A Look at Guided Journals for Meditation: Overview

I love journals.  I'm trying to work on mindfulness, but more specifically: meditation.  So when I found out that there were "meditation journals" I was like, whoa, that's pretty awesome.  Nothing can be more motivating than an activity book.

Sometimes.

The problem?  There are so.
Many.
Meditation Journals.

Surprised to hear that?  I was fairly surprised myself.  I went on Amazon's website, typed in 'guided meditation journal', and received pages upon pages of results, all ranging in prices, quality, and capabilities.  Which brought me to the next issue: how am I supposed to pick a meditation journal when I have no idea what I need?  What is a meditation journal--aren't you supposed to just close your eyes and focus on breathing?  Why am I here?  What am I doing?  What time is it?  Am I hungry?

The questions just spiral and spiral, and maybe I didn't google enough, but the only responses I received on reviews were mostly just personal opinions of what people had purchased.  No real comparison blog or YouTube reviewer.

So my next thought: what if I did that?  What if I bought four journals, all of varying prices and 'uses', and that way I can say "this is what worked for me".  Of course, what works for me might not work for you.  Everyone needs something different in life.  But I'm hoping that with this breakdown review, I will be able to at least help you in your own journey of finding a way to practice mindfulness in your life, especially in a meditation style.

So I'm going to start with just the basics: these are the four journals I purchased.  Beginning tomorrow, I'm going to take one and dedicate 10 days to it and give you my honest opinions on how I feel as a novice meditationer.
Meditation Person?
Meditator?

Hopefully by putting this in writing, I will stick with it and give you invisible readers the reviews that you deserve.  Please note that I bought all of these on Amazon; I am not paid to do this review.  I'm just a writer wanting to share her journey.

Oh--and a quick legend of the pricing range:
$ = less than $10
$$ = between $10 and $25
$$$ = over $25 

So here we go:

Mindful as Fuck by Honey Badger Coloring ($)

- Softcover

- Width: 7 1/2"

- Height: 9 5/16"

- Thickness: 1/4"

- Weight: 226g / 7.9 oz

- Flexibility: Very flexible; cover has foldable lines right near the spine both front and back; probably best used on a flat surface

- Portability: It's big, but thin.  Would need to use a larger bag to fit it in.

- Paper Type: Basic; potential ink bleeding through pages depending on the type of pen used.

- Left Handed Compatibility: The book flattens nicely on the desk surface, so would be able to use it as a left-handed writer.  8/10 for lefthandedness

Initial Reaction: It's...  Basic.  It has one page of small-type for instruction on how to meditate and how to use the journal, and the rest is blank pages that you can fill in with your meditation of the day.  Personally I need to know more about meditation before feeling confident to fill this journal out.  However, it's cheeky and a good sized workbook, perfect for the price (I'll be honest--it was $5.64 including taxes). 

The Meditation Sidekick Journal by Habitnest ($$$)

- Hardcover

- Width: 5 3/4"

- Height: 8 7/16"

- Thickness: 25/32"

- Weight: 431g / 15.2 oz

- Flexibility: Hardcover but the spine flattens, making it very easy to write in.

- Portability: Rather thick with hardcover and a lot of pages; would best fit in a larger bag

- Paper Type: Basic; potential ink bleeding through pages depending on the type of pen used.

- Left Handed Compatibility: The book flattens on a surface but would be easy to write in either on a table or in your lap due to the stability of the cover.  10/10 for lefthandedness

Initial Reaction: Not only am I going from the cheapest (Mindful as Fuck) to this one--the most expensive on the list--but I'm also going from blank pages to guided-everyday-for-over-60-days.  This is the ultimate guide journal.  It gives you the what, the why, the how, the when, the where--okay not the when and where because you're allowed to be flexible--but it literally gives you every single instruction necessary to build this into your lifestyle.  Build this into a literal habit.

I am Here Now by The Mindfulness Project ($$)

- Softcover

- Width: 5 13/16"

- Height: 7 1/2"

- Thickness: 1/2"

- Weight: 235g / 8.3 oz

- Flexibility: A little stiff; I needed to break the spine in order to flatten it out

- Portability: Could fit in a larger purse or small bag

- Paper Type: Basic; potential ink bleeding through pages depending on the type of pen used.

- Left Handed Compatibility: The book doesn't flatten, and it will be a fight in order to write well in it. 5/10 for lefthandedness

Initial Reaction: There's a small introduction and minimal instruction with a lot of mindfulness activities.  The meditation tracking sheets are at the back of the book - 14 sheets total with the suggestion in the "How-To" section to photocopy first so you don't run out.  Or, you buy Mindful as Fuck for $5 for more sheets and more flexibility! *winky face*

Zen as F*ck by Monica Sweeney ($$)

- Softcover

- Width: 5 1/2"

- Height: 7 1/2"

- Thickness: 1/2"

- Weight: 198g / 7 oz

- Flexibility: Very flexible; spine didn't break when I flattened/stretched out the book on a flat surface

- Portability: Cute pocket-ish size could fit in a medium to large size purse

- Paper Type: Basic; potential ink bleeding through pages depending on the type of pen used.

- Left Handed Compatibility: The flexibility gives it a bit more capabilities to flatten out for lefthanded use. 7/10 for lefthandedness

Initial Reaction: I'm sassy, okay?  I enjoy when they toss swear words in calming scenarios.  And this honest-to-God throws swear words wherever it possibly can, and I love it.  But obviously, not everyone's cup of tea.  This actually is 100% a mindfulness activity book with minimal mention or note of meditation.  Is it disappointing?  A little.  I feel like I have ADD when it comes to activity books--I'll be interested in them for ten minutes then be done with them forever.  But we'll see.

Well, there you have it.  The four books I will be working with for the next few months.  Hopefully I will keep you all updated regularly!