Are you a notebook person? Do you obsessively research different types of Japanese paper and buy new journals even though you certainly don't need another one? Do you invent reasons to start a new themed journal? If you answered yes to these questions, you'll likely enjoy this post.
I recently read this post by Carolyn Yoo which spoke to my notebook-loving heart. I have never heard of a techo kaigi ("notebook meeting") before but it seems like an excellent idea, particularly for those us of who refuse to limit ourselves to one notebook. I currently have six notebooks in use (not counting sketchbooks and art journals; there are four of those.) This is too many for me, and I do have a long-term plan for reducing them, but I also cannot abandon a journal without it being completed. Are you also an eldest child?
Sorry for all the Amazon links: I know it's not cool to support Amazon these days, but when it comes down it it, it's the cheapest notebook source, and we get free shipping through a shared family Prime account. When I'm ready to re-buy notebooks, I'll probably use JetPens instead.
Planning & Exercise Tracker: Random planner from Amazon
Over the years I have realized that I prefer undated planners. If I am on vacation, I likely won't fill out a spread for that week, and (see above) I hate having blank pages! This means they also will last longer than a year. I throw away planners when I'm done with them, so I'm not picky about when I start them. I started this current planner on April 28. It is always open on my desk with work and personal appointments and tasks mixed together. I like having a week on one page, and I chose this particular planner because it has a section for to-do lists and a habit tracker. I use that and the monthly spreads to track my steps, workouts (with active minutes from my Fitbit), yoga, and walks. If I don't write these down, I will definitely forget my activity for the week.
"5-Year" Journal: Levenger 5-Year Journal
I started this 5-Year Journal in 2010. If you can do basic math, you'll know that I have had it for 15 years. Without fail, I complete a streak of several months, and then forget it exists for years. Some pages have 5 years filled out, others have none. I assume a sane person would simply say "not for me" and move on with their lives, but I CANNOT HAVE BLANK SPACES. So, it persists.
Reading Log: Stalogy A6 Grid, 1/2 Year
This was a case of coveting a notebook without having a specific plan for it. The Stalogy notebook pages are fairly thin, I assume kind of like Hobonichi paper, but I have never seen a Hobonichi in person. I enjoy the sensory experience of crinkly pages with slight ghosting from the other side, so I am a fan of this brand. I am using this one as a reading journal, where I list the author, title, dates started and finished, and then take bullet point notes as I read. It's not anything profound, but I hope it will help me remember books more clearly. I also don't put every single book in here, just ones I want to remember.
Memory Keeping/Travel Journal/Everything Else: Moleskine Cahier Large Dot Grid
This is my longest-lived form of journaling. I have had a notebook like this for over 20 years, containing notes, quotes, journaling, travels, and lots of paper glued in. While other notebooks will come and go, I think this style is for life. I have used different notebooks over the years, but I am now on my second Moleskine Cahier, because I like that it's only one signature and sewed together. I put so much paper into it that it gets quite thick, and notebooks with more pages can get too bulky and heavy.
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| New cahier on the bottom; completed journal on the top |
Long-form Writing: Midori Notebook A5 plus Paper Cover
My scrapbook-type journals are some of my most valuable possessions and one day I'll pass them down to my kids. Sometimes I just want to write some drivel, though. This journal is long-form writing, some of it interesting, most of it super boring to read back. I write in this notebook once or twice a week, and I'm not quite sure what to do with it when I'm finished. Ritual burning? Censorship? The Midori paper is on the thicker side which I don't prefer, but it is super smooth.
Lists and Notes: 3-Pack Notebook from Amazon
Finally, I always have a notebook on my desk for notes during meetings, scribbles when I'm researching something, or to-do lists. I prefer spiral-bound notebooks for this because they stay open easily. Sometimes I rip pages out, and I have no intention of keeping these when they're done. I got this cheap 3-pack because I liked the flowers.
So tell me, how many notebooks are you using right now? What are your favorites?
Oooh this is fun. I have a paper planner, where I write down all my to-dos and appointments and meal plans. I have notebooks where I note down plot/ outlines for fiction, and also where I write ideas for blog posts. I have a five year, one line a day journal which I love and I'm on year four, so it's fun to look back on. I also have a travel journal for all our trips!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are a notebook person too! Nice job being on year 4 of the 5 year journal, and not year 15 like me. It is fun to read the previous entries though, since when I started I didn't have kids yet. I'm sure the baby years contributed to it's neglect, but I do like seeing baby accomplishments on the same page as like, graduations!
Delete20 years! Impressive. I have kept notebook journals at various times in my life, but currently, I have two drawing notebooks, and one iPhone journal app. They all help me sift and sort through the beauty and the nonsense.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a good setup! Are you ok with your digital journal disappearing one day, or is that the intention? Some things I won't mind if they fall into the ether, but I do like keeping some stuff on paper so I can review and save as needed.
DeleteHi Sarah. I have a paper planner that I use as my 'to do' list which I have used since I finished work. It keeps my head in a semi motivated gear and as a memory jogger. I also have a memory notebook of the significant monthly event since then. (2017)
ReplyDeleteI really like the idea of your travel log and reading log and might try that idea myself. Notebooks are fun whatever we choose to write in them.
I have never been able to go fully digital, I need to have a paper planner and always will! Great idea with the significant event, I find that I forget SO much if it's not written down.
DeleteI am not a notebook person, but I do have a Levenger line-a-day journal and I'm on year seven. They're such beautiful books! I love seeing how my day-to-day changes (and doesn't change) over the years.
ReplyDeleteAgree that the Levenger quality is so wonderful. They're not cheap, but the paper is so nice to write on that in this case it's totally worth the price. Especially for something you use for multiple years... or decades in my case.
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