Summer journaling doesn’t have to mean long entries or deep reflections. Some of the best things to put in your summer journal are lists, scraps, half-thoughts, or the wrapper from a favourite ice lolly. If you’ve been staring at a blank page, wondering where to start, this post is for you.
There are 25 ideas below, split into categories so you can pick whatever fits your mood. Use them as a list to dip into, or a way to get unstuck when you’re not sure what to write.
The things to put in a summer journal don’t have to be big or impressive. But I often find that the small details are usually the ones you’re most glad you kept.
25 Fun Things to Put in Your Summer Journal
Here is a collection of 25 things to put in your summer journal. I have divided it into sections for you so you can easily choose something that fits your mood.
Lists to Put in Your Summer Journal
- Favourite summer snacks
- Books you’re reading or want to read
- Songs on repeat
- People you’ve spent the most time with
- Summer bucket list items (done + still to do)
Memories to Put in Your Summer Journal
- One-sentence highlights from each day
- A funny moment you don’t want to forget
- A conversation that stuck with you
- A short story or journal entry from a specific day
- A sketch or map of somewhere you went
Keepsakes to Put in Your Summer Journal
- Ticket stubs, receipts, or wristbands
- Wrappers or packaging from favourite summer treats
- Dried leaves or flower petals
- Postcards or printouts of texts/photos
- Magazine cutouts that feel “summery”
Sensory Notes to Put in Your Summer Journal
- What summer smells like to you right now
- A list of sounds you’re hearing today
- The feel of the weather on your skin
- Tastes you’ve been craving this season
- Colours that keep popping up in your days
Self-Reflections to Put in Your Summer Journal
- One thing you’re proud of this summer
- A routine that’s been working (or not)
- Something you’re letting go of
- What’s felt surprisingly good
- What you want to carry into the next season
My Summer Journaling Toolkit
- Lay-flat softcover journal – easy to write in whether you’re indoors or at the park
- Spiral-bound sketchbook – perfect for art journaling, collages, or visual memory maps
- Dot grid notebook – ideal for people who like freedom but want a bit of structure for layouts or playlists
- Multicolour gel pens – ideal for mood journaling or differentiating between topics
- Pastel highlighters – soft colours for underlining lyrics, drawing attention to memories, or decorating pages
- Fine-tip markers – great for doodles, headings, or summer-inspired colour palettes
- Mini portable photo printer – print summer photos straight from your phone
- Washi tape set (summer-themed) – add colour or hold down found objects like tickets or leaves
- Sticker pack for journaling – look for ones themed around travel, nature, or seasons
- Zippered journaling pouch – to carry your supplies in your beach bag or picnic backpack
- Compact lap desk – makes journaling easy from a park bench, porch swing, or campsite
- Reusable water bottle with time markings – not journaling-specific, but self-care is important
Choosing Things to Put in Your Summer Journal
You don’t have to write every day, or even write much, for your summer diary to be worth keeping. A list here, a scrap stuck in there, a quick note about something that made you laugh… over a whole season, that adds up to something.
When you look back on it in October, it won’t be the polished entries that stand out. It’ll be the small stuff: what you were eating, what you were listening to, what a particular week actually felt like. That’s what makes the things you put in your summer journal worth keeping.
Which of these things to put in your summer journal are you going to try first? Let me know in the comments.
Disclosure: If you purchase anything from links in this post or any other, I may receive some kind of affiliate commission. However, I only ever mention products I love and would recommend regardless of commission.
Disclosure: I’m not a mental-health or medical expert, I just share what I’ve learned through my own research and experience. The ideas and prompts here are meant to help you reflect and grow, but they’re not a replacement for professional advice. You can read my full disclaimers here.