I know that have beautiful books in stationary shops, but what I find most effective for my journal are 5 divider lined school notebooks that I buy at Rite Aid. You want something where you'll have a lot of space to write.

Best of luck finding what you need. Journaling is so therapeutic.

I agree. Journaling was a way for me to let a lot of emotions fly out of my head and onto the page. For me, typing it out was the way to go, since I type almost as fast as I think, lol. Seriously, though - just start. I think the first sentence on the journal I started after Joe died was "I don't even know what to write". I'm at 500 pages, 400 if you take out the cursing. Even if it's one sentence a day - try it. Hugs, Marsha

@Debrus, most journals I've found are too small. They're made to look pretty, not fit much writing. Are you trying to find something with Format guidance, like a devotional? All I've ever seen are free-form journals.
@marsha, TOO FUNNY "I'm at 500 pages, 400 if you take out the cursing."
see, that's scary. I could just see the grandkids sitting around in shock at my journaled feelings.

I have been a widow for 7 years. During the first year I typed a journal on the computer -- not every day, but often. Sometimes I talked to my husband; sometimes I talked about him, about my feelings and how hard it was. At the end of that first year I printed the pages and put it in a binder. The title page says: "Missing Frank: My First Year as a Widow" I still write at times; have done this all my life. To me the main thing is getting those feelings out; staying everything you need/want to say. As others have said - journaling is very therapeutic.
Wishing you peaceful days - Doye

[I grew up in Hammond; went to BR to seek my fortune in 1957. Met my husband there and lived in BR till 1973. Moved far north to central MS - still here ]

Yes,do try to get something with pages large enough to write. I like the idea of lined notebooks.. Also, I put the starting date of entries on the front and the end date when it is full. Then I start another. For several years I would look back in my journal when I felt that I wasn't making progress and see that I actually was.
Marsha, the 400-500 page thing is hilarious! But true!
Dianne

lots of great advice I think I will get a divided composition book at the local store so I can have lots of room. I kept a small notebook when he was in hospital from February to the end but when I took it out to look at it I couldn't so I shredded it. I had enough grief without reading all that things in the past that happened. I miss him so much and need to put some things in writing. I am more of the accepting stage now I think and am better. I give all the improvement to GOD I started back to church and pray a lot. Thanks for all your kind support.

I journal here, right on this site, or I used to anyways. I am a wee bit OCD so I have dozens of notebooks that I write in, and some that I have saved because they are too nice to use (from Etsy). WTH is with that? Have I learned nothing about here and now?
Anyways, amazingly Dollarama has lots of nice hard cover spiral books with lovely prints and lined paper in various sizes, and they're cheap, like Borscht.
I can't tell you how comforting journalling here, to my husband was. Delusional as it may sound, I really looked forward to sharing my days and thoughts with him. Now when I read the entries I remember how much pain I was in, but a lot of it makes me smile as well. I hope it brings you comfort too.
Best wishes, Sue

I use a cheap, lined spiral bound notebook that I stash on my nightstand to scribble on. I always feel better after writing.