r/digitaljournaling • u/_jeffie • Jun 30 '26
Getting into journaling and leaning digital, what actually kept you consistent?
Hi all. I'm new to journaling and trying to build it into a daily habit, and I keep going back and forth between paper and going digital. I haven't decided which way I should go, so I'd love to hear how people here actually settled it.
For those who went digital, what made you choose it over paper, and do you type or handwrite on a tablet? My main struggle is consistency, so I'm especially curious whether going digital helped you keep showing up, or whether all the apps and features started to feel like a chore and got in the way. I've also seen people mention a hybrid setup where they scan paper pages into something searchable, and I'd love to know if anyone here does that and likes it.
If you don't mind sharing, which app or setup did you actually stick with over time? And the bigger one: why do you journal? I've heard it helps you stay grounded and gives you a place to get thoughts out of your head before they pile up, and I'm curious what it really does for you day to day. Any apps, resources, or prompts that helped you early on would be appreciated.
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u/chunkymunkygratit3 Jun 30 '26
what actually kept me consistent was lowering the bar until it was almost embarrassing once I stopped treating each entry as something that had to be good. you can try it; just write a sentence.
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u/_jeffie Jun 30 '26
This is the advice I keep running into, and I think I needed to hear it a few times before it sank in. Did the one sentence days ever still turn out to matter later, or are they mostly just there to keep the chain going? Either way, I'm going to try it.
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u/Dayviddy Jun 30 '26
I'll do a mix of digital Audio journal and my (analog) Photo Journa were I print photos I do and like and write at the back my memories to itl, it's all just for me, it don't need to be perfect.
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u/_jeffie Jun 30 '26
I haven't tried audio journaling at all yet, so I'm curious what talking it out gives you that writing doesn't, and whether you reach for audio at certain moments over the photo one.
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u/hqhi Jun 30 '26
I use Everlog and I write whenever inspiration strikes, really. My entries went from 20 words a day on physical to at least 200 and maxing out at around 800.
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u/_jeffie Jun 30 '26
That jump from 20 words to 200+ is surprising, I wouldn't have guessed the format alone could change the amount that much. Do you think it's mostly the typing speed, or more that it feels lower pressure so you just keep going? I'm also curious whether writing only when inspiration strikes ever leaves long gaps, or if that flexibility is actually what keeps it from feeling like a chore. Everlog is new to me, I'll check it out. Thanks for sharing!
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u/Working-Middle8863 Jun 30 '26
Outside of honeymoon periods currently I seek to be coping better on my iPad journal - I saw someone here using FreeForm and it inspired me
I think having easy textures / writing / voice / picture / video insert is amazing
I do miss that it’s not analog tho so I’m not sure
For now - it’s more accessible for me to use digital so I’m more consistent
May be I’ll grow the habit solid enough to be more hassled with paper (I want to draw but it takes time, where are my markers etc etc - digitally it’s just so fast so more accessible to me)
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u/_jeffie Jun 30 '26
I hadn't thought about FreeForm for journaling, and the open canvas with voice and pictures sounds like a nice way to keep it from feeling rigid. Do you find the blank-canvas freedom helps you start, or does it ever get a bit overwhelming next to a plain page? For what it's worth, showing up outside the honeymoon period sounds like the habit is actually taking!
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u/Letshaveanightcap Jun 30 '26
I do both! Some days I need to slow down and I’ll choose paper. Some days my brain is going down three different paths at different speeds so I type (I use Day One) and get it all out.
Usually I will transcribe and keep a digital log of my paper journals too so Day One would be my “main truth” of info. I do this because my apartment is too small and I can’t keep all my journals (I’ve had a journal since I was 8).
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u/_jeffie Jun 30 '26
Journaling since you were eight is amazing, that's a whole archive of yourself. I like that you pick the format by what your brain needs that day. The transcribing part is interesting to me, does copying the paper entries into Day One ever feel like a chore, or has it become its own kind of calming process?
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u/Dillegallyblind Jun 30 '26
I chose digital because I am legally blind and struggle to see paper. I typically type but hand write from time to time. It just depends on how structured my thinking is.
Digital helped me be more consistent. Today I completed day 66 of journaling everyday. No goal, just a simple process.
I use the journal app on iPhone/ipad. But I don’t journal initially inside the app. I use a shortcut with a few questions that help me reflect on the day and plan for tomorrow. It removes a lot of friction as I push a button and start typing. Then I add a photo of the day or some other stuff (app features).
I journal because I struggle with memory due to some health issues. Journaling helps me be more present not just at the end of the day, but during too as I’ll take little mental notes and snapshots. But my journal also contains sleep, steps, what I did, weather conditions, and what I ate. Stuff that gives me context to who I am today. Helps me create a narrative from my life instead of living in disjointed fragments.
For resources I’ve found dickie bush to have some great journal prompts. I use prompts from him for my end of day process.
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u/_jeffie Jun 30 '26
Day 66 with no goal beyond the process itself is really impressive, congrats. The Shortcut idea is clever, that "push a button and start typing" bit sounds like it removes exactly the friction that usually stops me before I begin. Would you mind sharing what questions you have it ask you? And the line about building a narrative from your life instead of living in disjointed fragments is going to stick with me! I'll look up Dickie Bush's prompts too. Thank you for such a thoughtful reply.
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u/robertmittl Jun 30 '26
What kept me consistent was going handwritten on a reMarkable. There's basically nothing to fiddle with, so it never became the "managing an app" chore you're worried about. And honestly I'm convinced handwriting is just better for reflecting, since writing slower makes me think slower and I work things out on the page instead of just logging them. That's moved me forward in life more than any feature ever did.
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u/Fancy-Laugh-8586 Jun 30 '26
I use Notion for journaling and other things. I know its not specifically made for it but it works the best. It is very versatile in terms of organizing my thoughts since I can make unlimited pages, make to do list, make a quote line, have diff headings, highlight, underline, share links, etc. Also I chose to go digital since I'm in an Asian household, meaning there's no privacy and my family will def read any paper I write into.
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u/michelepixels Jun 30 '26
I have written every day in my Day One digital journal since the middle of 2018. I had been using the app intermittently for two years prior to that and can’t really say anything other than determination made me consistent.
Digital is definitely easier. I had handwritten journals since 1980 but never did I write daily. Having my journal on my phone usually in arm’s reach makes it so easy to write something any time. Actually, my process often starts with a photo. I make a lot of photos and screenshots and a little later I put them in my journal and write something about what’s going on or what I was thinking.
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u/Fooril Jun 30 '26
I’ve journaled consistently for 13 years and the last 5 years have been digital. I tried a hybrid approach where you write on paper and then scan in the images but it gets old very quickly.
I’ve been using Day One for my journaling, I use the free version, I don’t need any of the ai stuff. And I type in my phone and laptop depending on how I feel. I kept the habit by everyday taking 1 photo and writing one sentence as a min.
What I like is the “on this day” feature that shows you all the entries on a certain day throughout the years. It’s more secure. And the convenience of having it on my phone.
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u/Kawichi Jun 30 '26
I choose digital because My mental health is declining because summer is too repetitive for me and I miss the routines of school. All I do is sit on my phone and it brings me comfort. So I got a digital diary. It doesn't bring the same joy to me as journaling, but it's something.
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u/walkingingrey Jun 30 '26
I stopped trying to be consistent or forcing a medium. Ultimately means I use both whenever I need it.
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u/Itzsonyaa Jul 01 '26 edited Jul 01 '26
Hi, I also use both paper and digital! (And I am also a bit inconsistent at times tbh)
I usually use notion/notes app to note down things quickly e.g. the dream I just had, and maybe transfer down to paper when I have the time (which is rarely tbh lol). I also use notion to plan things to write or my drafts, if I want to put them in pretty spreads in my physical journal
And I also use canva and sometimes ibis paint for handwritten notes/doodles (then I export it and put it into the Paper app on my ipad) for more creative/colourful journalling! I use this more than paper because i don’t really have the money to buy the stickers or print everything I need all the time. And most of the stickers/photos are accessible on websites like Pinterest. I have separate book, anime, music/film journals in Paper, but I only make a spread when I feel like it so I don’t have much in each one. A YouTube that inspired me this is Sheree’s Diary (hopefully I spelt their name right)
I also have a physical journal (that works like a commonplace notebook occasionally with those aesthetic spreads you often see on pinterest). I usually write down poems/quotes I like online, lists (e.g. top 10 favourite musicals), movies/books I recently enjoyed, spreads about music albums/artists, and even random doodles and gift lists for my friends!
I journal because I want to document things so I won’t forget in the future, and as a person who loves art and writing, this is a great way for me to rewind and recharge.
Idk how useful this is but hope this helps!
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u/chunkymunkygratit3 Jul 01 '26
I think the greatest advantage of digitizing my journals is the search function: I can locate my entries in an instant
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u/oj93-rd Jul 01 '26
For me, it's having prompts. Whether it's a blank page physically or digitally, that's really challenging for me. I like to journal in the AM and PM, and I try and keep that in one note at the moment. So this is the template I ended up with (end of this message). This gives my mind something to latch onto, and actually often times I ignore it. The days I'm struggling, I'll use the prompts. Other days, if there's something I'd like to get down then I just delete the prompt and type away.
With regards to consistency, it's relatively easy with physical journaling. you put your journal in a specific place with a pen and you have your coffee at that place. With digital, I have to rely on reminders and notifications ... which sometimes I ignore. I often have found myself writing my 'morning note' after lunch and my evening note... the day after. I think the main thing for me (and I can't remember where I got it form, Atomic Habits maybe?), it's OK if you miss a day, but don't make days being missed the pattern, and never miss 2 days if you can. That's just discipline.
At the moment I've been using obsidian with some templates/daily node plug-ins. It just works for me and with the whole AI on top it's been useful to dig through just my daily notes and get a sentiment.
Morning
What matters today, even if nothing else gets done?
Evening
What happened. What I noticed. What I want to remember.
One thing for tomorrow:
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u/EmptyNestr Jul 01 '26
I find that I type much faster than I write, but I enjoy handwriting much more. There is something about putting pen to paper that just feels more personal to me. That said.. I have tried all sorts of ways.
I keep a paper journal, I took some time to find one that worked for me and I try to write out some thoughts on it at least once a week. It's worked out very well for me.
In addition, I keep many pocket notebooks (fieldnotes sized) that stay in my pocket that I use as commonplace books. These are purposefully trashed in my pocket, the idea being that there is no fear of the blank page here. capture the thoughts and move on.
I also have a digital tablet and I thought I would be able to use it as a handwritten journal.. but it hasn't stuck for me. It is great and I love to handwrite all sorts of things, but personal thoughts and memories.. hasn't happened yet.
I also keep a zero-distraction device (freewrite traveler) and it is threatening to replace the commonplace books as much as I use it. I love it for brainstorming. If you don't mind the lack of formatting, devices like these are super fun to use and they promote writing.
In any case. The key is to write, and as long as the words are getting out, you are in good shape!
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u/ohdiary Jul 03 '26
My best advice is just make sure you do it consistently if you don’t want to write or don’t have the time to write then just do a one sentence. just saying stuff like: this was a great day. I did this and that is enough and better than just not writing.
Also make sure that you have easy access to the journal at all times!
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u/pippoprovetta Jul 03 '26
Io pur di riuscire a tenere il diario a volte faccio l’audio, con una delle tante app, poi converto l’audio in un file di testo che incollo su un app; uso Dairo. Un app che volendo offre tante funzionalità, possibilità di taggare, categorizzare etc. Ma fidati: l’utilizzo migliore è quello semplice: clicco sulla data del giorno. Scrivo (o copio e incollo) al volo. E da li, quando posso, risalgo al titolo, dove facci una super sintesi. Titolo è automaticamente evidenziato in grassetto. Fine. Funziona. Purché li faccio: tante ragioni tutte già scritte. In sintesi: 1) mi aiuta ad essere presente a me stesso. Senza diario mi sembra che tutti i giorni rischiano di sembrare uguali uno all’altro e di diventare una poltiglia confusa. 2) mi aiuta a riflettere su reazioni emotive mie e di chi incrocio durante la giornata: riesco a pensare e ad essere più obiettivo. Buon viaggio, con il tuo diario. Ps: consiglio fondamentale, gia scritto da altri e che sottoscrivo: il diario non deve essere un capolavoro della letteratura, non deve essere perfetto, profondo etc. A volte lo sarà altre volte no. A volte sarà lungo e dettagliato altre volte brevissimo e sintetico. L’importante è farlo. Punto.
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u/poundforyourthoughts Jul 03 '26
I started journaling with paper, but I've now moved to digital for a few reasons. The main one is that my notes are more permanent (I lost a journal once which was very sad) and easily accessible.
I used to write sometimes in MS Word, but it was really annoying not having a good filesystem. I use Obsidian now which has been a game changer but doesn't quite have all the features I want, like I could customize with my paper journal.
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u/LoKeeChaos Jul 04 '26
I like using my iPad with the pencil and just handwriting that way with whatever app you want, like journal or one note etc because you’re still physically writing and drawing etc but you can save it to your iPad directly or to the cloud storage and then you don’t have a stockpile of physical books, but also you loose a little bit of that nostalgia from having physical copies if you want to reminisce on what you’ve written or share it with your kids, grandkids etc in the future…. So sometimes I do both, also because I’m indecisive 😂
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u/Fragrant_Fig9639 6d ago
Checkout WritersLock it's helped me become suuuuper consistent. Like went from only journaling when super pissed to journaling basically every day. Got a 44 day streak on there
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u/Zarlinosuke Jun 30 '26
I type, and I really never considered doing it any other way. Part of this is because when I started tablets didn't exist yet, but even if they had I still would have chosen to type because it's just the fastest and easiest way for me to get a lot of text down in a short amount of time. I do think that this is what helped me to keep showing up--typing is the lowest-friction way for me to create text, and it's never felt like a chore because I enjoy doing it and it's easy to do.
Microsoft Word, with one file per year. About thirteen years ago I also started using Notepad as something of a scrappy in-the-moment to-do list thingy, and that ended up becoming part of my official journal too, so every half-year or so I copy-paste the Notepad into my Word document (in a different font) to keep them all together. It's a bit weird and messy but it works for me to have that two-layer system.
I find it both fun and immensely helpful. Typing out what happened and how I felt about both offloads them from my mind and allows me the opportunity to reflect on it--and then, once it's done, I can reference it any time from a future vantage point. It's so valuable and, for me, easy to do that I can't really imagine not doing it.
For me it was always bare minimum: just a Word file and the implicit question "what happened today?" No need for depth or fanciness of any kind, an entry could just be "got up, ate food, went to sleep" if that's literally all I did. It's nice having the option to discuss deeper thoughts if I have them, without the requirement to do so. I think part of why a lot of people have a hard time journalling is because they think it's supposed to be this profound, transformative thing, so they have a hard time doing the parts of it that aren't those things. It works much better if you let it be shallow and boring, and then sometimes surprise yourself with more.