Getting started with travel journaling or keeping a diary while you’re on a trip is one of the best ways to document your thoughts and feelings and keep a record of the things you’re seeing and experiencing. It is so fun to look back and see what you wrote, what things you picked out to mention, and the ways you were feeling in those moments.
For those who have never kept a journal, it can seem a bit daunting at first. Many times it feels more like a chore than something you will actually enjoy doing. However, if you do follow through with it, you won’t regret it. It’s something that you will treasure. Reading what you wrote is like reading a book. It takes you right back to what you experienced.
It doesn’t have to be difficult. Keeping a travel journal can be an enjoyable thing to do. It might even become a habit you keep in your daily routine when you’re not traveling. Here are 5 tips that have helped us keep a travel journal.
1. Set aside a certain time each day/week to write.
Pick a time that you can commit to every day or every couple of days. Maybe this is when you’re in transit, if you’ll be taking a train or bus ride quite often. Maybe it’s first thing in the morning or right before bed. Either way, setting aside a time and sticking to it will help you be sure that you make journaling a habit.
2. Create an environment that makes it enjoyable.
Whether it’s always having a cup of coffee or tea while you’re writing, doing it outdoors, or listening to calm music, whatever it is for you, make sure that you create a comfortable and enjoyable environment. It will help you to look forward to your journal time and you will grow to love that time you set aside.
3. Get a journal that you love or find another system that works best for you.
Getting a journal that you love and some fun pens can spark excitement to actually use them! But, journaling doesn’t necessarily mean you need to put pen to paper. With the technology we have, there are countless ways you can keep a written documentation of your travels. You can keep a Word document on your computer, send yourself emails, keep a notes document on your phone, or even start your own blog. Whatever works for you and allows you to keep track of your experiences!
4. Don’t be too strict with what you will write or how long you will write for.
Don’t be too hard on yourself. There is no right or wrong way to go about this. You can jot down little ideas or thoughts you have here and there or you can write down every single thing you are seeing and experiencing. You can write for 5 minutes or 5 hours. It is totally up to you. The important thing is that you actually do it, no need to make any other rules than that!
5. Use writing prompts to get your travel journaling juices flowing.
Sometimes, you just feel like you have nothing to write about and it can be hard to get started. In those cases, it can help a great deal to use some prompts to get you going. They give you things to think about or questions to answer to get the writing started. Once you’ve started, it’s much easier to keep going. We have included 20 prompts below to help you to begin your very own travel journaling practice.
Be sure to check out this post that talks all about the importance of documenting your travels.
20 Travel Journaling Prompts
If you’re struggling with how to begin, here are some prompts that you could focus on while writing. Hopefully they will get the juices flowing and the words will flow out of you. Happy writing!
- What makes you nervous about traveling?
- What makes you excited about traveling?
- Why are you going where you are going?
- What are your goals or plans for the trip?
- Who are you traveling with?
- How do you feel about traveling with them?
- Are you traveling solo? How do you feel about traveling alone?
- What things did you do today?
- What things did you see?
- How did the things you experienced today make you feel?
- What experiences that you had while traveling did you really enjoy? Which did you not?
- Did you eat or drink anything different or weird? How did you like it?
- How does going home make you feel?
- What do you miss about home?
- What do you not miss about home?
- Did you get outside your comfort zone on your trip?
- Did you do something you didn’t think you could? What was it?
- How does it feel to do something new?
- What was your favorite thing about your trip?
- Where would you like to go next?
