In this episode, our guest is Suleika Jaouad, author of The Book of Alchemy and creator of The Isolation Journals Substack. We delve into how journaling can help you unlock creative potential and navigate life’s challenges.

Suleika shares her personal journey with journaling as a lifeline during her battle with leukemia and a pathway to "creative alchemy" – transforming difficult experiences into meaningful expression. She highlights the benefits of journaling on mental health, and how it has changed her life.

The discussion also explores practical aspects of journaling, from overcoming the fear of a blank page to maintaining consistency through accountability and prompts. Suleika shares her preferred tools—a fountain pen and quality paper—and the rituals that help her stay consistent..

Plus, Wirecutter writer Arriana Vasquez tells us about digital notebooks, an innovative way to modernize the writing experience without sacrificing the tactile pleasure of it.

Listeners will gain actionable insights into starting and sustaining a journaling practice.

Access the full show notes for this episode here.

Products we recommend:

The best hardcover notebook: Leuchtturm1917 Hardcover Notebook Classic (A5)
The best pen: Uni-ball Jetstream RT
The best digital notebook: Supernote A6 X2 Nomad
Best for replacing your paper notebooks: reMarkable 2
Best for reading and annotating ebooks: Kobo Elipsa 2E

Suleika’s favorites:

Her current journal: Leuchtturm1917
A fountain pen: Lamy
Le Labo Santal No. 26 Candle
The journals of famous writers she keeps on her desk: Susan Sontag, Virginia Woolf, Audre Lorde, Frida Kahlo and Sylvia Plath

Additional reading:

More from Suleika Jaouad:

Instagram:/suleikajaouad
Facebook: /SuleikaJaouadPage
Website: https://www.suleikajaouad.com/
Substack newsletter: https://theisolationjournals.substack.com/about
The Book of Alchemy

More from Wirecutter:

Instagram: /wirecutter
Threads: /@wirecutter
Twitter: /wirecutter
Facebook: /thewirecutter
TikTok: /wirecutter
LinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutter
Website: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/
Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/

Credits:

The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel. Editing by Abigail Keel. Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. This episode was mixed by Rowan Niemisto. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›

Wirecutter Social and Website

Instagram: /wirecutter

Threads: /@wirecutter

Twitter: /wirecutter

Facebook: /thewirecutter

TikTok: /wirecutter

LinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutter

Website: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/

Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/

The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.

Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

The Future of Humanity Involves Gene Upgrades and Cyborgs