Why should I start a travel journal?
We’ve all been told how good of a habit it is to keep a journal. A mental record of your thoughts, a snapshot of who you are at a certain moment in time. It’s a form of therapy, mental stimulation and mental relaxation. But lets face it, its a hard habit to get into. If you have managed to keep up with writing in a journal, congratulations. You are better than I. I find it really difficult to a) know what to write b) find the time to write.
There is one type of journaling, however that I do really try to stay on top of, and that is my travel journal. Don’t get me wrong, I’m nowhere near perfect. Sometimes I write my entries months later, sometimes not at all. But having a portal to look back on traveling is really important to me. As time wears on, it is hard to remember the little things on vacation that made you feel so happy and special at the time, and to capture that moment in a way that nothing else can is priceless.
Not to mention, a vacation solves my two problems with journaling. One: theres so much happening that I want to remember, so theres no shortage of things to write, and Two: I’m on vacation, theres plenty of downtime where I can write. Plus, if you’re traveling on safari theres not much in the way of internet connection or things to do during downtime, meaning you are forced to relax.
Maybe keep a travel journal is the kickstart you needed to start the habit of journaling, and maybe not. Whether or not you keep up with the journaling habit after getting back from vacation is besides the point. I just want you to consider keeping a journal while you’re on vacation!
How do I start a travel journal?
Now, I’ve been traveling for over a year. Somehow, I still haven’t filled a journal (partially due to having a blog where I write a lot of my adventures), but I try to do a fair bit of writing. Through constantly (and I do mean constantly) writing, I have come up with a series of prompts that I feel work especially well with keeping a travel journal, but a lot of them could easily be adapted to an everyday journal if your next trip isn’t coming up for a while.
I’ve tried to organize these prompts into groups, consider saving them, or writing them down in your journal, for when you’re on vacation.
Before you leave
- Is there any emotional “baggage” or a certain mindset that you are carrying with you? How do you hope to “unpack” or change that mindset by the end of the trip?
At your destination
- Describe your initial first impressions, thoughts and feelings upon arriving to your destination. Use your five senses—what did you see, hear, smell, taste, and feel? How did this place match or differ from your expectations?
- Reflect on your parting thoughts or feelings as you prepare to leave a destination? What will you miss the most about this place?
- Have you collected any souvenirs that hold a special significance for you? What about it captures the essence of your trip and how will it serve as a reminder of your travels?
Experiencing culture
- Describe an especially memorable meal. Where did you enjoy it, who were you with, and what made it so unique? How did it make you feel? Did the flavors, setting, or cultural context add to the experience in a surprising way?
- What cultural differences have you noticed while staying in a new place. Did any surprise you? How did you adapt to or interact with the differences?
- Are there any local legends, stories, or folklore that you have come across? What do you make of them? Reflect on what they reveal about local culture or values?
- If you learned how to cook a local dish, describe the process and ingredients. Include the recipe if possible, and reflect on what it taught you about the culture and its cuisine.
People you’ve met along the way
- Describe the impact someone you met has had on you, might be another traveler or a local resident.
- How has traveling impacted your relationship either with your traveling companion or with yourself? What have you discovered about them or yourself during this journey, and how has it influenced the way you travel?
- What lessons have you learned from the people you’ve encountered on this trip? How have their stories, advice, or ways of life broadened your understanding of the world?
If you’re feeling homesick
- Write a letter to someone back home describing an experience that reminded you of them. Describe why this moment made you feel connected to them despite the distance.
- Is there anywhere that you have been that reminds you of home despite being hundreds or thousands of miles away? What about it felt so nostalgic?
- Have you experienced any moments of complete stillness or peace? How and where did you find it? Reflect on what made it special.
Personal growth
- What mistakes did you make during this journey that turned into unexpected lessons or blessings?
- How has this trip pushed you out of your comfort zone? What skills or strengths have you discovered in yourself because of these challenges?
- Looking back, how have you grown emotionally or mentally from the start of this trip to now?
Creative ideas
** I have to mention, I am a very creative person and love adding a bit of spice to my journals. If you are the same, or want to have your journal be like a scrapbook, I highly recommend picking up a glue runner from your local craft or stationary store to keep with your journal. It makes it so easy to paste in little relics from your journey!
- Sketch the inside of your room or the view out of your window.
- Collect leaves, flowers, or feathers, and either press them into your journal or create a rubbing with a pencil or crayon.
- Draw or print a map of the places you visited and mark your path with colorful doodles.
- Create a scrapbook page out of ticket stubs from trains, planes, buses, or any museums or shows you have been to (or add them to any page)
- Add small sketches of memorable landmarks along the route.
- Collect cutouts from magazines, pamphlets, or brochures of your destination and create a mood board.
After you return
- What was the first thing you did when you got home?
- Did you experience any reverse culture shock upon returning back home?
- Write about the souvenirs you chose to bring back with you. What do they symbolize, and how will they remind you of the trip?
Will you try out journaling?
Now, not every single one of these prompts will work for everyone. These are just the one’s I have come up with! If you can think of any more, definitely leave them below in the comment section!!
What do you think? Will you start a travel journal of your own?