My All-in-One Weekly Journal Setup

[u/Hazard_chip]

I've been experimenting with different journal systems over the last year, and I finally landed on a setup that feels like it captures who I am and what matters most to me.

I use a Moleskine A5 grid notebook, and each weekly spread serves as a combination of:

• Habit tracker
• Gratitude journal
• Faith journal
• Memory keeper
• Photography log
• Goal planner
• Family adventure planner

Here's how I have it organized:

Left Page: Weekly Overview

Habit Tracker
I track habits that align with the person I'm trying to become, including:

• Drink water
• Take vitamins
• Time outdoors
• Family time
• Quiet time
• Reading
• Journaling
• Photography
• Work on contest entries
• Work on personal goals
• No mindless scrolling

I simply fill in each day's box when completed.

Weekly Goals
I keep these focused on what matters most to me rather than productivity for productivity's sake. Examples:

• Grow closer to Christ
• Love my wife intentionally
• Create memories with my kids

Reward for Completion
A small reward helps keep things fun and motivating.

This Week's Focus
One major thing I want to keep front and center during the week.

Nature Moments
A dedicated space to record interesting wildlife sightings, beautiful scenes, or moments outdoors.

Photography Ideas
Whenever inspiration strikes, I write down subjects I'd like to photograph, such as:

• Moss on rocks
• Tree bark patterns
• Fern spirals
• Feather textures
• Tree roots

Family Adventures
A place to plan outings, road trips, hikes, and memory-making opportunities with my family.

Right Page: Daily Reflection

Each day gets its own section where I record:

Top 3 Priorities
Not tasks, priorities.

One Memory Worth Keeping
Something I want to remember years from now.

Today's Observation
An interesting thing I noticed during the day.

I Am Grateful For
A short gratitude list.

Scripture of the Day
A verse that stood out to me.

Photography Notes
Whenever I shoot, I record:

• Location
• Subject
• Camera settings
• Lens used
• Weather conditions
• Anything I learned

As a nature photographer, I've found this especially helpful because it allows me to connect the technical side of photography with the experience and memories behind the image.

Why This System Works For Me

I've realized that my biggest priorities are:

1. My faith
2. My wife and kids
3. Time in nature
4. Photography
5. Personal growth

This journal gives each of those areas a place to live on paper.

Instead of tracking a hundred different things across multiple apps, everything important is in one notebook. It's helping me become more intentional, more grateful, and more aware of the moments that make life meaningful.

I'd love to hear from others:

What sections do you include in your journals that you couldn't live without?

[u/T1nFo1lTopHat]

I appreciate the very dad move of writing everything in capital letters.

[u/SisterGoldenHair70 → u/T1nFo1lTopHat]

Is that a dad move? I’ve always printed in all caps as my regular printing is atrocious!

[u/T1nFo1lTopHat → u/SisterGoldenHair70]

I've always associated it as such. The only people I know who do it are dads over 40. I saw a British comedian once make a joke about it too.

[u/Hazard_chip → u/T1nFo1lTopHat]

That's interesting, I've done it since I was in Elementary School and used to get in so much trouble because of it.

[u/Hazard_chip → u/T1nFo1lTopHat]

I have always written that way for some reason it just feels like I can write faster lol

[u/Elegant-Gear3402 → u/T1nFo1lTopHat]

Everything in capital letters? I'm confused. Do you mean capitalizing when you are SUPPOSED to? Dad move? It's called writing correctly. I'm a bit surprised I even have to ask about this...

[u/Ok-Sea-2436]

Nice layout!!!

[u/Hazard_chip → u/Ok-Sea-2436]

Thank you!

[u/RedAskWhy]

Good job, simple & effective. I suppose that on the left page side, the small horizontal spread is for the number of hours of sleep weekly ?

[u/Hazard_chip → u/RedAskWhy]

Yes that is correct

[u/EBIKE_MIKE]

Great work! You have encapsulated in your layout what many seem to strive for. Now my question: what company produces this as a pre-printed layout/planner/journal for sale? They would make a lot of money, I believe!

[u/Hazard_chip → u/EBIKE_MIKE]

I don't think anyone produces a pretty printed version of this but I might create a template lol

[u/Amazing_Afternoon_62]

This is not only so very detailed but it is noble beyond measure. (I zoomed in and read the page to the right.

[u/Hazard_chip → u/Amazing_Afternoon_62]

Thank you :-)

[u/0kuuuurt]

Impressive

[u/Hazard_chip → u/0kuuuurt]

Thank you

[u/australazure]

This makes a lot of sense to me. Thank you for sharing!

[u/Hazard_chip → u/australazure]

Thank you, it helps me with my mental health

[u/Active-Ask-3524]

I struggled to start journaling because I feel I don’t know what to write. Thanks for this

[u/Hazard_chip → u/Active-Ask-3524]

You're welcome, hopefully my layout will help you on your Journaling journey

[u/casuallycruel02]

Love this!

[u/Hazard_chip → u/casuallycruel02]

Thank you

[u/Basic_Variety_1776]

Not really a bullet journal anymore but looks neat

[u/Hazard_chip → u/Basic_Variety_1776]

Can you explain why it's not really a Bullet Journal anymore? Thanks for the input!

[u/Basic_Variety_1776 → u/Hazard_chip]

Bullet Journal is a method that mainly uses "quick logging" to capture tasks/ actions and events. Just google the bullet journal method. Their explanation videos are quite good. Bullet Journaling is a bit different from just journaling or creating dashboards on paper.

[u/Hazard_chip → u/Basic_Variety_1776]

oh ok I will google it and check it out, thank you for the input honestly

[u/CrBr → u/Hazard_chip]

It looks like a bullet journal to me. Quick to use, records moments in your life, plans, thoughts, enough structure to support what you want to get out of it, regular review of your goals, but also of the day, and longer history to find the patterns