Disclosure – this post includes affiliate content
Just before our schools closed and we were placed on lockdown we received a HappySelf Journal to try out at home. We’ve been fans of journal keeping and mindfulness for a few years so were looking forward to trying the HappySelf Journal during what we knew was going to be a difficult time for our family.
Mindful journaling for kids with the HappySelf Journal
The HappySelf Journal is a daily journal for children aged 6 to 12, used to help promote happiness, develop positive habits and nurture enquiring minds. Beautifully laid out with helpful prompts, we thought the journal looked visually appealing and easy to use.
My 8 year old has always enjoyed keeping a diary and has been using the HappySelf Journal for the last few weeks. It is based on scientifically proven methods that promote happiness, develop healthy habits for life and nurture enquiring minds. Beautifully illustrated and easy to use, with just a few minutes focus each day, children benefit by being encouraged to express gratitude, reflect on their emotions and think about their actions.
Each page is really well laid out. Give my daughter a blank notebook and she’ll never start it but that’s not a problem with this journal. You can see how each page is laid out with space for you to add the date you fill out the page, a quotation, place to record the top three things you are grateful for that day, an emoji to circle and a checklist to add anything important from your day.
The journal cover is cheerful and bright yellow which immediately makes you think sunny thoughts, and my daughter looks forward to filling in her journal every day. It’s a great introduction to gratitude practice, mindfulness and self-awareness. My daughter was learning about these things at school so she was really open to the idea of recording her thoughts in this way.
I think the journal is also great for encouraging a growth mindset. This concept has been around for a while but is something my children have struggled with. I find my daughter often wants to share what she has written about which is a great way of opening up some great conversations at home.
The HappySelf Journal is available to purchase priced at £19.90 (click here to buy) and currently available in English, as well as Dutch, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and Swedish! If your children are older than the recommended age range of 6-12 then you will be pleased to hear that a journal for teens is due to be published soon.
You can also get the whole family involved in some mindful journaling with the 7 Day Family Gratitude Challenge which you can download from the HappySelf website. This is a great way to get together, perhaps at meal times, and focus on the positives during these difficult days.
Win a HappySelf Journal
I’ve teamed up with HappySelf Journal and a reader of the gingerbread house can win a copy of the journal for themselves.
To enter my giveaway you must answer the question via the Rafflecopter widget below, there are some bonus entries too. The giveaway is open to those with a UK postal address only and ends on 4th May. The winners name will appear on this post.
Don’t forget to check out my other giveaways on my competition page.
94 Comments
Ashleigh Allan
April 20, 2020 at 8:35 amI do and enjoy it
Susie Wilkinson
April 20, 2020 at 11:11 amI did as a child, but haven’t done for many years
Charlotte Wildman
May 3, 2020 at 9:12 amHave just started.
Annabel Greaves
April 20, 2020 at 4:05 pmI used to have a scrapbook as a child but not a journal
Kim M
April 20, 2020 at 5:23 pmSometimes have a go but don’t keep at it x
donna skelton
April 20, 2020 at 8:48 pmnever have but think it might be good to do and look back on in the future
Solange
April 21, 2020 at 12:13 amI have tried it before.
Alice Dixon
April 21, 2020 at 11:01 amI haven’t but I’d like to, I think it would be interesting to read back on
Susan B
April 21, 2020 at 2:41 pmAlways fascinated to read nouns becoming verbs …
I used to keep a diary when I was a child and found it quite therapeutic. .
Michelle McCall
April 21, 2020 at 2:53 pmIve kept a diary since I was a teenager, I love looking back at them yrs later.
Rachael McCadden
April 21, 2020 at 3:34 pmi did when i was a kid but would love to start again
lesley renshaw
April 21, 2020 at 3:51 pmI suffer from anxiety so writing a journal is a must. Getting everything our on paper is therapy. Having a book that focuses on positive things which I’m able to refer back to would be amazing.
Sadiyya Maryam
April 21, 2020 at 4:11 pmI used to a lot as a teenager and it really did help put feelings down on paper. A happy self journal for children is amazing.
laura stewart
April 21, 2020 at 4:27 pmno never had one or thought of doing one xx
Kirsten Barthy
April 25, 2020 at 9:42 pmI did as a tween/young teenager and when travelling in my gap year. I would like to win this for my daughter who struggles with her emotions.
Rachel Butterworth
April 21, 2020 at 6:06 pmI tried as a kid but always felt pressure to think of something to write everyday.
Jodie Green
April 21, 2020 at 7:12 pmI used to many years ago, but I would love for my daughter to have a go now
Tracy Newton
April 21, 2020 at 7:16 pmI have never kept a journal. I would love to record my day to day life and moods
Maria P
April 21, 2020 at 7:17 pmYes, long time ago, but loved it, just I don’t have time now 🙂
Margaret Gallagher
April 21, 2020 at 7:48 pmI love journals – would pass onto my neice ! Incentive to do the same
fiona waterworth
April 21, 2020 at 8:33 pmNever tried it, but wish I had started when the lockdown started, it would be great to read later and see what we did when
Joyce W
April 21, 2020 at 10:04 pmMy grand daughter uses a journal and would love this
lynn neal
April 21, 2020 at 10:44 pmI have and enjoyed it because it gave me a time to think!
Julia Kerr
April 22, 2020 at 12:14 amI started the year with a diary in which I’ve put down at least one positive for the day, no negatives allowed. Doesn’t matter how small the positive is as long as there is one
Rachel Craig
April 22, 2020 at 4:00 amYes. Worthwhile activity.
Jo m welsh
April 22, 2020 at 7:26 amI have a diary but it’s more for what we have done that day than for thoughts and detailed experiences
Caroline Signey
April 22, 2020 at 10:17 amI have done it on and off I find it therapeutic
Helen Marshall
April 22, 2020 at 10:20 amFriends have and recommend it, and this would be a nice way to get my daughter into it
Jade Hewlett
April 22, 2020 at 11:05 amI used to every now and then but I’m not great at keeping up with it frequently
Emilia Nastaly-Howard
April 22, 2020 at 11:30 amI used to when I was younger
Ruth Harwood
April 22, 2020 at 11:36 amI did write a journal a few years ago when I was feeling low and confused, it really helped, and I filled five notebooks in a couple days, sorting through my thoughts, feelings and reviewing my life. it helped so much, but I have issues that prevent me from achieving much, though did get a 2:1 Open Uni degree (with honours) in history, finished a year ago, and gave me the confidence I lacked in my 20s and early 30s, but I can’t afford an MA, and so disapppointed, know I could do it!
Kristie Metcalfe
April 22, 2020 at 4:47 pmI havent yet tried it, but I have heard about how relaxing it can be. I would use it to de-stress and get my mind in order!
Chris Andrews
April 22, 2020 at 7:05 pmTell me if you’ve ever tried journalling or, if not, why you would like to try it.
l used to keep a diary in my teens and l have yst taken it upagain
Nuala
April 22, 2020 at 10:11 pmI have tried writing in a diary before but then I kept forgetting to write in it so I stopped
Kim Carberry
April 23, 2020 at 1:05 pmI did when I was a teen but haven’t recently. x
Karen Usher
April 23, 2020 at 10:14 pmYep, I love journalling, its great to look back on!
Natalie Burgess
April 24, 2020 at 8:25 amI havent tried journelling but would be lovely to keep precious thoughts and memories xx
Sean Eccles
April 24, 2020 at 7:53 pmYes it’s a lovely thing to look back on
claire woods
April 25, 2020 at 12:27 pmI did as a teenager, thought it might be fun to try again.
Dale Dow
April 25, 2020 at 4:08 pmI’ve not but heard many good things about it x
Nicola McC
April 25, 2020 at 5:41 pmI haven’t tried it yet, but think it would be good for mental health.
David
April 25, 2020 at 8:42 pmHello, no I haven’t tried journaling but I think it would be a good way to relax. Thank you for the chance to win.
bex Allum
April 25, 2020 at 8:58 pmI haven’t journalled before but I keeping a diary now we are in lockdown.
Sarah Fielding
April 25, 2020 at 9:23 pmI have tried it, I love it! It really helps!
Angela Sharp
April 26, 2020 at 8:10 amI used to keep a journal, it definitely helped letting me express myself
Clara
April 26, 2020 at 12:10 pmI do it every now and then
Jo F
April 26, 2020 at 5:57 pmI used to do it as a child but haven’t done it for many years
Angela Treadway
April 26, 2020 at 8:20 pmno i dont now but used to as a kid x
Mandy Doherty
April 26, 2020 at 8:45 pmI tried journalling when I was in my early teens and would love to start doing it again
PhilO
April 26, 2020 at 9:12 pmYes, and I left it behind a plastered wall in my previous house for someone to find someday
Debbie Burfoot
April 27, 2020 at 12:57 pmi have and really helped putting thoughts and feelings down on paper
Victoria Jardine
April 28, 2020 at 9:42 amI’ve tried journalling, I start my day with a cup of tea and my journal – it’s my quiet time before the rest of the household wakes up. It really helps me prepare for the day, I love it and would love my daughter to get the benefits too.
laura pyper
April 28, 2020 at 7:17 pmI used to have a scrapbook, but not a journal
Samantha M
April 28, 2020 at 7:35 pmI’ve kept a diary but not done proper journalling, but it is something I’d enjoy. Especially adding photos/magazine scraps.
Ross Leech
April 28, 2020 at 11:56 pmI did as a child and am now trying to get back into the habit to help with my life management.
Rebecca Beesley
April 29, 2020 at 10:56 pmi enjoy journalling myself and this looks like a good one for kids especially at the moment.
Karen Barrett
April 30, 2020 at 7:47 amNo, I haven’t but maybe now is the time to start! 🙂
Joanne Greer
April 30, 2020 at 10:01 amI enjoy writing in a journal, helps me!
Laura Whittle
April 30, 2020 at 1:25 pmNever tried it but would love to. I have a terrible long term memory so would be lovely to have something to look back on and remind me of good times.
Kerry Horsburgh
May 1, 2020 at 12:22 amI did as a child and would like to try it again to look back on. I think it would be helpful.
Thomas Perry
May 1, 2020 at 9:35 amI used to keep a journal as a teen but my brother read my journal and told all my family my business
Angela Kelly
May 1, 2020 at 1:45 pmI used to keep a diary as a teenager, but I didn’t have much to say!
Kallie Maile
May 1, 2020 at 2:56 pmI did as a teen but not as an adult, I think I would like to try again!
Lorraine
May 1, 2020 at 4:04 pmI have tried several times. I always benefit when I manage to keep it up
michelle o'neill
May 1, 2020 at 5:43 pmI did when i was a teenager
Laura Pritchard
May 1, 2020 at 6:24 pmNot since I was a teenager, but I think it would make me calmer.
Heli L
May 1, 2020 at 7:54 pmI used to write a diary/journal on and off as a teenager. Now I’d love to get my daughter into keeping a journal.
Margaret
May 1, 2020 at 9:11 pmI have a journal but I’m not very disciplined with filling it in. This is a fab idea for kids tho – especially like my son who struggle with ‘big’ emotions
Patricia Barrett
May 1, 2020 at 10:01 pmNo I haven’t tried it before, but with so much spare time currently I’d like to try it.
Antonia Sergent
May 2, 2020 at 12:16 amI haven’t journaled before although I imagine it is quite theraputic
Adrian Bold
May 2, 2020 at 1:22 amYes, I’ve been journaling on and off for many years.
Sandra Foreman
May 2, 2020 at 10:04 amI kept a diary as a child but family were very nosy so couldn’t put too much in it not done since
Erica Hughes
May 2, 2020 at 11:19 amI’ve kept a diary and had planners, but not really a journal (I’m like to try though).
Emma England
May 2, 2020 at 11:44 amI always did when I was younger, it would be great for my son to start.
holly harmsworth
May 2, 2020 at 5:01 pmI love bullet journaling but haven’t been so motivated to do so since we have been in isolation
Karen Dixon
May 2, 2020 at 5:49 pmI have started multiple journals over the years, never kept one going for very long
Karen R
May 2, 2020 at 6:42 pmI’ve never done it consistently, but it is something that I’d enjoy xx
Laura Green
May 2, 2020 at 7:09 pmI used to have one at school but havent for years. I find ir hard to work thorugh my emotions and writing them down would defo help!
Sallyanne Rose
May 2, 2020 at 8:28 pmno, but i would like to
Natalie Russell
May 2, 2020 at 9:41 pmI’d love this for my daughter Sophie – she’s 7 and I think it’s the perfect age to think about how she is feeling and trying to understand why. This is a great idea!
Tracy Barber
May 2, 2020 at 10:23 pmYes and I find it very therapeutic
Paul Meulen
May 3, 2020 at 10:40 amYes when I was traveling, I love reading them back
Jo Nichol
May 3, 2020 at 11:55 amNever tried as not really had the time but I guess now is the best time to try!
Lucy robinson
May 3, 2020 at 2:44 pmI have a mum and daughter journal.
donna jones
May 3, 2020 at 3:32 pmnever have but think it might be good to do now to look back on
Helen Tyler
May 3, 2020 at 5:42 pmI used to write journals all the time. I’ve still got some of them, including my very first one written when I was 11. It was about the time the secret diary of Adrian Mole was on TV, which was my inspiration! I’d love to get back to it.
Lauren Porter
May 3, 2020 at 7:40 pmI haven’t since I was young – it is something I would love to start again to document everything!
Victoria Bazley
May 3, 2020 at 8:35 pmI used to between the ages of 16-26 on and off. Should really do it again but I think rely on photos to remind me of things now but it’s no substitute for actually writing down feeling.s
Kirsty
May 3, 2020 at 9:08 pmI have and love to start one
Catherine Gregory
May 3, 2020 at 9:25 pmI haven’t but I think it would do me good to write my thoughts out since I lost my sister suddenly in June. I could write to her each day letting her know what I’d been up to with her 2 year old nephew
Paul Bingham
May 4, 2020 at 11:17 amYes as I have memory issues ,so it helps a lot
Emma Fox
May 4, 2020 at 10:43 pmWhen I was a kid I used too
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