Travel Journal 101

Recently, I found myself on a YouTube spree, indulging in “Flip Through My Travel Journal” videos, and a thought struck me—maybe some of you share my borderline obsession with keeping a travel journal. It got me thinking about how you keep yours and what I would have done differently when I started my travel journal journey over a decade ago.

Here are some rules I’d follow, which might be helpful for you, too, especially if you’re just getting started on this wild ride of documenting your travels:

Write Now

One thing I regret most about my travel journals is not writing as close as possible to the actual events. There’s something magical about capturing moments on the spot—whether you’re on a train, at a bar, or awkwardly trying to figure out the local customs without looking like a total tourist.

However, let’s be real—life happens, and sometimes writing on the spot just isn’t possible (or you’re too busy eating your weight in street food).

If immediate writing isn’t an option, aim to jot down something as soon as possible. And if you can’t manage a full diary entry, at least scribble some bullet points, snap a few pictures, and gather whatever random bits of info will jog your memory later—because trust me, after a few days, everything starts blending together into one blur mush of memory.

It’s easier when you’re travelling solo, but if you’ve got companions, your next best bet is to share your intentions—preferably without sounding too nerdy.

Show and Tell You Are Journaling

Admittedly, telling people you keep a travel journal can be as awkward as explaining why you still sleep with a stuffed animal (Miaw said Hi!). I’ve kept this blog for over a decade, yet only a few real-life people know about it. For those of you who feel weird about sharing your journaling habit, here are some options:

Tell them anyway, sparing some details. This is your chance to slip in casually, “I’m going to write in a travel journal”, while pretending that’s a totally normal thing to do while travelling.

Most people will nod and assume you’re slightly eccentric, but that’s part of your charm, right?

I did this on my first trip to my in-laws, whipping out my Moleskine in the boathouse we shared for the night. My father-in-law raised an eyebrow but wisely decided not to ask.

Writing in front of Amma was a bit daunting initially, but after she casually mentioned, “Oh, I also kept a diary when I was young” I knew we were good.

Or, instead of writing in your travel journal –

Write discreetly (on your phone). I found this method to be the easiest. For the longest time, I chronicled my adventures without anyone batting an eye—they just assumed I was yet another phone-obsessed millennial, and I was perfectly fine with that as long as they left me alone.

Write as You

Now, let’s talk about the content of your travel journal—a point I always emphasize. I keep a travel journal, including my blog, because my memory is about as reliable as a broken GPS. However, I’ve realized it’s not just about recording events for memory’s sake. My digital diary notes the details of my daily life since 2012. Still, it’s also a place where I capture anecdotes, feelings, thought processes, blunders, silly moments, cultural faux pas, and everything in between.

Eventually, when I transfer content to my blog, it becomes infused with a bit of my weirdness. Instead of churning out another generic “10 things to do in” article, it has more personality. While photos can convey a thousand words, they can’t capture a thousand embarrassing moments—this is where your writing steps in.

Beyond The Words (And Into the Sticker Aisle)

Now, onto pictures.

The last tip I have for you is about maintaining aesthetics. I love seeing other people’s journals because they’re aesthetically unique, and let’s be honest, some people are just naturally neater.

Add titles, colours, drawings, or at least stickers. Include items “stolen” from the places you’ve visited —coasters, tickets, favourite foods, hotel key cards, transportation cards, and even those charmingly unappealing throw-up bags — officially referred to as travel ephemera.

Try to write neatly, paginate your journal, use headings, and maintain consistency. I’m not asking you to reach a certain aesthetic standard—just sprinkle in some of your quirky style.

I’ll admit, I appreciate pretty travel journal pages more than plain ones, but, full disclosure, this is the advice I follow the least. If the choice is between pouring my heart out and making it look pretty, the heart dump wins every time. Sorry, stickers!

All Times and All Forms of Travel Journal (Even If It’s a Napkin)

Finally, here’s a tip to make things easier: figure out whether you love the tactile feel of paper, prefer digital, or lean towards something in between like Remarkable. The key is to make it easy for yourself. Keep your travel journal accessible whenever you need it. Consider all sizes when packing, whether it’s a paper journal, a traveller’s notebook, or a mini Moleskine.

Choose a travel journal size that fits easily in your backpack or carry-on. And, of course, keep a pen with it at all times. You never know when inspiration (or boredom) will strike.

Here’s a tip for finding an affordable pen you like: buy a dozen and scatter them throughout your life—from your suitcase to your parents’ house, work, bedside, kitchen, etc. I’m currently on my second dozen of Pilot G2 07s. I hope you find your preferred brand before they skyrocket in price on Amazon.

Something Just for Yourself

Lastly, this is a personal preference but could be as important as the first point: there are many ways to keep a travel journal, including a digital blog. However, I still encourage you to have a separate analog journal if you run a public blog. Nothing beats scribbling down your thoughts in a way that no one else can see—except maybe your future self, who will either thank you or cringe.

Happy travel journaling! It’ll be worth it, especially if you see yourself on a journey of self-discovery, cultural exploration, and inevitable awkward encounters.

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