Self Care Journal: 6 Best Apps for Self-Care and Wellbeing

Looking to build better self-care habits? Whether it’s managing stress, tracking your emotions, or simply carving out a few quiet moments for reflection, journaling can make a big impact on your mental and emotional health. But with so many apps available, how do you know which one actually helps?

We’ve rounded up 6 of the best self-care journal apps to support your wellness routine. From beautifully designed mood trackers to structured digital notebooks, these apps offer a wide range of features to suit your needs - whether you’re new to journaling or looking to go deeper.

Best Self Care Journal at a Glance

NotePlan - Best Overall Self Care Journal 

If you're looking for a wellness journal that does more than just log your thoughts, NotePlan might be the perfect fit. It combines journaling, planning, and productivity into one powerful workspace - ideal if you want to take control of your time while also staying mindful.

You can easily capture your daily reflections, plan your day, and track habits with minimal friction. The Markdown-based editor feels clean and flexible, and the ability to link notes and tasks adds structure to your thoughts. With calendar and reminder integration, NotePlan makes it easy to reflect and stay on top of what matters most.

Key Features:

• Daily journaling with Markdown support
• Task and habit tracking
• Bi-directional note linking
• Calendar and reminders integration
• iCloud & Google sync
• Privacy-first (local plain text storage)
  

Pricing: Free trial, then $8.33/month ($99 billed annually)

What users on Reddit say about NotePlan

NotePlan on iPad Overview on YouTube

Reflectly - Best Self Care Journal for AI-Powered Mood Journaling

Reflectly is an AI-powered journal that helps you understand your emotional patterns. Designed with a sleek, minimalist interface, it’s great for quick entries and mood logging.

You’ll get personalized insights over time, with graphs and reflections that help you identify emotional trends. If you're looking for a smart, modern journaling experience, Reflectly’s focus on data and emotion makes it a compelling choice.

Key Features:

• AI-generated daily questions
• Mood tracking and graphs
• Insightful stats and patterns
• Clean, distraction-free interface
• Encourages consistency with reminders

Pricing: Free basic plan, with premium plans starting at $4.99/month

Moodnotes - Best Self Care Journal for CBT

Moodnotes is a journaling app rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It helps you record your thoughts and identify negative thinking patterns that may be affecting your mood.

What makes it stand out is its thoughtful, psychology-based prompts. As you write, it gently encourages you to reframe unhelpful thoughts - making it a great option if your goal is emotional growth or anxiety management.

Key Features:

• Psychology-based journaling
• Mood tracking and thought analysis
• Encourages positive thinking habits
• Helpful prompts for self-reflection
• One-time purchase, no subscriptions
  

Pricing: Various premium plans starting at $2.99

Daylio - Best Self Care Journal for Visual Mood Tracking

Don’t want to write? Daylio lets you track your mood and habits without typing a word. Using icons and emojis, you can log how you’re feeling, what you’re doing, and even build long-term self-care habits.

The app turns your data into colorful charts so you can quickly spot patterns. It’s perfect for visual thinkers who want insights without the pressure of daily writing.

Key Features:

• Icon-based mood and activity tracker
• Visual dashboards and graphs
• Habit tracking and reminders
• Journaling optional
• Easy-to-use, great for beginners
  

Pricing:  Free with different premium plans, starting at $4.99/month

Tangerine - Best Self Care Journal for Habits

Tangerine is a beautifully designed app that combines habit tracking with daily journaling. You can set goals, track routines, and reflect on how you’re doing — all within a calming, minimal interface.

Each day, it prompts you to check in with yourself through short mood and reflection entries. It’s ideal for building consistent self-care habits alongside emotional awareness.

Key Features:

• Daily check-ins and mood tracking
• Self-care habit tracker
• Short journaling prompts
• Elegant and distraction-free UI
• Insights into routine and wellbeing
  

Pricing: $40.50 (billed annually)

Sanity & Self - Best Self Care Journal With Coaching

Sanity & Self is more than just a journaling app - it’s a full-on self-care toolkit for women. It offers journaling, coaching sessions, guided meditations, and community support.

Whether you're navigating relationships, stress, or burnout, the app provides emotional support through expert-led audio sessions. It's a great pick if you're looking for more than just a blank page.

Key Features:

• Guided self-care and journaling tools
• Expert audio coaching and meditations
• Built-in mood and progress tracking
• Focus on relationships, confidence, and growth
• Supportive community features

Pricing: Free

Conclusion

Whether you want to track your mood, build healthy habits, or simply find a few minutes each day for reflection, these self-care journal apps make it easier to stay mindful and balanced.

From structured productivity tools like NotePlan to visual, low-effort mood trackers like Daylio, there's something here for everyone. The right app is the one that fits into your routine and makes self-care feel sustainable - not like another task on your to-do list.

Ready to take your wellness into your own hands? Try one of these apps and start journaling your way to a calmer, more organized life.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a Self-Care Journal?

A self-care journal is a digital journal or physical notebook that is used with the intention of improving wellbeing. 

How do I start a Self-Healing Journal?

You can start a self-healing journal by getting a self-care journal and consistently tracking mood and noticing patterns.

How to Create Your Own Self-Care Journal? 

You can create your own self-care journal by getting a digital or physical journal, tracking your mood and thoughts, and taking steps to improve your wellbeing.