American essayist Anaïs Nin once said that we write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect, and that’s exactly the kind of ideology that makes the concept of keeping a gratitude journal while traveling so powerful. Writing down your thoughts and highlights from each day helps to cement the smaller, less significant memories of daily travel. But it does so much more than that as well.
“Practicing the art of gratitude is a proven way to plug into positivity and become more appreciative of the world around you. Travel exposes us to new perspectives and places, and taking the time to do some gratitude journaling can help us really reflect on the positive takeaways from any trip,” says Jen Jones Donatelli, founder of Creative Groove and a certified coach who specializes in creativity and self-expression.
Donatelli also points out that gratitude journaling while on the go can even help you enjoy your trip more. Numerous studies have shown a connection between gratitude practice and better sleep, and there’s also evidence that gratitude journaling can provide a much-needed mood boost.
“The act of traveling can be pretty fast-paced, so setting aside some time for gratitude journaling can provide a welcome respite and time for mindful reflection,” adds Donatelli. “If you’re gone for a length of time or in a faraway place, it can also help keep you connected to the people who matter most in your life.”
Sounds like a pretty good deal, right? If you’re looking for a better way to stay firmly in the present moment while traveling and also create unique memories that let you look back on your trip, this is the way to do it.
Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best gratitude journals for all kinds of travelers. Here are the stand-out options that’ll make starting — and committing to — the art of journaling that much easier while on the go.
If you’re traveling anywhere for an extended period of time — or you’re a digital nomad who likes to have a temporary desk set up wherever you’re staying — Donatelli suggests opting for the Free Period Press “Calendar of Good” Gratitude Journal.
This unconventional journal is shaped like a desk calendar and lets you jot down your daily thoughts and gratefulness while keeping track of the date. We also really like that this option has space for a full year of gratitude journaling, whereas most traditional journals have just enough prompts for about three months before the journal is filled.
Donatelli also suggests the Papier “Joy” Gratitude Journal. This option is more expensive than most gratitude journals on the list, but it might be worth it if you’re looking for something with high-quality paper and an aesthetically pleasing cover.
This stunning option is available in a variety of cool colorways, and we also really love that it can be personalized to include your own bespoke monogram. The interior pages include daily gratitude prompts as well as bonus pages for reflection and life planning.
Em & Friends “Hey, Thanks: A Guided Gratitude Journal” is both pretty to look at and practical to use. It has interesting prompts that go beyond gratitude, inviting you to reflect on all areas in life and hopefully foster breakthroughs big and small.
You might already be familiar with “The Five-Minute Journal.” The bestselling gratitude journal is one of the most popular and can be found in most big-name bookstores and stationery shops. This option is excellent for beginners and seasoned gratitude journalers alike. The prompts are clear and can be perceived as deep or as shallow as you feel comfortable. The front and back cover and binding are also extremely durable so you won’t have to worry about damaging or squishing your journal in your backpack or carry-on while on the go.
Plus, we like that this journal looks pretty when stacked on a bookshelf, which is especially relevant if you plan to fill and collect your well-worn journals.
Traveling with kids? It’s never too soon to get little ones in on the habit of practicing mindfulness and gratitude. In fact, cultivating the habit early on in life will set them up for a more natural tendency to look on the bright side and find the good in every situation. “The 3-Minute Gratitude Journal for Kids” is easy and intuitive to use and includes enough space for kids to write or draw what they’re most grateful for each day.
“The Gratitude Sidekick Journal” is a great option for those looking for a bit of guidance when it comes to starting a gratitude challenge or dipping their toes into the self-development space. This 66-day journal includes a ton of helpful prompts to get you thinking about what you’re grateful for each day while reflecting on bigger themes and patterns in your life.
Plus, it also includes an optional “mini gratitude action of the day” that encourages you to think deeper about — and in some cases, take action on — certain things or people you’re grateful for.
We love the Ryve Daily Gratitude Journal because it combines daily gratitude with daily priority task lists, habit tracking and self-reflection that helps you stay on track to achieve certain goals or aspirations throughout your day-to-day life (even while traveling). It’s also aesthetically pleasing and includes beautiful line drawings and illustrations throughout the pages for added inspiration.
You don’t have to spend a ton on a gratitude journal to reap the benefits of the practice, and “Good Days Start With Gratitude: A 52-Week Guide” is a great example of that. This budget-friendly gratitude journal costs about the same as a latte, but the benefits will take you way further than a caffeine jolt.
It includes space to write out three different things you’re grateful for each day but also provides inspirational quotes throughout as well as space at the end of the week to free write on what the highlights were.
Of course, you don’t need a gratitude journal with prompts and fancy illustrations in order to reap the benefits of a daily gratitude practice. If you want something simple that lets you to write as much or as little as you want each day, it might be better to opt for a plain pocket notebook.
This one is small (it’s less than 4 inches by 6 inches) which means you can easily keep it in your jacket pocket or handbag for journaling while on the go. We also like that this option is made with a flexible hard-backed material so you won’t have to worry about it bending or tearing in your pocket.
Likewise, if you want to practice the art of journaling while traveling but you just can’t fathom adding a journal to your already maxed-out carry-on situation, it might be smart to invest in a Kindle Scribe.
Combining your reading material with your journaling means you can cut down on the amount of gear in your luggage without sacrificing your reading list or writing practice. The Scribe allows you to annotate and take notes right on your Kindle books too, which means you can purchase a digital version of a gratitude journal and write directly on the prompt pages.