Journaling for the Soul: Journey App Review

Disclaimer: This is NOT a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% my own.

Some of y’all may recall my saying that August was going to be a month of excitement? Well, I was fortunate enough to have my very first brand collaboration ?! And as a result, I get to share a really amazing tool for your tool belt of mental wellness.

But before I get to all the deets, I have to give ya the background on how it all happened.

Here I was minding my business when to my surprise, an app reached out and offered to collaborate. I was soooo busy internally freaking out and fan-girling that my work was read, specifically my Letting Go of Self-Doubt article (one of my favs, so please check it out), that I initially missed the whole let’s do something together thing. Yep, I had to actually re-read the email with a big “say what” look on my face that I’d be working with an app called Journey and be a Journey Coach.

At this point, you’re probably wondering what all this means and how it could potentially be a great tool for you too. So without further adieu, I’ll break down the app with a heart-to-heart review:

WHAT THE HECK IS JOURNEY?

Journey is an award-winning journaling app that not only makes personal writing fun and inviting, but it also does it in a convenient and affordable way. 

Recently voted as Google’s Editor’s Choice for 2020 as well as the App Store’s App of the Day for 2019, Journey allows its users’ to achieve a happier and healthier body and mind as you ‘journey’ (see what I did there) through self-improvements.

JOURNEY FEATURES

There are almost too many to list, but let’s get started.  

First thing that caught my eye was the easy set-up. Juggling so many things, it’s important to me to have ease of access and integration (hello multiple devices) which Journey does effortlessly. Literally sign up with your Gmail account and boom you’re done! Once signed in, you’re met with a modern, clean, and inviting interface that lets you focus on writing down those thoughts!

Second, was that you can easily journal whenever and wherever the mood strikes you.  In addition to the mobile app, Journey is also available on Chrome, Mac and various Windows extensions so the integration of entries across multiple devices is such a plus.

Third, was that you can even go beyond writing by jazzing up and personalizing your entries. Add photos, videos, your location or other details to spice up your journal entry. And when you’re not being an amazing author or editor, you can also take advantage of these gems that I thought were a really nice touch: 

• Reminders to help keep you on track

A great feature that allows you to not fret about missing a goal to write and express yourself on whatever timetable you decide

• A mood chart 

This little ditty will highlight how you’re feeling as you continue to add more entries which is super important as it can help you see if you’re meeting personal goals you may have set with your feelings or emotions. 

• Password protection for privacy

Every journaler’s nightmare solved! 

• Journal prompts for when you don’t know what to write

Sometimes a blank page gets a blank answer but these prompts often gave me the nudge I needed to be more introspective which can be a great catalyst for growth.  

JOURNAL PROMPTS AND JOURNEY COACHES

Here’s where I come in. Journey has what they call a Journey Coach.  These amazing individuals (that would be me ?), provide you with various journal prompt programs that you can choose from such as  How to Journal, Be Your Best Self, Daily Mindfulness, 00 smorgasbords of others to pick from. 

So, after searching for which program tickles your fancy, select it and you’re off to being able to start journaling immediately. 

Remember how I said this was where I came in?  Well, I was offered to become a Journey Coach and create my own 2-week journal prompt program for their platform that’s titled,  “Practicing Self-Care and Mindfulness.” The purpose, and my goal. is to provide you with inspirational or even aspirational prompts to help you live each day with more intention and purpose. That’s why this vehicle seems like an exciting vessel for us both.

So if you do choose to check out and download Journey, be sure and let me know how you like it!

THE VERDICT

I’ll admit I haven’t picked up a ‘traditional’ journal since high school, so journaling is something I haven’t had the greatest track record at being consistent with. However,  I’ve recently been jotting down monthly thoughts in my planner so making the switch to daily journaling is kinda a natural extension of what I was doing but with cool bells and whistles. 

I made the transition to Journey over the last two weeks and one of the more insightful things that keep standing out to me is how revealing your responses to the Journey Coach prompts can be, and even more, is tracking your mood from them.  In this time of such uncertainty, it’s really comforting to know you can add journaling anytime, anyplace on almost any device, and make it a part of your self-care routine.

While I  tend to like the more traditional style of journaling, like writing in a notebook, you can definitely use the app in conjunction with that to jot things down like expressions of kindness or gratitude or even lessons learned from trials and tribulations. Whatever your path is, I think you’ll enjoy the Journey app

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If you’d like some journaling inspiration to get in the mood before viewing and downloading Journey, which is available in your app store (iOS or Android) or online for free, check out some of my previous  posts on wellness:

• Letting Go of Self-Doubt
• Signs You’re Stressed AF
• Why We Don’t Keep New Year’s Resolutions and How to Stick to Them
• 3 Ways to Include more Self-Love in Your Routine

What’s your journaling style?