reMarkable for Journaling — How to Set It Up and Actually Stick With It
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Journaling on reMarkable sounds perfect in theory.
No distractions. Paper-like writing. A device that does nothing else.
But a lot of people buy a reMarkable, use it for journaling for two weeks, and then... stop.
Not because the device is wrong for it. Because they never set up a system that made coming back easy.
Here's how to do it right from the start.
Why reMarkable Works So Well for Journaling
Before the setup — the why.
Most journaling apps compete with everything else on your phone or tablet. You open the app, a notification comes in, and suddenly you're somewhere else entirely.
reMarkable removes that completely.
When you open it to journal, there is nothing else to open. No notifications. No tabs. No temptation.
That single quality — the absence of distraction — changes the journaling experience more than any feature ever could.
You sit with your thoughts. You write. That's it.
The Setup That Makes It Stick
Step 1 — Create One Dedicated Folder
Call it "Journal" and put it at the top of your home screen.
Add a number in front — "01 Journal" — so it's always the first thing you see when you open the device.
Don't mix it with other notebooks. Don't put it inside a bigger folder. Make it easy to find at a glance.
Step 2 — Choose Your Format
You have two real options:
One notebook per year — everything in one place, chronological. Simple and fast to access. Works well if you write short, frequent entries.
One notebook per month — easier to navigate if you write longer entries. You can name each one "Journal — August 2026" and always know where you are.
Most people start with one notebook per year and switch to monthly once they've been doing it for a while and the notebook gets long.
Step 3 — Use a Consistent First Line
This is the simplest habit that makes journaling easier to start every single day.
At the top of each entry, write the date and one word about how you're feeling.
That's it. Just those two things.
August 27, 2026 — tired August 28, 2026 — focused
You've already started. The hardest part — the blank page — is gone. The rest follows naturally.
Step 4 — Star the Notebook
Hold down on your journal notebook for three seconds and tap the star.
It goes straight to your Quick Find drawer — accessible from anywhere on the device with a two-finger swipe from the top of the screen.
No navigating home. No searching. One gesture and you're in your journal.
What to Write When You Don't Know What to Write
The blank page problem is real — even for people who want to journal.
A few prompts that work on reMarkable specifically:
The brain dump — write everything that's in your head right now. No filter. Not for anyone else. Just get it out.
Three things — what went well today, what didn't, and what you want to do differently tomorrow. Takes five minutes and creates a pattern you can look back on.
One question — ask yourself something you don't have an answer to yet. Write whatever comes. You don't need to answer it — just sit with it.
The daily highlight — one moment from the day worth remembering. A sentence or two. Something small is fine.
You don't need all of these. Pick one and use it every day for a week. See what works.
When You Miss a Day (or a Week)
You will miss days. Probably a week at some point.
That's fine.
The journal doesn't care how consistent you were. It only exists for the days you use it.
The trick is making it easy to come back. And that's exactly what the setup above does — the folder at the top, the starred notebook, the consistent first line. Low friction in, every time.
One missed week doesn't undo the habit. Just open it and write the date.
Want a Journal Page That's Already Structured?
If starting from a blank page every day feels like too much, a structured daily page removes the decision entirely.
Space for your priorities, a brain dump section, notes, and your daily schedule — all in one page, all hyperlinked and ready.
Not just for planning. For anyone who wants a structured starting point for their day on reMarkable.
👉 Browse PlanPro Templates — compatible with every reMarkable device.
Disclaimer: This content is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by reMarkable AS. "reMarkable" is a trademark of reMarkable AS, used here solely to indicate compatibility. Templates only — reMarkable device not included.