As a wellness enthusiast, I have a fatal flaw: I suck at journaling. Blame it on my ADHD, but journaling at the beginning (or the end) of my day is a seemingly impossible task — I forget to do it every single time. Not only that, but I’m constantly misplacing my journals around my apartment, which leads me to buy a new one every few months, only to find the journals I had been looking for before. Luckily, with Apple’s new Journal feature, keeping track of my thoughts is easier than ever.
On Dec. 11, Apple rolled out a new feature on iPhones and iPads operating under iOS 17.2. Simply called “Journal,” the application is designed to help users practice gratitude and reflect on their day using the item they use the most: their phone. So, instead of pouring all of those 2 a.m. thoughts into your Notes app, you can have them organized in an aesthetically pleasing, private space. We love to see it, TBH.
Journaling vets usually have no problem figuring out what to write about. But what about journaling newbies? Don’t worry — Apple has you covered. On the Journal app, Apple supplies you with a variety of prompts that you can reflect on within the app. And the best part? The prompts aren’t cheesy at all — they’re actually pretty interesting. Just this morning, I spent a good half-hour answering the prompt, “Think of a song that captures a memorable time in your life.” Does anyone else cry when they listen to “Catalina” by Allah-Las, or just me?
The Journal app does more than just provide you with prompts, though. Journal actually accesses your photos and workouts, as well as your calls and texts — especially if you’re connecting with a person you haven’t spoken to in a while. For example, on my Journal this morning, Apple had rounded up some photos of me and my best friends from our friend’s going away party last year. Additionally, it highlighted that I reconnected with a few of my college friends, and gave me a space to reflect on our conversations.
For anyone who documents their thoughts, whether they’re written in a diary or on the Notes app, having someone read them is definitely on the list of nightmare fuels. Journal, however, allows you to lock the app with Face ID, so you can rest assured that nobody is peeping through your reflections of the day.
Oh, and if you’re forgetful like me, the app allows you to set reminders to journal — so you really don’t have an excuse not to practice your gratitude.
Perfect for journaling enthusiasts as well as beginners, Journal is a fantastic app when it comes to reflecting on life’s little moments. Perhaps 2024 will be the year I finally keep a consistent journal… fingers crossed!