Best Guided Journals For Self-Discovery

How Guided Journaling Works And Could It Change Your Life?

Do you struggle with anxiety, depression, self-doubts, low self-esteem, have messy days, and a grey-ish life you wish it were different?

How many times have you wondered what was the reason you ended up where you are, and even if everything looks “just fine”, you still crave a change and “something more”?

Well, if you recognize yourself above, you are not alone. We all have those moments, and some of those “moments” are quite longer than what’s acceptable.

Yet, nothing is lost and change happens the moment you take the firm decision to make it happen.

But what does all that have to do with guided journaling, and how my list of the best-guided journals for self-discovery could get you out of the routine?

What if you take a simple notebook and use it as a diary? Isn’t that enough to start the thought process and make the first step to change?

Sure it’s a good way to “do something” that pushes you ahead, but you need something better, and I will explain why in a second.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you sign up or make a purchase I might get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my business. See full disclosure.

What is the difference between a diary and a journal?

A diary is where you record daily events without getting too much deeper into their meaning and effect on your personal growth. A journal is where you take those daily events (including thoughts, feelings, ideas) and work with their meaning and how they change your self-perception, inner world, and mental health.

A diary records your life. A journal will get you to find the meaning of your everyday life.

What is a Guided Journal?

A guided journal is where you follow instructions on the form of writing. Sometimes you include quotes and put down ideas. Other times you might have to work with events from the past, list fears, joyful moments, express gratitude, reflect on yourself, your days, your decisions.

A guided journal comes with already written content with questions and ideas, and you have to follow the path a writer lays in front of you.

How a Guided Journal Helps You Discover Yourself?

The common thing between all guided journals is the simplicity that’s hidden in each question. We often believe that to discover ourselves, we must answer profound questions we’ve never heard before. Yet, the simpler the question is, the deeper is the meaning behind it.

Why?

We tend to search for complicated stuff. We believe that if the answer to the question is too obvious, it wouldn’t give us any profound ideas or won’t unveil anything in front of us.

But things are quite opposite.

I’ve discovered that it’s easy to answer deep-meaning questions such as “What’s the meaning of life?” than the small ones, such as “What happiness mean to you?” Stop! Try to answer both questions out loud and see exactly what I mean.

There’s something about journaling…

There’s something about journaling that touches places of our souls we didn’t know exist.

Answering the right question, allowing ourselves to emerge into the deepest places of our minds is what usually opens doors to big self-discoveries.

Allowing yourself to write word after word with no judgment, no stopping to think if it’s right or wrong, no arguing about “should I” or “how could I”… just letting it out and letting it be.

Too often, journaling makes us feel better than a chat with our best friend or a session with a psychologist. It’s the easiest way to be ourselves with no walls: vulnerable, angry, wounded, feeling everything and nothing at the same time.

11 Best Guided Journals For 2021

Based on my journaling experience (over 20 years), I’ve selected 11 best guided journals for self-discovery. Each one of these journals will give you something different. That’s why they are 11. If they would give the same thing, I would just pick one only. But they are different and will help you differently.

You will connect easily with some of these journals. You will pass by others. That’s okay. Let your journal call you. What if you feel like you need more than one? Go ahead and get them both. Again, each journal taps on You in a different way.

Conclusion on best guided self-discovery journals

Journaling for self-discovery is what we all should do all the time. It’s a process in which we not just discover but also create ourselves and shape our thoughts. Learning more about who we spark more questions, and if we are eager enough to search for answers, we might just add more questions. Yet, we must keep searching.

Did you find your new favorite guided journal? Which one did you pick?

How Guided Journaling Works And Could It Change Your Life? 11 Best Guided Journals For Self-Discovery

Share this! Thanks!