Hey there, fellow travel journal enthusiasts! ✈️ 🎒🥾
As we gear up for another exciting adventure, we want to remind you that your journal isn’t just a fun companion; it’s an essential resource for capturing and savoring your experiences.
Let’s explore how to take your journaling practice to new heights—literally—while packing light!
Packing Light: Your Travel Journal Essentials
When you’re backpacking or jet-setting, packing light is key!
Here’s a quick list of must-have journaling supplies that won’t weigh you down but will enhance your travel experience:
- Compact Journal:
- Choose a small, lightweight journal that easily fits into your carry-on or purse. Look for one that’s durable—your journal will be your companion for memories and reflections. We prefer a 5 x 7 or 6 x 9 wirebound.
- We also like to pack our journals in a clear pouch. This keeps any little ephemera extras we collect safe and together. A pouch also helps keep the journal edges safe from bending and water damage in case of spills or time by the pool. We buy see-through zippered travel pouches, but sealable plastic bags work as well.
- Pen and Pencil Duo: Opt for a slim, multi-functional writing tool and sharpener. A colored pen can add a splash of creativity to your entries! We have a short 4" set of 8 colored pencils that I picked up in Paris years ago, and they're still our quick favorites for travel.
- Travel-sized Supply Pouch: We use pencil case-sized pouches that give us just the right amount of space without the temptation of overpacking. We try to include some sort of adhesive (small glue bottle with needle end or tape), a kneaded eraser, and a clear ruler. Depending on travel restrictions, we'll also include scissors, small acrylic or watercolor tubes, and a water tube and/or tray.
Journal Inspirations for Prep and Travel Time
Before heading out, prepare your journal.
Before leaving home, take a few minutes to review your plans. If your journal is truly going to be a resource, ask yourself what you might need to know or have available in your journal for either quick reference or that you won't be able to access once you leave home.
Here's our go-to pre-trip journal action list:
Create a section dedicated to your travel plans. This will help you stay organized, reduce travel anxiety, and focus on the exciting overall experience.
- Add pockets or envelopes: Only a few are necessary. Your goal is to avoid bulk. You want them to be handy for little items that need safekeeping, like receipts, stamps, business cards, or small ephemera items you gather.
- Travel Itinerary & Highlights: We'd recommend writing down your flight, hotel, ground transportation, or event confirmation details by date. Add the phone numbers and individuals you spoke with, and reminders of time zone changes that could cause planning issues. Record restaurant or event suggestions that you may find time to check out. We also like to attach any map images that will be helpful for quick reference.
- Foreign Quick Reference: Currency exchange rates that include all the major denominations from both your $ to theirs and theirs to yours. Example: $1 USD = 151 Japanese Yen and 100 Japanese Yen = $.66 USD. If you're dealing with a language that's not your first language, then make sure to include basic words and phrases like thank you, please, bathroom, restaurant, and good morning. Tailor this list of words to fit your specific travel plans.
Once you’re airborne or in the passenger seat, it’s time to ignite that creative spark!
You may have so many wonderful things around you that you have too much to write about. Or, you may feel overstimulated and need to have a couple of quick journal prompts handy to direct your thoughts.
Here are a few journal prompts to get you started.
- People & Places: Write about the interesting people you meet or the beautiful landscapes you see. Capture those fleeting moments that make travel so magical, and remember—your journal is there to help you process these encounters. Record your initial thoughts so you can return later to build on and embellish.
- Bucket List Check-In: Reflect on your travel bucket list. What have you crossed off? What’s next? Your journal can serve as a roadmap for future adventures!
- Nature Connection: If your travel path takes you over stunning landscapes, take a moment to write about how those views connect you to nature. How do they inspire you? Your journal can help you appreciate these moments more deeply.
So there you have it, fellow adventurers!
Your travel journaling toolkit is ready to take flight. With compact supplies, inspiring prompts, and organizational hacks, you’ll be able to capture your journey in a fun and meaningful way—and remember, your journal is not just a fun companion; it’s an essential resource for reflection and growth.
Pre-travel, we'd recommend these:
As always, we'd love to see the images of your journal pages and hear how you've used your journal as a travel resource. We love your comments and welcome suggestions for future post topics.
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