Buying a Journal: My Thought Process
There are so many journals and notebooks out there. How do I choose? Read below to find out!
It may surprise you to know how much I think through a journal purchase before committing to it. "What are you talking about?" you might say. "Don't you just buy stationery for fun?" And the answer is yes, yes, a hundred times yes! If I didn't like buying new journals and filling them up, stationery wouldn't even be a hobby, let alone a passion. But, for me to fully enjoy each and every one without buyer's remorse, I make sure to ask myself a few questions before I click that 'add to cart' button.
Purpose
The first question is: do I have a need? It sounds like a no-brainer, but I often find that stationery hoarders like me justify buying more by thinking, "I'll use it later." I have come to realize that this statement doesn't hold any water for me. I tuck the notebook away in my bookshelf and forget about its existence until I'm packing my belongings for another move. Although rediscovering unused journals this way can be fun, I rarely start using them again. By that point, the initial excitement from the purchase has faded away, and I'm left with another blank notebook that I don't know what to do with.
To avoid having extra journals collect dust, think about how you can incorporate a new purchase into your life at that very moment. Will it be useful for brainstorming or jotting down ideas during your commute? Can it be a project book (e.g. zines, art or writing challenges, etc.)? Are you looking to write a little bit about each day?
Each of these questions opens up a whole new world of journals for you to explore. Before you get lost in the wonderful universe of paper goods, remember to pause and think about what specific purpose you have in mind for the notebook. Chances are, if an idea doesn't pop into your mind right away, your enthusiasm for your purchase will come and go quickly.
If you need some help coming up with ideas, below are a few creative ones I've seen:
- Morning pages (stream of consciousness)
- Letters to family and friends
- A physical log of Instagram posts
Quality
Once I settle on an idea for a journal, I dive into the nitty gritty details. I personally find this process the most interesting because there's just so much out there, and I continue to discover new brands this way. It's inspiring to see creators pushing the envelope and showing us their unique take on what makes a notebook work for them.
Paper
There are plenty of people who have strong preferences for certain types of paper. For example, fountain pen users may find that they enjoy using Tomoe River paper, which is well-known for retaining ink color and no "feathering" (when the ink gets absorbed by the paper and creates an uneven edge to your writing). Artists may choose Khadi and Fabriano, among other brands, for their sturdy paper that can hold up against multiple layers of watercolor and other media.
I write a lot in my journals with a little bit of attempted(?) art in between. I use pencil, ballpoint pens, gel pens, and colored pencils - fairly general media. I don't require special types of paper for this reason, and tend to focus on simpler features like the following:
- Count: This feature is only as important as my purpose and truly depends on what I'm using the notebook for. If I decide to write a ton in it, then I'll choose a journal with a higher paper count because I don't like the feeling of burning through a notebook quickly.
- Thickness: I prefer thinner paper because it's lighter to carry around, but I'm open to other options if it's a notebook I plan to keep on my desk.
- Ghosting / Bleed-through: I'm somebody who doesn't mind "ghosting" (writing on the page is visible on the other side when you flip the paper over), but obviously any ink bleeding through to the next set of pages is a no-go. I have never found that to be the case since my writing supplies have inks that are mild in strength.
Cover
Once again, the cover choice connects back to the purpose of the journal at hand (see why I covered that topic first?). If I will be tossing the journal into my bag and carrying it with me wherever I go, I want something durable like a hardcover or a leather cover in darker colors in case of scratches and stains. If I will be keeping it on the corner of my desk, I can get away with more delicate materials and even lighter, more pastel tones.
Another thing to consider when choosing a cover is longevity. I've purchased planners in the past with the intention of only using it for a year before storing it away, so the material or color of the cover didn't matter a ton to me (I ended up with a light pink plastic cover that said "Keep Calm and Have a Cupcake." Go figure.) Nowadays I'm more interested in using the same cover long-term, hence my most recent purchase of a traveler's notebook from the Traveler's Company.
Size
Numerous sizes can easily overwhelm the new journaling adventurer. A quick rule of thumb is the following: A4 > B5 > A5 > A6, with A4 being similar to U.S. letter paper, only slightly taller in length and smaller in width. If you're looking for a more in-depth explanation, here is a very detailed description of all of the different paper sizes. If you want a visual reference, you can look here instead. This picture even illustrates the traveler's notebook size as well as the "personal" size.
My favorites at the moment are the A6 and A5. The A6 size works well for me to jot down my thoughts from the day and add a few doodles here and there. The A5 is a great size for work - not too big, not too small, with just enough room to scribble to-do lists and meeting notes.
I prefer smaller notebooks because I have tiny handwriting and enjoy portability. I'm also the type of person who feels almost obligated to fill every page with words, stickers, washi, or something, so I benefit the most from a reasonably sized page. With that being said, I can definitely see the appeal of a big journal that creates a unique desk setup or a more relaxing journaling environment (feeling like you "can't run out of room," which can be great for those who feel limited by smaller pages.)
Price
As much as I wish I had an unlimited budget to satiate my stationery craving, I'm also very much aware that it is an impossible wish. Even as I'm writing this blog post, I can easily name a few notebook brands I would love to try - Rhodia, Word, Baron Fig, Shinola... the list goes on and on. It doesn't even include pens or decorations - that's when you know you're in deep. It's so easy to spend, spend, and spend, which is why I have to consciously think about affordability.
Cost per Use
For me, this phrase sums up my response to the question: was it worth the money? Ultimately, it measures my expectations vs. reality regarding the journal and helps me decide whether or not I should repurchase if given the chance.
- How long have I had the journal? Do I use it often? Do I still enjoy using it?
- Is there anything about the notebook I wish was different?
- Do I see myself getting tired of it anytime soon?
Timing
The way I think about timing is more conceptual. I don't have exact rules about when I can purchase journals and other stationery goods, but I try to evenly space out my purchases as much as possible to have minimal impact on my budget.
- When was the last time I "treated myself" to some stationery?
- How much will this purchase add to my stationery expenses for the month? If I really want to buy it, can I subtract this amount from another spending category?
- Will there be a better opportunity to buy the same item later on (e.g. when I receive my annual bonus)? Do I have to have it now?
Summary
In conclusion, I think a lot. No, but seriously, I've found that thinking through what I buy really helps me enjoy my purchases fully without guilt. Stationery might seem trivial in comparison to the finer things in life, but it can add up fast and burn a hole through your wallet before you know it! Hopefully you found some useful tips in this post that can help you evaluate your next shopping trip. Until next time!