The new year always brings a surge of motivation. We want to be better, do more, and finally tackle those dreams we have been putting off. While resolutions often fade by February, a new trend emerging on TikTok is offering a more sustainable and creative way to stick to your goals. It is called the “rebrand journal” and creators are using it to reshape their lives for 2026. This is not just a diary. It is a strategic, artistic, and deeply personal roadmap for becoming the version of yourself you have always wanted to be.
Understanding the Rebrand Journal
Unlike a standard diary where you simply record daily events, a rebrand journal is proactive. It is about defining an identity shift. You are essentially treating yourself like a company undergoing a brand overhaul. You identify what is not working, establish new core values, and design a lifestyle that aligns with your new vision.
This approach taps into the psychology of self-efficacy. When you write down your intentions and track your progress visually, you reinforce your belief in your ability to change. It turns the abstract concept of “personal growth” into something tangible that you can hold in your hands.
The Science Behind the Practice
The benefits of this practice go beyond just having a pretty notebook. Daily journaling has been scientifically proven to improve mental and physical health. A study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology found that expressive writing can reduce intrusive and avoidant thoughts about negative events and improve working memory. By getting thoughts out of your head and onto paper, you free up cognitive resources to focus on your goals. When you combine this with the creative aspect of the TikTok trend, you get a powerful tool for mental clarity and stress reduction.
Inspiration from the Community
One of the most exciting aspects of this trend is the variety. TikTok users are sharing creative ways to structure these journals, showing that there is no single right way to do it. Some are minimalist and text-heavy, while others are artistic and colorful.
One of my own favorite examples comes from a creator known as @tayynoell. Her video, tagged with #2026rebrand, has already garnered over 24,000 likes and serves as perfect inspiration for anyone looking to start. She uses a popular bullet journal format to create a stunning visual guide for her year.
A Look Inside a Viral Rebrand Journal
In her video, @tayynoell walks viewers through her setup page by page, making it easy to start your own. It begins with a welcoming title page for 2026, setting a positive tone right away. This is followed by a spread dedicated to intentions, specifically lists of things she wants “more of” and “less of” in the coming year. This simple dichotomy is a great way to clarify your priorities without getting bogged down in rigid rules.
Next comes a fun and interactive element: 2026 Bingo. This page is a grid of potential achievements or experiences. For your own bingo card, you might include squares for “read 12 books” or “visit a new country” or even “learn to bake sourdough.” It turns your goals into a game, making the process of self-improvement feel lighter and more enjoyable.
She also includes a page for yearly goals and a fascinating “Year in Pixels” tracker. This involves a grid of small squares representing every day of the year. You color-code each square based on your mood, ranging from an “amazing day” to a “really bad day.” Over time, this creates a visual map of your emotional year.
Another charming feature is her “Song of the Month” page, designed to look like a stack of twelve retro mixed tapes. It is a nostalgic and creative way to track the soundtrack of your year. There is also space to record big moments from each month, ensuring that significant memories are not forgotten.
Setting Up for January
The video then transitions to her setup for January. It starts with a cover page and includes a detailed “Ideal Routine” spread. This breaks down the essential elements of her daily routines, with checklists for both morning and evening habits. To keep herself grounded, she includes pages for summing up each day in a single word, a mood tracker, and an uplifting quote. For January, she chose the powerful reminder: “Everything you do now is for your future.”
The comment section on her video is full of excitement and support. One user commented, “This might be my sign to get back into bullet journaling.” Another added, “Starting mine Friday gotta buy the book!” People also loved the aesthetic, asking about the specific markers she used (Crayola Super Tips, for those wondering).
Your New Beginning
While @tayynoell’s journal is elaborate and beautifully detailed, yours does not have to be perfect to be effective. A quick browse through the videos that show up under the #rebrandjournal hashtag will offer abundant inspiration for how to set up a journal, from simple to pared-down. Here’s another journal flip-through that’s just full of a good ideas.
@hedgehogjournals My 2026 Bullet Journal flip through ✨ The A5 is for habit tracking and daily reflections, and the smaller weekly planner is for to-dos, scheduling, plus movie & book tracking — with my household tasks (by frequency) and decluttering list tucked into the last few pages.📃🤗 #bulletjournaling #bulletjournal #bujo #2026 #plannertok ♬ The Fate of Ophelia – Taylor Swift
The beauty of the rebrand journal is that it grows with you. Whether you use simple lists or complex artistic spreads, the act of showing up for yourself on the page is what matters. As we step into 2026, consider picking up a notebook and starting your own rebrand. (Here’s where to find that video from @tayynoell, by the way. She’s not set up for her videos to embed in an article like this one, but it’s worth checking out!) Starting a new journal offers a fresh page, a new chapter, and the perfect place to write your future.
