21 Cute Empty Notebook Ideas That Are Actually Productive

Looking for ways to fill your empty notebooks? Check out these productive empty notebook ideas to fill up the empty pages lying stray in your house. PS: Number 15 is my personal favorite. 

Here is a guilty confession on my end – I have way too many empty notebooks and blank journals in my drawers.

Some of them are from my college days, purchased with the idea of being used as planners, but abandoned after a week of half-hearted scheduling.

Others are the result of giving in to the temptation of cute stationary shopping.

And sorry, but I blame the notebook designers. I mean, who on earth can resist these cute thingies?

Regardless of your reasons for owning a pile of empty notebooks (or even a lone blank journal), there are some great ways to fill those pages.

These days, I am spending my evenings organizing my empty journals, and let me tell you, I am having a blast with this activity.

I’ve already started filling some of my notebooks and found the ideas to be quite productive.

Before reading on, consider pinning this post to share the love. 😊

In this post, we’ll go through some creative empty notebook ideas.

I’ve explored about half of these in the past year, so I can vouch for their amazingly good results.

And the other suggestions are the ones I am busy poking around these days and am having a lot of fun with.

If you’re looking to put your blank journals to good use, read on.

21 Cute Empty Notebook Ideas

1. Daily Planner

Let’s start with our most productive notebook idea.

It’s a known fact that putting your plans down in writing raises your sense of responsibility.

That’s why I believe that every person should have a journal dedicated solely to planning their day-to-day tasks.

A daily planner is a perfect antidote to procrastination and laziness. Also, you can simplify your intimidating tasks by breaking them down into shorter steps in your planner.

You don’t have to keep your planner speck-free. Allow yourself to scribble, scratch and re-write until you feel in control of your day.

Related Post: 13 Things To Do When You Don’t Feel So Productive

2. Affirmations Notebook

Affirmations are words you use to re-affirms some beautiful truths and values to your inner self.

When used on a daily basis, they can be your powerful allies against the everyday hardships of life.

I recently launched an affirmations notebook and have been reaping its rewards during my morning routine.

I usually like to pick an affirmation for the day and write it over and over again until I fully imbibe it. Sometimes, I use multiple affirmations in a day to keep myself positive and inspired.

If you believe in the power of implementing the right words at the right time, this notebook idea is for you.

Posts that will help you fill your affirmations notebook:

• 121 Positive Affirmations For Mental Strength
• 101 Beautiful Affirmations For Self-Love And Healing
• 120 Health Affirmations For A Powerful Life

3. Quotes Journal

Quotes are highly motivating; I use them often in my journals, so much so that I decided to use one of my empty notebooks solely for quotes.

There is a ton of positivity inside you, waiting to be tapped into, and quotes are the best ways to access it.

Use a spare notebook to write down your favorite quotes from books, shows, movies, and inspiring personalities. It will act as a good tool for inspiration.

4. Recipe Notebook

I kept postponing a recipe journal for a long time. Looking back, I don’t know how I even managed without one.

Most of you probably go to Youtube for food recipes or ask someone in your family who’s good at cooking.

But things will be much simpler if you start jotting down the ingredients to your favorite dishes along with their cooking details.

You don’t have to record every new recipe that you try.

But if you find yourself cooking certain dishes more than once, you probably want it in a notebook instead of having to rewatch a recipe video over and over again.

5. Wellness Journal

Concerned about your wellness and looking to take it more seriously? A wellness journal would be right up your alley.

You can use a blank notebook to keep track of both your mental and physical health since the two are the basic elements of your wellness.

You can write about your daily moods, call yourself out on overthinking, and manage your stress by venting in your notebook.

It’s also a smart habit to record your workouts and keep yourself motivated to stay healthy and fine. For a better idea of how to go about this, check out these 51 health journal prompts.

Highly Recommended: 5 Wellness Hacks I Wish I’d Learned Sooner

6. Bedtime Thoughts

Bedtime journaling is amazing to wrap up your thoughts and go to sleep in peace.

I have a separate notebook for my nighttime routine, in which I run free with my creativity, be it doodling, writing entries, or using affirmations.

It’s a habit that helps me start each day afresh, with new intentions and powerful inspirations.

A day that ends on paper is a day well spent. So, launch a nighttime journal and use it to end your day on a positive note.

To get you started, here are 50 bedtime journal prompts that I use often before going to sleep.

Also Recommended: 12 Ideas For The Best Self-Care Night Routine

7. Dream Journal

Our dreams are perhaps one of the most mysterious elements of our existence. The closer you can get to them, the more in tune you become with your subconscious mind.

If you are curious by nature or are looking to raise your awareness regarding your deepest inner self, a dream journal would be perfect for you.

Whenever you experience a dream, write it down in your notebook within the next 24 hours. Analyze it and then pen down your interpretation of it.

You can even add this activity to your morning routine to start your day on a mindful note.

8. Rant Notebook

Earlier, I used to keep a single journal which I’d use as a meal planner, fitness tracker, and for writing wellness-related entries.

It would also contain short rant entries, which I realized over time ruined the soothing tone of my diary.

Ranting is necessary to get rid of your stressful and bitter thoughts. But I’d rather not do it on pages that I use to draw positivity for my inner self.

It’s always good to stay organized, and keeping a separate notebook for venting your emotions is no different.

Pick your least favorite empty notebook, name it your ‘venting spot’, and voila! Now you have a place to rant.

9. Mindfulness Journal

Two years back, I didn’t even understand the meaning of mindfulness and was as far away from it as you can be.

But once I realized its potential, I took a deep dive and found it to be an eye-opening experience. It’s the only thing I swear by as a solution to all your troubles.

And practicing this habit isn’t that hard. All you need to do is jot down every little thing that affects your mood.

If it’s an upcoming meeting you’re worried about, write it down. A flower made you smile? Capture the moment by drawing petals.

Basically, you open yourself up to every sensation, feeling, and emotion by penning down your thoughts.

Do this until mindfulness becomes second nature to you, and you become fine-tuned to your surroundings.

10. Budget Planner

As adults, it’s super important to master your finances. The more in control of your money you are, the more you’ll prosper in life, and the richer at heart you will be.

People who are highly organized always maintain a monthly budget plan. It helps them keep a firm grasp on their possessions and also spent their money mindfully.

If you’re looking to save money, and spend your income wisely, use an empty notebook as a budget planner.

At the start of every month, make a list of items you need to buy, and then stick to this plan.

Also, add one or two things that you’d love to have but don’t really need. Doing so will keep you content and avoid impulsive buying.

11. Morning Journal

Becoming a morning person has been a great personal achievement for me.

It’s the first step I took toward improving my life, which was made more beautiful by the activity of writing in the morning.

Your morning thoughts are fresh and precious to your mind.

If you can capture your intentions and goals at the start of the day, chances are you’ll finish them off in time.

For the same reasons, it’s a wise idea to start a morning journal. It’ll probably turn out to be the most blissful activity of your morning routine.

12. Meal Planner

Up until recently, I used to track my meals through an app. But I didn’t want to keep relying on technology for this, and it also made me a little anxious.

So, I went back to the traditional method of using a notebook as a meal planner. Not only is it stress-free, but I also use it to boost my health spirit through positive meal affirmations.

You can plan your meals the night before and then stick to them as closely as possible by keeping your food journal in sight.

This will help prevent overeating, and stress eating, and also promote mindful eating, which is a life-changing food habit worth mastering.

While planning your meals, incorporate a healthy diet for yourself, and don’t forget to add occasional treats.

Good eating is all about keeping a balanced mix of fun and healthy food; your meal notebook would be a reminder of just that.

13. Vocabulary Notebook

Who doesn’t want to learn new words and flaunt their language skills during mindful conversations? I know I love using unique words that make me feel intellectual from within.

A vocabulary notebook is a must-have for all of those who are looking to raise their language skills. It’s also a great hobby to cultivate for literary lovers.

If you’re a bibliophile like me, there must be many new words you come across within the pages of your beloved books. Writing them down in a notebook will help you retain their meaning.

Make it a point to learn at least 5 new words every day and add them to your vocab journal for safekeeping.

14. Unsent Letters

There are so many things that often remain unsaid. This could be regarding a person who’s still in your life, or someone who was a part of it.

Sometimes, you just don’t have the option to get things off your chest. In such situations, writing unsent letters can be very therapeutic.

This is something my therapist once recommended to me. Ever since I’ve kept a notebook solely for the purpose of writing unsent letters. You can do the same for an ex-friend or a past relationship.

If the idea of storing these letters in your room doesn’t bode well with you, get rid of them as soon as you’re done writing – out of sight, out of mind.

Worth Reading: 10 Things To Let Go Of To Be Happy

15. Wishlist Journal

I feel like the older I get, the less focused I become on my wishlist, while some years back it used to make me so happy to cross things off of it.

It’s not that we don’t have sufficient time to fulfill our heart’s desires, but waiting for the right moment or the perfect opportunity leads to putting off your wishlist for the longest time.

You can convert your tiniest spare notebook into a wishlist journal. Go to it whenever you’re bored and act upon the activities that are doable.

You can make lists of your to-watch movies, to-read books, and all the local destinations you want to visit this year.

The best thing is that maintaining a wishlist journal is just as fun as getting to cross these things. So you’re guaranteed to have a cozy time.

You Might Enjoy: 35 Little Things In Life That Can Make You Happy

16. Creative Ideas

Humans are one of the most beautiful creations of nature and are also capable of creating marvelous things.

Our creativity can often act as a guiding spirit toward our future goals. Not tapping into this immense power is a waste of a wonderful ability.

I highly recommend you start a personal creativity notebook. You can pen down any random ideas that pop into your head, that you might otherwise miss out on.

These creative ideas might include a poem, a short story, some seemingly crazy plans for your future, and some thrilling action plans for your career.

Do this, and you’ll get to know a whole different side of you that might be hidden at the moment. Have fun interacting with your creative spirit.

17. Scrap Journal

As a kid, I loved maintaining a scrapbook. I’d paste old family photographs on colorful pages, and use newspaper cutouts for decorations. It was ridiculously bright, but I still adored it.

My cut-and-past hobby is now a bit advanced. I stick all kinds of beautiful printed quotes and pictures in my journals and have been thinking of launching a separate notebook for this.

You can collect all sorts of memories in your scrap journal – a flower petal that you picked from your garden, a golden leaf you collected on the sidewalk, or a picture of your cute teenage self.

The options are seriously limitless, but one thing is for certain – Once you get started with this thing, you’ll look forward to adding to your scrap collection with the excitement of a kid, which is a feeling all of us can do with.

18. Shared Journal

This might just be the most unique item on this list of empty notebook ideas. A shared journal is something you keep in fun spirits with your best friend.

It’s a must-try activity for friends who are looking to deepen their bond and build a reliable support system.

You and your friend can take weekly turns keeping this journal, and writing things down for the other person to read.

Consider it a kind of e-mail exchange, if you would, just more traditional, personal, and heartfelt.

Bookmark For Later: 11 Signs You Need A Mental Break In Life

19. Work Notebook

Let’s call it for what it is – work life can often be messy and rough.

You can never do enough organizing in this area, but keeping a work notebook is a nearly ideal way to achieve this.

You can use this type of journal to make notes of appointments, important deadlines, checklists, and meetings that you don’t want to miss.

Pouring your work plans into a journal also eases the stress off your brain, which is something all of us need in our professional life.

20. Habits And Routines Tracker

I feel like our habits are one of the most neglected areas of life, even though there is a huge potential for positive change in this department.

A routine journal can come in handy in fixing the overall structure of your day, making it align with the kind of lifestyle you are aiming for.

You can also use it to quit your toxic habits, which would lead to personal growth and a major shift in your personality.

Before getting started with a routine journal, check out these 10 simple daily habits that I swear by for personal growth and self-improvement.

Related: 21 Amazing Habits Of Happy People

21. Language Practice Notebook

Many people are inclined toward learning a second language or maybe even a third because it’s something worth adding to their skillset.

I’ve been learning Turkish online, and it’s proving to be super fun, albeit a bit difficult.

While I don’t have sufficient hours to make notes on every lesson, the importance of the old pen-and-paper method can’t be ignored either.

So, I decided to have a Turkish notebook for noting down the phrases I struggle with the most, and it’s already helping me so much.

Which language have you always wanted to master? Think you’re interested enough to have a learning journal for it?

If yes, then get started today. Writing in it for even one hour a week would be a step toward mastering your dream language.

Recommended: 10 Self-Love Habits Every Woman Needs

These 21 Notebook Ideas Are Perfect To Fill Your Blank Pages

As I already mentioned, I’ve tried half of these empty notebook ideas so far. Trust me, they were the most productive ways I could’ve filled my blank journals.

Now, it’s your turn to run free with these ideas. Grab all the empty notebooks in your house, and use this list to assort suitable types for each journal.

And don’t forget to drop a comment down below mentioning your favorite at least two of your favorite empty notebook ideas from this list. I’m always up for a good chat.