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Writer's picture은사시 Arisu Chris

Do you write a planner or Journal?

Do you use a planner? Do you write a journal? Today, we will learn about the difference between a planner and a journal, the types of journals, and how to approach them easily in our lives.


Planner Vs Journal

Planner Vs Journal

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Difference Between Planner and Journal

A planner or journal is written as a way to record and check the daily events and to-dos of many people. These two methods have similarities in writing on paper. Strictly speaking, they differ depending on the intended use.

What is the difference?

A journal is a series of actions to write down and remember everyday thoughts and inspirational phrases. It will be a story of your own private. This will help you remember what you did, what you thought and felt, and what happened as a child. Aside from that, if you go deeper, you’ll find more types of journals. Let’s see how journals can be used in many different ways!

The planner is responsible for recording the daily schedule and monitoring the progress.

Many planners and journals are on the market. It is important to decide what you will use them for first. It depends a lot on what is good for your lifestyle.

Which planner or journal is right for me?

A planner or journal has a huge impact on improving your daily routine. According to New York Times bestselling author Charles Duhigg’s book, “The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business,

“you can genuinely start CRAVING positive habits (such as running, being grateful, etc.) simply, because you are journaling or tracking them” Charles Duhigg’s book “The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business”

In addition, journals and planners focus on tasks or projects that require special attention, or on tasks that require constant focus in daily life. By doing this, we see you moving forward toward a better life.

1. Figure out what you need.

The first thing to do is to figure out what you need right now.

If you feel that being well organized and getting many tasks done on time is an important part of your life, then using a planner is effective.

If you want a more leisurely lifestyle, or if you want to record a lot of creative thoughts and inspirations, a journal is a way to go.

Of course, using a planner, you can also record simple inspirations or ideas on the other side of the planner.

Those who want to do both a planner and a journal

An alternative is the bullet journal, which has been popular for a while.

The BlackJournal is one of the most famous planners and Journal combinations.

A bullet journal is a place where you record your to-dos like a planner and write down inspirational quotes every day or a book review space, so you can decorate it the way you want.

If you would like to know more about the Bullet Journal, please refer to the Bullet Journal website.

It can be used in various ways depending on the purpose.

Many people use planners and journals for their purposes. In my case, I need a journal because I carry it with me when I travel. Journals are a good fit for recording many experiences and inspirations. But if you have a meeting at work, you don’t need a planner or a meeting journal.

Types of journals

I am using 2 types of planners. For my business, I set goals, and describe strategic tactics with my planner. I plan quarterly/monthly and prioritize tasks according to their importance. 

I like to take the time to relax in my busy daily life and write down my thoughts and feelings through journals, of course.

There are many types of journals, but let’s take a look at the journals that many people use.


inspiration quote

inspiration quote

1. Gratitude journal

This is a good journaling method for those who want the easiest and most mentally relaxed life. As many scientists’ researches showed, gratitude journaling impacts well-sleep, well-being, and stress relief as a way to achieve a positive mindset.

I have done meditating and write a journal of gratitude almost every day. I am always grateful for this effect. 

If you are interested in meditation and morning routine, you can read my related posts “Meditation Guide: How To Start Meditation For Beginners” and “The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod- morning routine 30 days challenge”

Very simple. After 10-20 meditation sessions in the morning, write down three or four things you are grateful for. This small practice allowed me to live my life with gratitude and to find some mental relaxation.

I used “Habit Nest The Gratitude Sidekick Journal” It has a practical, action-oriented guide to developing gratitude as a habit. If you decide to write a journal, this journal will guide you on how to write and what to write.

2. Travel Journal

Travel gives us many experiences. Anticipation for new places, food from each country, freshness from nature, etc…

Travel is always a source of new inspiration and vitality.

It is not just about leaving these trips in photos or video but also writing down your feelings and experiences which you have felt with your five senses.

When I look at the travel journal and read my feelings written down below the photos, I see a change in my consciousness within them.

Through travel journals, it brings positive changes in life and personal personality.

Find out more about the benefits of writing a travel journal and how to, please don’t miss out on this blog post

3. Journal that records daily life

This journaling method records one’s day in a diary. It records the things that have happened and the things that need to be reflected on during the day. 

This is the journaling we used a lot when we were going to school. But are you still doing it?

4. Junk Journal or Daku (I know it as a term used in the Korean language..)

It is one of the ways to develop artistic sensibility.

If you have a drawing hobby, this method is a great way to develop artistic inspiration. It doesn’t need any rules or plans. Journaling with inspiration that comes to mind.

For example, some people have dried wildflowers and decorated them with pretty Korean paper to write a journal for those who like wildflowers. Decorating the diary that students often do is one of these methods.

5. Dream Journal

A journal in which you regularly record your targeted dreams and track topics and patterns over time.

6. Bible Journal

It is a journal in which religious people write down the verses they read that day and record their thoughts.

7. Food Journal/Workout Journal

These days, well-being fitness to lose weight healthily is fashionable. Rather than reducing food or fasting unconditionally. I see a lot of effects of writing a well-being fitness journal that eats healthy and loses weight healthily. 

As well as a basic workout tracker, it starts with a change to a healthy diet, intentionally. 

There are many other types of journaling, but we have compiled only the journals that are easily accessible in our journal.

self-love journal

SELF-LOVE JOURNAL 2022

This Self-Love Journal has 495 pages and 6 unique sections (me plan, daily journal, reading journal, Health& nutrition, Relaxation, Extra notes, and templates.


My final thought on journaling

Journals and planners serve different purposes and are structured differently. But both give you the advantage of improving your life for the better.

Please choose and use it according to your own needs.


Gratitude Prompts

Gratitude Prompts

Finally, I wrote down ideas for the gratitude journal that I am working on every day.

  1. List five small ways you can share your gratitude today.

  2. Write about someone in your life you are particularly grateful for and why.

  3. What abilities are you grateful for?

  4. What can you be grateful for the hardship you are going through right now?

  5. How is your life different now than it was a year ago, and what positive changes are you grateful for?

  6. What are some things or hobbies you haven’t been able to do?

  7. List 5 body parts you are grateful for and why.

  8. What city do you live in?

  9. Do you have something you take for granted or experience? Have you ever been grateful for it?

  10. List 5 people in your life that you find difficult to get along with, and for each, write at least one trait you appreciate.

  11. What is the material item you are most grateful for?

  12. Write about the music you are grateful for and why.

  13. Who has helped you or made your life easier this week, and how can you thank them?

  14. What is the food you are most grateful for?

  15. Write an appreciation about nature and reasons.

  16. What are you most grateful for in your morning routine?

  17. Write to someone who has had a positive impact on your life, big or small.

  18. What do you appreciate about what you learned this week?

  19. When was the last time you laughed out of control? Bring your memories back.

  20. What do you appreciate about your company or profession?


Daily gratitude

Daily gratitude

canva template on desktop

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