Mary Lyn Ray and Felicita Sala’s When You Find the Right Rock is a quiet celebration of attention and belonging—of the small, ordinary things that feel extraordinary when noticed with care. Through poetic language and luminous illustrations, Ray and Sala capture the simple act of finding a rock and transform it into something magical: a story about connection, grounding, and discovery. I think one of my favorite parts of this book when reading it to our little one was pausing on lines like,

“Still, there might be times when rocks don’t seem like much to look at. But then one will surprise you—like when you notice something special about you that surprises you. Just when you were maybe feeling sort of ordinary, there it is.”

For writers and journalers, this book is a meditation on presence. It reminds us that meaning often hides in small moments—holding a smooth rock, feeling its weight, noticing its color or warmth. When You Find the Right Rock invites us to pause, look closer, and find joy in what fits just right in our hands and hearts.

In this post, you can find…

• Tips for using this book as a mentor text for writing

• Ways to use the book with preschoolers, grades k-5, grades 6-8, grades 9-12, and for disciplinary literacy projects

• Journaling prompts linked to the book (including nature journaling)

• One grammar exercise to access grammar instruction

Joyce Sidman and Melissa Sweet’s Dear Acorn (Love, Oak) is a gentle and poetic exploration of connection, patience, and transformation. Told through a series of tender letters from an old oak tree to a newly fallen acorn, this picture book beautifully captures the rhythm of life cycles—growth, waiting, change, and renewal. Through Sidman’s lyrical language and Sweet’s rich mixed-media illustrations, readers are invited to consider how all things in nature are intertwined. On the blog, I have been a huge fan of the illustrations from Melissa Sweet. How to Write a Poem by Kwame Alexander and How to Read a Book by Kwame Alexander are two of the first picture books I recommend to teachers to lead conversations about reading and writing in their classrooms at any level.

For writers and journalers alike, Dear Acorn is an invitation to reflect on relationships, resilience, and the quiet passage of time. It reminds us that even the smallest beginnings hold the promise of something enduring and strong. In Dear Acorn the lost art of letter writing can help writers tap into new ideas and people working in a journal to access different parts of the world around them.

In this post, you can find…

• Tips for using this book as a mentor text for writing

• Ways to use the book with preschoolers, grades k-5, grades 6-8, grades 9-12, and for disciplinary literacy projects

• Journaling prompts linked to the book (including nature journaling)

• One grammar exercise to access grammar instruction

Julie Morstad’s picture book A Face is a Poem offers readers a playful and poetic way of seeing something familiar—our own faces. Instead of describing features literally, Morstad leans on metaphor: freckles as sprinkles, flowery faces, faces that you find in the clouds. Each page invites readers to view the ordinary as extraordinary. I actually paused in the bookstore when I saw the cover of this book because the colors and imagery were so beautiful.

For writers, this text is a gift. It reminds us that description doesn’t have to be technical—it can be imaginative, metaphorical, and deeply personal. For journalers, it opens the door to self-reflection and self-expression through the lens of poetry. This post serves as a how-to guide for using this text in multiple ways: in the classroom, at home, or within your own notebook.

In this post, you can find…

• Tips for using this book as a mentor text for writing

• Ways to use the book with preschoolers, grades k-5, grades 6-8, grades 9-12, and for disciplinary literacy projects

• Journaling prompts linked to the book (including nature journaling)

• One grammar exercise to access grammar instruction

Chic Sparrow is a leather goods company that began as a small Etsy shop creating handcrafted journal covers—and has since grown into a beloved brand known for its beautiful lines of notebook covers and journaling accessories. While there are many notebook cover options on the market across a wide range of price points, Chic Sparrow sits comfortably on the higher end—and for good reason. Their covers are made from genuine, high-quality leather that only becomes more beautiful with time and use. I really love using these because they make journaling feel like a special ritual.

With Chic Sparrow, you can find a cover you love in the exact size and style that fits your journaling needs. Traditional traveler’s notebook covers feature elastic strings that allow you to insert multiple notebooks or planners at once and swap them out as needed—keeping your cover consistent while refreshing what’s inside. You can also choose from other options such as folios that hold the covers of your notebook in pockets. Personally, I’ve collected several of their covers over the years in B5, A5, Traveler’s Notebook, B6, and Weeks sizes, and each one feels like a piece of craftsmanship that grows more personal with every use. This post is a review of the covers themselves, but also a walkthrough of my notebook ecosystem of how I use different notebooks in different sizes to complement my own journaling routine.

Everything that reminds me of journaling also reminds me of fall types of things. This may be the best season for grabbing a notebook and getting ready to write.

Hot beverages.

Warm blankets.

Red leaves.

Lit candles.

Crisp mornings.

Sunlight in windows.

Nanowrimo.

Brain-dumping worries.

Moving a little bit slower in life.

Thinking about how the goals for the year are going so far.

Getting ready to think about goals for the new year.

Whether you like the fall for the football, changing leaves, or pumpkin spice lattes, journaling has a place in your everyday routine. This post is an ode to fall journaling. Think of it like a fall journaling toolkit. These are all easy things you can add to your journaling routine to get the most out of fall. Included in this post, you will find an update on my fall journaling routine, cozy fall music links to set the vibe, fun accessories and stickers, and reflective prompts to get you thinking.

There’s something powerful about having one notebook system that goes everywhere with you. When we think about writing, it’s often because we recognize the strong connection between thinking and writing—and the opportunity to get our thoughts down on the page. The real power of a notebook that travels with you throughout your day is that it creates opportunity: a space to jot down thoughts, capture inspiration, plan your day, and reflect on life as it happens.

That’s the beauty of an EDC—or Every Day Carry—especially when it becomes a tool that’s not performative, but genuinely useful.

For me, that everyday notebook is a Traveler’s Notebook in the classic Traveler’s size. It’s compact enough to toss in a bag, flexible enough to meet multiple needs, and—best of all—completely customizable.

If you’re looking to create your own EDC notebook system, here’s a reference guide to help you figure out what works best for you.

You might choose the Traveler’s size, or you might gravitate toward another format. (The running joke is that everyone always ends up back at A5!) What really matters is choosing something you’ll actually use and simplifying your routine so you can consistently get your ideas down on the page.

When most people think of nature journaling, they imagine sketching a bird on a branch, noting the colors of a flower, or recording the changing weather. But nature journaling isn't only about what you see. One of the most important—and often overlooked—ways to connect with the natural world is by tuning in to its sounds.

Sounds have a way of pulling us outside. I often find that while I enjoy sound, I struggle to bring it to the forefront of my senses. What I mean by this is that when I’m walking outdoors, I don’t always notice the birdsong, the wind, or even the ambient noises like cars or people talking. I tend to tune them out. Yet I know some sounds can shift how I feel when I’m in nature.

So what happens when we allow sound to come to the forefront of our awareness?

This post is all about tuning into sound using a tool called a soundscape or sound map. I also tried out the Merlin app, which identifies bird calls and displays information about the birds on your screen. Birds seemed like a natural place to start when talking about sounds in relationship to journaling. Why? Because birds are everywhere. You don’t have to have a forest or green area in order to access their music. You can be in the busiest of cities, and you can still work with the sound of birds in your journal. Think of this post as a guide to help you start noticing sounds more intentionally—and using a simple outdoor walk as inspiration for what you might hear.

Got a blank notebook around the house you don’t use? Have a half-filled notebook that you love that you don’t want to ignore any longer? Find a use for any blank notebook using this giant list of 100+ ideas. Any blank notebook will work for any of these activities. Some of these notebook ideas may travel with you throughout your day, some notebooks will stay at home on the shelf. If you need a notebook recommendation, check out the shop supplies page on the blog. You can also grab some discount codes for a new notebook from some of my favorite vendors. One of the main messages on the blog is that “you are what you write.” However, even more so, you are all of your dreams, goals, and habits. All you need is a blank page.

If you don’t know where to start with a journaling system, start with the post “Choose a Journaling System That Works For You.”

Many of us reach a point where we’re simply ready for a reset. Whether it’s the start of a new journal, a new season, or just the need for a mental refresh, taking time to refocus your vision and energy can be powerful. You don’t have to wait for January to set goals—any time is the right time to dream big, reflect on what matters most, and realign with your purpose.

One of my favorite ways to do this is through vision boarding. It helps me get my priorities in order and brings a sense of clarity and lightness. I always begin with a few journaling prompts to ground myself, and then I move into the creative work of cutting, pasting, and dreaming. Whether I’m using my Commonplace Notebook or creating a one-page spread at the front of a new daily journal, the process is always personal and reflective. This post will walk you through helpful journaling prompts, a quick video tutorial, and the four main steps to create your own vision board—using any journal you already have at home.

A great way to bring nature journaling into your daily life is by using the Compass Page. This page organizes your journaling around four meaningful areas: Daily Life, Nature and Surroundings, Memory-Keeping, and Reflection. However, you could always choose the four different regions of your compass. With all of the various planning methods and choices for goal-setting, the heart of this work is narrowing down the way you go about finding your purpose through journaling. This layout is a perfect blend of planning and creative expression, allowing you to stay organized while connecting with nature. Every time you create a new Compass Page for your day, week, or month, you’re not just setting goals and scheduling tasks—you’re also opening the door to new reflections, observations, and moments of inspiration. Whether you sketch a quick landscape, jot down a feeling inspired by the weather, or simply reflect on the natural world around you, the Compass Page makes it easy to weave nature journaling into your routine. For the Compass Page, you can reference this work each and every time you make a new layout for your day, week, or month.

You can find inspiration from my Compass Page or you can download your own ready-to-use template.

“Your mind is the garden, your thoughts are the seeds. The harvest can either be flowers or weeds.” —William Wordsworth

Just like a real garden, our thoughts need space, nourishment, and time to grow. I sometimes like to pause on certain words that come across in readings, poetry, or even on social media. The word cultivate stuck out to me when I initially started trying this activity in journaling workshops and seminars because we are not only constantly creating, but we are growing in many ways, too. I am not necessarily a person who has a green thumb, but I do think that journaling can be used as a tool for tending to what is going on in our minds each day. The idea of a thought garden is not new. Below are some of the inspirations for this journaling prompt, including one of my favorites from Morgan Harper Nichols.

Have you ever come across a quote, idea, or piece of wisdom that you wished you could save for later? A commonplace journal might be your new favorite tool for gathering inspiration and organizing your thoughts. If, at the beginning of the year, you felt reluctant to create a vision board because you worried you wouldn't use it, this project could be just what you're looking for. Let’s dive into what a commonplace journal is, how it’s been used throughout history, and how you can start one tailored to your life—whether you're a teacher, a parent, or simply someone who loves to collect sparks of inspiration.

Fall sometimes makes me want to feel renewed with all of the change that is taking place. My Daily Journal system consisted of setting up all of my layouts at the beginning of the notebook and then using the rest of the notebook for my daily pages, journaling, and notes for meetings. The main problem I kept running into was that I was spending all of this time creating the notebook I wanted, and then I only had about 75 pages or so to last for journaling and note-taking.

Does anyone else get nervous when their notebook runs out of pages?

I do. As someone who values a planner that doubles as a notebook, the Sterling Ink B6 Undated Common Planner has become a staple in my planning routine. I have always been a person that has been a fan of a few brands that have truly amazing products, but for this, I wanted to try something new. This includes also trying the Moterm B6+ Planner Cover.

Here's a closer look at what makes each of these products work for me.

Picture books aren’t just for children—they hold profound lessons and beautiful insights that resonate with readers of all ages. For caregivers and teachers, these books are especially powerful tools, offering a creative and accessible way to foster emotional exploration and self-reflection. Picture books can serve as a bridge to reflective journaling, unlocking deep thoughts about life, emotions, and personal growth. They provide a unique opportunity to engage both young readers and adults in meaningful discussions, offering simple yet evocative narratives that inspire reflection. In this blog post, we’ll explore several picture books that not only tell compelling stories but also provide rich opportunities for journaling. Each book comes with a summary, a link to a read-aloud YouTube video, and thoughtfully crafted journal prompts to guide readers in exploring their inner world and nurturing personal growth.

As the leaves begin to turn and the air grows crisp, there's a natural pull to slow down, reflect, and organize our thoughts for the season ahead. Fall is a time of transition—making it the perfect opportunity to get creative with your planning. What better way to capture the cozy, nostalgic vibes of autumn than by designing your own junk journal planner?

Junk journaling is a creative, personalized way to organize your life and reflect on your day-to-day. It’s a beautiful mix of journaling, scrapbooking, and planning, using “junk” or found materials like old papers, postcards, leaves, fabric scraps, and more. In this post, I’ll walk you through how to create your own cozy fall junk journal planner to help you stay organized while indulging in the rich, comforting energy of autumn.

The reason why many people love journaling is that it is a major source of joy and inspiration. I love talking about this part of the journaling process where you get to incorporate the things that make you happy into the pages of your notebook or journal. While journaling can benefit productivity, planning, and organization, it can also be a huge reminder about coming back to the positive and enjoying the things in life that make you the happiest. This post is all about the things that make you happy. Watch the video tutorial to get a quick how-to on creating a page of “pick-me-ups” and then browse some of the journal examples to get inspired. There is no wrong way to incorporate the things that make you happy in your notebook. There is only adding more of this type of content into your journal to balance out the hectic busyness of planning, organization, and goals.

I started Writing Mindset in 2017 as a place to talk about my experiences in the classroom. Now, I get to talk about teaching, and I also get to write about different aspects of my life like journaling and motherhood. By nature, I am a pantser when it comes to writing (Read more about plotters vs pantsers here) I tend to write from the heart, and I am committed to writing about my passions and interests. While I love writing, this type of whimsy doesn’t always result in a consistent posting routine.

Enter the Passion Planner to help me start being consistent with all of my content here on the blog.

If you have followed the blog for some time, you know I love Passion Planner as a business and as a product. If you are in the market for a standard planner for scheduling, this is the one you reach for when life feels chaotic or busy. However, Passion Planners can also be used for a variety of other journaling ideas. In this blog post, I am going to give an overview of how I am using a Passion Planner to track business ideas, manage expenses, monitor income streams, and organize all blog content. With this plan for consistency, I hope to reach some goals that I have had since early on in my blogging journey. A Passion Planner isn't just a scheduling aid; it becomes a strategic partner in manifesting your aspirations. Join me in discovering how this purposeful planner can not only enhance productivity but also serve as a compass for navigating the exciting journey of blogging or running a business.

Journaling can be used for all aspects of life. This year, I am trying to use more than one notebook to work on projects throughout the year. I have chosen to focus on reading, cooking with different food and recipes, and planning out my work on the blog in a Passion Planner. Even though I am working in different notebooks, I always come back to my daily journal to be the constant notebook I have nearby.

A daily journal is critical to keep up with the daily chaos that surrounds our roles, our schedules, and our minds trying to keep up. This blog post is not just about starting a journal; it's about creating a personalized outlet for your thoughts, dreams, and aspirations. The best part about journaling is that it is customizable. You may like my setup, and you may want your journal to look a bit differently. I invite you to take what you need from my daily journal. After a lot of trial and error, you will see my journal mainly focuses on planning, thinking, reflecting, and dreaming.

Before moving into separate notebooks this year, I would always keep my reading notes in my daily journal. I set a goal this year to read 60 books, and in doing so, I want to be more purposeful about the learning that goes along with reading those books. As a former middle school English teacher, I tend to stick to middle-grade books even for my personal reading. There is something about this age group and the style of writing that will always speak to my teacher's heart. This blog post is not just about documenting the books I read but about creating a meaningful space to explore the power of stories. I wanted to provide a place where you can see the notebook, the overall process, and maybe grab some inspiration for your reading journal along the way.

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, finding moments of mindfulness can be a game-changer. As a writer passionate about teaching, motherhood, and the power of journaling, I'm excited to share a new project notebook for the year: A Food and Recipe Journal. The idea for this journal all started with one spread in my journal that my husband and I would come back to over and over again when talking about the “what’s for dinner? question each evening. I would recreate this spread many times each time I moved over into a new notebook.

Nourishing our bodies goes beyond the mere act of eating; it's about embracing an approach to wellness. In this post, I will share how I set up my food and recipe journal. My hope is that this journal over the course of a year not only houses the meals that my family shares together but pushes me to try new things in the kitchen. The first page of my food and recipe journal is dedicated to my daughter. She is the best helper in the kitchen I could ever have, and she reminds me that even when we may self-identify as not being good at something (like cooking) we can try anyway.