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You are here: Home / Lifestyle / HOW TO BEGIN YOUR TRAVEL JOURNAL (& A SNEAK PEAK OF MINE)
Lifestyle

HOW TO BEGIN YOUR TRAVEL JOURNAL (& A SNEAK PEAK OF MINE)

13/05/2020 Comments : 19

One of my most requested posts to this date and one I’ve coincidentally procrastinated on for just over a year now. Oops! Here is my long awaited post; a peak at my travel journal and how to begin one. 

Travel Journal History

Some of my travel journal evolution 2015 > now 

My Travel Journal History

When I began travelling at 19 and falling in love with it, I was desperate to find a unique way to me, on how to document my time in each country. Around this time, a lot of people had turned to Facebook photo albums for their holiday shots and uploading 1000’s of photos (even the dodgy ones where their camera has fallen out their hand and taken a photo of the grass).  For some reason though, this just didn’t appeal to me at all.  I had already begun art journaling as part of my Photography Diploma in college, and seen snippets of peoples journals over on Tumblr (god, do you remember that phase?) so I thought I would give it a shot myself.

My first travel journal

Snippets from my first journal/scrapbook & the back of one of the others. 

Finding My Style

Over the years, my style has drastically changed and I can happily say that my style is…Doing whatever the hell I want! Yay! In all seriousness, it did take me a long time to get to this point. Everyone who enjoys some form of art is their own harshest critic.

For too long I tried to fit in to a certain type of category of journaling. Whether that was “proper scrap booking” with Polaroid cameras, ribbons and buttons (photo above), to getting my photos developed from film cameras and not writing anything , to perfectly curated and planned layouts, to having just written journals, to giving up and get to this point. It has truly been a ride, a ride I wasn’t happy with. I found myself leaving notebooks blank and documented trips missed. Now, thankfully, I can say I am happy and that I would be lost without my travel journal.

The photos throughout are all my travel journals, so please enjoy!

Travel Journal

My current travel journal 

So Where To Begin On Your Travel Journal?

I won’t lie to you, depending on how much of a perfectionist you are, your journal could take up some time but it easily doable if it’s what you want.

The first step:
You’ll need to decide what sort of route you are going down with your journal.  Do you want to write? Do you want it photo heavy (like mine?) or combining writing with souvenirs? You can change it up any time (it is your journal after all) but just have an idea to get you started.  I never actually take my travel journal travelling with me, as it is too precious, but I know some people do. So decide that part first, I think it is important.  

HOW TO BEGIN YOUR TRAVEL JOURNAL harry potter the shambles

The List Of Supplies

What you’ll need:  
– A good notebook
– Pen (several, if you are taking it travelling)

Optional:
– Washi Tape
– Printer
– Pretty Paper
– Scissors
– Glue Stick
– Stickers
– Pinterest (for info, graphics and patterns)
– Coloured Pens/Pencils or Watercolours

*Tip* Collect everything when you travel and keep it. Usually I keep any leaflets from any attractions I visit, tickets too. I also buy arty postcards and sometimes the stamps of the country I’m visiting. I stick these in or photocopy the maps with my printer and have it as part of a background.

Switzerland Travel Journal

The photo on the left is a postcard that I grabbed from Murren and photocopied to stick in the journal! It then doesn’t make the book bulky or hard to write on in the future. 

Notebooks

This is actually a controversial subject if any other journaling folk are reading this. Personally, I believe the notebook matters. I think it really does… I also think in some cases, that the brand matters too. What I look for in a notebook (for my travel journal) is typically pages higher than 90 GSM. This term means the thickness of the page and if my pen will leak through the other side.  This is called ghosting and it can really impact your journaling experience sometimes.  The higher the number, the better quality paper your journal will be made with and less ghosting.

I’ve tried several notebooks over the years, which has lead me to paying a little more than expected to get the full quality I desire. Was it worth it? To me, yes! I’ve inserted links to the ones I’ve tried below, just hover over the name of the shop. Not an advertisement, just trying to be helpful.

How to start a travel journal disney

Which Journals?

My first journals were the £3 black notebooks from The Works art shop here in the UK. These were typically designed for watercolour paints or sketching, but I also used this notebook for my college course work so it was what I was familiar with. I am currently using an Archer and Olive notebook (160 GSM) which I paid out a lot of money for, as it was imported from America. I also use Compoco (100 GSM) for my daily journal. Both of these are the best ones I’ve had so far and I really enjoy them. Compoco ghosts a little, but it doesn’t bother me too much, as my travel journal is more important to me.

Asia travel journal hanoi

Other Journal Suggestions

I’ve heard Moleskine Journals (70 GSM – not actually made with moles) are the best if you are just writing in them. I personally haven’t tried this, but the reviews are favourable. If you’re heading down the scrapbook route, I would look at The Works or Paperchase plain square books. (link for the Works & Link for Paperchase) both of these I’ve had and recommend.

For the past few years, I was using a Yellow Leuchttrum 1917 journal (80 GSM) and I found myself adding plain paper to every single page as a background because it ghosts A LOT! This made it so bulky and uncomfortable to work with and in the end, I really couldn’t wait to be done with it. I’m not going to personally recommend you a journal, but I will encourage you search for a high numbered GSM within your budget. I also personally go for an A5 size, which is what I would recommend. Otherwise you might have too much space to fill, but that is down to preference.  A6 pocket notebooks are popular with people who travel and just write in them.

Travel Journal Snippet

Another Way To Journal

You could also go down the insert route (Midori’s) where it’s an file type of book but a collective of other individual journal books placed in to one folder. As well as books where it’s just one page dedicated to each country you visit as an option too. (The Adventure Book)

The Greatest Resource… Pinterest

I use Pinterest a lot for my travel journal. Typically I search for patterned backgrounds, free graphics, and colour themes. I would also recommend you have a look around on there for journal inspiration. There are even some aesthetically pleasing photos of written journals.  (Click here for my Journal inspiration board) 

Washi Tape - How to start a travel journal Washi Tape

Now this is a dark rabbit hole that I have fallen deep into and you may as well, so don’t say I didn’t warn you. I am addicted to Washi Tape. I definitely have over 40. Washi tape is patterned paper tape that can really vamp up your journal layouts with or add a pop of colour to. It’s also great for sticking down some photos if you’re on the go and don’t want to commit to a layout. If you imagine a pattern, you could probably get a tape for it. The best part is, they’re usually sold around the world in stationery shops, so you can grab one even specific for your trip. These are priced anywhere between 80p and £3.50. I grab mine from Ebay, Etsy, AliExpress or Hobbycraft.

Travel Journal

Photos

Most of my journal consists of photos that I’ve taken from the trip. I try not to think too much about if they fit with a colour scheme or anything, they’re just my favourites. These days I just print on regular office paper. Typically, I don’t put too much effort into them, they come out good anyway! (I’m that person that would wait 20 mins for the perfect shot) I also have a Fujifilm Instax camera that I sometimes take with me too.  I know some people who just stick in their leaflets and tickets and write, so photos are always optional!

*Note* For big trips, like my Vietnam one, I usually have a page dedicated to everything that I did while there, but only cover the highlights in my journal. Otherwise this would take up too much time and too many pages!

Travel Journal Vietnam

The On The Road Pencil Case

If you’re thinking of taking your journal with you, I would recommend the following:

Notebook
Biro and/or Fine Liner
x2 Washi Tapes
Gluestick

*Reminder* you cannot take scissors on a plane if the blades exceed 4 inches. 

Travel Journal Hoi An

Disney travel journal, animal kingdom

Your Journal

My final note to you would be journal about what you want, however you want. It’s very easy to get caught up in perfectionism and comparing yourself to others. But this is your journal. No one else has to look at it if you don’t want them to. I’ve seen some people even create their own language just for their journals so no one reads it!

The most important part is, your journal can be whatever you want it to be.

That’s all for my post! Let me know your thoughts. Will you be starting your own travel journal? Do you have one already?

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If you enjoyed this post, you can pin it on Pinterest (click here) 

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Comments

  1. bricuzisaidso says

    13/05/2020 at 17:33

    This is such a cute post! I insert pages like this into my regular journal but I like the idea of ahving a whole book dedicated to this plus yours looks so cute!
    Loving this post,
    xo Bri

    Reply
    • kirstindalton says

      16/05/2020 at 08:30

      Thanks so much Bri!

      Reply
  2. Megbeth Travels says

    13/05/2020 at 21:10

    Your journal looks amazing! I separate my journal from my scrapbook at the moment but maybe it’s time to start combining certain things 🙂

    Reply
    • kirstindalton says

      16/05/2020 at 08:31

      Thanks so much!
      If that works for you, then so be it! There is no right or wrong! 😀

      Reply
  3. Hannah Louise Blog says

    14/05/2020 at 07:04

    Wow this looks fab! Always wanted to do something like this but not convinced i’d be able to keep it up haha

    Reply
    • kirstindalton says

      16/05/2020 at 08:32

      Thank you!
      It doesn’t have to be elaborate and time consuming if you don’t want it to be!
      What about bullet journaling? That’s supposed to be less time consuming!

      P.s. do you have a blog link? I’d love to check yours out?!

      Reply
  4. Alexis says

    14/05/2020 at 13:30

    Love this!!

    Reply
    • kirstindalton says

      16/05/2020 at 08:32

      Thanks so much!

      Reply
  5. Wheres Anne Korea says

    15/05/2020 at 09:03

    Wow!! It looks so good, I want to start mine this weekend and add some tickets too.

    Reply
    • kirstindalton says

      18/05/2020 at 14:25

      Thanks so much Anne!
      Sorry it took me 3 days to reply to you! Your comment got placed in spam for some reason.

      Reply
  6. kirstindalton says

    16/05/2020 at 08:30

    Thanks so much Lara! I can’t wait to see your journal!

    Reply
  7. Two Tickets To says

    18/05/2020 at 07:51

    This is so cool! We keep basic diaries for trips and travels, but never thought about anything like this. Will definitely consider it though, lovely mementos of trips. We’ve been caught out with the scissor rules on planes before too!!

    Reply
    • kirstindalton says

      18/05/2020 at 14:21

      Thanks so much!
      Sometimes basic diaries just work! but yeah, if you fancy getting a bit arty – I’d love to see some of your pages in the future?!

      Reply
  8. Natasha Evans says

    26/05/2020 at 07:16

    I love your journal style! I’ve had scrapbooks for about 8 years now and it’s one of my favourite past times. I keep absolutely everything from the trip and really look forward to doing it when I get back!

    http://www.agirlwithview.co.uk

    Reply
    • kirstindalton says

      26/05/2020 at 09:25

      Thanks Natasha! I’m the same! On the flight home I usually start thinking about layouts and what pictures to use haha!

      Reply
  9. kirstindalton says

    28/05/2020 at 18:27

    Thank you so much!
    There is no harm in getting a little creative if you feel like it! 🙂

    Reply
  10. One Way to Wanderland says

    18/06/2020 at 20:53

    This is incredible, you’re so creative!! I kept a diary whilst I was backpacking for 6 months and it was the best thing I did – must have read it back to front about 3 times during this lockdown. I also made a scapbook of photos and tickets, etc, but this is beautiful. Think I’m gonna have to start travel journalling!

    x

    Reply
    • kirstindalton says

      25/06/2020 at 16:44

      Thank you so much! Your diary sounds so good!!

      Reply
  11. Clazz - An Orcadian Abroad says

    11/11/2020 at 21:45

    This is so cool, Kirstin! Love your creativity. I’ve got a scrapbook that I’ve been meaning to work on for years, and this has really inspired me to pick it up and get on with it! I had a travel journal for my first “big trip” abroad and collected all the tickets and even coins and things and stuck them into the book. It’s nowhere near as visually pleasing as yours, but I really love looking back at it. I should have done the same for other trips, but I also used it more as a diary whereas now I think I’d like to do something like you’ve done, with more pictures and a few captions here and there! Plus I keep all my tickets, even maps etc, so I think I could do something pretty cool with it all. 😀

    Reply

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About Me

Welcome to Lets Go Somewhere Else! My name is Kirstin, I'm a 28 year old solo traveller who knows what it's like to want to travel so much but not have the time. Let's Go Somewhere Else covers destinations on a budget, within work holiday allowance and while you have a 9-5! I also cover Hotel and Restaurant reviews, journal tips and much more! All photos on this blog were taken by me unless otherwise stated. ✉️ If you want to contact me, my email is: Kirstindalton@yahoo.com

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Note from the blogger:

Hi everyone, I hope you’re well.

As most of you might know, London is in a second lockdown so I have been unable to travel anywhere.

I’ve decided to take some time and a break from this blog for a while. I have lots of posts lined up, but this time around (lockdown) I’ve decided to focus on getting my travel journal up to scratch. As a perfectionist, this takes me a really long time haha. I’ve created an Insta account if you want to keep up (@ K.journals)

Please enjoy all my current posts and I aim to be back soon!

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