The 3 Journals That Changed My Life (and How to Use Them!)
I’m a big believer in journaling. But not just one journal—I keep three. And before you think, “Wow, that’s excessive,” let me tell you why these three journals have completely changed how I organize my life, clarify my goals, and stay productive.
Each journal serves a specific purpose, and together, they create a powerful system that keeps me on track. If you’ve ever struggled with sticking to journaling or felt like your thoughts are all over the place, this post is for you.
1. The Brain Dump Journal – Free-Flow Writing for Mental Clarity
The first journal is what I call my catch-all notebook—a place where I just brain dump whatever is in my head. No structure, no rules, just writing.
This journal is where I process emotions, make decisions, and gain clarity. It’s a tool for getting into a flow state, where I’m not second-guessing what I write—I’m just letting my thoughts hit the page.
How to Use It
Carry it with you throughout the day.
Whenever something is on your mind, write it down.
Don’t worry about making it look nice or structured—just write.
For example, if I’m in a meeting and someone says something that irritates me, I’ll jot down my thoughts later. Why did that bother me? What’s the deeper issue? Processing it on paper helps me understand my emotions instead of letting them build up.
This journal also helps when I feel like I’m wasting time or not focusing on what matters. I just write, write, write—no overthinking. The goal is to get my thoughts out of my head and onto paper.
2. The Bullet Journal – My Organization Hub
If my brain dump journal is chaotic, my bullet journal is the exact opposite. This is where things get structured, planned, and organized.
I know bullet journaling has a reputation for being aesthetic and artsy, but here’s the truth: You don’t need fancy doodles or elaborate spreads to make it work. My bullet journal is minimalist, functional, and designed to keep me on track.
How I Use It
Task Management – Turning brain dump notes into actionable to-dos.
Planning – Daily, weekly, and monthly layouts for goals & priorities.
Tracking – Keeping tabs on habits, progress, and routines.
Here’s the key: My bullet journal and my brain dump journal communicate.
When I free-write in my brain dump journal, I often uncover tasks or priorities I need to focus on. Instead of letting them get lost in pages of scribbles, I transfer the important stuff into my bullet journal. That way, my bullet journal stays clean, structured, and actionable, while my brain dump journal remains a space for messy, raw thoughts.
This system works because each journal has its place. If you’ve ever tried bullet journaling but felt like it was missing something, try pairing it with a brain dump journal—it makes a huge difference.
3. The Commonplace Journal – Capturing Ideas & Replacing Mindless Scrolling
The third journal is my commonplace journal—a small, pocket-sized notebook where I capture quotes, ideas, and inspiration throughout the day.
Most people use commonplace journals just for quotes, but I do something a little different:
The first half of the journal is for quotes, interesting ideas, or things I want to reflect on.
The second half is completely blank—this is my on-the-go writing space.
Here’s why I love this journal: It replaces my phone in idle moments.
Let’s be real—waiting rooms, long lines, downtime… they’re prime doomscrolling time. Instead of grabbing my phone, I pull out my commonplace journal. It keeps me engaged, creative, and off my screen.
Example:
I was sitting in the dentist’s office the other day and flipped through my commonplace journal. I found a quote by Anne Frank:
"Paper is often more patient than people are."
That quote sparked an idea, so I grabbed my pen and started writing. By the time my name was called, I had a full script for a YouTube video. That’s the power of a commonplace journal—it keeps your mind active and engaged instead of endlessly scrolling through social media.
How These 3 Journals Work Together
Each journal serves a unique purpose, but they all feed into one another:
The brain dump journal catches raw thoughts and emotions.
The bullet journal organizes those thoughts into actionable steps.
The commonplace journal captures ideas and keeps me present.
This system has helped me stay productive, clear-headed, and intentional with my time. It’s simple, effective, and adaptable to whatever life throws at me.
Want to Start Journaling? Here’s What You Need
You don’t need anything fancy—just a pen and paper. But if you’re a stationery nerd like me, here are my go-to journals:
📕 Brain Dump Journal: Dingbats Notebook – https://www.dingbats-notebooks.com/?r... Coupon Code: MBJournals
📘 Bullet Journal: Official Bullet Journal – https://bulletjournal.com/?ref=MikeBe... Coupon Code: MBJournals
📗 Commonplace Journal: Field Notes – https://fieldnotesbrand.com?aff=103 Coupon Code: 10MBJOURNALS
Of course, you can grab a $1 notebook from Walmart and it’ll work just fine. The key is getting started.
If you’re new to journaling or feel stuck, I highly recommend trying this three-journal method. It keeps everything organized while giving you space to explore your thoughts freely.
Let me know—do you use multiple journals? Or are you thinking about starting? Drop a comment below!
