Journal For Mac

Self-reflection is important for mental health and personal improvement, but it’s something we seem to have very little time for nowadays. The classic hardcover diary might be a thing of the past, but maybe a digital version can get you to write down your thoughts at the end of the day.

Journal is its name, and it’s a beautifully-designed app for macOS. It provides you with a convenient and intuitive way to jot down whatever’s on your mind on any given day, with Markdown formatting, tags, and easy browsing.

While it’s not always the most important factor, a nice UI design can go a long way towards attracting users, and Journal is definitely not lacking. The app’s design is modern and minimalistic, with a few optional themes and no distracting visual elements.

When you’re writing, you see nothing on the screen but the text, date, and whatever tags you might have added. Formatting options are available when selecting text, and you can extend the sidebar for easier navigation between daily entries.

Journal supports Markdown. If you use Markdown syntax, the app will format it automatically, or you can just select some text and choose from the available formatting options. It allows you to add headings and lists, change text style, add code blocks, and highlight words or phrases.

Sometimes you just can’t figure out what to write about a certain day. If that's the case, this app can help by providing some helpful prompts that give you ideas for what you can reflect on.

To use Journal, you’ll have to log in with an Apple or Google account. The app can still be used offline after logging in, and your data will be synchronized when you’re back online. If you’re sharing a computer and are worried about privacy, make sure you remember to log out when you’re done writing for the day.

All data stored locally is encrypted, which is great since we’re dealing with personal thoughts you might not want to share with anyone else.

Overall, Journal is a great take on a modern digital diary. It’s easy to use and looks the part, with the only drawbacks being its Electron-based architecture and subscription model.