I’ve been really into journaling in 2021.
Last year, to replace the gratitude journal that I initially purchased on a whim, I made the intentional decision to invest in a quality journal to capture my thoughts and progress, as well as to keep tabs on my mental health as I continue to navigate our collective struggle through the “Pandamatic”.
Three hundred sixty-five days later, I’m happy to say that I’ve completed The Human Being Journal by Mahara Mindfulness.
I felt compelled to purchase the journal after I saw it advertised in its inaugural year by one of the co-founders, a former co-worker.
Here is a blurb from the website:
Perfect for the busy go-getter seeking a mindfulness practice that decreases stress and enhances well-being. With guided questions rooted in the fundamental pillars of a happy life—including health, career, and relationships—the journal bridges the gap between our human selves and the deeper sense of being so many of us are craving in this modern world.
The journal is undated, so it can be started at any time of the year. I chose the Midnight Blue variety, but it also comes in colours Cobblestone, Coastal Beige and Mahogany. The book is hardcover, lined in linen fabric and embossed in gold print.
What I Loved
The Human Being Journal is gorgeous; at 8 x 6 inches, the book is the perfect size for journaling so that it doesn’t feel overwhelming in the hands or too tiny to capture thoughts.
If you’re into supporting local, then you’re in luck: Best of all, the journal is made right here in Canada!
What I absolutely loved about The Human Being Journal was that it was guided. The beginning of the journal asks you for your word of the year, then asks you to write down your goals and aspirations.
The Deep Dive section is the highlight of the journal, with prompts at the end of each month that challenge and provoke you to really look inward and to examine what drives your soul.
The month-end reviews also sprinkle in suggestions of motivational videos, speeches, TED talks, and quizzes to try. I hope these suggestions will be updated and included in future editions of the journal.
The Human Being Journal is my introduction to dot grid pages. Dot grid pages are the staple of the bullet journal, the uber-customizable format of journaling that, admittedly, still seems out of my reach.
I appreciated the inclusion of the pages as an opportunity to customize my own entries. I created some very rudimentary habit trackers for drinking water, exercise, reading books, etc., as well as a page I made into a gratitude journal.
What Needs Improvement
As much as I love the look and feel of the book, I would have preferred a vegan leather cover over one made of fabric. We adopted a cat in 2022, and Twila’s white fur is drawn to the cover like a moth to a fabric flame.
Also, I would have preferred the inclusion of more dot grid and notes pages at the end of the journal. There are two pages of notes and two dot grid pages for each month, but I think a few excess pages would have been beneficial for experimenting with journal spreads.
The quality of the paper is nice and sturdy. I’m not especially crazy about the cream colour – I would have preferred white pages – but the Pilot G2 pen was the perfect writing implement and glides nicely along the paper’s surface. However, if you intend to use markers, like the Zebra Mildliners, be aware that you will experience some degree of ghosting through the pages.
Final Thoughts
All in all, getting The Human Being Journal by Mahara Mindfulness was easily one of the best purchases I’ve made this year.
2021 has proven to be yet another challenging year; The Human Being Journal provided me with the necessary wellness tools to exercise self-care on my mental health and to express myself creatively.
If you’re still scrambling for a holiday gift for that special someone, I highly suggest getting them a copy of The Human Being Journal. Get yourself a copy for yourself as well. It truly is an investment into shaping a better, more intentional you.
You can purchase The Human Being Journal from the Mahara Mindfulness website.
