
Level Up Your Journaling With Notion
Journaling is a powerful tool for self-reflection, growth, and achieving goals. But traditional pen-and-paper methods can sometimes feel cumbersome. In 2025, unlock your journaling practice's true potential with the flexibility and power of Notion. Are you struggling with consistency? Overwhelmed by notebook choices? Do you wish you could seamlessly integrate your journaling with other parts of your life? Notion journal templates offer a dynamic solution.
This curated list of the best Notion journal templates will revitalize your journaling experience. We'll explore templates for various needs, from minimalist daily logs to comprehensive life planners. Choosing the right template depends on factors like your journaling style, desired features, and preferred customization level. An effective Notion journal template provides structure without rigidity, integrates seamlessly with your workflow, and offers features that enhance reflection and progress tracking.
Choosing the Right Template
Some templates are free, while others offer premium features for a fee. We'll cover pricing and technical requirements for each. Whether you're a busy professional, a creative entrepreneur, a dedicated student, or just someone looking to cultivate a more mindful routine, this guide will help you find the perfect Notion journal template.
Device Compatibility
Prepare to discover a world of digital journaling possibilities compatible with your favorite devices. From tablets and iPads to dedicated e-ink readers like reMarkable and boox, your digital journal can always be at your fingertips. This offers unparalleled convenience and ensures that you can capture your thoughts and reflections whenever inspiration strikes.
1. SmartlySet
For professionals, creatives, and anyone looking to improve their digital workflow, the SmartlySet Ultimate reMarkable Productivity Bundle 2024–2025 offers a compelling set of tools. This bundle isn't a Notion template, but a powerful alternative for users of digital paper devices like the reMarkable 2, Boox Note, and Kindle. Instead of relying on a specific app, SmartlySet uses the flexibility of PDF templates, allowing for a consistent experience across different devices.
This comprehensive bundle includes five distinct templates: a Daily Planner, Meeting Notes, Daily Journal, Digital Notebook, and a Project Planner, totaling 5546 pages. Imagine having dedicated spaces for brainstorming project timelines, documenting meeting minutes, jotting down daily reflections, and organizing your daily schedule—all within one cohesive system.
Practical Applications
This bundle caters to a diverse range of users:
- Professionals: Manage projects, track deadlines, prepare for meetings, and take detailed notes.
- Entrepreneurs: Outline business plans, strategize marketing campaigns, and track progress towards goals.
- Students: Organize coursework, plan study schedules, and take lecture notes.
- Academics: Manage research, prepare presentations, and write manuscripts.
- Creatives & Designers: Sketch ideas, plan projects, and keep a visual journal.
Key Features and Benefits
SmartlySet offers several advantages:
- Comprehensive Toolkit: The five templates cover various productivity needs.
- Cross-Device Compatibility: Works seamlessly across reMarkable 2, Boox Note, and Kindle.
- Customization Options: Tailor templates with options for week start days, 12/24-hour clocks, and right/left-handed layouts.
- Minimalist Design: A clean and intuitive design promotes focus.
- Exceptional Value: Priced at just $19 (a 61% discount from $49), the bundle offers great value.
- Strong Social Proof: Over 90 verified user reviews highlight the positive impact on productivity.
Pros and Cons
Here's a quick overview:
Pros:
- Comprehensive bundle with specialized templates
- Optimized for popular digital paper devices
- Highly customizable
- Exceptional value with positive reviews
- Personalized customer support
Cons:
- PDF format limits some reMarkable features (e.g., handwriting to text)
- Lacks cross-functionality with built-in reMarkable templates
Implementation Tips
Getting started is easy:
- Download the PDF templates after purchase.
- Transfer the files to your device.
- Familiarize yourself with each template's layout.
- Begin using the templates for daily planning, note-taking, and project management.
Final Thoughts
SmartlySet offers a practical and affordable alternative to Notion for those who prefer digital paper. While it doesn't integrate with Notion, its focus on streamlined workflows and comprehensive planning makes it valuable for enhancing productivity. The PDF format has limitations, but the customizability, affordability, and positive user feedback make it a strong option.
2. Simple Journal (By Thomas Frank)
If you're looking for a minimalist journaling experience in Notion, the Simple Journal template by Thomas Frank might be just what you need. With its clean design and focus on reflection, this template offers a structured approach to daily journaling without overwhelming you with unnecessary features. This makes it a great choice for professionals, students, creatives, and anyone interested in boosting their productivity. Its compatibility across devices, including tablets, iPads, and even digital paper options like reMarkable and Boox, makes it even more convenient.
This template strikes a balance between simplicity and functionality. Daily entries include prompts for reflection, mood and energy level tracking, and a dedicated gratitude section. The weekly reflection component helps you identify recurring patterns in your thoughts and behaviors, encouraging personal growth and self-awareness. The gallery view provides a visual overview of your entries, making it easy to browse through your journal. This organized structure is especially helpful for those trying to build a consistent journaling habit.
Features & Benefits
- Daily journal entries with customizable prompts: These prompts can help you get started, even when you're not sure what to write about.
- Mood and energy level tracking: Track your mood and energy to see how they relate to your daily experiences.
- Weekly reflection section for identifying patterns: Delve deeper into your thoughts and behaviors to foster self-analysis and personal growth.
- Gratitude log integrated into daily entries: Cultivate a positive mindset by focusing on the good things in your life.
- Gallery view for easy navigation between entries: Easily browse your journal entries with a clear, visual overview.
- Calendar view integration: See your journal entries in a chronological order, making it simple to find specific days.
Pros
- Clean, minimalist design reduces friction to daily journaling: The simple interface encourages consistent use by minimizing distractions.
- Excellent organization system with calendar view integration: Your journal entries stay organized and accessible.
- Free to use with optional premium features: The core features are free, with the option to upgrade for more advanced functionality.
- Regular updates and improvements from the creator: The template is regularly updated and improved based on user feedback.
Cons
- May be too simplified for users wanting extensive tracking options: If you need detailed tracking for habits, finances, or fitness, this template might not be enough. Consider alternatives with more comprehensive tracking features.
- Limited customization in the free version: Advanced customization options require a premium subscription.
- Learning curve for Notion beginners: While the template is fairly straightforward, some familiarity with Notion's basic functions is helpful.
Pricing: Free, with optional premium features.
Technical Requirements: A free Notion account.
Implementation/Setup Tips
- Access the template: https://thomasjfrank.com/templates/simple-notion-journal-template/
- Duplicate the template to your Notion workspace.
- Customize the prompts and sections to fit your journaling goals.
- Start journaling!
The Simple Journal template by Thomas Frank is a solid choice for digital journaling in Notion. It's a good fit for users who appreciate a clean, organized, and minimalist design, while still offering key features like mood tracking, gratitude logs, and weekly reflections. If you're new to Notion journaling or prefer a simpler system, this template is a great place to begin.
3. Ultimate Life Planner & Journal (by Notion Everything)
This template from Notion Everything is a true all-in-one powerhouse for managing your life within Notion. It goes beyond basic journaling, integrating goal setting, habit tracking, and personal development into a cohesive, customizable experience. Think of it as your central hub for self-improvement and reflection.
Imagine starting your day by journaling, tracking your mood, and reviewing your goals, all within a single dashboard. This template facilitates exactly that. It offers daily, weekly, and monthly journaling views to track progress and reflect on different timescales. The built-in mood tracker even provides data visualization to help you identify trends and triggers.
The integrated habit tracker ensures your daily actions align with your long-term objectives, reinforcing the connection between daily reflections and overall life goals. This template truly shines in its customizability. Whether you prefer gratitude journaling, structured prompts, or a free-form approach, you can tailor it to your specific needs.
Who Is This Template For?
This flexibility makes the Ultimate Life Planner & Journal suitable for a diverse range of users. Busy professionals can connect daily work tasks to broader career goals. Entrepreneurs can track business milestones alongside personal development. Students can manage their studies while prioritizing well-being.
Creatives can find inspiration and document their process. Essentially, anyone seeking a robust system for managing their life within a digital environment will find this template valuable.
Pricing and Technical Details
This is a premium template, ranging from $27 to $47 depending on the package. While it's compatible with the free version of Notion, some advanced features may benefit from a Notion Pro subscription for optimal performance.
Pros and Cons
Here’s a quick overview of the advantages and disadvantages:
Pros:
- Comprehensive System: Integrates multiple aspects of personal development.
- Beautiful Design: A visually appealing and enjoyable user experience.
- Highly Customizable: Tailor the template to your individual needs.
- Video Tutorials: Helpful guides for setup and usage.
Cons:
- Premium Pricing: Requires an upfront investment.
- Potentially Overwhelming: Extensive features might be too much for beginners.
- Initial Setup Time: Requires time for personalization and configuration.
- Notion Pro Recommended: Some features perform best with a paid subscription.
Implementation Tip
Watch the provided video tutorials before diving in. This streamlines setup and helps you understand the template’s full potential. Start by customizing the core sections and prompts to align with your immediate needs. You can explore the more advanced features later.
Comparison With Other Templates
Compared to simpler journaling templates, this offers a much more integrated and comprehensive approach. While other templates might focus solely on journaling or habit tracking, the Ultimate Life Planner & Journal combines multiple functionalities into one unified system.
Website
This template is a significant step up for anyone looking to move beyond basic note-taking within Notion. Its integrated approach to personal development makes it a powerful tool for organized living and self-improvement.
4. 5-Minute Journal Template (by Easlo)
For busy professionals, entrepreneurs, students, and creatives, finding time for self-reflection can be tough. The 5-Minute Journal Template by Easlo offers a practical solution, bringing the popular 5-Minute Journal method to Notion. This template simplifies journaling, focusing on quick wins and proven benefits without a huge time commitment. It's ideal for anyone wanting to integrate journaling into their routine, especially those using tablets like iPads, reMarkables, or Boox devices for digital note-taking.
This template deserves mention because it addresses a key journaling barrier: time. Its concise structure makes it accessible even for the busiest individuals, encouraging consistency without feeling overwhelming. It provides a structured framework that prompts reflection on gratitude, daily intentions, evening highlights, and areas for improvement, all within five minutes.
Features & Benefits
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Morning Gratitude & Intention Setting: Start your day with positivity and purpose. List things you're grateful for and set clear intentions. This preps your mind for a productive day.
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Evening Reflection & Highlight Recording: End your day by reflecting on highlights and identifying areas for improvement. This boosts self-awareness and helps you learn from your experiences.
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Progress Tracker: Track your journaling streak to stay motivated and build a consistent habit. Visualizing progress is a powerful incentive.
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Minimalist Design: The template's clean and simple design is optimized for speed and efficiency. This avoids distractions, allowing quick entries.
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Quotation Database: Start your day with inspiration from a built-in database of motivational quotes.
Pros
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Perfect for Beginners: The structured format makes starting easy, even for journaling newbies.
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Time-Efficient: True to its name, it takes just five minutes.
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Science-Backed Approach: The 5-Minute Journal method is rooted in positive psychology and has proven benefits for well-being.
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Free Basic Version Available: Try the core functionality for free before upgrading to premium.
Cons
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Limited Depth: This template might feel restrictive if you prefer deeper journaling.
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Less Customization: It offers fewer customization options than other Notion templates.
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Potential Repetitiveness: Experienced journalers might find the structure repetitive.
Implementation & Setup Tips
Implementing the template is easy. Purchase it from the Gumroad link and duplicate it into your Notion workspace. You can start using it immediately. Though customization is limited, you can personalize the quotation database with your favorite quotes.
Pricing & Technical Requirements
A free basic version offers core 5-Minute Journal functionality. A premium version with additional features is available for purchase. The template requires a free Notion account and works on any device supporting Notion (desktop, web, mobile).
Website: https://easlo.gumroad.com/l/5-minute-journal
This 5-Minute Journal template is an excellent choice for busy people seeking journaling benefits without a major time commitment. Its streamlined design and focus on key elements make it a practical tool for incorporating mindfulness and self-reflection into your daily routine, whether you're a student, entrepreneur, or creative professional.
5. Gratitude Journal (by Red Gregory)
For those looking to cultivate a thankful mindset, Red Gregory's Notion Gratitude Journal template offers a focused solution. Unlike general journaling templates, this one emphasizes building a consistent gratitude practice. It's perfect for busy professionals, entrepreneurs, students, or anyone dealing with daily stress who wants a more positive outlook.
This template provides structure and tracking features. Daily, weekly, and monthly prompts encourage reflection. Tracking your gratitude streaks visually motivates you to keep going. You can even embed photos and videos, linking your gratitude to specific memories and enriching the experience. A searchable database lets you revisit past entries and see your growth over time.
Red Gregory has created a visually appealing template, customizable to individual preferences. A video setup guide and usage tips make it easy to get started, even for Notion beginners. Importantly, the prompts are research-backed, designed to maximize the well-being benefits of gratitude.
Features and Benefits
- Daily, weekly, and monthly gratitude prompts offer a consistent framework.
- Gratitude streaks and consistency tracking provide visual motivation.
- Media embedding for photos and videos connects gratitude to memories.
- Searchable gratitude database allows for reflection and review.
- Beautiful, customizable design makes the experience enjoyable.
- Video setup guide and usage tips ease the onboarding process.
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Focused approach to gratitude | Narrower focus than general journals |
Aesthetically pleasing design | Premium pricing ($19) |
Research-backed prompts | Requires some Notion familiarity |
Implementation Tips
While the template is robust, personalize the prompts and customizations. For professional growth, focus your gratitude on opportunities, learning, and positive collaborations. Use the media embedding feature to capture visual reminders of your successes.
Comparing to General Journal Templates
Red Gregory's template provides more structure than generic journals. While all-purpose journals allow for broader entries, this specialized template helps develop a consistent and impactful gratitude practice.
Pricing and Technical Requirements
The Gratitude Journal is a premium template priced at $19. You'll need a Notion account and some familiarity with the platform, though the video guide is helpful. Since it’s accessible through Notion, you can use it on various devices, including tablets, iPads, and digital paper devices like reMarkable and Boox.
Website
This template earns its spot on the list because of its focused approach and well-designed features, promoting a consistent gratitude practice. While the price might be a factor, the value lies in its targeted approach and potential positive impact.
6. Daily Journal 2.0 (by Notion Templates)
The Daily Journal 2.0 template offers a robust and balanced journaling experience within Notion. It's designed for those seeking a more integrated approach to personal development, connecting daily reflections with goals, habits, and overall productivity. This makes it ideal for professionals, entrepreneurs, students, or anyone focused on self-improvement.
This template goes beyond basic daily logging. Start your day reviewing your schedule, jot down your intentions in the structured journaling section, and track your mood and energy levels. As you progress, link completed tasks directly to your journal entry, adding context and a sense of accomplishment.
Weekly and Monthly Reflections
At the end of the week, the weekly view allows for reflection on recurring themes. Analyze habit progress visualized through charts, and identify areas for improvement. The monthly view provides a broader perspective on your journey, helping with bigger-picture reflections and goal adjustments. For creatives, designers, and academics, the tagging and categorization system allows for efficient retrieval of specific entries, serving as a powerful idea repository.
Key Features and Benefits
- Integrated Personal Development System: Combines journaling with task management and habit tracking.
- Structured and Free-Form Journaling: Accommodates both structured reflection through prompts and free-flowing thoughts.
- Multi-View Perspective: Daily, weekly, and monthly views offer different levels of detail.
- Data Visualization: Visualized mood and energy tracking offers insights into personal patterns.
- Powerful Database Architecture: Uses Notion's database functionality for filtering, sorting, and analyzing journal entries.
Pros
- Balanced Feature Set: Offers a comprehensive set of features without being overwhelming.
- Strong Notion Integration: Works seamlessly within Notion's existing framework.
- Regular Updates & Support: The developers provide ongoing support and updates.
- Affordable Price: A good value at $9.99.
Cons
- Functional Overlap: Some features may overlap with existing Notion functionalities.
- Customization Learning Curve: Requires some Notion experience for customization.
- Suboptimal Mobile Experience: The desktop experience is better than mobile.
Implementation Tips
- Duplicate the template: Duplicate the template to your workspace after purchase.
- Explore the pre-built views: Familiarize yourself with the daily, weekly, and monthly views.
- Customize the prompts: Tailor the prompts to your personal goals.
- Utilize the tagging system: Create a consistent tagging system for easy retrieval.
Pricing and Technical Requirements
- $9.99 one-time purchase
- Requires a Notion account
Why It's on This List
The Daily Journal 2.0 template stands out for its integrated approach to personal development. It combines features that other templates might offer individually into one seamless system. If you're comfortable with some customization and are looking for a powerful journaling system within Notion, this template is a great choice.
Website: https://www.notion.so/templates/daily-journal-2
7. Reflection OS (By August Bradley)
For those looking for a truly integrated journaling experience within Notion, August Bradley's Reflection OS is a powerful choice. Part of his Pillars, Pipelines & Vaults (PPV) system, this template moves beyond simple daily logs and transforms your Notion workspace into a dynamic second brain. It's less a digital diary and more a strategic thinking partner, connecting your reflections to goals, projects, and your overall knowledge management system. This system is ideal for professionals, entrepreneurs, students, academics, and anyone serious about personal growth and productivity.
Practical Applications and Use Cases
Reflection OS offers several unique benefits:
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Goal-Oriented Reflection: Structured around your defined life pillars (key areas of focus), the template ensures reflections directly contribute to your objectives. You're not just journaling; you're strategically analyzing progress and identifying areas for improvement within your long-term vision.
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Project Integration: Bidirectional linking between journal entries and projects lets you see the thinking behind decisions. You can also track progress on specific tasks and find relevant insights when revisiting projects, which is valuable for managing multiple complex projects.
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Knowledge Management Powerhouse: Reflection OS excels at capturing and connecting ideas. Sophisticated tagging and the ability to link reflections to other areas of your PPV system help you build an evolving web of knowledge. This allows you to easily surface relevant reflections when working on new projects or facing similar challenges later.
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Spaced Repetition for Insights: The system incorporates spaced repetition, a proven learning technique, to resurface key insights from past reflections. This ensures valuable lessons aren't forgotten and are integrated into your current thinking.
Features and Benefits
Here's a quick look at what Reflection OS offers:
- Advanced reflection prompts based on life pillars and goals
- Bidirectional linking between journal entries and projects/areas of life
- Sophisticated tagging and knowledge management integration
- Spaced repetition for insights and learnings
- Dashboard with journaling metrics and patterns
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Connects journaling to broader life systems
- Unmatched depth and integration capabilities
- Based on proven productivity and personal development methodologies
- Comprehensive video training included
Cons:
- Steep learning curve
- $97+ investment for the PPV system
- Can be overwhelming for casual journalers or Notion beginners
- Requires ongoing maintenance and setup
Implementation/Setup Tips
This template requires a commitment to learning the PPV system. Invest time in setting up your pillars, pipelines, and vaults before using Reflection OS. The included video training is crucial for successful implementation.
Comparison With Other Templates
Other Notion journal templates offer basic daily logging and mood tracking, but few match Reflection OS's integration and strategic focus. Simpler options may suffice for a basic digital diary. However, if you want a system connecting reflections to actions and goals, Reflection OS is worth considering.
Pricing and Technical Requirements
Reflection OS is part of the $97+ Pillars, Pipelines & Vaults (PPV) system. It requires a Notion account and engagement with the PPV methodology.
Website: https://www.augustbradley.com/templates
Reflection OS offers a unique, integrated journaling approach. While it's not for everyone, its power and depth make it an exceptional tool for those committed to using reflections for personal and professional growth. For productivity enthusiasts, creatives, designers, and anyone striving for a more intentional life, Reflection OS could be transformative. It's especially valuable for users of digital paper devices like reMarkable, Boox, and iPad, enabling seamless journaling integration within existing workflows.
Top 7 Notion Journal Templates: Feature Comparison
Template | Core Features ✨ | User Experience ★ | Value Proposition 💰 | Target Audience 👥 |
---|---|---|---|---|
SmartlySet 🏆 | 5 PDF templates; 5546 pages; customizable layout options | Minimalist & intuitive; 90+ rave reviews | $19 (61% off); excellent support | Professionals, creatives, students |
Simple Journal (Thomas Frank) | Daily entries; mood tracking; gratitude sections | Clean design; calendar view; free basic version | Free start; regular updates | Notion beginners; minimalists |
Ultimate Life Planner & Journal | Integrated habits, goals; multiple views; video tutorials | Beautiful typography; extensive customization | Premium ($27-47); all-in-one life management system | Advanced Notion users; life planners |
5-Minute Journal Template | Morning gratitude; evening reflection; quote database | Quick 5-min fill; efficient & beginner-friendly | Free basic; science-backed methodology | Busy individuals; beginners |
Gratitude Journal | Daily/weekly prompts; streak tracking; media embedding | Aesthetic design; guided setup; research-backed | Premium ($19); focused gratitude practice | Gratitude enthusiasts; creative users |
Daily Journal 2.0 | Multiple views; task integration; habit tracking; tagging | Balanced approach; strong filtering; regular updates | $9.99; great value; versatile template | Organized planners; Notion pros |
Reflection OS | Advanced prompts; bidirectional linking; dashboard metrics | Deep integration; powerful; comprehensive video training | $97+; high investment; premium ecosystem | Power users; advanced planners; system builders |
Which Notion Journal Template Is Right For You?
The best Notion journal template is the one that truly works for you—your style, your goals, and your comfort level with Notion itself. Do you prefer a minimalist approach like the Simple Journal or a more comprehensive system like the Ultimate Life Planner & Journal?
Are you focusing on gratitude, like with the Red Gregory template, or quick daily reflections, like with Easlo’s 5-Minute Journal? Perhaps you need the structured self-reflection offered by Reflection OS or the streamlined functionality of Daily Journal 2.0.
Exploring Your Options
Experiment with free or trial versions before committing to a premium template. Consider the features: some templates provide advanced features like habit trackers, mood trackers, and goal setting integrations, while others focus on simplicity and ease of use.
For example, if you're new to Notion, a simpler template like Thomas Frank’s Simple Journal might be a good starting point. If you're comfortable with Notion and want a more integrated approach, Notion Everything’s Ultimate Life Planner & Journal or August Bradley’s Reflection OS might be better suited.
Budget, Resources, and Compatibility
Budget is a key factor. While many free templates are available, premium templates often offer more advanced features and polished designs. Evaluate whether the extra cost aligns with the value you'll receive.
Resource considerations, such as the time needed to set up and maintain the template, are also crucial. A simpler template requires less initial setup but might lack the long-term flexibility of a more comprehensive one.
Integration and compatibility are especially important for users of digital paper devices like reMarkable, boox, and iPads. While Notion is primarily a digital tool, many templates can be adapted for use alongside physical notebooks or printed versions for those who prefer a hybrid approach. Making sure your chosen template fits into your existing workflow is vital for long-term success.
Choosing the Right Template
Choosing the right Notion journal template comes down to understanding your needs, trying different options, and considering your budget, resources, and compatibility with your existing tools. With the right template, your Notion journal can become a powerful tool for personal growth and productivity in 2025.
Ready to elevate your productivity and journaling? SmartlySet offers high-quality digital templates, including planner options compatible with reMarkable and other tablets. Discover expertly crafted tools designed to streamline your workflow and help you achieve your goals. Transform your digital organization today!
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