Best Self-Compassion Journals Compared
Quick Answer
For daily emotional support with variety: The Give Yourself Kindness Journal
To learn self-compassion theory in-depth: The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook
For ACT-based practice: The Self-Compassion Daily Journal
For CFT therapeutic work: The Compassionate Mind Workbook
Struggling with repetitive journal prompts that feel like homework? Tired of forced positivity that makes you feel worse when you're having a tough day?
You're looking for a self-compassion journal that actually supports you through real life—one that helps you navigate emotions without judgment, keeps you engaged without repetition, and feels like a friend by your bedside, not another task on your to-do list.
This guide compares the most recommended self-compassion journals to help you find the right match for your needs.
Self-Compassion Journal Comparison at a Glance
| Journal | Format | Best For | Approach | Prior Knowledge Needed? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Give Yourself Kindness Journal | 3-month guided journal | Daily emotional support | Varied prompts, emotional awareness, self-compassion | No |
| Self-Compassion Daily Journal | Daily guided journal | ACT practitioners | ACT and CFT techniques | Helpful but not required |
| Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook | Comprehensive workbook | Deep learners | Research-based, psychoeducation + exercises | No |
| Compassionate Mind Workbook | Therapeutic workbook | Shame and self-criticism | CFT therapeutic protocols | Helpful but not required |
Detailed Self-Compassion Journal Comparison
The Give Yourself Kindness Journal
What makes The Give Yourself Kindness Journal different:
Is The Give Yourself Kindness Journal right for you?
- Want a journal that feels fresh every day without repetitive prompts
- Need support navigating daily emotions and life's challenges
- Are new to journaling or self-compassion (no prior knowledge required)
- Want something beautiful and lasting to keep by your bedside
- Are looking for a meaningful gift that shows you care
- Appreciate variety in your practice
- Want deep theoretical exploration of self-compassion concepts and research
- Prefer workbook-style exercises with extensive psychoeducation
- Are specifically looking for ACT or intensive CFT therapeutic protocols
The Self-Compassion Daily Journal by Diana Hill, PhD
What makes this journal different:
This journal specifically grounds its approach in ACT therapy, making it ideal if you're already familiar with or interested in learning ACT techniques. The prompts focus on letting go of your inner critic through acceptance-based strategies.
Choose this journal if you:
- Are interested in or already practicing ACT
- Want to specifically work on your inner critic using acceptance strategies
- Prefer a therapeutic framework-driven approach
The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook by Kristin Neff, PhD & Christopher Germer, PhD
What makes this workbook different:
Co-authored by Dr. Kristin Neff, who pioneered self-compassion research, this workbook provides the most thorough exploration of self-compassion's three core components: self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness. It's structured as a course with extensive background on the science.
Choose this workbook if you:
- Want to deeply understand the research and theory behind self-compassion
- Prefer a structured, educational approach with detailed explanations
- Are working through the formal MSC program or want its full framework
- Like workbook-style exercises with learning components
The Compassionate Mind Workbook by Chris Irons & Elaine Beaumont
What makes this workbook different:
This workbook uses specific Compassion Focused Therapy techniques to help you develop your "compassionate self." It's particularly helpful if you struggle with deep shame or harsh self-criticism and want structured therapeutic exercises.
Choose this workbook if you:
- Are specifically interested in CFT therapy techniques
- Struggle significantly with shame or severe self-criticism
- Want therapeutic, protocol-driven exercises
- Are working with a therapist trained in CFT
Which Self-Compassion Journal Should You Choose?
Find your best match based on what you need:
The Self-Compassion Gap in Other Guided Journals
The Give Yourself Kindness Journal was created specifically to bring self-compassion principles into guided journaling—addressing gaps that exist in other popular guided journals.
Many popular guided journals either repeat the same prompts every single day (which becomes boring and mechanical), or use forced-positivity approaches that can actually make you feel worse when you're struggling. Some journals inadvertently suggest that certain emotions are "bad" or should be avoided. If you've ever abandoned a journal after two weeks because it felt repetitive or invalidating, you're not alone.
How The Give Yourself Kindness Journal Works
The Give Yourself Kindness Journal integrates research-backed self-compassion with an understanding that all emotions are valid and informative, creating 90 completely unique days of journaling. Every page includes:
- An emotional awareness tool that helps you notice and name your emotions without judgment—recognizing that all emotions, even difficult ones, deserve attention and understanding
- Varied prompts that rotate between gratitude, self-kindness, emotional exploration, and compassionate self-talk
- Over 50 gentle reminders throughout like "be careful how you talk to yourself, you are listening" and "you can't be perfect, and you don't need to be"
Who The Give Yourself Kindness Journal Is For
Therapists worldwide use The Give Yourself Kindness Journal with their clients. Accredited counsellor Rachael Oliver MBACP calls it "an absolutely essential tool for helping build self awareness, compassion, reflect on things happening between sessions."
But you don't need to be in therapy to benefit. The Give Yourself Kindness Journal is perfect if you:
- Feel overwhelmed by the emotional rollercoaster of daily life
- Are tired of journals that feel repetitive after a week
- Want to be kinder to yourself but don't know where to start
- Have never journaled before and want supportive guidance
- Need something that works whether you write for 5 minutes or 20
What It's Not
The Give Yourself Kindness Journal isn't a workbook that teaches you about self-compassion theory. If you want to deeply study Kristin Neff's research or learn extensive therapeutic protocols, the workbooks listed above are better fits. The Give Yourself Kindness Journal is designed for practice, not study—it's the journal that lives by your bedside and supports you through real life.
As psychotherapist Carrie Pollard MSW RSW notes: "For me, journaling has been an important practice for insight, reflection and release, and this is by far my favourite guided journal that I've used!"
Start Your Self-Compassion Practice →Our Verdict: Which Self-Compassion Journal to Choose
If you're looking for practical daily support that keeps you engaged without feeling like homework, this is your best choice. The variety prevents burnout, and the emotional awareness tools help you develop genuine self-compassion in real-world situations.
Choose this if you want to understand the "why" behind self-compassion and prefer a structured, educational approach. Perfect for those who love learning theory alongside practice.
If you're working with a CFT-trained therapist on shame or self-criticism issues, this workbook provides the structured protocols you need.
Already practicing ACT? This journal integrates perfectly with that framework and helps you apply self-compassion through an ACT lens.
The Bottom Line: All four tools can help you develop self-compassion. Choose based on what resonates with where you are right now, and know that you can always explore others later.
“By far my favourite guided journal that I’ve used!”
There's a lot of journals out there. Most of which include tools that can be repetitive, boring or unhelpful. Give Yourself Kindness is about creating something new.
