Creative Journaling Pages to Inspire You to get started with a journal
If you loved the 6 Creative Journal Ideas I shared in my last blog post, you’re going to love this visual journey through real-life journal pages from talented creatives around the web.
In todays post you’ll find 5 inspiring journaling pages that you can start making immediately- no excuses!
From gratitude and nature journaling to bullet journals and travel diaries, the bloggers that I am about to share with you don’t just write—they express themselves freely.
The idea of todays blog post is to take a look at 5 inspiring journaling pages (and creators!) that will hopefully inspire you to get started with your own (art) journal today!
Journaling is a powerful practice for self-expression, mindfulness, and creativity.
If you’re looking for fresh and exciting journaling pages to inspire your next journaling session, you’ve come to the right place!
In this post, I’ll share 5 unique journaling page ideas that you haven’t tried yet.
Quick Overview
Why do we love searching for journal
ideas- what are the benefits of journaling?
1. Navigate Mindfully – 100 Gratitude Journal Prompts
2. Nature Journaling by Julia Bausenhardt
3. Bullet Journaling with Sheena of the Journal
4. Art Journaling on Pinterest
5. Junk Journaling with the Graphics Fairy
Why do we love searching for journal ideas, what are the benefits of journaling?
Journaling is a powerful tool for self-reflection, mindfulness, and personal growth. Each of the journaling pages that I will share with you offers a new way to explore your thoughts and emotions.
If you want to learn more about yourself, invest more time into self love activities and generally slow down more, then a journal should definitely be part of your routine!
By exploring different journaling styles, you can find the one that resonates most with you.
That is why I have decided to gather some cool pages and show you other creatives, so that their work can hopefully inspire you to start journaling as well!
Journaling is more than just putting pen to paper. It’s a powerful tool for self-expression, reflection, and healing. Whether you’re keeping a gratitude log, exploring emotions through art, or simply jotting down your to-do list—journaling gives your inner world a voice.
Incase you are wondering why many of us love journaling, (and why you might too), here are some benefits of journaling:
Emotional clarity – Writing helps you process thoughts and feelings, reducing anxiety and overwhelm.
Improved mental health – Studies show journaling can decrease stress and boost mood.
More self-awareness – You get to know yourself better through your own words.
Mindfulness & presence – Especially with nature journaling, art journaling, or gratitude lists, journaling helps you slow down and notice the moment.
Creative expression – There’s no wrong way to journal. You can doodle, collage, or paint your way through your feelings.
A record of your journey – Your journal becomes a time capsule of growth, change, and everyday magic.
Well, if you have never ever journaled in your life, I advise you to simply get started. That’s the best way to experience for yourself, why its so powerful. Once you start, you’ll probably not want to stop again-trust me!
These 5 journaling pages will transform your creative practice.
All journaling pages that I will mention now don’t have a particular order. The creators and pages are simply meant to inspire you and to motivate you to get started!
1. Navigate Mindfully –Gratitude Journaling Pages: A Powerful Practice for Positivity
Type: Gratitude Journaling
Why We Love Alexas page: Alexa has a page full of holistic wellness and self care topics. And on this specific blog post, you’ll find 100 lovely gratitude prompts that you can use to start your journaling journey.
Practicing gratitude offers numerous benefits for your mental and physical well-being.
See Navigate Mindfully’s full post here »
According to Uclahealth, studies have shown that regularly acknowledging what you’re thankful for can lead to improved mood, reduced stress, better sleep, and enhanced heart health.
Gratitude activates our nervous system and has a positive effect on relaxation- so why wouldn’t we do this regularly? It’s a no brainer, right?.
Many spiritual teachers emphasize the transformative power of gratitude.
Here are some of the spiritual speakers I love listening to:
Deepak Chopra discusses how gratitude can shift our perception and bring about a deeper sense of joy and abundance. You can explore his insights on gratitude here.
Eckhart Tolle highlights gratitude as a gateway to presence and consciousness. His teachings on gratitude can be found here.
Danny Morel speaks about the importance of gratitude in personal transformation and spiritual awakening. Learn more from his perspectives here.
Gabrielle Bernstein, a motivational speaker and author, emphasizes gratitude as a tool for manifesting positive change and aligning with one’s higher purpose. Discover her approach to gratitude here.
Incorporating gratitude into daily life, whether through journaling, meditation, or mindful reflection, can lead to huuuge shifts in your perspective and overall well-being.
Many of us have limiting beliefs that hold us back, I am convinced that we can achieve a mindset shift, if we try to feed our thoughts with positive thoughts. And what is a better way than using a journal?
If Mindfulness, creating art and self reflection sound good to you, you might want to check out my Online Art Courses!
I have several very affordable courses on Udemy that you can do at your own pace and learn step by step how to love yourself more through creative expression.
2. Nature Journaling -a great page by Julia Bausenhardt
Julia Bausenhardt’s is a illustrator that shares her nature journals with us. Her beautiful journals are a testament to the calming effects of connecting with the natural world.
If you are on her page you will see numerous examples of how nature journaling can help us with mindfulness and reducing stress. Simply looking at the images of her journals makes me calm!
What happens if you sit in nature and draw into your journal?
- You start to notice the little things:
When you sit down to draw a leaf, a tree, or a tiny flower, you start to pay attention to the details—the colors, textures, patterns. Suddenly, things you usually walk past become fascinating. It helps you feel more connected to the world around you.
Example: You might spend 10 minutes sketching a dandelion and realize just how many tiny seeds it holds. That moment of noticing? It’s grounding.
- It calms your mind
Nature journaling slows you down. The act of observing and drawing helps shift your focus away from stress or overthinking. It’s almost like a form of meditation—your breathing slows, your thoughts quiet down.
Example: Drawing a sunset or waves by the sea can help you relax, especially if your day was hectic. You don’t have to be a great artist—it’s about the process, not perfection.
- You learn more deeply
Instead of just reading about a plant or animal, drawing it helps you really remember it. You start to understand how it’s built, how it grows, and how it changes with the seasons.
Example: If you sketch the same tree every week, you’ll begin to see how the buds open, how the leaves change, and maybe even spot birds nesting there.
When you journal about nature, even something simple like the shape of a rock or the way light falls through leaves, you feel more present.
You start to feel grateful for the beauty around you—things you might have overlooked before.
3. Bullet Journaling Pages: Organize and Reflect in Style with Sheena of the Journal
Sheena’s bullet journal spreads are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
In my opinion she demonstrates well how organization can be both effective and beautiful.
I’m not that organized at all, that’s why I like looking at her journals =) I think the way I create my art journals is waay more messy and intuitive.
Why do people love Bullet Journaling ?
Bullet journaling isn’t just about staying organized—it’s about designing a life that works for you.
Whether you’re tracking habits, writing down goals, or simply planning your week, a bullet journal is meant to give you clarity and control.
A bullet journal can help clear your mind, boost productivity, and reduce overwhelm.
Plus, it’s creative and flexible—you can make it as simple or artistic as you like. Each page is a fresh start.
It’s not just a planner. It’s a safe space for your thoughts, dreams, and daily wins.
4. Art Journaling Pages: Express Your Emotions Through Creativity
Mindful Art Studio shares a lot of cool Art journal ideas, its cool the observe how they add doodling and collage into their art journal.
Check out their page if you need inspiration and need help to express yourself artistically through journaling.
Art Journaling is one of my favorite things to look up on Pinterest to be honest.
There are numerous creators that I could have mentioned here ! It’s definitely worth it to simply look up “Art journal, Art Journal Ideas, Doodling, Visual Journal etc” and you’ll have enough inspiration to get started.
Don’t be discouraged by all the beautiful art work you will see on pinterest, remember that everyone was a beginner when they started.
When starting an Art Journal, your main focus should lie on the process and on expressing your thoughts and feelings. Don’t focus on the journal aesthetic and the end result! Have fun!
What are the benefits of creating an Art Journal, you might ask?
Creating an art journal can be deeply therapeutic because it gives you a safe, private space to express emotions—without needing the right words.
Here’s why it works:
You process feelings without talking
Sometimes, it’s hard to explain how you feel. But through colors, shapes, and textures, you can express sadness, joy, anger, or confusion in a raw, honest way. Art lets emotions out gently, without judgment.
Scribbling in red across a page might feel like release. Layering calm blues may bring peace.
It reduces stress and anxiety
The act of drawing, painting, or collaging is naturally calming. It helps your brain shift into a relaxed state—similar to meditation. You become focused on the moment, and everything else fades out for a while.
You connect with your inner self
As I said before, making an art journal isn’t about making “good” art—it’s about exploration.
Over time, you’ll notice patterns in what you create. You might discover things about yourself, your thoughts, or what you really need.
You create a visual diary of your healing
Looking back on past pages shows how far you’ve come. It’s like a visual story of your emotional growth—full of color, texture, and meaning. That’s why I love making art journals!
It’s your journal. Your rules. No perfection needed—just presence.
5. Junk Journaling with the Graphics Fairy
The Graphics Fairy presents creative junk journal page ideas and demonstrates how repurposing everyday items can lead to beautiful and meaningful journal entries.
Again, there are sooo many beautiful creators on Pinterest that share their art work with the world, but I’ve decided to only share one page per topic here and I’m sure you will love Karens page.
But you might wonder- What are Junk Journals?
A junk journal is a handmade, creative notebook made from repurposed materials—like old books, newspapers, receipts, fabric scraps, and other “junk” that might otherwise be thrown away.
Instead of buying brand new paper, you use things that have a history or special meaning.
To me, the beauty of junk journals lies in their imperfections and the stories they tell.
Why Are Junk Journals Popular?
Eco-Friendly Creativity
Junk journals are a sustainable way to repurpose materials. Instead of discarding old paper, you give it new life, which makes the process feel good for both the creator and the planet.Endless Personalization
Since each junk journal is made from a variety of materials, every page can be as unique as you are. You can experiment with different textures, colors, and even attach trinkets to create a personalized, one-of-a-kind journal.Nostalgic & Sentimental
Junk journals often contain meaningful scraps like ticket stubs, old letters, or photos, which can trigger memories and emotions. This sense of nostalgia makes creating and keeping a junk journal special.Therapeutic & Relaxing
As with art journaling, creating a junk journal can be deeply therapeutic. The process of assembling and decorating pages allows you to relax, focus, and be present in the moment.Affordable
Junk journals use items that would otherwise be discarded, which makes them a low-cost option for creative expression. They’re a perfect option for people who want to start journaling or crafting without spending much money.Fun & Messy
There’s no pressure for perfection. The “junk” materials can be torn, stained, or written on, which makes the whole process more fun and freeing. The messier, the better!
Okay, so as you see ,there are not excuses left as why you can not afford to start making a Junk journal. So, when will you get started?
Final thoughts on Recommended Journal Pages
There are sooo many amazing journaling pages out there that I could have recommended.
But I felt like it would be best to focus on a small group to help you get started.
With this blog post, I wanted to show you how many different journal ideas there are and that its just important to make a first step.
Don’t try to be perfect, don’t try to be an artist when making a journal, try to focus on having fun and expressing your thoughts and feelings.
Whether you start with a junk journal, a nature inspired journal, a more expressive art journal or decide to simply write down your thoughts in a classical way, the most important thing should be to get started!
Let us know what journaling page inspired you the most and what type of journal you are going to make!
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