Article: Starting a Journaling Habit
Starting a Journaling Habit
If you’ve ever bought a beautiful notebook, promised yourself you’d start journaling, and then never opened the first page, you’re not alone.
Journaling sounds simple, but for many people, it feels surprisingly hard. Not because you don’t want to do it, but because you’re putting pressure on yourself before you even begin.
The good news? Journaling doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to feel possible.
Why Journaling Feels So Intimidating
1. You think you need to write “well”
Many people believe journaling has to look poetic, deep, or insightful. That pressure can stop you before the pen even touches the page.
Journaling isn’t about writing beautifully, it’s about writing honestly.
2. You don’t know what to write
A blank page can feel loud. When there’s no structure, it’s easy to overthink and freeze.
That’s why having the right tools matters more than having the “right words.”
3. You feel like you need time you don’t have
Journaling gets framed as a long, quiet ritual. In reality, it can be one sentence, one list, or one moment of pause.
Five minutes is actually enough.
How to Start Journaling (Without Overthinking It)
Step 1: Choose a notebook that feels inviting
The notebook you use matters more than you think. When a notebook feels good in your hands, you’re more likely to return to it, without overthinking.
At 26 Market, many people gravitate toward notebooks that feel flexible, calming, and easy to use:
1. Traveller’s Notebooks
This is perfect if you like a notebook that grows with you. The refill system makes it feel less permanent and more forgiving, which is ideal for beginners.
Traveler’s Notebook refills are one of the easiest ways to make journaling a consistent habit, especially for beginners. Designed to fit inside a reusable leather cover like the classic system from Traveler’s Company, these slim booklets are lightweight, customizable, and unintimidating to start. Choose from lined, blank, grid, or specialty inserts so if you're planning your week, reflecting on your day, or sketching ideas, there’s a refill that fits your style.
2. Midori MD Notebooks
They are known for their smooth paper and clean layouts, offering just enough structure without feeling restrictive.
The MD paper is fountain pen–friendly, resistant to bleed-through, and smooth without being slippery, ideal for daily journaling. These are a favorite among journaling beginners and seasoned writers alike for their simplicity and exceptional paper quality.
3. Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter
They are known for their smooth paper and clean layouts, offering just enough structure without feeling restrictive.
Made in Germany by Roterfaden, it features a unique clip-and-band mechanism that securely holds multiple refills without elastic strings. This makes it easy to swap inserts in and out while keeping everything neatly organized.
Tip: Don’t choose the prettiest notebook, choose the one that feels easiest to open and write in.
Step 2: Pick a pen you enjoy using
A pen that glides smoothly can completely change the experience. When writing feels effortless, you stop focusing on the act of writing and start focusing on your thoughts.
At 26 Market, customers often reach for pens that feel smooth, light, and reliable especially when journaling for longer periods. Some of our most loved options include:
Uni-ball pens in 0.5 or 0.3
They are ideal for clean, precise lines with a smooth ink flow that doesn’t skip or bleed easily.
Le Pen
Unlike traditional brush pens that feel too soft or too stiff, the Le Pen has a controlled, flexible tip. For thin strokes, you can apply light pressure and putting more pressure will give you thicker strokes. It is perfect for practicing simple hand lettering in your journal headers without needing advanced calligraphy skills.
Step 3: Start with structure, not creativity
You don’t need to “free write” if that feels overwhelming. Structure helps.
Try one of these simple prompts:
- “Today felt like…”
- Three things on my mind:
- One thing I’m grateful for:
- What I want tomorrow to feel like:
This removes the pressure to be creative and replaces it with clarity.
Step 4: Keep your setup simple
You don’t need a full desk makeover to journal. Sometimes, less is better.
A simple setup could be a one notebook and one pen. A small sticky note or bookmark to mark your place would be a good optional item for you to have too.
At 26 Market, many people put together small journaling kits they can keep in a bag, on a bedside table, or by their workspace so journaling feels easy to reach for, not something you have to plan for.
If you’re not sure where to start, come visit us and explore at your own pace. Sometimes, all it takes is finding the right notebook or pen to make journaling feel natural again.
