I thought I'd tell you about my journaling plans for 2021.
I've been keeping a diary for many years now but over the last couple of years I've been using a Hobonichi Techo. It's only a small diary, A6 in size, but its page per day format has worked well for me. It's not too big that I can't fill the page, but large enough to write all that I want to. Being dated with a page per day has also got me into the habit of writing in it every single day, I haven't missed a day since I started. I'm pleased that I've managed to document each day over the last couple of years with so many things changing in my life, and I feel it's also helped me to get my feelings down on paper.
Before I started using the Hobonichi Techo I'd been using a blank A4 notebook. It was started in 2006 but I wasn't very disciplined about writing in it and this is why I had a go at using a dated diary.
Now that I've got into the habit of journaling every day I've decided not to buy a new Hobonichi Techo this year but instead I'm going back to my A4 notebook. I'm hoping that now I'm in the habit of writing every day I won't let it lapse as I have done in the past. I'd like to keep up to writing something two or three times each week.
You may remember me telling you about the Traveller's Notebook which my friend, Nikki, who has the Notes Of Life blog made for me. I absolutely love this little leather binder which holds my notebooks, so much so that I decided I'd add a Midori Traveler's Notebook to my Christmas list this year and Mick bought it for me. I've decided that once we're out of this pandemic that we find ourselves in at the moment, I'm going to journal about holidays and any days out that we might have. I'm really looking forward to starting this new venture.
Mick also surprised me with a new fountain pen for Christmas. I love my red Lamy Safari but it sometimes gets a bit clogged up with ink and I end up having to wash it out and then wait for it to dry out before I can use it again so I'm thrilled to bits with my new limited edition bronze pen.
I absolutely love stationery, I have done all my life. I still use my Filofaxes, I'd be totally lost without them. If you've missed my planning, Filofax and journaling posts in the past I've added a few links in this post to them and there's a few more below. The Crimson Filofax Tour post is one of my most popular posts ever.
I stopped writing when I started my blog, generally 3 post a week covers the interesting bits of my world. I do so enjoy the books I create from my blog, I have 9 and I am sorting the last 2 years of my blog into books.
ReplyDeleteWell done on being so organised. I do like your fountain pens and I assume you buy bottled ink and not cartridges, they reminds me of my school days. I bought myself a page a day diary this year but most days have been left blank. I don't even have the energy to blog at the moment as every day seems so uneventful with us being in lockdown. I'll read your links later as I'm intrigued by your Crimson Filofax Tour.
ReplyDeleteSince the pandemic started I've kept a journal as a Word document. Originally I started it because I felt that this will be a defining moment in history and I wanted to engage with everything that is happening. I'm now on page 189! I leave the file open on my laptop all day and each time I sit down I look at it and several times a day I make entries. I've found it really useful in maintaining my mental health during all these months alone.
ReplyDeleteHi JO, just to say that the book I won from you has set me off on the wash cloth trail. lol. I have made six to date and am finding it so good for trying out new stitches.
ReplyDeleteI have tried keeping diaries but always fail miserably.
Hugs
Briony
x
I have always kept diaries, I usually buy an A4 diary and divide each page into four sections and usually manage to write in it everyday, but I have to admit the entries are very boring these days, the same things over and over. I love stationary too those pens look lovely it's ages since I used pen and ink.
ReplyDeleteDear Jo
ReplyDeleteI am with you on the diary keeping - I have kept one since my early teenage years. (Not worth publishing, just day to day stuff that we all go through). I don't feel right if I don't write every day. I have a small weekly diary too, for appointments, dates birthdays etc. I also love lists and am now looking at art journals and junk journals too. I am thinking about making an art journal for myself, so have been looking at simple book binding...
Best wishes
Ellie
Well done on keeping up with your journalling, Jo. It's something I've tried from time to time but never got very far.
ReplyDeleteI love stationary but I hate to use it. I like it all neat and unused. I know I'm just a bit ocd.
ReplyDeleteYou are so disciplined with your journaling & I envy that. I've tried to start journaling in one way or another but just keep a notebook in the kitchen to write my to-do's in, appointment cards on the fridge & pop birthdays on the calendar. I bought a nice Journal last year & never used it due to the Pandemic & got it out only last week, so maybe you could give me a push & I've always nice pens to use (giggle). Take care, stay safe & huggles.
ReplyDeleteWhen we first went into lockdown i started keeping a record on what was happening but then as the time went on i started to forget to jot things down. I like the idea of keeping a diary but i'm often at a loss what to write, so I don't.
ReplyDeleteThat's brilliant, looking back over the last few years will be fascinating in the years to come, a particularly poignant time for you.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for continuing to journal/keep a diary, and nice to see that you use a fountain pen. I just tend to keep various notes on a lined A4 pad using a Pentel drafting pencil I've had for years. xx
ReplyDeleteI like to journal, more on a weekly basis as I decorate the pages and it is time consuming. Your journals and pens are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteA lovely way to keep events and thoughts, sometimes writing things down can help sort things out in our brains. I start with good intentions then go down hill, although I love writing with my fountain pen. Chris gifted me one a couple of years ago and bought it from the Left handed shop. xcx
ReplyDeleteI got a label printer for Christmas and Im labeling EVERYTHING!!!! Sure hope it helps me and Fireman spend less time searching for things!
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely way to keep track of all that is happening in your life. Stay safe.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to see you're still using the traveller's notebook I made for you. How wonderful! I'm using a Hobonichi Techo again this year, but I must admit to being a bit lax with it.
ReplyDeleteI've got a couple of Lamy fountain pens, but my favourites are my Sailors, my Opus 88 Picnic and my TWSBIs.
I think your journals and pens look great.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
I love stationary, too, Jo. Do you still have WHSmith there, I wonder. I could spend hours browsing the books and stationary. I admire your discipline to write every day in your diary. I keep a gardening diary pretty faithfully, but not a personal one.
ReplyDeleteYes, we still have WH Smith. I love to browse the books in there too.
DeleteI love planning and journalling. I have the filofaxes in all the sizes which I use for different things. I also write daily in my diary which is just a lined hardback A5 notebook. I found the dated diaries do not always give me enough space. I didn't really get on with travellers notebooks or bullet journalling.
ReplyDeleteI would love to keep a dairy, I start them but always end up giving up on them. Yours are lovely. It will be interesting reading back on this awful plague.xxx
ReplyDeleteJournaling daily is a good habit.
ReplyDeleteA word about the Lamy: you don't have wait for it to dry. Just touch the nib with paper towel and it will wick away the moisture so you can fill it right away. I used to be only Lamy until I got my first TWSBI Eco. It writes more reliably than the Lamy and hold a lot of ink.