It may seem like using a pen and paper is a bit old fashioned, but on all my trips so far I have taken a notebook with me and written down the days activities. I have really enjoyed it and here are some reasons you might too:

  1. It’s a chance to wind down and reflect after a busy day of exploring.
  2. It’s something to do while you wait for laundry (what I was doing in the picture above!) or while you are stuck on a long train ride.
  3. A journal does not rely on battery power or internet so you can write anywhere, anytime.
  4. The journal can be a special purchase you make in anticipation of your travels, or it can be a nice reminder of home if you use one that was given to you as a gift.
  5. Journaling adds something special to the travel experience. I don’t journal in my every day life so for me it is one of the fun things about being away.
  6. It helps you keep a record of everything you have done and prompts you to remember little stories. It is also usually a more accurate reflection of what you saw and how you felt at the time. Even if you wait a week to come back and write about your experience, your memory will be slightly different or influenced by other emotions.
  7. Your handwritten notes are something you can look back on in many years time along with photos and souvenirs.
  8. Even if you don’t end up journaling, having a pen and paper in your luggage is always handy for taking notes or writing directions.

Do you take a journal when travelling or do you just like to keep memories?

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