Review: Silk & Sonder - Part Diary, Part Planner, Part Kick in the Pants
When I first tried the monthly wellness journal from Silk & Sonder, I had never seen anything quite like it. I’ve heard of bullet journals, and I’m well acquainted with planners (a bit of a to-do list enthusiast), but this felt like more than that. Since then, I’ve tried several wellness journals and planners, but four years later, I keep coming back to Silk & Sonder. So, how have these journals evolved over the years? Are they worth subscribing to annually? What’s the hype about? Here are quick answers so you can decide if it’s right for you. 
What’s Inside Silk & Sonder Monthly Journals?
Calling the Silk and Sonder, Inc. journals a travel guide is a bit of an understatement. Each spiral-bound booklet is valid for only one month and has a specific theme. June 2020 was “Choice,” as mentioned in a letter from founder Meha, to remind users that, no matter what’s happening in the world, “you alone have the power to decide how you react, adjust, and continue moving forward.” January 2023’s theme is “Abundance,” not just as a way to bring more of what you want into your life, but as an opportunity to appreciate the richness already present. 
What Types of Content Can You Find in Each Silk & Sonder Journal?
- Emotion trackers
- Habit trackers
- Sleep trackers
- Coloring pages
- Daily “One Thing” prompts encouraging you to identify one thing you can do that day to make your day easier
- Reflections on the previous month
- Setting goals for the upcoming month (focused on mental and physical health, personal goals, career goals, financial management, and key relationships)
- Custom workbook pages reflecting the month’s theme (January 2023 includes an “Abundance Jar” activity, a year in review section, a dream life section, and various abundance-themed journal prompts)
- Gratitude journals
- Recipes
- Note pages
New Features of Silk & Sonder
Since 2020, there’s been a price hike from $20 to $25 per month, but the company has introduced an online community, the Sonder Club, making the journal even more valuable. The Sonder Club allows you to connect with like-minded individuals, providing daily affirmations and exercises, among other perks.
Pros of Silk & Sonder Planner
Pros: Thoughtfully Designed
While I value the space of a classic to-do list greatly, having a third of the booklet taken up by little activities genuinely gets me excited for the month ahead and helps me pause to think about what I truly want to accomplish that month, rather than getting bogged down in the day-to-day grind.
Pros: It Motivates You to Be Proactive *and* Reflective
It can help you focus, track your goals, and motivate you to broaden your horizons while taking care of yourself.
Pros: It Takes Up Zero Space
Its slim design and spiral binding make it easy to carry around and record in on the go. 
Cons of the Planner: Cost
A year’s worth of journals will set you back $189, which is still a 35% savings compared to the monthly cost ($25 per booklet), but it’s still a hefty price tag. Admittedly, this is more of a magazine meets self-help guide meets organizer hybrid, with the surprise element of a subscription box. But still. You have to actually use it—and feel satisfied with the results—to justify the cost. (However, in fairness, let’s refer back to the bullet-point list above: You’re not just getting a calendar and a bunch of blank pages with dates on them.)
Bottom Line
Silk and Sonder, Inc. ’s series makes for a great birthday or holiday gift: you can try it out for a month or two to see what you get out of it, then decide if it’s right for you. They also offer some really cool gift sets to make the gift extra special.