We went out for dinner this past weekend at our favorite restaurant and I took my son to a birthday party for a classmate, who turned 9, the next day. It reminded me how ordinary events like these can feel amazing when we’re fully present. Speaking of ordinary things that turn out to be special… let’s talk about pens.
For the past year, I’ve been journaling with a gel pen. Not a fancy one, not one I picked out after hours of researching. Nope – I got it for free from my son’s orthodontist and it completely changed the way I journal.
There was something about the way the ink flowed so smoothly that made my writing feel so much more enjoyable – like my thoughts and my hand were one. Which is why today, I want to share my favorite pen, along with what to look for when choosing one, so that journaling feels like a cozy ritual you’ll be happy to do again & again.
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My Favorite Pens
Though I have yet to try those fancy pens that I’ve been hearing about on social media and YouTube, my favorite brand right now is BIC. I love BIC because it’s very accessible and affordable. They’re the ones I’ll toss into my bag without thinking twice, because I know they’ll write smoothly every time.
Another reason why I love this brand is because even though they’re cheaper and easier to get than the more expensive ones, they’re very reliable.
The outer cover of the pen has never malfunctioned on me and the ink dries quickly enough so that it doesn’t smudge or bleed through paper.
The Gel Pen
This unexpected gem of a pen, the one that I got from the orthodontist’s office, is the one that started my love for the BIC intensity clic gel pens.
I love them because they make my chicken scratch writing look better than it actually is and the ink glides so smoothly across my paper.
It doesn’t bleed through the paper and dries quickly enough so that it doesn’t smudge. The ink color is also vibrant and makes my words pop off the page.
The Ballpoint Pen
Ballpoint pens to me are like the gel pen’s sidekick. They can do almost anything the gel pen can do, AND they’re versatile & long lasting.
I use the BIC 4 color ballpoint pen, both the pastel and original colors. I’ve had these pens for 5 years now and use them to highlight and underline words in my journals so I can reference the pages more easily. The best part about this pen is how much fun & joy it adds to journaling.
What I Look For In A Pen
I never really thought about pens that much before I started using the BIC gel pen. I didn’t give other pens a try because of a gel pen I used for my son’s baby book.
I was so excited to use this glittery, blue gel pen I got at a steal online. Then to my disappointment, it was so runny that the words were barely readable and took so long to dry that it would smudge even when I thought it looked dry.
It ruined my son’s baby book and made me stay away from all but ballpoint pens for a long time. That is, of course, until the BIC gel pen. This made me realize that the pen really matters, especially if you love to write.
Having the perfect pen for journaling is like (sorry for the sweet analogies) having a peanut butter sandwich with jelly, cake with ice cream, or oreos dipped in milk. It makes it that much more fun and enjoyable.
So, here’s what you need to look for when choosing your pen.
1. Pen Ink
The ink is the “bread and butter” of the pen. Besides the color of the pen, make sure that you choose one that dries quickly and doesn’t smudge. Hint: it usually says so on the package.
Also, look for words like no bleeding or no bleed. Bleeding is when ink saturates a piece of paper so much that you can see it on the other side. These little details helps you avoid journaling nuisances like ink on your fingers, wasted lines, and Rorschach-like smudges.
2. Pen Tip
Pen tip size makes a difference, depending on how small or large your writing is. If you tend to write larger, a bigger tip is what you’d want, like 0.6 mm and above. If you write smaller, then a tip that is thinner, like a 0.5 mm or lower, would be a better choice.
Also, think about the spaces between the lines. If the spaces are wider, then a larger tip would make your writing more aesthetically pleasing than a thinner one and vice versa.
3. Pen Barrel
The pen barrel is the casing of the pen. I like a pen barrel that is wide because it’s more ergonomically comfortable than a thin one, especially if I’m planning on doing a lot of writing.
Some pens even come with a soft and/or textured cushion to help you grip it better.
The only time I use a thinner pen is when I need something to take quick notes with and won’t take up too much room in my purse.
Other Pens I’ve Used
Here are pens that I use to add embellishments to my journal writing.
Felt Pens
I use felt pens to trace over pencil marks if I want to underline something or trace a doodle I made with my pencil to make it look more crisp and vibrant. They’re available online or in office supply stores.
Brush Pens
Brush pens have a bit of a learning curve because they’re like having a paint brush with never ending ink on the tip.
They’re great if you want your writing to look fancy, to practice calligraphy, or to add some artistic elements to your journaling. You can get them online or from arts & crafts stores.
Last Thoughts On Journal Pens
Choosing a pen might seem like a small thing, but small things can quietly shift the way you experience something. For me, it was that free gel pen from my son’s orthodontist.
Just remember to always keep an open mind because sometimes, the simplest swap can transform your journaling habit into a cozy ritual you can’t wait to return to.
More Journaling Tips
If you’re new to journaling, read my blog posts about how to choose a journal and how to start journaling.
Which pen would you try? Let me know in the comments!
