A Guide to Journaling Methods: Bullet Journal, the 3-3-3 Method, and More
The best journaling method is the one you will actually keep doing. If you want structure and a way to plan, try a bullet journal. If you want to clear your head, try morning pages. If you have two minutes, try the 3-3-3 method or a gratitude list. This guide walks through six popular journaling methods, what each one involves, and what kind of notebook suits it, so you can pick one and start.
Journaling Methods at a Glance
| Method | Time needed | Best for | Notebook to start with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet journal | 10 to 15 min | Planning, tasks, tracking | A5 dotted |
| 3-3-3 method | 5 min | Daily focus and check-ins | Any A5 or A6 |
| Morning pages | 20 to 30 min | Clearing your mind, creativity | A5 or B5 blank or lined |
| Gratitude list | 2 to 5 min | Mood, building a habit | A6 or A5 |
| One line a day | 1 to 2 min | Long-term memories | A dated line-a-day book |
| One page a day | 10 to 20 min | Reflecting and recording in detail | A daily-page notebook |
Bullet Journal
The bullet journal, or "bujo," was created by designer Ryder Carroll as a way to track the past, organize the present and plan the future in one notebook. It runs on a few simple parts. An index at the front lists what is on each page. A future log holds events and tasks for the coming months. A monthly log gives you an overview, and a daily log is where you write quick notes using symbols: a dot for a task, a circle for an event, a dash for a note. At the end of each month, you review what is unfinished and move it forward or drop it, a step called migration. You can read the original system at the official Bullet Journal site.
Bullet journals work best in a dotted A5, which gives you guides for layouts without forcing lines. The Leuchtturm Medium A5 hardcover in dotted has numbered pages and an index built in, which suits the system well. A lighter option is the Leuchtturm Jottbook A5 dot grid.
Not sure about size? Our guide to A5 vs. B5 vs. A6 notebooks will help. And if you want ideas for setting up your pages, see our creative journal organization ideas.
The 3-3-3 Method
The name "3-3-3" is used for a couple of different things, so it helps to be clear. As a productivity method, it means planning each day around three hours of deep work on your main project, three shorter tasks, and three maintenance tasks such as email or admin. As a journaling method, it is a quick daily check-in built on groups of three. Versions vary, but a simple one is:
- Three things you feel. Name the emotions you notice right now.
- Three things you think. Write the thoughts that are taking up space.
- Three things you will do. Choose the small actions that matter today.
It takes about five minutes, and the structure removes the blank-page problem. You can use either version, or combine them, writing your 3-3-3 work plan on one side of the page and your check-in on the other. It fits in any notebook, so a pocket-sized Midori MD A6 is a good fit if you want to keep it with you. If you want to use these methods at work, see our picks for notebooks for the office.
Morning Pages
Morning pages come from author Julia Cameron's book The Artist's Way. The rule is to write three pages by hand first thing in the morning, without stopping or editing. There is no right or wrong content. You write whatever is in your head, including complaints and to-do lists, until the pages are full. The aim is to clear mental clutter, not to produce anything you will reread.
Three pages is a lot of writing, so an A5 or B5 notebook with plenty of pages helps. A blank or lightly lined notebook keeps the process free. The Leuchtturm Jottbook A5 blank is a good, low-pressure choice. For more on the creative side of writing by hand, see our post on how notebooks fuel creativity.
Gratitude Lists and Three Good Things
Gratitude journaling is the simplest method to start. Each day, you write down a few things you are grateful for. A well-known version is "Three Good Things," in which you write down three things that went well and why. The Greater Good Science Center's Three Good Things exercise reports that people who did it saw increases in happiness that lasted up to six months. It is a good starting point if you have tried journaling and found it hard to stick with.
Because it takes only a few minutes, a small notebook works well. Many people keep one by the bed. Pocket-sized options like the A6 above are enough.
One Line a Day
If a full page feels like too much, a line-a-day journal asks for just a sentence or two. The idea is to capture one fact, feeling or moment each day. These journals are often set up so that each page holds the same date across several years, which means you see what you wrote a year ago next to today's entry. Over time, it becomes a record of your life in small pieces. The Leuchtturm Some Lines A Day notebook is built for this.
One Page a Day
If you like writing more and want a bit of structure, a daily-page notebook gives each day its own page. You can use it to record what happened, jot down plans, paste in tickets, or reflect. Because each page is already dated, there is no pressure to fill it perfectly and no guilt about gaps. The Midori MD A5 Codex 1 Day/Page is a favourite for this, and our Hobonichi collection has a range of daily planners and journals in other sizes.
How to Choose a Journaling Method
A few questions can point you to the right one:
- Do you want to plan, or to reflect? Planning points to a bullet journal or 3-3-3. Reflecting points to morning pages or a daily page.
- How much time do you have? Two minutes suits gratitude or one line a day. Thirty minutes suits morning pages.
- Do you like structure? If yes, try a bullet journal or 3-3-3. If it feels restrictive, try morning pages.
- When will you write? Morning pages suit the start of the day. Gratitude lists and line-a-day suit bedtime.
You can also mix methods. Many people keep a bullet journal for tasks and write a gratitude list in the same notebook. If a method does not stick after a few weeks, switch to another. For the supplies side of journaling, see our guide to the best accessories for journaling. For another way to build a notebook around your habits, see what to put in your Traveler's Notebook.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best journaling method for beginners?
Gratitude lists and the 3-3-3 method are the easiest to start because they take only a few minutes and need no setup. If you want something more structured, a bullet journal is a good next step.
What is the difference between journaling and bullet journaling?
Traditional journaling is free-form writing about your thoughts and experiences. Bullet journaling is a system that combines a to-do list, calendar and diary, using short entries and symbols so you can see tasks and notes at a glance.
What are the different types of journaling?
Common types include bullet journaling, morning pages, gratitude journaling, reflective or daily-page journaling, and line-a-day journals. Many people combine two or more.
What is the 3-3-3 method?
It has two common meanings. As a productivity method, it means three hours of deep work, three short tasks and three maintenance tasks each day. As a journaling method, it is a daily check-in of three feelings, three thoughts and three actions.
What notebook is best for a bullet journal?
A dotted A5 with numbered pages and an index is a popular choice. The Leuchtturm Medium A5 in dotted is one we recommend.
Start Your Journal at Take Note
The best way to choose a notebook for your method is to feel the paper and the size in your hands. Visit us at 2950 Dundas St W in Toronto's Junction, or browse the full notebooks collection online. We ship across Canada.