✍️ How to Keep a Travel Journal You’ll Actually Want to Read Later

Generation Y
Jul 26
2 min read

(Because “Day 4: Saw a building” isn’t gonna cut it)

Travel journals are kind of magical. They help you slow down, process what you're experiencing, and capture memories that photos just can’t. But let’s be real — most of us start journaling with good intentions... then forget, or write the same three things every day (“Weather: good. Lunch: pizza. Mood: tired.” 😴).

Let’s change that. Here’s how to keep a travel journal that feels more like a storybook of your adventures — not a boring to-do list.

1. 🧠 Ditch the Pressure to Be “Deep”

You don’t have to write like a poet or philosopher. Your travel journal is yours. It can be messy, chaotic, hilarious, honest, weird — just like travel itself.

2. 🗓️ Don’t Worry About Writing Every Day

You’re living your life, not writing a novel. Skip days if you’re tired or just not feeling it.

Instead of “Day 14,” try:
- “That Time I Got Lost in Barcelona”
- “Hostel Roommates Ranked by Weirdness”
- “Best Coffees I’ve Had So Far”

Short, themed entries > forced daily updates.

3. 📸 Mix Words with Everything Else

You don’t have to just write paragraphs. Try:

Doodles & sketches
Tickets, receipts, or postcards taped in
Quotes you overheard
Stickers from local shops
Polaroids or mini printouts

This turns your journal into a scrapbook you’ll love flipping through later.

4. 💬 Add the Random Stuff You’ll Definitely Forget

It’s the small things that bring memories rushing back — not just the big sights.

What music was playing in that café?
What weird snack did you try?
What was the local slang you overheard?
What did your feet feel like after that hike?

5. 🎭 Be Honest (Even When It’s Not Glamorous)

Not every day is a highlight reel, and that’s okay. Write about the homesick moments, the awkward ones, the “why am I doing this” ones. That’s part of the story.

6. 🧭 Use Prompts When You’re Stuck

Here are a few to get the pen moving:

“The weirdest thing I saw today was…”
“If this city had a personality, it would be…”
“Today I felt most like a local when…”
“Three things I never want to forget from today:”

7. 📱 Digital Journaling? Go For It!

No shame in typing on your phone or using an app (like Day One or Notion). Bonus: You can add photos, voice notes, and GPS locations instantly.

Just make sure to back it up. 🙃

Your travel journal doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be yours — messy, real, full of coffee stains, maybe written in 10 different countries. One day, flipping through it will bring back memories more vivid than any Instagram post ever could.

🎒 Studying abroad or travelling with your ISIC card? Use it to get discounts at museums, cafés, hostels, and bookshops — a perfect excuse to find a new journaling spot in every city!