Art of Iconography: How to Organize Your Journal

The Power of Journaling Icons in capturing and organizing your thoughts

Journaling iconography is important to me and my journaling system. I’ve always been a visual learner, and I’ve found that journaling icons have been a game-changer for my brain in helping me organize creative chaos.

The icons for task, migrate, complete, reschedule, gratitude, idea, meeting, note: all of these drive my day, my week, my life.

The icons help ease anxiety about missing out on completing a creative project important to me. They help me stay grounded in the present, because I less often drop what I’m doing to start something new.

Page numbers and index are absolutely required for me for this journaling system. The good news is that you can make both of these on your own. (Though I include them in my Owl Paper planner journal system).

Introduction

As a lifelong journaler, I’ve always been drawn to the power of visual organization. For me, journaling isn’t just about documenting my day; it’s a way to organize those thoughts into a better life.

That’s why I’ve come to rely heavily on the art of iconography in my daily journaling practice as I learned about in Ryder Carroll’s amazing bullet journaling book.

Why Icons Matter

Icons are more than just cute doodles. They serve as visual cues that can enhance clarity, organization, and even spark creativity. By using icons to represent different categories of entries, such as tasks, ideas, gratitude, or meetings, I can quickly scan my journal and identify the information I need. This not only saves me time but also helps me stay focused on my goals.

Creating Your Icon Legend

The first step in incorporating icons into your journaling practice is to create a personal icon legend. This is essentially a visual dictionary that defines the meaning of each icon you use. I like to keep my icon legend simple and consistent, using symbols that are easy to remember and visually appealing. For example, I use a checkmark to represent completed tasks, a lightbulb for ideas, and a heart for gratitude entries.

Here is an example icon legend. This is one I use daily.

And this is the way it appears in my daily pages.

Conclusion

The art of iconic journaling is a powerful tool for self-expression and organization. By incorporating icons into your journaling practice, you can unlock the full potential of your journal and create a more meaningful and rewarding experience. I encourage you to experiment with different icon systems and find what works best for you. And don’t forget to share your iconic journaling adventures in the comments below!

Owl Paper & Your Icon System

Owl Paper’s planner journals are designed to accommodate a variety of journaling styles. Whether you prefer a structured layout or a blank dotted or grid page (as you will find in my planner journal), you’ll find the perfect space to experiment with your icon system. The monthly and weekly spreads, along with the unstructured pages, offer endless possibilities for customization.