Journals for 2023
I have been pretty consistently failing at keeping up with a journaling habit every year - so this is what I have for now. I've decided that I just need to make a low-effort system that can work for me.
Something that I've come to realize is that my mind can be a little bit ADHD sometimes... it is easier for me to journal when things are readily in sight/available AND ALSO, simple and minimal to use.
Current Notebooks
2023 Journal - 2023 A5 MD Notebook Diary 1 Day 1 Page
Lives: At Desk
Previous years I would purchase the Hobonichi Cousin A5 inserts, but barely use the pages... I'm actually a fan of the MD Journals (I've used the inserts before). I find that the Hobonichi paper takes a bit longer for ink to dry vs the MD Journals absorb inks right away. This one is undated so I'm thinking of just adding dated entries as I journal, but still want to try to journal as often as possible. I'm trying to keep this as low-stress/effort as possible, so I end up writing lots of blurbs. I also ended up getting a Polaroid Printer (using my xmas gift money from my mom), and hope to log important photos this way.
Side note: I ended up donating a majority of my Washi Tapes and Stamps to Austin Creative Reuse (I managed not to shop after donating, lol). I have more things I would love to rave about for Austin Creative Reuse, like how they encourage being mindful of purchasing for creative projects, and how they're implementing a 4 day work week for their employees!!! but that is for another post. I want to be more discerning about decorative ephemera that I purchase/use in the future - tbh I don't enjoy over-decorating much.
I originally tried to use a different Hobonichi A5 cover for this notebook (it didn't fit and I am using it for a different journal), but realized that my Mina Perhonen A5 zip cover fits! I'm just glad that I could reuse a cover and not buy a new one.
General Note/Sketchbook - A5
Lives: Carried around in bag
When I carry a bag that can fit an A5 notebook, I prefer to bring this one in case I stop at a cafe or restaurant and just need something to write/draw on. I am using my Hobonichi TS Leather Black cover for it (I've used it for my work notebook in the past with various A5 inserts).
I really love this cover because it's so simple and minimal. My current insert is an A5 Notebook from HAY that I was able to get as a floor sample. I have not tested for watercolor/fountain pen inks, but I'm not too concerned with turning this into an actual sketchbook. The only downside is that the pages don't open perfectly flat.
TN Passport Size - Truly Yours Modification
Lives: Carried around in (smaller) bag
Most of the time I usually end up carrying smaller bags/purse and have a much more minimal carry. But I still wanted a small notebook just in case I need this for To-Do/Notes. Luckily the TN Passport is a perfect size.
Ugly Notes (for gaming, jotting things down, etc)
Lives: At Desk
I use my leftover unfinished notebooks to keep track of any game notes. This one is a Zequenz 360 flexible notebook that I originally used as a work notebook, but had since changed to a different notebook. Examples include, crafting/gathering recipes for FFXIV, pokemon catch list, DND maths, etc. It's very ugly but useful.
Writing Tools
I have fountain pens but don't really use them these days.
Right now my main pens are several black St*ples TRU RED retractable gel pens that I acquired from my old work because they would make their way in to my bags, ha ha. The pen body feel and the ink actually feels quite nice. The downside is that the pen itself isn't refillable so it probably creates a lot of plastic waste.
I recently purchased the Stalogy 4-functions pen, and I'll have to see what kind of refills I can use for this and will report later.
Need to use
Hobonichi 5-year Techo (2021-2025)
Two years have already passed and I have been inconsistent with using this. I hope to use this more. I've seen some videos/blogs on how other people use the 5-year notebooks. Maybe I need to use it more sporadically?
(I wrote something for today's date, ha ha).
TN Regular Size - Truly Yours Modification
I do want to bring this one around more since I love all the modifications that were added to this journal, but since I carry around other notebooks, this one is still at home. Maybe I'll figure out how to add this into my rotation in a functional way?
In the back pocket I keep a postcard that was sent to me by one of my friends. I love getting snail mail from friends who are not normally 'stationery' nerds - it makes it feel a little bit more special that they went out of their way to send this to me.
Desk Set-up
(Momo is on the left side)
I'm sharing a bit about my desk area set-up as well.
I got this large Sailor Moon playmat from swan.drawn that I purchased at San Japan last year. I'm using it as an oversized mouse pad, but half the time Momo or Poppy will plop their body in the free area. My computer desktop photo has a similar background theme.
My Keyboard is the Keychron C2 Wired Mechanical Keyboard (hot-swappable) and I switched out the keycaps to a pink color scheme.
Mouse - Logitech G305 - HM x Logitech = I ended up getting a few things with my employee discount.
There's other things that I could have customized more, but tbh Momo and Poppy are curious cats that like to walk everywhere, so the simpler the better.
#journals