The ABCs of Journaling

by Abbey Sy

The ABCs of Journaling is the best-selling book that guides you on the art of journaling by teaching you how to collect moments and record your thoughts in a creative and authentic way. With over a hundred illustrations and photos, you can learn the basics of journaling, explore the ways to chronicle your days, and get inspiration from individuals who have committed to keep journals, including famous figures in history and Filipino artists of today. This 128-page hardbound book also comes with DIY projects, prompts, and a sticker sheet to get you started on your own journaling journey.

Genres: Nonfiction, Art, Journaling, Journal, Writing

Hardcover

Published January 1, 2016

About the author

Abbey Sy is an artist, best-selling author and creative entrepreneur from Manila, Philippines. Her penchant for analog-style documenting, reading books, & exploring the world ignites her passion for making art and sharing stories.

Reviews

[Hazel (Stay Bookish) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this! Abbey continues to inspire creativity in her readers. She also has lots of great tips to share, not to mention really awesome prompts for starters. Also, whoever styled the photography for this is so brilliant.

[Patricia Magdalena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great for either someone who is already journaling and those who wanted to try and start journaling. It got a lot of inspiration and ideas for journaling, as well as tips to maintain the habit to fill in your journal.

Unfortunately, I found that this book focuses more on illustrated journal, and I believe that there are many journaling style that doesn't involve illustration. It's ok for those who already find their style, but for those who just wanted to get started, it might be a little bit overwhelming. It would be better if this book introduces broader journaling styles.

There are a lot of pictures in this book so it helped in giving inspiration, but I found some pictures that weren't sharp enough to be printed. Maybe this could be fixed?

Additional review for the translated version (Bahasa Indonesia)
Sayang banget masih ada beberapa typo dan istilah yang terjemahannya agak aneh (bahasa Inggrisnya lebih familiar di telinga haha)

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feeling inspired!

[Dhyn Hanarun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beres dalam 2 jam saja!

Sungguh penyemangat buat pemula atau yang tertarik buat journaling. Banyak tips dan ide oke yang gak sabar buat dipraktekin.

[Euphatorium11 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Demen banget lihat gambar2nya

[Dulce Zerecero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Si estás pensando empezar a adentrarte en el mundo del bullet journal, este libro te ofrece muchas ideas de cómo empezar a hacerlo. Mi consejo sería no te abrumes, es un proceso personal y que tiene que ir paso a paso.

[El rincón de moob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting, beautiful and useful.

[Timotheos · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 star.

I love the layout. I commend the art director for the effort and creativity on designing it. Plus the book cover is hardbound and comes with a garter seal and free stickers! So sulit for my P350.

Now, comparing it to The ABCs of Hand Lettering, the content of this one shows a big improvement. It has more applicable tips for beginners like me.

[Marina · Rating 3 out of 5]

** Books 285 - 2017 **

3,2 dari 5 bintang!

Membaca buku ini saya jadi memiliki keinginan untuk membuat journaling dan kalau sekarang masih dalam taraf menulis segala sesuatunya dengan pulpen warna warni agar membuat saya teringat apa yang harus saya lakukan dalam hari itu. Ide dengan menambahkan ilustrasi dan washi tape tampaknya patut saya coba nih :3

[Gina House · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 🌟 A wonderful and inspiring book about journaling! I love Abbey Sy's suggestions for creative layouts, fonts, accessories and all things to do with daily art journaling. I'm hoping to use her book as motivation to keep up my practice and to have more fun with it. A great addition to add to my art/drawing/creativity book collection!

[Julienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't stop looking at this book. It's too gorgeous to put down. :)

[Gianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish it had more content into it, but all in all, it is

[Mariel]

LOVED IT!
For someone who is not a writer but loves to write and doodle just anything and everything under the sun, this book is very helpful.

It actually reawakened the creative in me. hehehehe

[Kate (The Bookaholic Blurbs) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review tk.

[Arystha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Di sekitar tahun 2014-2015, saya rajin sekali menulis jurnal. Mungkin karena kertas bukunya yang agak kekuningan kayak bookpaper, atau bolpoin yang digunakan begitu mulus di atas kertas, atau karena ada pengalaman-pengalaman yang saya rasa penting pada waktu itu yang harus ditulis. Tapi itu hanya bertahan 1 tahunan hahaha. Jurnal saya hanya terdiri dari kalimat-kalimat, tanpa gambar-gambar sketsa. Saya lebih nyaman memisahkan tulisan dari gambar-gambar sketsa saya. Begitu lihat jurnal-jurnal yang bertebaran di Pinterest, wow menarik ya. Jelas saya tidak membuat jurnal seperti itu, tapi kalau ada, kayaknya bakal senang ya untuk dibaca atau dilihat-lihat.

Buku ini memberikan banyak contoh dan masukan untuk para diarist (bukan journalist ya hehehe) supaya dapat mengisi jurnal sedemikian rupa jadi lebih bervariasi. Selain itu, banyak juga foto dari jurnal yang ada di buku ini, dan ilustrasinya digambar sendiri oleh penulis. Buku yang sangat bermanfaat untuk orang-orang yang mau memulai menulis jurnal.

[Fiorella · Rating 4 out of 5]

¡¡Me gustó mucho!! Me hizo sentir que tener 487362 diarios está bien porque estoy guardando mis memorias en escrito jeje.
La verdad no sé a qué edad empecé mi primer diario. Los he tenido de todo tipo: canciones, poemas, ideas, arte, reseñas de libros, listas, aceptación, diario de mi vida, etc. Y creo que todos me han ayudado en algún momento y me han hecho redescubrirme a mí misma. Ahora, esta fascinación loca por los diarios creo que comenzó hace tres años cuando descubrí el mágico mundo del "journaling"✨. Antes solo me dedicaba a escribir lo que se me viniera a la cabeza y, ahora, pienso más lo que quiero escribir y me tomo un tiempo para que todo se vea presentable. Además, le doy uso a toda la papelería acumulada que tengo .
En fin, este librito además de darte tips básicos sobre journaling y uno que otro diy, te da un montón de ideas para decorar tus diarios y hasta tiene una galería de diarios de otros artistas 🙉🌈.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐
Fue un libro entretenido para pasar el rato, fue lindo leer sobre las experiencias y consejos de otras personas que también están metidas en este basto y creativo mundo del journal. 🤭
Leer los tips que te dan, ver el arte visual y creativo de las páginas fue algo muy entretenido de ver pero algo que podría decir como el único "pero" que le tengo al libro es que es que si bien es entretenido, no tiene realmente tantas cosas novedosas o fuera de la básico en cuanto al journal, que tampoco soy la más experta o profesional, llevo apenas un poco más de un año haciendo y practicando todo lo relacionado con el journaling, los scrapbook, etc; pero siento en lo personal me hubiera gustado conocer más consejos sobre el como empezar un journal desde cero o incluso los tipos de journals que hay y así. Pero fuera de eso realmente es una lectura entretenida para pasar el rato y se disfruta bastante ver todo lo visual que es el libro por dentro. 🤗🥰

[janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this!!!

I bullet journaled for over a year and now I've switched to a planner, but this book definitely inspired me a lot in how dailies aren't just narratives of what I did or felt in a day, but they're also a look into what really went on. Now I draw my clothes or my food and in general I've felt more inspired to do my dailies.

I honestly started being a fan of of Abbey Sy's work after seeing her speak at Graphika Manila this year. She really inspires me as a creator because she's long had a love for art which she keeps alive through her journaling, and now she gets to make a living off of it and inspire other people as well to Always Be Creating. She's happy, and fulfilled, even amidst all the book deadlines, workshops, and whatnot, and I believe that's how I want to live my best life.

[Ariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've got this book last year and I bought it because of the freebies with it. But so far its really a great book, I mean this isn't the last time I read it because I really read it a lot like every time I'm looking for ideas and be back in being creative. I wish to meet the author someday! #LoveArts

[Joni Chng · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great source of reference for exploring the infinite creative ways to document your daily life on paper. There isn't much to the writing; it's a bit repetitive and could have offered more helpful tips. but the pages are so visually engaging. It's a nice book to have around and flip through for a spark of inspiration.

[Rodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I bought my copy last 2016, and re-read this for the 2nd time this 2020 since i'm planning to re-sell my copy. It helped me in my journaling process and create a habit of documenting your life without the need of making it public, while being able to look back on some certain events of my life.

[Dave Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, super ideas

I liked the various ideas on journaling, sketching, watercolor, and scrapbooking. Lots of ideas on layouts, planning, location sketching, etc. Highly recommended.

[Alya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book

It is one beautiful book. So refreshing and inspiring. If you want to start creating art but not sure where to begin, this book is definitely for you. Enjoyed it a lot!

[Stefanny Natalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buy this book because I need refrences for watercolor illustration.
the illustration are mess but really cute in good way ❤️
And there are some tips about journaling, make me want to do that again..but still thinking bout it

[mmyela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this when i was in 6th grade and this book became one of my inspirations, it introduced me to a lot of things. Thank you abbey for making this book, you're one of the reasons why now i love making art!!

[Kenjie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abbey Sy is THE reason why my 2016 self wanted to journal (+ hand lettering) and constantly document his life! I was a hoarder for ephemeras back then.

If you want a book about journaling, this is a great read if you want to start your new hobby! #AlwaysBeCreating

[Aii Chi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bukunya bagus dan colorful.. cocok banget buat yang mau mulai ngejurnal. Banyak tipsnya dan pengalaman dari orang-orang yang udah biasa ngejurnal. Bakal ada gambaran buat pemula dalam memulai journaling.

[Anjelica Mae · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 1-hour immersion through each vibrant page was a burst of creative inspiration.

"[Writing] was my way of understanding the world around me and understanding life in general."

[Maria Paris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and inspiring book. I know I will be coming back to it many times. Again debating whether to get the paper version as well!

[Desy · Rating 4 out of 5]

inspiratif.