How to Create The Ultimate Travel Journal

Here at Yop & Tom we do not believe there is a perfect time to start a journal. All that really matters is that you put pen to paper. But if we had to pick one? It would be whilst travelling.

When you are surrounded by inspiration, creative juices overflowing, creating daily memories you want to last a lifetime, it is easy for your travel journal to be overflowing. But sometimes all that inspiration can feel a bit overwhelming. Where do you start? What do you write down? And more importantly, what do you leave out?

Travel journaling was our co-founder Tom's first experience of journaling. So we sat down to ask him all your burning questions.

Tom's story of travel journaling (before Instagram!)

"I first tried travel journaling when I went away at 18 with my friend for 6 months. We travelled across some of the Pacific Islands, New Zealand, Australia and up through South East Asia, exploring Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

We both decided to keep a travel journal on a whim really. It was before the days of Instagram and other ways of documenting your trip so it seemed like a good idea. And I am so pleased I did! All these years later, I have forgotten a lot of the details of the trip and my travel journals are a great insight into the trip and me at 18 (which is equal parts funny and embarrassing)!"

"My now wife and I then did another longer trip, 7 months in 2017/18 through South and Central America, and again we kept travel journals. This time I knew how much I liked to look back at my journals so it was an easy decision to keep one for this trip too.

If your memory is like mine then you will be amazed what you have forgotten. It is normally the little details that trigger the full memories."

This is why travelling is the perfect time to start your journal

Does travel journaling mean you will spend hours and hours writing each day, when you are already tired at the end of a big day? The quick answer is no. Your travel journal is yours to shape in your own unique way (just like your bullet journal is). Some days you might feel inspired to write for pages. Other days, you will just get out a few bullet points before you forget.

The important thing is not to put pressure on yourself.

As Tom explains:

"Part of the fun of travelling is the lack of structure and routine. But I found that having something that you do every day actually gives you time and space to take in what you are experiencing. It helps you remember both at the time and when you look back later.

The little details that do not seem important at the time are some of my favourite things to look back on, whether it is the small street stalls me and my wife ate at in Guatemala or some of the characters we met."

"Travel journaling helps you to really take in what you are experiencing. Plus, I find it helps to clear my head and keep me grounded. Having a travel journal companion can be a great place to escape from the hustle and bustle of travelling."

Try these travel journal ideas out for your next trip

Just like any form of journaling, the key with travel journaling is to find the style that works for you. If you hate writing but love sketching, writing out reams of pages probably will not be your thing. But sketching a scene from your day might be.

The key is to find a format that works for you and then use it to log a few core memories from each day.

Here are five travel journal styles to inspire you:

• Daily journaling: a more traditional style, writing your thoughts and experiences each day. You will log what you did, what you saw, and who you met.
• Emotive journaling: less about what you saw and more about how you felt. It seeks to capture the emotions of each day, sparking that same feeling years later.
• Scrapbook journaling: a home for all your mementoes. From plane tickets to museum entry passes, every little thing comes with its own memory.
• Illustrative journaling: if you always choose drawing over writing, this is for you. Sketch a scene or a moment from your day and use that to log your experience.
• Minimalist journaling: on days when you do not feel like writing, simply note a few short bullet points on what you did, where you went, and what you ate. That is it.

20 travel journaling prompts to get you started

When we asked Tom for his one big tip for your new travel journal, this is what he had to say:

"Just write down what comes to you. What you think is menial now may be interesting later, whether the small restaurant you ate at, the person you met, or the bus or train you got. It allows you to disconnect from the day-to-day hustle and bustle of travelling and escape into your own world."

1. Where are you going today? Write down or draw the journey you have got planned.
2. What is in your suitcase? What have you packed? What did you not need? And what do you wish you had brought?
3. How do you feel about this trip? Did you feel nervous before departing?
4. What was your journey like? What did you see along the way? Who did you speak to? What did you eat?
5. Where are you staying tonight? What do you love about it? What little quirks does it have? What did you not expect?
6. What did you do today?
7. What sights and sounds did you experience whilst exploring today? Close your eyes and relive your day again.
8. What new scents or smells have you noticed that feel different to home?
9. What have you eaten? Did you try a new dish? Have you eaten any foods that you expected to be the same as at home but were actually totally different?
10. What are the locals like?
11. Go and explore a local supermarket. What do you notice?
12. What went wrong today?!
13. What did not go to plan but made you smile or created a new memory?
14. What was your biggest surprise from today?
15. Tell the story of one person you met or saw today. Or, what do you imagine it to be?
16. What do you think your life would be like if you lived here?
17. What is one thing or experience you want to take home with you?
18. How do you feel about going home?
19. What new sounds have you heard? Have you listened to new music or the radio, heard different accents, or eavesdropped on any conversations?
20. What is your core memory from today?

Feeling inspired to start your own travel journal?

By now you should have everything you need to get started. Pick a journal that feels bold and bright enough that you will always know it is yours, and let the pages fill up at their own pace.

Browse our travel journals collection to find a design that matches your next adventure.