The Power of a Notebook

Many of us may have a notebook for jotting down notes of the day.

Summaries of meetings. Lists of things to do. Something we don’t want to forget.

Others keep journals. Capturing the day. Reflecting on all that occurred.

Working through things that are weighing heavily on us.

Notebooks can be used for anything.

Any theme.

Any format.

Full of blank pages to be filled by your ideas and inspiration.

Pick a Theme

The opportunities for themes are endless.

I like the idea of looking at the 8 dimensions of wellbeing for inspiration.

Below are a few ideas for each dimension of wellbeing

Physical Wellbeing (Health & Body Care)

Wellness & Self-Care Journal – Track workouts, meals, moods, and overall well-being.
Habit Tracker Notebook – Monitor daily habits related to exercise, sleep, hydration, etc.
Dream Journal – Record and interpret dreams as part of a sleep and mental health routine.

Intellectual Well-Being (Lifelong Learning & Creativity)

Book & Podcast Notes – Summarize key takeaways from what you’re reading or listening to.
Mind Map Notebook – Brainstorm and visually organize ideas.
Hobby or Craft Journal – Document progress and learning in a specific skill.
Word of the Year Journal – Focus on deepening and guiding your word of the year.

Emotional Well-Being (Self-Awareness & Mental Health)

Gratitude Journal – Focus on positive moments to cultivate appreciation.
Daily Wins Journal – A space to record small victories and build confidence.
Lessons Learned Log – Process failures, setbacks, and insights for growth.

Spiritual Well-Being (Purpose & Meaning in Life)

Manifestation & Affirmation Journal – Reinforce positive thinking and goal-setting.
Prayer or Devotional Journal – Record prayers, spiritual insights, and religious studies.
Meditation & Reflection Journal – Write post-meditation thoughts and reflections.

Social Well-Being (Relationships & Connections)

Networking Book – Notes from meetings, goals, and people to reach out to.
Family & Parenting Notebook – Record memories, milestones, and lessons learned.
Travel Journal – Capture experiences and reflections from all the places you go.

Occupational Well-Being (Career & Professional Growth)

Work & Career Playbook – Track professional development and career moves.
Vision & Planning Notebook – Structure personal or business goals and strategies.
Side Hustle Journal – Organize plans, ideas, and milestones for entrepreneurial pursuits.

Environmental Well-Being (Spaces & Lifestyle Choices)

Life Admin Notes – Track home projects, sustainability efforts, and overall life organization.
Inspiration Scrapbook – Gather images and ideas to inspire home improvements.
Space Design Notebook – Plan home organization, decluttering ideas, and room layouts.

Financial Well-Being (Money Management & Security)

Money Tracker Notebook – Budgeting, expense tracking, and financial goals.
Investment Journal – Financial education, investment, and stock market insights.
Emotional Money Tracker – Log purchases, reflect on spending, and emotional triggers.

Once you have a theme, it’s time to pick a notebook.

Is there a notebook available that ties to your theme.

In areas like fitness & finance, there might be a notebook with a format you like.

For other areas, you might select a notebook with unformatted pages.

Those might inspire a cover design that ties to your topic.

Have fun and select something that makes you want to use it each day.

Do you keep themed notebooks?

What area of your life could you use a notebook companion?

How could you start your notebook practice today?