5 Best Self Care Journals You Need to Try in 2025!
2025 is around the corner which means that it’s time to upgrade your self care toolkit with some new essentials! One of my favourite ways to practice self care at the moment is with a good, long journaling session. There is something incredibly comforting about taking time out of my day to focus soley on myself, my thoughts and my dreams.
In this post, I wanted to share my favourite self care journals and why I love them so much! They might be a great addition to your Christmas wishlist!
My Top Picks for The Best Self Care Journals
When it comes to self-care journals, there are a few that stand out for their thoughtful design, practical prompts, and overall ability to make you feel good about yourself. My top picks include:
The Five Minute Journal
Paper Wellness Journal
The Greatest Self Help Book (is the one written by you!)
Hard Questions Journal
Each one brings something unique to the table, whether it’s simplicity, structure, or deep self-reflection. I’ll go into detail about each shortly, but trust me—these are worth adding to your collection.
I will go into more detail about why I love each journal below!
What Makes a Good Self-Care Journal?
A self-care journal is more than just a notebook—it’s a space for reflection, growth, and emotional support. A great self-care journal encourages you to connect with yourself while providing the tools you need to nurture your mental and emotional well-being.
Let’s delve deeper into the elements that make a self-care journal worth your time (and your investment).
You can also check out my list of the best guided journals for women for a slightly longer list!
1. Practical Prompts
A standout self-care journal includes prompts that guide you through meaningful reflection. These can help you dive into thoughts and feelings you may not have addressed otherwise. Think of questions like:
What’s one thing that made you smile today?
How can you show yourself more kindness this week?
Prompts like these take the guesswork out of journaling and ensure you’re making the most of your time on the page.
Self care journal prompts provide structure, especially for those new to journaling. They give direction and can make writing feel approachable rather than overwhelming.
According to some mental health experts, structured journaling can help reduce anxiety and improve emotional clarity.
2. Room for Creativity
While prompts are helpful, a great self-care journal also leaves space for free expression. You might want to draw, brainstorm, or write freely about whatever’s on your mind. Blank or lightly lined pages can encourage this kind of creativity.
Expressing yourself creatively can be therapeutic and help uncover thoughts and emotions that structured prompts might miss. Studies show that creative journaling can enhance problem-solving skills and emotional processing .
3. A Focus on Positivity
A self-care journal should lift you up, even when you’re dealing with tough times. Features like gratitude sections, affirmation pages, or space for celebrating wins can be powerful.
For example, The Dream Life journal dedicates sections to writing down things you’re grateful for each day. This small act has been shown to boost mood and foster a more positive outlook on life .
Focusing on positive aspects of your life can help combat negative thought patterns. Gratitude journaling, in particular, has been linked to better mental health and improved relationships .
4. A Beautiful Design
Never underestimate the power of a pretty journal! Aesthetic appeal might seem like a minor detail, but it plays a huge role in how likely you are to use your journal regularly.
Look for journals with lovely covers, inspiring quotes, and well-organised layouts. Bonus points if it has durable binding and thick, high-quality paper that resists ink bleed.
A visually appealing journal can feel more like a treat than a task. It becomes something you look forward to using, which increases consistency—a key to effective self-care practices .
5. High Quality Material
Let’s be honest: flimsy notebooks don’t last. A good self-care journal should have sturdy construction and paper that feels smooth to write on. Features like a ribbon marker, elastic closure, or pocket for loose papers can also make a journal more functional.
Using a high-quality journal signals to yourself that your self-care practice is worth investing in. Plus, durable materials ensure your journal can withstand daily use, making it a reliable tool for long-term growth.
A Closer Look at my Favourite Guided Journals
As promised, here is a closer look at each of the five journals that made my list.
1. The Dream Life Journal
This one is all about visualising and manifesting your dream life. Packed with prompts that encourage you to define what you truly want, it’s perfect for anyone looking to turn their goals into reality.
What I Love: The vision board section is genius. You can cut out pictures or sketch your dreams directly into the journal.
Who It’s For: Goal-setters, dreamers, and anyone who feels a bit stuck.
Top Tip: Use this journal alongside a personal growth plan to see amazing results! The Dream life journal is designed to be your best-friend through personal growth. Each section walks you through a stage of your personal growth journey so this one is best for people who want to work on themselves.
2. The Five Minute Journal
The Five Minute Journal has been a cult favourite for years, and it’s easy to see why. It’s simple, effective, and takes (you guessed it) just five minutes a day.
What I Love: It focuses on gratitude and daily affirmations, which are proven to boost mood and mental health.
Who It’s For: Busy bees who still want to prioritise self-care.
Top Tip: Keep it by your bed so you can use it first thing in the morning and right before sleep.
3. Papier Wellness Journal
This one is all about digging a little deeper. It’s designed to help you process emotions, track moods, and reflect on your mental health journey.
Papier are well-known for creating high-quality and aesthetically pleasing journals. The company have quite a large line of different guided journal options but this is definitely my favourite for self care!
What I Love: The mood tracker section is fantastic for spotting patterns in how you feel over time.
Who It’s For: Anyone who wants to improve their emotional intelligence.
Top Tip: Pair this journal with therapy or coaching for even greater insights into your well-being.
4. The Greatest Self Help Book (is the one written by you!)
This clever journal flips the script by putting you in the author’s seat. It’s part traditional journal, part guided workbook, and it’s all about helping you create your own self-help guide.
What I Love: It feels empowering to see your thoughts and ideas come together in a way that’s totally unique to you.
Who It’s For: Creative types or anyone looking for a more personalised approach to self-care.
Top Tip: Use it consistently for at least 30 days—you’ll be amazed by the self-discovery that unfolds.
5. Hard Questions Journal
This journal doesn’t shy away from the big stuff. It’s packed with prompts that encourage deep self-reflection, helping you explore your values, fears, and ambitions.
Each page of the journal comes with 1 hard question - these are deep questions that encourage you to embrace vulnerability. Its an excellent journal for self discovery.
What I Love: It’s challenging but incredibly rewarding. Answering the “hard questions” can lead to breakthroughs you didn’t know you needed.
Who It’s For: Those ready to dig deep and embrace a bit of discomfort in the name of growth.
Top Tip: Tackle one question at a time—there’s no rush, and giving yourself space to reflect will lead to more honest answers.
How to Use The Dream Life Journal for Self Care
My favourite guided journal for self care is The Dream Life journal. This gem of a journal has over 200 pages filled with unique prompts that guide you through a journey of personal growth.
The Dream Life Journal deserves a section of its own because it’s so versatile. Here’s how to get the most out of it:
Start with the Vision Board: Dedicate a day to gathering images and words that represent your dream life. Don’t hold back—this is your time to dream big!
Use the Goal-Setting Pages: Break your vision into actionable goals, and set deadlines to keep yourself accountable.
Incorporate Daily Gratitude: Use the journal’s gratitude section to remind yourself of the good things in your life right now.
Review Regularly: Make it a habit to check in with your journal at least once a week. Celebrate your wins and adjust your goals as needed.
Journaling for self-care isn’t just a trend—it’s a powerful tool for improving your mental health and overall happiness. The five journals I’ve highlighted here each bring something unique to the table, whether you’re short on time, ready for deep self-reflection, or eager to manifest your dream life.
My top picks right now are The Dream Life journal and the Five Minute journal. I actually recommend investing in both journals because they each serve such different purposes. I like using The Dream Life journal for more in-depth, manifesting sessions and the Five Minute journal for quick morning sessions to start my day on a positive note.