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Last year, I got into bullet journaling, and I found the best possible journal for the task. This is my Leuchtturm1917 review.
However, I appreciate this is a very subjective, personal topic.
If you’re new to bullet journaling (or journaling of any kind), you’re probably a little overwhelmed by the sheer amount of choice.
If you’re a seasoned BoJo addict, you’ve probably already got a very distinct set of requirements for your journal of choice.
So, this is my take on the best journal. It’s the Leuchtturm1917 and, aside from being nearly impossible to spell, has transformed my note taking and organisation.
Somehow, it even got me back into writing with a pen. And I’m terrible at writing with a pen.
Here are ten reasons I love it.
1. It has index pages
Well, they call them ‘Content’ pages, but the principle is the same: it’s a couple of pages at the start of the journal which enable you to list the contents of the entire journal.
However, I don’t use it quite like that.
I simply index the pages that matter the most. I use my Leuchtturm1917 mainly for daily note taking, but when I need to plan something or make notes I know I’ll need to refer back to, I pop them into the index so they’re immediately accessible.
2. It comes in a few colours (yes — this matters!)
By my reckoning, the Leuchtturm1917 comes in about 15 colours. I’ve got the navy and orange versions, and they’re lovely.
Colours matter when it comes to journals, and I love how these guys give you plenty of choice.
3. It has two bookmarks
Every Leuchtturm1917 comes with two fabric bookmarks which are permanently attached to the spine.
This isn’t unique in the journaling world, but it’s incredibly useful.
Trust me — keeping two pages simultaneously bookmarked is handier than you might think.
4. The paper quality is addictively good
Hand up: I know nothing about paper. But I know what feels good.
Paired with my Pilot V5 pen (get a pack — they’re cheap and incredibly satisfying to use), it’s like writing on butter. Only not as messy.
5. It’s just the right size
I’ve got a small Moleskin bullet journal I use for daily thoughts, but it’s too small for the bulk of my journal work.
The Leuchtturm1917 is perfect. It doesn’t quite fit in my back pocket, but it’s not far off, and isn’t too cumbersome to take anywhere. They’ve also nailed the page to weight ratio.
6. You get (useful) stickers
The Leuchtturm1917 comes with a bunch of genuinely useful stickers. Made for the spine and front or back, they come in lined and plain fashion, and I use them every time I buy a new one.
7. It looks great customised
I’ve recently discovered the joy of customising stuff with stickers (although haven’t quite reached the ‘cover my MacBook in stickers’ phase yet).
The Leuchtturm1917 lends itself perfectly to being customised and looks great with a bunch of matt stickers plastered all over it.
Top tip: only cover the back of your journal with stickers — it offers a nice little surprise every time you turn it over.
8. It’s durable (but looks good, worn)
I’m yet to get my Leuchtturm1917 wet, so I can’t comment on how it deals with moisture, but it gets thrown around a fair bit and hasn’t lost its shape or appeal.
In fact, like so many things in the BoJo world, it looks pretty good worn, too. Mine has picked up plenty of marks on the surface and even a crease on the front cover, but it just looks loved and ‘used’ as a result.
9. There’s no distractions
The pages in a Leuchtturm1917 are plain — bar the ‘please return to’ and index pages.
I love that. I don’t want writing prompts or a pointless calendar taking up valuable writing and planning space.
The Leuchtturm1917 comes dotted, lined or plain, and that’s just what you get — nothing more.
10. It has just one pocket
There’s a pocket right at the back of the Leuchtturm1917 which I personally use to store the odd business card and the stickers which come with the journal.
For me, that’s enough. I’ve seen journals with tonnes of pockets, and they do nothing more than collect crap you’ll never refer to and make the entire thing bulkier than it needs to be.
Conclusion
I’ve fallen for my Leuchtturm1917, and this comes from someone who switched entirely to digital note taking many years ago.
It has made me want to improve my writing (and boy does that need improving), and I’m now planning pretty much everything initially on paper.
You’ll struggle to find a more affordable, quality journal that demands to be written on than the Leuchtturm1917.
You’ve convinced me — where can I buy one?
Other retailers are of course available, but I buy my Leuchtturm1917 journals from Amazon (click here).
This post includes affiliate links from which I may earn a commission if you click through and purchase.
6 Comments
I absolutely loved your review of the Leuchtturm1917 Journal! The way you highlighted its quality and durability made me think about my own journaling experience. I once tried a cheaper journal, but the pages bled through, which was so frustrating! Quick question: do you find any specific features particularly useful for organizing your thoughts or notes when playing Snow Rider games? I’ve been considering using mine to track game strategies or character development in RPGs. Would love to hear more about how others use theirs creatively!
The review is very detailed. To be honest, it’s been a long time since I used a notebook (like the Leuchtturm1917 Journal). My work is entirely computer-based, so I gradually learned to take notes directly in the cloud or on storage. I usually spend my free time jotting down noteworthy things or playing puzzle games like Block Blast.
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I’ve tried a few notebooks over the years, and I can see why the Leuchtturm1917 is so popular for bullet journaling. The built-in index makes it much easier to organize notes and find important pages later. Reading about productivity tools like this reminds me of Crossy Road , a casual arcade game where I guide a character across roads and rivers—simple to pick up, surprisingly addictive, and a fun way to take a short break before getting back to planning my day.
The numbered list makes this a very readable review. I especially appreciate the point about the two bookmarks, since that is a small detail that adds real daily value. her trees puzzle dream
Great review! I like that you focused on the practical features instead of just the aesthetics. The two bookmarks, index pages, and high-quality Crossy Road paper really do make a big difference for anyone who journals regularly.