Journaling 101: How to Choose a Journal for a Guy

How to get a guy to journal
Face it, men don't carry journals. At least they don't carry the typical kind of journals that you find in most bookstores. When walking down the aisle at the bookstore, there are hundreds of styles of journals: short ones, tall ones, blue ones, polka-dotted ones, spiral bound, stenos and notebooks. Almost all of the journals found on those shelves appeal mostly to women.

When keeping a journal is suggested to men, especially younger ones, the admonition is usually met with resistance. Women keep diaries. Women write down their thoughts on paper. Women need to let all their emotions out to their friends and the paper.

Keeping a journal does not have to endanger one's manhood, though. The most respected men I know keep a journal, and use it to grow and develop themselves personally. The men who examine their lives through journaling live deeply and are listened to when they speak.

Still, those men don't carry around a flowery spiral journal with a lock and key.

How does one choose a journal that a male will use?
First, the journal must be simple. Typically guys don't go for anything with frills; men enjoy simplicity. Standard black is a good choice, bound book-style. Stay away from journals that have witty sayings or Bible verses or random facts of the day. Simple pages, simple binding, simple cover.

Second, look for quality. A man wants to be professional, strong, and...well...manly. If the journal looks and feels professional and sleek, a man is more likely to feel comfortable with it being a part of his daily arsenal of items. Feel the paper, test the binding, and look for durability. If it seems flimsy or weak, it probably isn't a good choice.

Recommendation
To fit all these criteria, I have found one journal that seems to always be well received. The Moleskine brand of journals have a long history of quality and creativity, and their sleek, simple, and strong design is perfect for any man.

There are many types of Moleskine journals with different paper types and orientations, but all come in the trademark black or red sturdy binding with a hidden pocket and elastic band around the outside to hold the journal closed. The Moleskine brand of journals are a no-frills, professional notebook with a legacy of being used by the likes of Van Gogh, Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, and Bruce Chatwin.

Moleskine journals are a little on the pricey side, typically running between $15-20, but the quality journals are well worth the price. There are many knock-off brands which look very much like the Moleskine journals, but their price does reflect a poorer quality of craftsmanship and shorter binding life overall.

For more on Moleskine Journals, please read this person's article on Moleskine Notebooks

Also for more on journaling for spiritual growth, take a look at this website on Mentoring and Journaling for Spiritual Growth