TYPES OF JOURNALING

documenting about your every day documenting about your trips

life, thoughts and musings and adventures through collected
memories from the past

DEFINITION OF TERMS MATERIALS

Journaling STATIONERY
The habit of writing in a journal or in a diary Washi tapes
Stickers
Journal Sticky notes
A daily record of personal news and events Stamps
Patterned paper
Documenting
Recording something in written, PENS
photographic or illustrative form Fineliner pen
Brush pen
Ephemera Gel pen
Collectible items that were originally Marker
expected to have only short-term
usefulness or popularity PAINT
Watercolor or gouache (for painting on-the-go)
Layout
Arrangement of material on a page or in a JOURNALS
work, the way in which text or pictures are Sizes and dimensions vary, but recommended
set out in a page sizes are A4, A5, A6, or TN size (lengthwise)—
blank, grid or dotted
Spread
A pair of facing pages (left and right) OTHER TOOLS
Glue, double sided tape, scissors

(c) Abbey Sy 2019

JOURNALING FORMATS
Here are the formats I follow when I journal. In the past years, I have experimented with all of these and I try to play
around with each format depending on the topic/theme I am documenting about. Try them out!

(1) ART HEAVY

Whether it’s hand-lettered, doodled, or TIP: Start with your illustration, then
fully illustrated, this format taps into work your way around the layout, by
your inner creativity to shine through. adding more art or writing captions.

(2) TEXT HEAVY

Got a handful to write about? Stick to a TIP: Don’t overthink it—just let the
text-heavy format if you’ve got stories words flow. Free writing works best on
and written thoughts to share. this format.

Remember: experimenting is key. The more you try out different

styles, the more you’ll figure out which works best for you!

(c) Abbey Sy 2019

(3) PHOTO HEAVY

Have a knack with capturing images? TIP: Invest in a photo printer for a more
Using this format showcases your analog feel to your photos. Nothing
visual creativity in the best way. compared to having them printed out!

(4) COLLAGE HEAVY

Channel your inner collage artist and TIP: Be resourceful and don’t throw out
turn your spreads into new works of receipts and papers. They’ll definitely
art—the more innovative, the better! be useful for this journaling format.

Check out my blog for more tips and ideas

on how to make your journal even better.
(c) Abbey Sy 2019
(5) CUT AND PASTE

...literally! Stick whatever you want and TIP: Play around with shapes, textures,
experiment with your ephemera stash. and colors! Have fun—and make sure to
Cut it up, paste it, and you’re done! use durable glue for your spread.

(6) 50/50

Not the stick-to-one type? Combine aLay everything out and make sure
art/photo and text to build a balanced there is enough space for art/photo
spread based on your story. (Also: my and text before starting your spread.
personal favorite / go-to format!)

Need some journaling inspo on your feed? Check out the

#ABCsJournalingChallenge hashtag on Instagram!
(c) Abbey Sy 2019
DAILY JOURNALING TRAVEL JOURNALING

→ Goals for the Month → Dream destinations

→ 5 Facts About Me → Highlights from a recent trip
→ A Day in the Life → Travel essentials
→ Self-care Habits → Coffee shops
→ Looking Forward To... → Favorite city
→ Now Playing (playlist) → Ephemera from a trip
→ Outfit of the Day → Art stores and museums
→ Life Bucket List → A collage of tickets

Looking for more prompts? Check out this page and

jot down your favorites for future journal spreads.

(c) Abbey Sy 2019

MAKING TIME TO JOURNAL
Feeling like you don’t have enough time to sit down and document? Here are some tips on making
time, as well as advice on how to keep the habit ongoing.

1. Update at least thrice a week. on break from school or work? That’s

If you journal daily, it may seem tiring to
update every day. My tip? Don’t force it.
Work with your energy and schedule.
2. Time yourself.
As much as I treat my journaling as
therapy, I give myself 30-40 minutes max
to work on the pages. Don’t take too long!
Tip: I like watching YouTube or Netflix (or
listening to music!) while journaling. Have
some coffee and tea and you’re all set!
3. Got extra time? Use it to journal.
Delayed flight, stuck in traffic, or simply
the best time to journal rather than
being on your phone.
4. Clean your space.
Keep your little journaling nook tidy
every after you get messy with your
pages. A little neatness goes a long way!
5. Treat it as a task. 
Here’s the thing: you really have to put
"journaling" on your schedule as it really
takes time. If it’s important to you, you’ll
make time for it. If you have time for
other things, you’ll definitely have time
to update your journal.

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT JOURNALING?

Find all of these (and more!) inside The ABCs of Journaling—my
book on how to document your life, the way you want it. Each
copy includes prompts, activity pages and a sticker sheet!

Available at bookstores nationwide and online via my shop.

Philippines: click here to order
International: click here to order

(c) Abbey Sy 2019