5 Best Journals for Mental Health in 2025
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Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or just mentally foggy? Journaling might be the simple (yet powerful) habit that turns it all around.
Whether you’re navigating anxiety, working through therapy, or just trying to make sense of your day, the right mental health journal can be like a therapist in your backpack — always ready to listen, never judgmental.
In this post, we’re diving into the best journals for mental health in 2025 — from guided notebooks packed with prompts and trackers to beautiful blank pages waiting for your raw thoughts. If you’re searching for a journal to help with anxiety, mood tracking, mindfulness, or daily reflection, we’ve got you covered.
And don’t worry — we’ve tested, researched, and rounded up the top mental health journals that actually make you want to write. So grab a cozy drink, get comfy, and let’s find the perfect journal for your mind.
Why Journaling Is Good for Your Mental Health
Okay, so journaling sounds nice in theory — but does it actually help your mental health?
Short answer: yes, massively.
Here’s why thousands of therapists, psychologists, and everyday people swear by this simple practice. Whether you’re jotting down three words or three pages, the mental benefits are real.
1. Journaling Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Writing down what’s on your mind helps you process emotions rather than letting them simmer beneath the surface. Studies show that expressive writing lowers cortisol levels (aka your stress hormone) and can help reduce anxiety over time.
2. It Boosts Emotional Clarity
Ever feel overwhelmed but don’t know why? Journaling helps you untangle those thoughts. By naming your feelings and experiences, you begin to understand yourself better — a huge win for emotional health.
3. Journaling Supports Mindfulness
Many of the best mental health journals include prompts that bring you into the present moment. This builds mindfulness, which is linked to lower stress, better focus, and improved emotional regulation.
4. It’s a Great Tool for Therapy
Therapists often recommend keeping a journal between sessions. It helps track patterns, reflect on breakthroughs, and bring more insight into your healing journey.
5. Journaling Promotes Personal Growth
From daily affirmations to goal-setting pages, journaling is more than venting — it’s also a way to stay grounded, reflect on progress, and move forward with intention.
What to Look for in a Mental Health Journal
Not all journals are created equal — especially when it comes to supporting your mental health. Choosing the right one can make the difference between a habit that sticks and a notebook that gathers dust on your nightstand.
Here’s what to consider when picking the best journal for mental health:
1. Guided vs. Blank Pages
- Guided journals offer daily prompts, mood trackers, and reflection questions — perfect if you don’t know where to start.
- Blank or bullet journals give you total freedom to write, draw, or create your own system.
Best for beginners: guided
Best for creatives or therapy veterans: blank
2. Daily, Weekly, or Flexible Format
- Some journals ask for daily input (great for building a habit).
- Others are weekly, or undated, which reduces pressure.
- Choose one that fits your lifestyle — consistency matters more than perfection.
3. Prompts That Actually Help
The best mental health journals include thoughtful, therapeutic prompts like:
- “What emotion am I feeling right now, and why?”
- “What’s one small win I had today?”
- “What negative thought can I reframe today?”
These help with self-awareness, emotional processing, and stress relief.
4. Mood Trackers & Habit Charts
Built-in trackers let you:
- Spot mood patterns
- Connect triggers
- Celebrate progress
This is especially useful if you’re managing anxiety, depression, or ADHD.
5. Design & Aesthetic (Yes, it matters!)
Let’s be real — you’re way more likely to use a journal that looks and feels good. Whether it’s minimalist and modern, cute and colorful, or rugged and masculine, choose something you’ll actually enjoy opening every day.
6. Size and Portability
Want to journal at your desk, or on the go?
Compact journals fit easily into bags or therapy folders, while larger ones may work better for home use.
Once you know what features matter most to you, you’re ready to explore the best options out there. And don’t worry — we’ve rounded up the top 10 best journals for mental health next, so you don’t have to spend hours scrolling.
Ready to meet your new favorite mental wellness tool?
1. The Five Minute Journal
Best for: Busy people who want a quick, effective daily mental health check-in
Overview:
The Five Minute Journal is one of the most popular and recommended mental health journals for a reason — it’s incredibly simple, beautifully designed, and backed by psychological principles like gratitude and positive reframing.
Whether you’re new to journaling or looking for a low-effort, high-impact daily habit, this one is hard to beat.
Key Features:
- Daily AM/PM format (takes just 5 minutes)
- Morning prompts: gratitude, goals, affirmations
- Evening prompts: reflection, lessons, wins
- Clean, minimalist design
- Great for building a positive mindset and daily consistency
Pros:
- Super easy to stick with — only takes 5 minutes a day
- Encourages a gratitude mindset (shown to boost mood)
- Structured layout removes decision fatigue
- Ideal for beginners or people with anxiety
Cons:
- Limited space for free writing or deep reflection
- May feel repetitive over long periods
Who It’s Best For:
- People who are short on time
- Beginners to mental health journaling
- Anyone struggling with anxiety, low mood, or negative thinking
Buy the Five Minute Journal on Amazon
2. Clever Fox Therapy Journal
Best for: Tracking therapy progress, managing anxiety, and working through emotions in-depth
Overview:
The Clever Fox Therapy Journal is a therapist-approved mental health journal designed specifically to support emotional healing and personal growth. It’s perfect for people in therapy or those working through anxiety, depression, or trauma on their own.
With thoughtful prompts, progress tracking, and plenty of space to reflect, this journal turns mental health into a manageable, trackable journey.
Key Features:
- Guided prompts to explore thoughts, triggers, and emotions
- Sections for setting goals, identifying negative thought patterns, and tracking emotional progress
- Weekly check-ins and mood tracking
- Premium quality paper, durable hardcover, and elastic closure
- Comes with a user guide to help you get the most out of it
Pros:
- Extremely detailed and therapy-focused
- Helps you process emotions and build coping skills
- Keeps all your mental health progress in one place
- Makes therapy sessions more productive
Cons:
- Can feel a bit structured or intense for casual journaling
- Takes more time and effort than simpler journals
Who It’s Best For:
- People actively in therapy
- Those struggling with anxiety, depression, PTSD, or emotional dysregulation
- Anyone looking for a deep-dive mental health tool, not just a daily prompt journal
Shop Clever Fox Therapy Journal on Amazon
3. Papier Mental Health & Wellness Journal
Best for: Stylish self-care lovers who want structure and inspiration
Overview:
If you’re someone who loves beautiful stationery and wants to improve your mental well-being, the Papier Mental Health Journal might be your perfect match. It combines elegant design with daily prompts, wellness check-ins, and space for reflection — all wrapped in a customizable cover.
This one’s ideal for people who want to prioritize their mental health in a visually inspiring way.
Key Features:
- 12 weeks of daily journaling space
- Includes mood and sleep trackers, habit trackers, and self-care planning pages
- Weekly check-ins and reflections
- Positive prompts that blend mindfulness, gratitude, and intention-setting
- Customizable cover and luxe paper quality
Pros:
- Beautiful design makes it fun to use daily
- Great balance of prompts, tracking, and blank space
- Encourages regular self-care and emotional awareness
- Makes a thoughtful gift for friends or loved ones
Cons:
- Only lasts 12 weeks — not a full-year journal
- A bit pricier than mass-market journals
Who It’s Best For:
- People who value both structure and aesthetics
- Those new to journaling who want a gentle, uplifting introduction
- Anyone who loves a wellness-focused routine
Shop Papier’s Mental Health Journal
4. Let That Sht Go: A Journal for Leaving Your Bullsht Behind and Creating a Happy Life
Best for: People who want real talk, humor, and healing all in one
Overview:
Tired of flowery affirmations and sugar-coated self-help? The Let That Sh*t Go Journal by Monica Sweeney brings humor, honesty, and healing into one delightfully sweary package. It’s a guided journal filled with prompts that help you release negativity, reframe your thoughts, and actually enjoy the process.
If you need a little tough love with your mental health routine, this one delivers.
Key Features:
- Bold, irreverent prompts to help you vent, reflect, and let go of toxic thoughts
- Space for gratitude, mindfulness, and goal-setting (with a sassy twist)
- Lightweight and portable paperback design
- Doesn’t take itself too seriously — and that’s the point
Pros:
- Hilarious, relatable tone makes journaling fun
- Great for stress relief and emotional detox
- Encourages self-expression without judgment
- Affordable and makes a fantastic gift
Cons:
- Not ideal for those who prefer a gentle or spiritual tone
- Limited space for long-form writing
- May not resonate with more formal therapy work
Who It’s Best For:
- Anyone feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or just cranky
- People new to journaling who want a low-pressure, funny starting point
- Great for gifting to stressed-out friends, college students, or coworkers
Shop “Let That Sh*t Go” on Amazon
5. INSIDE THEN OUT – A Deeper You Journal
Best for: Self-growth seekers craving deeper reflection and self-discovery
Overview:
If you’re tired of surface-level journaling and ready to dig into your inner world, the INSIDE THEN OUT: A Deeper You Journal is calling your name. Designed for deep emotional reflection and mindset work, this guided journal is filled with meaningful prompts that encourage vulnerability, clarity, and personal transformation.
It’s like sitting down with a life coach and your truest self — at the same time.
Key Features:
- Over 100 thoughtfully crafted prompts for deeper self-awareness
- Divided into themed sections like identity, healing, habits, and purpose
- Simple, minimalist layout with focus-driven pages
- Created to help you break patterns and step into your most authentic self
- High-quality paper and aesthetic, neutral design
Pros:
- Encourages deep introspection, not just daily logging
- Covers a wide range of emotional and mental health themes
- Flexible — journal at your own pace without pressure
- Perfect companion to therapy or personal development work
Cons:
- Not ideal for quick, daily journaling (this one takes time and thought)
- Fewer visual extras (like trackers or checklists)
- Might feel intense for journaling beginners
Who It’s Best For:
- People who want to dig deep into self-exploration
- Therapy-goers or personal development enthusiasts
- Anyone feeling stuck, burned out, or craving emotional clarity
Shop “A Deeper You Journal” on Amazon
Bonus: Join WhimsyLittle.com for Your Mental Health Journey
If you’re looking for a simple, affordable way to support your mental wellness beyond journaling, WhimsyLittle.com is a great place to check out. For just $2 a month, members get access to a growing library of free digital downloads designed to help with mindfulness, mood tracking, self-care, and more.
Here’s why WhimsyLittle.com stands out:
- Free Digital Downloads: From printable journals and trackers to inspiring prompts and self-care planners, new resources are added every month to keep your mental health routine fresh and motivating.
- Affordable Membership: At only $2 a month, it’s a budget-friendly way to get ongoing support and tools without overwhelm.
- Easy-to-Use Resources: The downloads are designed to be simple, practical, and beautiful—making it easier for you to stay consistent with your mental wellness habits.
- Community Engagement: Connect with other members, share your progress, exchange tips, and get inspired in a supportive and friendly environment.
If you want to keep your mental health practice inspiring, connected, and accessible, joining WhimsyLittle.com is a smart, low-cost way to get new tools and community support delivered right to you every month.
Ready to explore? Visit WhimsyLittle.com and start your membership today!
How to Get Started with Journaling for Mental Health Today
Choosing the best journal for your mental health is a powerful first step toward better self-awareness, stress relief, and emotional healing. But remember, the most important part is simply showing up for yourself—even if it’s just a few minutes a day.
Here are some quick tips to make journaling stick:
- Pick the journal that feels right to you (from our top 5 or others you love)
- Set a realistic goal — even 5 minutes daily or 3 times a week helps
- Don’t stress about how you write; there’s no “right” or “wrong” here
- Use prompts if you get stuck, or just free-write whatever’s on your mind
- Consider pairing journaling with therapy, meditation, or self-care routines
Remember: your journal is a safe space — a judgment-free zone where you can be honest, explore your feelings, and track your progress over time.
FAQs About Journals for Mental Health
What makes a journal good for mental health?
A good mental health journal offers prompts or space that encourages self-reflection, emotional processing, and mindfulness. It should feel approachable and fit your personal style—whether guided with questions or blank for free writing. Features like mood trackers and habit charts can also help you notice patterns and progress.
How often should I journal for mental health benefits?
Consistency is key, but even a few minutes a day or a few times a week can make a difference. Journaling regularly helps reduce stress, increase emotional clarity, and support mindfulness. The best routine is one that fits your lifestyle without feeling overwhelming.
Can journaling replace therapy?
Journaling is a helpful complement to therapy but not a replacement. It can enhance therapy by tracking your emotions and insights between sessions, but it’s important to seek professional help when needed for deeper mental health support.
What if I don’t know what to write?
If you’re stuck, guided journals with prompts are a great way to get started. Simple questions about your feelings, daily wins, or challenges can spark ideas. Remember, journaling isn’t about perfection—it’s about honest self-expression.
Are digital journals as effective as paper ones?
Both digital and paper journals have benefits. Paper journals can feel more personal and help reduce screen time, while digital journals offer convenience and easy access. Choose the format that you’re most likely to use consistently for the best results.
