Paper or Digital Journal: Which is Best?

The benefits of journaling have been widely researched and it’s clear that keeping a journal is one of the best things we can do to boost our happiness, get organized and feel accomplished.

One question you may have asked yourself though is, should I use a paper journal or digital journal? Which kind is best?

Spoiler alert: there are pros and cons to each method, and I use both. 🙂

Reasons to keep a journal

There are so many great reasons to keep a journal, regardless of which kind you use.

You can use a journal to:

braindump – get everything that’s on your mind out of your head
organize and clarify your thoughts
collect ideas and observations
set goals
track habits
reflect
express gratitude
make plans for future
create a record of your day, or keep memories

All of which will help you to be healthier and happier.

Paper or Digital Journal?

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each:

person sitting outside writing in journal

Pros of a paper journal

it’s quick and easy
you’re less likely to be distracted by other things on your phone or computer
retention – you’re more likely to remember what you’ve written by hand
it’s screen-free time – which is important for self-care
stability – paper and pen don’t ‘crash’
you don’t need wi-fi or superfast connectivity

Cons of a paper journal

you need to have your journal and a pen or pencil to hand whenever you want to record or check something
if you lose it or damage it, it’s gone, potentially forever
it’s not always secure (you don’t need a passcode to open a planner or notebook)

Pros of a digital journal

you can access and add entries to your journal in a variety of locations, or from a variety of devices
it can sometimes be faster to type than to write by hand
you can upload photos, videos, and audio
it’s more secure against prying eyes
you can back it up
it’s searchable

Cons of a digital journal

you’re reliant on a charged phone or laptop battery, or access to a power-point to charge your device
you’re only able to write in locations that you have your device
distractions (such as rings, vibrations, games, and apps)
eye-strain and blue light

The reality is, there is no one perfect journal or a perfect way to journal

It’s all about finding what works for you and your specific needs.

I’m a big fan of bullet journaling.

I find it a wonderful way to organize my life. I use it daily to plan and keep track of my lists, to-dos, goals and dreams. My bullet journal helps me to take action and be productive. It’s great for habit-tracking, and it’s also a wonderful creative outlet.

I love the act of writing in it, and I love decorating it with washi tape, stickers and highlighters (my not-so-secret way of being artistic and creative, without actually being able to draw).

However, I don’t record everything in my bullet journal.

I don’t use my bullet journal for long-form journaling (I’m MUCH faster at typing than writing, so no hand cramps). I don’t meal plan with my bullet journal, or keep track of my budget or my finances in there. And I don’t use it as a memory keeper for photos and other memorabilia.

This is just my personal preference – one of the best things about using a bullet journal is that you can adapt it to suit your needs.

Find the right way for you

woman using laptop computer outdoors with mug of tea

Recently I was contemplating the best way to record my experience during the annual 30 Days Wild nature challenge.

30 Days Wild, run by the Wildlife Trusts in the UK every June, is all about bringing people closer to nature, wherever they live, by taking small actions that can collectively have a big impact. These small actions are called “random acts of wildness” and they can be anything, from taking a walk in the woods to baking a nature-themed cake.

I’ve taken part several times, and I love it!

So much evidence shows that a little bit of nature every day will really make you feel healthier and happier. Whether it’s looking out your window, sitting in a garden or park, or going on a hike, any time spent appreciating nature will boost your wellbeing.

I love to keep a record of all my random acts of wildness during the challenge. In the past, I’ve posted about my experience on Facebook or Instagram, but this year I wanted a way to record my experience in a more permanent, personal way. I wanted to include photos, videos, sound recordings, reflections, notes, and sketches. I wanted my entries to be secure and private, and I wanted to be able to find my entries easily again in the future.

It became apparent to me that I would need to use a digital tool of some sort if I wanted to achieve all this.

Then I found out about Journey.

Journey

Journey is a popular, award-winning cross-platform diary and journal app. It aims to encourage its users to have a happier and healthier mind and soul.

It has all the features I need:

the ability to attach photos, video and audio to journal entries
automatic back-ups in Google Drive
protection from prying eyes with touch id, face id, or a passcode
a clean minimal design, that I can customise to my heart’s content
the ability to tag entries

I love how easy it is to set up and use. I’m able to capture my thoughts using the app on my phone when I’m out and about – so there’s need to bring a notebook and pen with me – great for when I want to travel lightly. I can also access it on my laptop when I am at home.

I also love how I can personalize it to suit me. It’s easy to change the font type and size, line spacing, theme colour and wallpaper. It has all the basic editing tools you would expect – including bullet points and numbering, so it’s super simple to make lists (I love a list!) as well as write free-form.

Here are some more great features I’ve discovered on Journey:

dark mode, to help offset the effects of blue light on my sleep as well as reduce eyestrain
reminders – to remind me to add my entry for the day
the ability to print or export my entries
the ability to automatically add my location (and the weather) for each entry
daily journal prompts as part of their Coach feature
throwback feature – so I can see what I did last year or month
the ability to connect to Health Kit (great for keeping track of my fitness progress)

Before adopting any new app or online tool, I always think carefully about whether it will add value to my day-to-day life and help me live in a mindful way. It needs to support my goals, rather than distract me from them.

I discovered that Journey is exactly what I need to keep a record of my 30 Days Wild.

And now that I’ve discovered how easy Journey is to use, I look forward to keeping track of my fitness progress with it in the future.

So, to sum up, when you are trying to decide whether to use a print or a digital journal think about your goals, what you want to achieve and what will help you get there.

Explore a few options and see what suits you.

Remember, you don’t have to make a definitive choice between a paper OR a digital journal. You can have more than one type of journal in your life, and have the best of both worlds.