The Three Questions Journal covers so much ground—it’s like having a life coach in book form.
It’s packed with prompts and exercises that promote mindfulness, reduce stress, and even help improve sleep quality (who doesn’t need more of that?).
Some of the standout features include its focus on emotional intelligence, gratitude, and overall well-being.
Whether you’re reflecting on the day’s highs and lows or planning for the future, this journal gives you the tools to stay grounded and motivated.
4. Start Where You Are
If you’re feeling a bit stuck or overwhelmed, this vibrant and creative journal is here to guide you gently forward.
Created by Meera Lee Patel, it’s filled with uplifting quotes, beautiful illustrations, and prompts designed to spark self-discovery.
Why it’s a joy to use:
Start Where You Are isn’t just a journal—it’s a work of art.
The colourful pages and thoughtful prompts encourage you to write, draw, and reflect in ways that feel more like play than work.
It’s perfect for beginners because it doesn’t demand perfection. You can doodle, jot down quick thoughts, or dive into deeper reflections, all while being inspired by quotes from writers and visionaries.
If you’re looking for a journal that feels like a creative escape, this one’s for you.
5. The Greatest Self-Help Book (Is the One Written by You)
Vex King’s journal takes the idea of self-help to a whole new level. This isn’t just a book you read—it’s a book you create, with daily prompts and exercises designed to help you reflect, grow, and take charge of your life.
What makes it a must-have:
This journal is all about empowering you to become your own best guide.
Each day, you’ll work through prompts that encourage gratitude, goal-setting, and self-love, while inspirational quotes keep you motivated.
What I love about it is how practical it is.
It’s structured enough to give you direction but flexible enough to adapt to your personal goals. By the time you’re done, you’ll have created your very own “self-help book,” full of insights and reflections that are uniquely yours.
How to Start Journaling as a Beginner
Starting a journaling practice can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re staring at a blank page not knowing what to write.
The trick is to keep it simple and ease yourself in. Let’s break it down step-by-step:
Set an Intention
Begin by asking yourself why you want to journal. Is it to manage stress, gain clarity, set goals, or simply have a creative outlet?
Knowing your purpose can help guide what you write about and keep you motivated. For example, if your goal is self-improvement, you might choose a journal with prompts for gratitude or goal setting.
If you’re aiming for mindfulness, a journal that focuses on reflection or calming exercises may work better.
Intention setting is the very first exercise in The Dream Life Journal and it helps to set you up for the entire journey.
Choose One Topic/Area to Focus On
When you're just starting, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by trying to tackle too much at once. Instead, focus on one area that feels most important to you.
For instance, if you’re struggling with stress, focus your entries on exploring what’s causing it and brainstorming solutions.
If it’s self-love you’re working on, you could write about things you’re grateful for or qualities you like about yourself.
This helps give your journaling purpose and keeps it from feeling random or scattered.
The Dream Life Journal is designed to take you through every stage of personal growth, one step at a time. It encourages you to step back and look at just one topic before moving onto the next.
Start with a Few Prompts
Prompts are a beginner’s best friend! They give you something to write about without the pressure of coming up with ideas yourself. For example:
“What does my dream day look like?”
“What are three things I’m grateful for today?”
“What’s one challenge I overcame recently, and how did I do it?”
Starting with prompts ensures you’re always guided, which can be especially helpful when you're feeling stuck.
Here are 100 more journal prompts for your morning routine.
Start with Just 15 Minutes Each Day
You don’t need hours of free time to start journaling.
Setting aside just 10–15 minutes a day is enough to build the habit and see results.
Perhaps journal while having your morning coffee or as part of your evening wind-down.
The key is consistency—not how much time you spend.
Make it a Daily Habit
Incorporating journaling into your routine is where the magic happens.
Think of it as brushing your teeth but for your mind!
Setting a specific time each day to journal, like first thing in the morning or before bed, makes it easier to stick with.
If daily journaling feels like too much, aim for a few times a week to start, then build up.
The sooner that journaling becomes a habit, the sooner you will start to see progress!
Here are some top tips about building habits from habit expert James Clear.
Write Freely
Don’t worry about grammar, spelling, or structure—your journal isn’t an essay! Let your thoughts flow naturally, even if they feel disorganized.
The goal isn’t to create something polished but to express yourself honestly. If your mind wanders, that’s fine—capture whatever comes up, whether it’s related to your prompt or not.
Use these brain dump prompts to spend an hour free-writing.
Reflect on Your Entries
Every so often, take time to look back at what you’ve written. This could be weekly or monthly, depending on how often you journal.
Reflection allows you to see patterns, track your progress, and gain deeper insights into your thoughts and emotions.
For instance, you might notice recurring worries that you can address or celebrate personal growth over time.
What Makes a Good Guided Journal?
Not all guided journals are created equal. A good guided journal can make or break your journaling experience, especially as a beginner.
Here’s what to look for:
A Clear and Effective Structure
The best guided journals have a well-organized structure that takes the guesswork out of journaling. They provide a roadmap for your journey, with sections or prompts that flow naturally. For instance, a journal that begins with self-reflection before moving into goal-setting ensures you build a solid foundation before diving into actionable steps.
Space to Write Freely
While prompts are helpful, a good guided journal also leaves room for you to jot down your own thoughts.
Having blank or lightly structured pages allows you to reflect more deeply on topics that resonate with you.
Look for a journal that balances guidance with flexibility, giving you freedom to explore your mind.
Evidence-Based Prompts and Activities
Prompts based on psychology or proven methods for personal growth are a game-changer.
For example, The Dream Life Journal is based on self-help books that are rooted in Psychology (including Atomic Habits and Good Vibes, Good Life).
Journals that incorporate affirmations, goal-setting strategies, or reflective exercises grounded in science are more likely to deliver results.
Read more about the science of journaling.
Well-Thought-Through Pages and Prompts
A quality guided journal doesn’t just repeat the same prompts and pages over and over again.
Each and every page should be well-thought-through to provide an effective experience.
When I created the Dream Life Journal, I made sure that no page is the same. Every single prompt is unique and each section has a purpose.
Space to Track Your Progress
The ability to see how far you’ve come is incredibly motivating. Look for journals that include progress trackers, whether it’s a simple “how I feel” chart or a section to reflect on your achievements over time.
These features make it easier to stay consistent and remind you why you started journaling in the first place.
For example, The Dream Life journal contains habit trackers, self reflection worksheets and space to pause and see how far you’ve come. This is perfect for tracking your progress.
By focusing on these elements, you can find a guided journal that truly supports your goals and makes journaling an enjoyable, transformative habit.
