My Current Journal Lineup
Here's a riddle for you: how many journals can a stationery lover use at one time?
The answer truly varies depending on the individual. From those who like to keep it plain and simple with one notebook to the others who prefer having a separate notebook for every purpose imaginable, the beauty of the journaling community is the diversity of how we use paper to suit our needs.
I currently use three types of journals. Each one holds a different purpose, but they all occupy a special place in my personal life.
Hobonichi Techo
First up is my daily journal, the Hobonichi Techo. I purchased the spring edition (April 2017 - March 2018) in February and have been consistently using it since then. All of the pages from April 1st are filled.
My original intention when I bought this journal was to use it as a 1-year work diary. I kept detailed notes of my job search through April and began writing about my new job that started in May. As the days went by, however, it unexpectedly turned into something more personal. I started incorporating random thoughts and doodles as well as ephemera for memory keeping, which transformed it into a piece of my life.
I took an advertising card from a coffee shop I discovered and included it on the entry for that day with washi tape.
On other days when not much is going on, I just doodle.
Once I stopped taking the daily format so seriously and threw whatever I wanted at it, the Hobonichi Techo became something different from a planner. I can choose to write as little as I want on a given day and replace a written summary with anything else, which provides me with a comfortable amount of expressive freedom. I have also grown to appreciate the Tomoe River paper that's included - a lightweight, high quality paper that makes pens a joy to use.
At the end of the day, the Hobonichi Techo is whatever you want it to be.
Traveler's Notebook
I was cautious about the Traveler's Notebook at first because of its size. I had been much more accustomed to notebooks wider in length and didn't quite know how a standard brochure-sized journal would fit with my writing style.
After watching numerous YouTube videos on how others were using their traveler's notebooks, the last push I needed was finding the right color. Having loved shades of green ever since I was a child, I was convinced to give it a chance when I discovered the olive edition.
I use my olive traveler's notebook as a creative outlet. I keep one blank insert as a catch-all that houses random bits of writing, drawing, and elaborations on ideas. The other undated weekly insert is where I plan my blog posts. Taking the time to make a layout of daily tasks keeps me on track to meet my goal of publishing one blog post every two weeks.
This page is the opener to my creative insert, the inside of which I'll decide to share one day when I feel brave enough.
The empty grid page on the right side of the undated weekly insert provides plenty of room for the mind to wander.
Field Notes
The Field Notes brand is widely known for its portable notebooks. I was taken in by its sheer simplicity and the creative quarterly edition designs, which encouraged my inner shopper to purchase a few packs for my stationery arsenal.
Is it that much of a surprise to you that I haven't managed to open the packaging yet? I need to figure out what exactly I'll use them for first...
The cover of my choice was a bone and blue combination from Davis Leather. It's more pliable than my newer traveler's notebook, but it's also much lighter and easier to throw into any of the handbags I own.
I love the brilliant shade of blue on the inside cover. It's such a nice surprise!
I save movie ticket stubs in this journal and jot down some fresh thoughts after having seen the movie (mini movie "reviews" if you will, although they're a far cry from that with all the spoilers and feelings I freely discuss). I also include tickets from museums, concerts, plays and the like and write about my impressions and takeaways. I'm considering adding another notebook in this cover to write about other types of media I enjoy such as video games and podcasts. It's a fun way for me to quickly reflect on what I consume without going on and on for too long.
Spoiler alert! No, but really, these two movies were pretty great. You should see them in theaters if you can.
What notebooks do you use in your day-to-day? Do you decorate your journals or prefer to keep it simple? Do you like using multiple notebooks for different occasions, or do you stick to your one and only until you have no more pages left? Feel free to share below.