The 12 Best Bedtime Journaling Tools to Help You Actually Wind Down

We’re not anti-Netflix (we love it). Zoning out in front of a series has its place. But if you’ve ever turned off an episode, brushed your teeth, climbed into bed - and suddenly found your brain wide awake, spinning with to-dos, worries, or the perfect comeback you didn’t say earlier - you’re not alone.

The problem isn’t that you didn’t relax. It’s that you skipped the transition.

Your brain needs a signal that the day is done - and one of the simplest, most effective ways to do that? Bedtime journaling. It’s not about solving your life in a notebook. It’s about creating a moment to offload what’s in your head, reflect (even briefly), and say: this is where I stop.

Without that buffer between stimulation and stillness, we carry the noise of the day straight into bed. That’s where a short, intentional ritual comes in - not as another wellness task, but as a gentle gear shift.

This guide is your toolkit for that wind-down window: the 20–30 minutes where you transition from overstimulated to offline. We’ve gathered beautifully designed, sleep-supportive tools across four categories - at three price points - so you can build a bedtime ritual that works for you, with zero pressure.

SECTION 1: Journals Worthy of Your Thoughts

All hardcover, because there’s something grounding about a solid object in your hands.

£: Daily Gratitude Pad - £6.95 - perfect if you want to keep things simple.

££:  Happy Mind Journal -  £14 - guided prompts for those that need a bit more support.

££: Papier Bullet Journal  – £23 - simple, understand, blank pages.

SECTION 2: Pens You’ll Actually Look Forward to Using

Smooth ink = less resistance to getting started.

£: Multipack of black ink gel - super popular.

££: Ultra fine refillable ballpoint pens - set of 3 (gorgeous).

£££:Imagination pen set - dopamine hit incoming.

SECTION 3: Candles/Diffusers/Sleep Sprays That Tell Your Brain: It's Time to Power Down

Think natural wax, essential oils like lavender, vetiver, neroli.

£: Dynamic duo sleep set - great for cosy nights in.

££: Made by Coopers Zen Pillow Spray - spritz your room, your pillow - smells devine.

£££: Neom’s bestelling sleep diffuser - for those who prefer no candles by bed.

SECTION 4: Teas That Say ‘You Can Stop Now’

No caffeine, no sugar rush—just herbs that help your system soften.

£: Twinnings Sleep Tea – it’s a classic, not too pricey, very very popular.

££: Yogi Bedtime Tea - with valerian (known for it’s sleep inducing benefits .

£££: A Moment of Calm Box – great for gifting or if you want to try different types of sleepy tea.

💬 Not Sure What to Write? We’ve Got You.

If you’ve ever opened a fresh journal and thought, now what?, we hear you.

Inside the Clementine Library app, you’ll find our guided bedtime journaling sessions - designed to gently walk you through reflection, release, and calm. Whether you’ve had a chaotic day or just need help switching off, these sessions are your audio companion for winding down.

🧡 You can try all sessions for free once - just head to the app and tap “Bedtime Journaling” to begin.

Because the ritual is only powerful if you actually do it. And we’re here to help make that easy.

You don’t need all of this. But maybe you need something that cues your body: it’s safe to slow down now. One pen, one journal, one warm drink - done consistently - can teach your brain that sleep is coming. You’re not being self-indulgent. You’re being smart.

Because no one falls asleep in fight-or-flight mode. And email-brain doesn’t just switch off on command. It needs help. This is that help.