Rituals, not routines.
That's the whole philosophy behind everything I make. If you've been anywhere near the healing or journaling space for a while, you've probably heard the advice: go analog. Buy a pretty notebook. Get a good pen. That's what the research says. That's what the therapists recommend.
I didn't know anything about digital journaling at first either.
For a lot of us, that notebook ends up in a drawer, or on a shelf next to three others we also abandoned. If you're a mom like me, it ends up covered in toddler drawings until nothing is legible anymore. And sometimes the page just feels too permanent, too exposed, so we end up writing nothing at all because we're waiting to feel ready.
A Leaf & Latch journal doesn't do any of that. It lives in your phone or tablet. It's a lot less likely to be taken over by your toddler, lost in a move, or abandoned at the bottom of a bag. And because every journal is undated, there are no blank pages sitting there reminding you how long it's been.
This is your starting point for understanding how it actually works.
What a digital journal actually is
A digital journal is an interactive, customizable journal in a PDF file. You download it, open it in an app on your tablet, phone, or laptop, and write directly on the pages with a stylus pen, your finger, or your keyboard. If you'd rather type, you can choose a font you love so it still feels personal. When you use a stylus pen on a tablet, it feels like pen on paper.
You don't need to be creative or tech-savvy to use one. Leaf & Latch gives you everything you need to build it out: the prompts to choose from, the layout builders, the modules to arrange your way. You build the journal that fits your life, not a pre-filled template someone else decided you needed.
Do you need a tablet and stylus pen?
No. A tablet and stylus pen give you the closest thing to a pen-on-paper feeling, and if you have access to one, that experience is worth exploring. But they aren't a requirement to get started.
You can open a Leaf & Latch journal on your phone, your laptop, or any device that runs a PDF annotation app. On a laptop without a touchscreen, you'll be typing rather than writing by hand. The structure, the prompts, and the design are all still there doing their job.
Start with what you have.
Digital Journaling Apps
We aren't affiliates of any of these apps and can't make guarantees about their pricing or features. This list is here to help you find a starting point.
To use a Leaf & Latch journal, you need a PDF annotation app. This is the app where you open your journal file and write directly on the pages. Here are five worth looking into:
GoodNotes 6 Works on: Apple, Android, and Windows Cost: Free plan available, paid from around $11.99/year Where I started, on my Windows laptop before I ever had a tablet. One of the most widely used apps in the digital journaling community, with plenty of tutorials if you get stuck. A safe first choice.
Notability Works on: Apple only (iPad and Mac) Cost: Free to download, some features require a paid upgrade Clean and focused. It can also record audio while you write and link it to the page, so you can tap back and hear what you were saying when you wrote it. Helpful if you process things out loud.
Noteful Works on: Apple only (iPad and iPhone) Cost: Paid app Built specifically for handwriting on PDF files. Simple import process and gets out of your way quickly.
Xodo Works on: Apple, Android, Windows, and Mac Cost: Free, with some paid features A solid choice for Android users, or anyone who wants to start without spending anything. Works across more devices than most options on this list.
Penly Works on: Android only Cost: One-time purchase around $6 Built for handwriting on Android tablets. Good if you want something focused on writing rather than a general-purpose reader.
Words you may want to know
Interactive hyperlinked PDF: The journal has clickable navigation built directly into the pages. In a Leaf & Latch journal, that includes the dashboard and the surrounding design elements. Tap or click and they take you to a specific section, a prompt, or extras like your sticker pack and bonus templates. No scrolling through the whole file hunting for what you need.
Templates: Pre-designed page layouts included with the journal. Drag them in and customize from there.
Decorative digital stickers: Image files you add to your pages purely for looks. Think washi tape, florals, frames, quote cards. Same feel as a physical sticker.
Functional digital stickers: Stickers that actually do something. Tabs that navigate, dividers that link to sections, interactive elements that help you move through your journal more easily.
Modules: The building blocks you use to create a custom page. Instead of starting from nothing, modules give you pre-designed elements like a habit tracker, a mood check-in, a gratitude prompt, or a notes section. You combine and arrange them to build the page you need.
Unfurling Board: Think vision board, mood board, or manifestation board, but grounded in who you are actively becoming right now, not a far-off dream version of your life. A dedicated space inside certain Leaf & Latch journals to collect images, words, and intentions that reflect the version of yourself you're already in the process of growing into. Not a wish list. A mirror for the becoming that's already happening.
Undated: No dates printed on the pages. You write when you write and skip when you need to skip. Every Leaf & Latch journal is undated on purpose.
How to get started: from purchase to first page
Step 1: Download your annotation app.
- If you already have a PDF annotation app, open it now and skip to Step 2.
- If you don't have one yet, pick one from the list above or your favorite from your own research.
- Download and install it, then open it once to make sure everything is working.
Step 2: Choose your journal.
- Browse the shop at leafandlatch.com.
- Pick the journal that matches what you need right now.
- Tip: read the journal description and ask yourself what you're carrying most right now. The right journal will name it.
Step 3: Download your file.
- After purchase, check your email for a download link. If you don't see it right away, check your Promotions tab or spam folder.
- This file is your master copy. If you ever need to re-download your journal, just log in to your Leaf & Latch profile, view your orders, and download it again on any device.
Step 4: Import your journal into the app.
- Open your app and look for "Import" or "Open file."
- Navigate to your PDF and select it.
- In GoodNotes, this is usually the "+" icon. In Xodo, you can open directly from your files.
Step 5: Explore before you start.
- Tap through the tabs and sections to see what's in there.
- You don't have to use everything or start on page one.
- Open a section that calls to you and begin there.
- For a full walkthrough of your specific journal, reference your included Start Guide.
Step 6: Create, customize, journal, enjoy.
One thing to know first: most apps have two modes. Read-only mode (sometimes called View mode) lets you tap the hyperlinks and navigate through your journal. Edit mode (sometimes called Pen or Annotate mode) is where you write, draw, and add stickers. If your links aren't responding, switch to read-only. If you can't write on the page, switch to edit mode.
Adding your stickers and PNG files (optional):
- Open your sticker pack or bonus PNG files from your downloads or device files.
- In your app, look for an option to insert an image. In GoodNotes, tap the Image icon. In Xodo, look for the Stamp or Image tool.
- Select your file and place it on the page.
- Resize and reposition it by tapping and dragging until it feels right.
Now journal:
- You have the journal. You have the app. You have the page.
- There's nothing left to figure out before you start.
Why Leaf & Latch
Most digital journals are built around an aesthetic. A palette, a season, a vibe. Leaf & Latch journals are built around what you're actually carrying.
I built these for myself first, and I still use them. Every journal starts from the emotional job it's meant to do, not a trend or a color palette. The prompts are written with a specific purpose in mind. The navigation is built in so you're never hunting for anything. The shop is undated and deliberately small because a journal that makes you feel behind isn't doing its job.
The plant philosophy woven through everything isn't decoration. It's a shared language for the things that are hardest to name: rest, withering, pruning, unfurling. When a page uses that language, it's because it's the most honest word for what the reader is being invited to do.
"For days when I'm not feeling inspired or need a little direction, the prompts and templates are helpful." — Leah B., verified buyer
The best place to begin
If you want to know what a Leaf & Latch journal feels like before you buy anything, the Grounded Growth Starter Pack is your answer. It's free, it's a real journal, and it was built to give you a peek into the experience before you spend.
