In a world that grows more digitized by the day, the act of putting pen to paper is transformational. Here are a few ways the classic form of journal keeping can ground you and increase your creativity:

One: Quickly capture thoughts and information

Ideas emerge at any given moment. Having a notebook on hand allows you to quickly jot them down before they slip away. It’s also a great tool for organizing all your ideas in one place. There’s nothing more frustrating than scattered jottings on receipts, slips of paper and the backs of envelopes.

Two: Improve your mental health by journaling and disconnecting

There is a strong connection between journaling and mental health. The weight of everyday life can bog you down. Studies have shown that expressing your emotions can help manage anxieties, ease stress and cope with depression. Use a journal to express your thoughts through writing, doodling or another visual tactic. Doing so can relieve the stress of overwhelming emotions and other life pressures.

Three: Eliminate distractions

Our smartphones are major points of distraction in our lives. We are constantly getting notifications about text messages, social media alerts, emails and other intrusive apps. By using a journal to jot down your thoughts, you can help eliminate distractions from the virtual world. Whether you are sketching, doodling, journaling or simply making your grocery list, using a notebook encourages you to focus on putting your thoughts on the page.

Four: A way to remember what you don’t wish to forget

Various studies have shown that the physical act of writing can help you retain thoughts and information better than typing on a keyboard or into a phone. The classic pen-and-paper combo requires you to think through every letter and word, which more effectively etches the information into your memory. Writing class notes by hand or jotting down information during work meetings also enhances retention.

Five: Plan and brainstorm more efficiently

Apps on your smartphone or computer can have constricting formats that confine your ideas and workflow. When your brain is on a roll, you need space to capture every thought, no matter in which direction your ideas go. In a notebook, it’s much easier to map things out on an unrestricted, blank page. Your mind can wander freely and creatively.

Find the system that’s right for you

The best way to enhance your note-writing experience, is to personalize a notebook or journal to reflect your style and personality. At Giftsin24, you can select a journal that inspires and motivates you to experience all the benefits of writing by hand. Shop our selection of personalized journal and notepad options to get your brain flowing.

Planners are nice. Writing journals are sweet to keep. But what if you could have one book that does both? Enter the Bullet Journal. It’s simple to set up, and it’s flexible, too, so you can customize it to capture all of your hopes, dreams and day-to-day plans. The magic starts with a blank journal, a pen and — if you can find them — about 15 free, uninterrupted minutes of your day to think and write, dream and plan.

So what is a bullet journal exactly? You may have heard the term floating around…it’s a cross between a diary and planner. You start with a book of plain paper, like our new personalized journals, and a good pen.

Once you have your book and pen, do these three things:

1. Save a page for a pretty inscription (think: this book belongs to… OR an inspirational quote that fuels you).
2. Create a table of contents on the next one or two pages to help you find information inside the book quickly. 
3. Number all the pages.

Next, think about what kinds of information– or sections of the book — you want. These are some ideas:

1. Pages for dreams, insights, daily observations and/or nightly gratitude lists.
2. Pages that list and explore your values and how you intend to live them. What is important to you and how will you manifest those values in your life? Example: you care about community services, so you can list 3-4 ways you contribute to your community each month.
3. Pages that relate to housekeeping — these could be important account passwords, healthy menus, shopping lists, home improvement projects, and so on.
4. Daily or weekly to-do lists. What are your goals for the day or week? Include check boxes that are oh-so satisfying to tick.
5. Goals and budgets — these tools are indispensable if you are going from point A to point B in your life.
6. Books to read, movies to see, restaurants to try.
7. List of birthdays, a kindness calendar, or other lists that help you reach out to those you love and your greater community.
8. Inspirational or motivational quotes and affirmations, for those low days when you need a boost.
9. Whatever else you come up with…a bullet journal should be a personal reflection of what is important to YOU. Personalize it to your heart’s content…so that your heart can be content.

Above all, a bullet journal can help catapult your life into one that’s more focused on the things that are important to you. It’s so easy to get distracted in our twitter-fueled, over-scheduled world. Spend 10 minutes every days helping your brain be more mindful of your own true goals and aspirations…and see what happens.