Studies have shown that journaling offers wide-ranging benefits. An article by the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences even reports that it can have a direct impact on intelligence and physical health. For local journaling and planner brand Belle de Jour (BDJ), however, journaling goes beyond research-backed benefits, it can be life changing.

Since its founding in 2006, BDJ has championed journaling as more than a daily habit, it is a powerful tool for self-belief, clarity, and intentional living. Created by Filipina entrepreneur Darlyn Ty-Nilo, the brand was born from a deeply personal desire to design a planner that went beyond organizing schedules and deadlines.

“BDJ is born from one woman’s desire to create a planner that didn’t just organize your schedule, but helped you believe in your own potential,” Darlyn tells Manila Bulletin Lifestyle. Drawing from her own resilience and early failures, she envisioned a tool that would empower women to turn their dreams into actionable steps, long before self-development became mainstream.

What began as a passion project soon grew into a movement. Today, BDJ has published over two million self-actualization planners, hosted more than 100 events, and reached over 100,000 Filipino women through Dreampowerment talks, workshops, and community gatherings.

As the community expanded, so did BDJ’s role in women’s lives. “The vision evolved into something deeper—a commitment to helping women not just dream, but follow through,” she says.

From a planner brand, BDJ transformed into a community-driven empowerment platform offering workshops, journaling programs, and advocacy initiatives that support women through life transitions, mental wellness, and structured goal-setting.

“Our principles emphasize clarity, resilience, follow-through, compassion, self-leadership, and small consistent steps,” she shares, noting that these are aligned with the UN Women Beijing Platform for Action. These advocacies are embedded directly into the planners, workshops, and challenges, ensuring that every product contributes to women’s growth in a grounded, meaningful way.

Community-driven initiatives have also become defining moments in the brand’s journey. Among the most meaningful are large-scale gatherings like the BDJ Women’s Summit, “where thousands of women gather to learn, uplift one another, and step into their potential.” The BDJ Passion Series, meanwhile, created safe and intimate spaces for women to explore their dreams and build skills together. While the annual BDJ launches, a full-day celebration with partner brands at the Mall of Asia, have become joyful reminders that BDJ is not just about planners, but about shared growth and connection.

But the holiday season, in particular, has become one of the brand’s most active and reflective periods. During this time, the brand hosts events and workshops for year-end reflection and goal-setting like Life Vision and Journal Therapy workshops that support mental health. Planner gifting initiatives and charity partnerships are also rolled out to uplift women’s groups.

“The holidays are when women reflect on the year that passed and make choices for the year ahead,” she adds. “In this season, we champion one message: Give a gift that helps another woman design her best year yet,” she adds.

As BDJ celebrates its 20th anniversary, the brand is stepping into a new chapter with Big Dreams Journey, an evolution from product to purpose. Built on three pillars—Dreampowerment tools, workshops, and community—Big Dreams Journey brings together the BDJ Planner, Vision Board Kits, and Dreampowerment Journals, alongside Spark Sessions, journaling workshops, and goal-setting challenges.

“Dreams aren’t meant to be pursued alone. They flourish in the community. BDJ will continue being the space where dreams meet action,” Darlyn ends.

Looking ahead, BDJ remains focused on what has always mattered most: Taking small steps toward big dreams, empowering one another, and providing structure with ease.