Journal For Travel - How Travel Journals Capture What Cameras Can't

https://lestallion.com/collections/journal-notebook-for-travel

That sinking feeling when precious travel memories start slipping away just weeks after returning home is something we've all experienced. Names of charming cafés, conversations with locals, and even those profound moments of wonder—all fading like footprints in sand. But what if there was a way to preserve not just what you saw, but how you felt?

Travel journaling offers something photographs simply cannot—a multi-dimensional record of your journey that captures the emotional landscape alongside the physical one. While your camera documents the spectacular view, your journal remembers how that vista made your heart race. While Instagram showcases your plate of exotic food, your journal preserves the story of how you found that hidden gem of a restaurant and the interesting conversation you had with the owner. These written records become time machines, transporting you back with remarkable clarity months or even years later.

Quality matters tremendously when it comes to travel journals. The sensory experience of writing on thick 120 GSM paper, the practical value of numbered pages and elastic closures, the convenience of a pocket for collecting ticket stubs and pressed flowers—these thoughtful design elements transform a simple notebook into an essential travel companion. When your journal feels good to use, you're more likely to make it a daily ritual, perhaps with your morning coffee or before bed. Even 10-15 minutes of consistent writing creates an invaluable record that grows more precious with time.

Beyond preservation, journaling serves as a mindfulness practice during your travels. It provides a quiet moment to process the overwhelming influx of new experiences, to make sense of cultural differences, and to document your personal growth as you navigate unfamiliar territories. Whether you're sketching a quick landscape, pasting in ephemera from your day, or reflecting on an unexpected encounter, your journal becomes both witness and companion to your adventures. Start your own travel journal practice and discover how the simple act of putting pen to paper can fundamentally change both how you experience your journeys and how vividly you remember them for years to come.

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LeStallion offers premium PU leather journal notebooks for writing, dedicated to all those who are pursuing their dreams and goals, or nurturing their personal development and mental health.

For More Info on LeStallion, check out:
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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Ever get that feeling .
You come home from a trip yourhead's still buzzing with all
these amazing memories, right?
But then, I don't know, like aweek later, a month later, it
starts to fade.
You try and remember the nameof that incredible little
restaurant you found, or youknow that moment you shared a
laugh with someone you met alongthe way, and it's just, it's
gone.

Speaker 2 (00:19):
It's like trying to grasp smoke.

Speaker 1 (00:21):
Yeah, exactly.
So today we're diving deep intotravel journaling.
It's such a powerful way tolike really hold on to those
travel experiences.

Speaker 2 (00:31):
Absolutely.
And you know, speaking ofholding on to things, a lot of
the stuff you send over mentionsthese Lestallion travel
journals.

Speaker 1 (00:37):
Oh yeah, right, those seem pretty popular.

Speaker 2 (00:40):
Yeah, they do.
We should definitely look intowhat makes a well-designed
journal so important for this.

Speaker 1 (00:44):
Definitely.
I mean, I know for me justhaving a good notebook makes all
the difference.
If the paper's flimsy or itfeels cheap, I'm way less likely
to use it.

Speaker 2 (00:52):
For sure.
So today, let's figure out howkeeping a travel journal can
really make your trips better.
Not just about rememberingstuff, but also about how you
experience the trip while you'reactually there.

Speaker 1 (01:04):
I'm all for that, okay.
So first things first.
Why bother preserving thosefleeting moments at all?

Speaker 2 (01:18):
Right Like why is that so important?
Well, think about it.
We spend all this time andmoney planning these trips,
going to all these amazingplaces, and then the memories
just kind of disappear.

Speaker 1 (01:25):
Yeah, and it's not like we don't try to capture
them.
We take tons of pictures,videos, you name it.

Speaker 2 (01:29):
Exactly, but those only capture so much.
You know, it's like a snapshot.

Speaker 1 (01:33):
Totally.
It's funny.
I was just talking to my sisterabout this.
She spent, I think it was awhole summer backpacking through
Europe.
Wow, I know like a littlemoments or conversations.

(01:53):
She just couldn't reallyremember the details.
It was all blur.
But then she pulled out thislittle notebook, super beat up,
you could tell it had beeneverywhere with her full of
scribbles and little drawingsand stuff.

Speaker 2 (02:02):
Oh, I love that.

Speaker 1 (02:03):
Me too.
And suddenly it was like allthe stories came flooding back,
like that nervous excitement shefelt trying to order food in
like four different languages,or this random act of kindness
from a stranger who helped herwhen she got totally lost.
She even had a little sketch ofthe guy and you know, she said,
standing in front of some ofthose ancient ruins, she just
felt this wave of awe and shecould remember it all so vividly

(02:28):
just from reading those fewsentences in her notebook.
Those details, the feelings,they were all right there in
that journal and I don't thinkany photo could have captured
that in the same way no way.

Speaker 2 (02:37):
Photos are great for capturing well, how things look
right, the external stuff right,but journaling it goes deeper,
forces you to think about whatreally resonated with you, and
then you have to put it intowords.
So when you're traveling andjournaling, you're actually
understanding the places you'revisiting on a whole other level.

Speaker 1 (02:55):
I get that it's more about processing than just
documenting.

Speaker 2 (02:58):
Exactly, and that's where a journal like the ones
the Stallion makes comes in.
You know lots of pages, greatquality paper.
You can really go all in withthe details and you don't have
to worry about running out ofspace.
Plus, you know that 120 GSMpaper it feels amazing to write
on Makes.
You want to pick up the journaland just start writing.

Speaker 1 (03:15):
Yeah, there's something about good paper that
just feels so much more inviting.

Speaker 2 (03:19):
It's a sensory thing, for sure.

Speaker 1 (03:20):
Totally Okay.
So we've talked aboutjournaling in general, but what
about the idea of having adedicated travel notebook?
I mean, everyone has theirphones these days and there are
tons of note-taking apps.
What's so special about havinga physical journal just for
travel?

Speaker 2 (03:36):
That's a great question.
I mean, it might seem a littleold school, right?

Speaker 1 (03:40):
Yeah, a little bit.

Speaker 2 (03:41):
But think about it If all your notes and memories are
scattered all over the place,like on your phone, in different
apps, on random scraps of paper, oh?

Speaker 1 (03:51):
I know the type my father-in-law's like that.

Speaker 2 (03:53):
Uh-huh, go on.

Speaker 1 (03:54):
He travels a ton for work and I swear he used to take
notes on everything His phone,hotel stationery, even on the
back of his boarding pass, youknow, like whatever was handy.
And then when he wanted toremember something specific from
a past trip, especially forthose expense reports or when
people asked him forrecommendations, it was a
nightmare trying to findanything, just chaos.

Speaker 2 (04:15):
Oh yeah, I can only imagine.

Speaker 1 (04:17):
It wasn't until he started using a specific travel
journal, one that actually hadsome built-in organization, that
he felt like he had a handle onall his travel stuff.

Speaker 2 (04:26):
That makes total sense.
I mean, having one place foreverything related to your trip
makes it so much easier to keeptrack of things and then
actually use that informationlater on.
And the beauty oftravel-specific journals like
the ones Lestallion designs, isthat they're made with the
traveler's needs in mind.

Speaker 1 (04:42):
What do you mean?

Speaker 2 (04:43):
Like take their table of contents.
It's not just there for show,you know.
For a traveler, that means youcan quickly flip to your notes
from a specific day or placewithout having to like read
through everything.

Speaker 1 (04:52):
Oh, I see Makes it so much easier to find what you're
looking for.

Speaker 2 (04:56):
Exactly.
And then there's the pocket inthe back, so handy for keeping
those little souvenirs you pickup along the way Ticket stubs,
brochures, even a cool leaf youfound.

Speaker 1 (05:05):
Ah, that's a nice touch.
Keepsakes are the best.

Speaker 2 (05:08):
They are.
They really help bring backthose memories.

Speaker 1 (05:11):
Totally.
And you know, something I'verealized is that travel can be
so exciting and so overwhelmingat the same time.

Speaker 2 (05:21):
Oh for sure, You're constantly bombarded with new
sights, sounds, experiences.
It's a lot to take in.

Speaker 1 (05:24):
Yeah, and I think that's where journaling can
become more than just memorykeeping.

Speaker 2 (05:28):
How so.

Speaker 1 (05:29):
It can be a way to actually process all those
feelings, you know, in the midstof all the chaos.

Speaker 2 (05:34):
That's a really good point.
Travel often pushes us out ofour comfort zones.
Right, you're in unfamiliarplaces, maybe even facing some
challenges, and that can triggera whole bunch of emotions like
excitement, wonder, even a bitof anxiety or frustration.
And journaling gives you thisoutlet, a space to work through
all that.
It's like a mindful pause whereyou can reflect on what you're

(05:55):
going through and understand howyou're reacting to all the
newness around you.
Going through and understandhow you're reacting to all the
newness around you Evensomething like the cover of the
Lestallian Journal that softfaux leather adds to the
experience.
Really, yeah, there's somethingcomforting about holding a
well-made journal, especiallywhen you're taking a moment to
unwind at the end of a crazy day.
It's like a familiar anchor inthe middle of all the

(06:16):
unfamiliarity.

Speaker 1 (06:17):
I can definitely see that my friend Liam went on this
solo hiking trip through.

Speaker 2 (06:23):
Patagonia a while back Patagonia.
Wow, that's intense.

Speaker 1 (06:25):
Right Incredible landscapes, but also incredibly
isolated.

Speaker 2 (06:29):
Makes you feel pretty small, like that.

Speaker 1 (06:30):
He said it did, and he told me that his travel
journal became like hiscompanion on that trip,
especially when he felt alone.

Speaker 2 (06:36):
Interesting.

Speaker 1 (06:37):
It wasn't just about describing what he saw, you know
.
It was a place where he couldexpress those moments of awe,
but also the moments of doubt,the fear, even.
And then, after a particularlytough climb, he'd write about
that sense of accomplishment hefelt.
It was like the journal helpedhim connect with himself, you
know, and make sense of thewhole experience.

Speaker 2 (06:56):
Those are the moments that really shape us, aren't
they?
When we push our limits andcome out the other side.

Speaker 1 (07:01):
Absolutely.

Speaker 2 (07:01):
And journaling becomes a tool for
self-discovery in thosesituations.
But let's get practical for asecond.
We've talked about the why, butwhat about the how?
What makes a travel journalactually work for someone who's
constantly on the go?

Speaker 1 (07:16):
It seems like Lestallion has put a lot of
thought into that.

Speaker 2 (07:19):
Oh yeah, definitely when you're traveling,
especially if you're backpackingor something, you have to be
mindful of weight and space.
Every ounce counts.

Speaker 1 (07:27):
For sure.

Speaker 2 (07:28):
So the size of the journal matters.

Speaker 1 (07:30):
Absolutely.
What are your thoughts on that?

Speaker 2 (07:32):
Well, I think the A5 size, which is what a lot of
Listallion journals use, is agood sweet spot.
It's compact enough to fit in abackpack or even a larger
pocket without being too bulky.

Speaker 1 (07:44):
Right, you don't want it weighing you down Exactly,
but it's still big enough togive you decent writing space so
you don't feel cramped tryingto jot down your thoughts.

Speaker 2 (07:53):
And another thing that's super helpful, especially
when you're looking back onyour travels later, is having
numbered pages.

Speaker 1 (07:59):
Oh yeah, I never thought about that.

Speaker 2 (08:01):
It may seem like a minor detail, but it lets you
cross-reference entries or evencreate your own little index of
important moments or places.
Helps keep everything organized.

Speaker 1 (08:10):
Makes total sense.

Speaker 2 (08:11):
And then, of course, the paper itself, that 120 GSM
thickness in the Listallionjournals.
It's a game changer, especiallyif you like to use different
pens or maybe even do a littlewatercolor sketching.

Speaker 1 (08:23):
Oh yeah, that decroy.

Speaker 2 (08:24):
You don't want the ink bleeding through and ruining
the other side of the page.
Plus, that thick paper is wayless likely to tear or get
damaged in your bag.

Speaker 1 (08:33):
Speaking of bags, I was reading some reviews of the
Listallion journals and a lot ofpeople mentioned how much they
love the elastic band.
It keeps everything secure andprevents pages from getting bent
or torn.

Speaker 2 (08:45):
That's smart.

Speaker 1 (08:46):
And the ribbon bookmark too.
Super simple, but so helpfulfor quickly finding your place.

Speaker 2 (08:51):
It's all about those little details that make a
difference when you're using thejournal day in and day out.

Speaker 1 (08:57):
Absolutely Okay.
But let's be real for a minute.
How do you actually keep upwith journaling when you're on a
trip?
You're on the go, there's somuch to see and do and by the
end of the day you're exhausted.

Speaker 2 (09:06):
Yeah, that's the challenge, isn't it?
Finding the time and energy toactually write.

Speaker 1 (09:10):
Exactly.

Speaker 2 (09:11):
So any tips on that?

Speaker 1 (09:12):
Well, one thing that I've found helpful is setting
aside even just a small chunk oftime each day, maybe 10 or 15
minutes.
It doesn't have to be amarathon writing session.

Speaker 2 (09:22):
Right, consistency over quantity.
Yeah, like maybe first thing inthe morning with your coffee or
right before bed, just tocapture the highlights of the
day and jot down some quickthoughts.

Speaker 1 (09:37):
And what about those days when you're just staring at
a blank?
Page and nothing's coming tomind.
Oh, that happens to me all thetime Me too.
Having some prompts handy canbe super helpful for those
moments.

Speaker 2 (09:42):
Prompts.

Speaker 1 (09:43):
Yeah, oh, like what was the most unexpected thing
that happened today, or describea sound that really stood out
to you, or how did this placemake you feel?

Speaker 2 (09:52):
That's a good idea.
It gives you a starting point.

Speaker 1 (09:55):
Yeah, and it can spark some really interesting
reflections.

Speaker 2 (09:58):
It can.
And you know, I really like howLestallion designed their pages
with those dashed lines.

Speaker 1 (10:03):
Yeah, what's up with that?

Speaker 2 (10:05):
Well, it's a subtle thing, but it provides just
enough structure without beingtoo restrictive.

Speaker 1 (10:10):
Right.

Speaker 2 (10:11):
So you can write neatly if you want to, but you
can also sketch, make lists orjust jot down quick notes in a
more freeform way.
It's flexible.

Speaker 1 (10:20):
That's cool.
It's like it caters todifferent styles of journaling,
which brings us to anotherimportant point.
A travel journal can be so muchmore than just writing
paragraphs.
It's like a blank canvas foryour creativity 100%.
You can paste in photos, ticketstubs, postcards, even dried
flowers or leaves you find alongthe way, making a real

(10:41):
scrapbook of your adventures.

Speaker 2 (10:42):
I've even seen people write down snippets of
conversations they overheard orpoems inspired by a view.

Speaker 1 (10:49):
Oh, that's so cool.

Speaker 2 (10:50):
It is, and even little sketches.
You don't have to be an artistto capture the essence of a
place with a few lines.

Speaker 1 (10:57):
I love that.

Speaker 2 (10:57):
Or keeping a gratitude list.
You know just a few things eachday that you're thankful for.
It adds another layer of depthto your journal.

Speaker 1 (11:04):
Totally, it's about making it your own.

Speaker 2 (11:07):
Exactly.

Speaker 1 (11:07):
And, at the end of the day, when you put all that
together, all the writing, thevisuals, the little mementos,
you're creating something somuch more than just a record of
events.
You're capturing those emotions, the insights, the moments of
personal growth that happen whenyou travel.

Speaker 2 (11:23):
It becomes like a tangible representation of your
journey.

Speaker 1 (11:26):
Yeah, and having a journal that's built to last,
like those Lestallion journalswith their durable covers and
thick paper, means that thosememories are not only captured
but also beautifully preserved.

Speaker 2 (11:37):
Like a treasured keepsake.

Speaker 1 (11:38):
Exactly.
It's an investment in yourselfand in the richness of your
experiences.

Speaker 2 (11:43):
So, to wrap up, we've really dug into how a dedicated
travel journal, especially onethat's designed with travelers
in mind, can change the way youexperience and remember your
trips.
And those Lestallion journals,with their focus on durability,
quality and those little detailsthat make a difference, they're
definitely worth checking out.

Speaker 1 (12:03):
They are.
So I want to ask you, dearlistener, how are you preserving
your travel memories right now?
Are they just floating aroundin the digital world?
Imagine having a physicalcollection of your adventures, a
tangible record filled not justwith the facts but with those
feelings, those discoveries,those unique moments of
reflection that made each tripspecial.
What stories would those pagestell you years from now?

Speaker 2 (12:26):
That's the magic of a travel journal it turns those
fleeting moments into somethingyou can hold on to, something
you can revisit and learn from.

Speaker 1 (12:33):
So, as you plan your next trip whether it's a quick
getaway or a grand adventureconsider packing a dedicated
travel journal.
It's a way to truly experience,reflect on and savor those
incredible journeys that lifethrows your way.

Speaker 2 (12:45):
Couldn't have said it better myself.

Speaker 1 (12:47):
Well, until next time , happy travels everyone.