Playful Journaling: 10 Fun Ideas

If you’ve ever felt like journaling is just for working through heavy emotions or setting serious goals, today’s episode is going to feel like a breath of fresh air. Because we’re talking about journaling for fun and creativity.

That’s right—this one’s for the doodlers, the dreamers, the note-to-self writers, the list makers, the quote collectors… and the women who want to bring more lightness, color, and play into their pages.

Whether you’re new to journaling or have stacks of filled notebooks like I do, this episode is your reminder that journaling can be pure joy.

10 Ways to Journal Just for Fun

1. Write a letter to your younger self.

Tell her what you love about who she was. Encourage her. Thank her for getting you here. Bonus points if you decorate the page with hearts or washi tape.

2. Make a "Things I’m Currently Loving" list.

Books, songs, coffee orders, cozy socks, favorite memes. Capture the simple things lighting you up right now.

3. Doodle your day instead of writing it.

Draw stick figures, icons, emojis—whatever! Even if you “can’t draw,” this is your journal. No rules. Just have fun with it.

4. Create a dream playlist and describe how it makes you feel.

List songs that lift your mood or take you back to a moment. Music is pure magic—and journaling about it brings that energy to life.

5. Try a "Word of the Day" page.

Pick a random word (seriously—open a book and point!). Then write a poem, sentence, or even a silly story using it. Just play.

6. Paste in a photo and write a little story behind it.

It could be a vacation pic, a screenshot from your camera roll, or an old family photo. Use tape, glue, or just describe the picture if you’re journaling on the go.

7. Make a bucket list—but only with ridiculous, whimsical ideas.

Like, “Have coffee with a giraffe,” “Swim in Jell-O,” or “Dance under the stars in Paris.” Let your imagination run wild.

8. Design your dream space.

Imagine your perfect reading nook, art studio, office, or even your dream backyard. Describe every detail—colors, textures, smells, sounds. Bonus points if you sketch it out or make a vision board-style page with magazine clippings or doodles.

9. Create a color-themed page.

Pick a color—maybe yellow. Then write down everything that color makes you feel, remember, taste, or want to do. It’s like creative journaling meets mindfulness.

10. Make a “Reverse Bucket List.”**

Instead of writing what you want to do someday, write down all the amazing, fun, beautiful, or surprising things you’ve already done. Big or small—first concerts, spontaneous road trips, random acts of bravery. Celebrate the life you’ve lived so far!

Let me give you a few simple journaling prompts you can play with this week:

- If my life had a soundtrack, what would the opening credits song be?

- What’s something I’ve never done but think would be hilarious to try?

- What’s a random object in my house that has a funny backstory?

- If I could only wear one outfit forever, what would it be and why?

- What’s a silly rule I’d make if I were Queen of Everything for a day?

Music by Aleksey Chistilin from Pixabay