Why More People Are Journaling Digitally – And What That Means for You

Have you noticed how many journaling apps are popping up lately? If you’ve ever found comfort in writing things down you’re not alone - and now, more than ever, people are turning to digital journals as a way to reflect, process emotions, and make sense of daily life.

According to a recent report, the digital journaling market is growing fast, from around £4 billion this year to more than double that by 2033. But behind the numbers is something really human: more of us are reaching for tools that help us feel better and stay connected to ourselves. Let’s explore what’s behind the rise in digital journaling — and how it might support your own practice.

Why Are People Choosing Digital?

There are lots of reasons why people are picking up their phones or tablets instead of a pen and paper:

• It’s easy and always with you

  Got your phone in your bag or pocket? That’s your journal, right there. No need to carry a notebook. (Unless you still love to – we’re big fans of both!)

• It can help with mental health

  Many apps offer mood tracking, calming prompts, or gentle reminders. When life feels overwhelming, a quick check-in on an app can make a real difference.

• It fits into busy lives

  Whether you're commuting, in bed, or taking five minutes on your lunch break, digital journaling makes it easier to keep up a regular habit – even when time feels short.

  
  

The Features People Love

Today’s apps aren’t just digital diaries. Many come with thoughtful extras to help you stay grounded:

• Add photos, voice notes or even little videos to capture memories more fully

• Use AI (yes, really!) to reflect on your moods or even suggest journaling prompts

• Sync across devices so your thoughts are always where you need them

And don’t worry – most apps let you password-protect your entries so they stay completely private.

A Few Popular Apps You Might Like

If you’re curious about trying out a digital journaling app, here are a few you might have heard of:

• Journey – gentle and simple, with mood tracking and the option to add photos

• Penzu – very focused on privacy, so you can write totally freely

• GoodNotes – originally for notes but now brilliant for digital journaling too

• Reflectly – a bit more playful, using prompts and questions to guide your thoughts

• Notion – more structured, ideal if you like planning and journaling in the same space

You don’t need to use all the features. The best app is the one that feels right for you.

What This Means for Us

Here at Journaling Matters CIC, we believe journaling is for everyone. Whether you’re scribbling in a notebook at bedtime or tapping out your thoughts on a phone app on the bus, what matters is that you’re connecting with yourself in a way that feels safe and true.

Digital tools aren’t better or worse than paper – they’re just another way in. And as the world becomes noisier and faster, having a space – digital or not – to pause and reflect is more important than ever.

If you’re curious about digital journaling, we’ll be exploring this more in our upcoming workshops and newsletters. And we’d love to hear from you — do you use an app to journal? What do you love (or not love) about it?

📩 Let’s keep the conversation going. You can reply to this blog or drop us a message. Journaling doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be yours.

JoJo & the Journaling Matters Team