The Beginner's Journaling Kit: 6 Essentials to Start Your Daily Journal Routine
May 8th, 2026
estimated reading time 4 MINUTES
written by CARA ELI
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I tried to start journaling more times than I can count before it actually stuck. I bought a beautiful leather journal once and wrote in it twice before feeling too precious about messing up the pages. I tried a cheaper notebook another time, hated writing in it, and gave up within a week. It wasn’t until I finally got the basics right that it became something I genuinely looked forward to every morning.
The difference wasn’t some fancy new journaling technique. It was genuinely just having a journal I wanted to open and a pen that was nice to write with. Plus one thing that solved the blank page problem completely, which I’ll get to below. Here’s what you need to start journaling ASAP.
1. Hardcover Lined Journal A5
I’d recommend this to anyone just starting out. Small enough to keep on a desk or bedside table without taking up much space, practical enough to withstand daily use. Lined pages mean you don’t need to worry about page layout, you just open it and write. Start here before you go down the rabbit hole of dotted grids and watercolour paper.
2. Fine Liner Pen Set
A pen you actually enjoy writing with makes more of a difference than you’d think. A fine liner writes so much more smoothly than a standard biro and it makes sitting down to write feel so much less like a chore. Try it once and you’ll never look back.
3. Guided Journal with Self-Reflection Prompts
A blank page is what stops most people from journaling consistently, and honestly it stopped me too. You sit down with the best intentions, pick up your pen, and have absolutely nothing to say. A guided journal fixes that: you open it, there’s a question, you write. Once the habit is there you can move to a blank journal. But starting with prompts is not cheating. It’s just smart.
4. Rollerball Pen Set
A rollerball writes more fluidly than a fine liner and gives you a slightly heavier line. Some people find they much prefer one over the other, and since they’re both inexpensive it’s worth having both and seeing which one you actually reach for. A pen that feels good to write with is one less reason to skip a day.
5. Pomodoro Timer for Desk
Not having a proper routine is one of the main reasons people give up on journaling. A reminder in your calendar and a desk timer can work wonders for consistency. Set the timer for at least ten minutes, write until it goes off, stop. No pressure to fill pages, no guilt about writing too little.
6. Manifestation Journal
Once you have a daily writing habit going, a goal-setting or manifestation journal is a great next step. It’s more structured than a blank journal and more focused than a general guided one: the whole thing is built around one goal you’re working toward, writing about it regularly, and checking in on your progress over time. If you want to use journaling to upgrade certain parts of your life rather than just general reflection, this is for you.