Journaling Supplies: What You Actually Need (And What You Don’t)

If you’ve ever fallen into the rabbit hole of journaling supplies, you know how easy it is to get overwhelmed. There are endless pens, notebooks, stickers, and washi tapes, all promising to transform your journaling experience. But do you really need all that stuff?

Let’s break it down—what’s actually useful, what’s just fun, and what you can probably skip.

The Essentials

If you strip journaling down to the basics, you really only need two things:

1. A notebook – Whether it’s lined, dotted, or blank, the best notebook is the one you’ll actually use. Some people love fancy leather-bound journals, while others are perfectly happy with a simple softcover. (If you’re looking for a solid option, ahem, we make some great hardcover journals at JournalForest.com.)
2. A pen you like – Seriously, don’t overthink this. If you have a favorite pen, use it. If you don’t, grab a pack of something smooth and reliable, like a Pilot G2 or a Uni-Ball Jetstream.

That’s it. That’s all you technically need. But if you want to have some fun with it…

Nice-to-Have Extras

These things aren’t necessary, but they can make journaling more enjoyable:

• Colored pens or highlighters – Perfect for organizing thoughts or making certain entries stand out.
• Washi tape – Not required, but let’s be honest, it’s fun. A strip of tape can turn an otherwise plain page into something that sparks joy.
• Stickers – Again, totally optional, but sometimes a little decoration makes your journal feel more personal.
• A good ruler – If you like neat lines or are setting up a bullet journal, this can be surprisingly handy.
• A bookmark or sticky tabs – If you reference past entries often, these help you find things quickly.

What You Probably Don’t Need

There are plenty of supplies out there that seem cool but don’t actually get used much. A few common ones:

• Super fancy pens you’re afraid to use – If a pen is so expensive that you hesitate to write with it, it’s not doing you any favors.
• More notebooks than you’ll ever fill – Trust me, we get the temptation. But try to finish (or at least mostly fill) one before grabbing another.
• Complicated planner stickers – Some are great, but if you’re spending more time setting up your planner than actually using it, it might be overkill.
• Expensive storage solutions – A simple pencil case or drawer organizer works just fine.

Need a Little Inspiration?

Sometimes, the hardest part of journaling isn’t the supplies—it’s knowing what to write. If you ever feel stuck, check out our Daily Journal Prompts for fresh ideas to get the words flowing.

Final Thoughts

Journaling supplies should make the experience better, not stressful. If you love collecting supplies and decorating pages, go for it! But if you’re keeping things simple, you’re not missing out—you’re just cutting through the noise and getting straight to what matters: writing.

What are your go-to journaling supplies? Let me know!