Since I was 8 years old, I’ve been writing travel journals—capturing memories during summer vacations, ski trips, and often on school trips too. They’re some of my most treasured items, and I’ve always taken good care of them.

When I was younger, I’d often think about what I’d try to save from my room if our house ever caught fire. I remember planning it out in my head: I’d open my window, toss out my stuffed animals first, and then my travel journals. Kind of a funny thought, but honestly, even now they’re still high on my list of things I’d grab if there were ever a fire.

I love pulling out my old journals and reliving all the fun and memorable experiences I’ve had traveling around the world. I usually stick tickets, maps, and little clippings into the pages. Sometimes I even draw in them or use them to keep track of who’s winning at 500 (a card game).

4 tips for starting a travel journal

  1. Keep your journal in your bag
    Always have your journal with you when you’re traveling. There are often little breaks where you can jot down a few lines—like while waiting for your food at a restaurant.
  2. Don’t feel pressured to write everything
    It’s important that journaling doesn’t feel like a chore. If it’s been a few days or even a week since you last wrote, just pick up from where you are now.
  3. Focus on specific moments
    Instead of trying to capture every detail of the trip, it can be fun to dive deep into a particular moment or experience that stands out.
  4. Consider buying a journal on your trip
    I’ve made it a bit of a tradition to buy my journals in the countries I visit—it’s a special keepsake! But it’s also a good idea to have a backup journal ready, so you’re not stressed about finding one.

I often buy my journals in the country I’m visiting because I think it makes for such a lovely keepsake. When I was in Japan with my family, I bought the journal in the photo—it’s actually a comic book, but I thought it was perfect as a travel diary. In Japan, books are read from back to front, so for that trip, my journal started on the very last page.

It’s never too late to start keeping a travel journal, and I highly recommend it.

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