Choosing a Journal that Makes Writing Easy

It seems like a simple enough task, but choosing the right journal can make a real difference in your enjoyment level during the journaling process. It has long been noted that people are habitual creatures who enjoy finding the most comfortable place to do a certain task. Writers are notorious for having special areas they work at, ranging from their bedroom desk to their car to a pond-side sanctuary. They choose writing areas that are optimal for working and unwinding. When choosing a new journal, one should also consider what sort of notebook will bring out ones creative side and make one comfortable enough to reveal intimate thoughts on paper.

Three things to consider when searching for a journal that makes you comfortable are size, paper type, and inspiration.

Size

Yes, size matters. Journals run from the size of a pocket book to that of a large desktop dictionary. How does this relate to the journaling experience? For starters, size should be determined by the location of that special writing spot we discussed earlier. Do you require a journal that you can travel with? If so you'll want something small that can fit in a purse or bag. Or does your journal stay at your desk or bedside? In that case, the journal can be of any size without becoming a great hindrance.

However, whether you'll be traveling with your journal or not, you might want to consider how the size affects your comfort level. Large, wide pages can be intimating to those who don't write often or who have especially personal information they want to share. However, for some, large pages might represent freedom and space for doodling and rambling. Likewise, thick journals might also seem burdensome to writers who don't believe they'll be able to fill the book. Thin journals, though, might seem limiting for those with a lot to say about day-to-day life.

Paper

To those with a fondness for books or writing, the touch of paper can alert the creative senses, which is one reason physical journals are often preferred to electronic journals. When choosing a journal, if the journal is not bound with plastic, open the book and take a good look at the paper. For some of us, handmade paper is entirely inviting, but, for others, the unlined sheets can seem too unorganized. Is the texture rough, made for ink or pencil? If the pages are waxy or slick, pencil might rub off. What sort of writing utensil you use is important and so is its reaction to the paper as it glides across. Find paper that's inviting, and you'll be more likely to fill the pages.

Inspiration

Inspiration seems like a vague consideration when choosing a journal, but it's actually what usually wins a buyer over. While some writers are satisfied with a plain spiral notebook, others require a picture or a quote to awaken their creative sides. Some journals even come with inspirational quotes or backdrop images on the interior pages themselves. If the quotes inspires your daily entry, the choice is clear, but writing over a background image might make a more easily distracted individual pause too often. Or if the sight of pictures and quotes do not inspire you to work, perhaps touch will. Velvet or wood binding can stimulate a writer's passion and awaken their creativity. Whatever you choose, the journal's inspirational factor is what should draw you into your own world and allow you to write freely.

If you consider all three of these factors when shopping for a journal, you should be able to find one in your price range that is just right for unleashing your creative juices.