I used to have a Leuchtturm dotgrid bullet journal, and several smaller notebooks for all kinds of stuff. This year I changed things up. I now use one regular size Travelers Notebook, with three TN inserts: 1 graph that I use as a commonplace notebook, 1 graph that I use for day to day notes on just about everything, and 1 2020 Weekly + Memo Refill. The weekly spread of this one has the days of the week on the left page, I use that as my bullet journal. On the right page it has 5x5 graph, I use that as my gratitude journal. This setup works great! Of course I can already see more journals on the horizon. I read about the decision journal in Atomic Habits, so I think that might be one that could work for me. We'll see, I first want to finish the book. Then read it again slowly and take notes :-)
Hi Janny - I'm going back over my underlines and notes in Atomic Habits slowly now. I even researched online about decision journal keeping and there was quite a bit of information which really kick started me on keeping that journal. It just seems like a really smart long term idea for me since I often struggle with both big and small decisions. I admire your being able to consolidate into the regular size TN that's something that I wish I could do ... but I have not yet been able to make things fit ... I think I'd have to use a simpler system if I was any busier or working outside the house especially. :)
I love your enthusiasm for journaling! I am currently using a Morning Sidekick and a Clear Habits for habit tracking, doing brief creative writing prompts, and creating a better morning routine. Then I have a Clever Fox for rapid logging, to do lists and a bit of memory keeping. I also have a binder project journal. These are working for me to a point, but I don’t have planner peace or enthusiasm with this system. I’ve been mulling how to get it over the course of 2020. I plan to develop my system for tracking, rapid logging and pomodoro logging with a Jibun Techo system. I also want to keep a more elaborate project journal with either a binder or an official bullet journal. Either way, I will supplement with two booklets for a master list of projects, and Next Action lists, because I want to combine Getting Things Done, the bullet journaling method and Clair at Minimal Plan’s project journal method for working on my projects. I recently collected the resources for my commonplace book method, inspired by Ryan Holiday. I have a box with index cards and guides that I will be pairing with a Rocketbook and with Evernote. I’m using all of this for my note taking because I need handwriting in order to learn, but processing and integrating works best for me with a combination of analog and digital writing. A few years ago, I picked up a Chic Sparrow Nano to use as a wallet and rapid log. I combined it with a fabric nano insert from an Etsy shop and a mini Zebra ballpoint. It’s just great for grabbing my phone and wallet to run out the door with. In February, I’ll be starting a new Doodleplan coloring planner. I’ll use the monthly pages to track a few things and the weekly pages for topic specific notes. I’m using this as a creative mental health journal. As I said, I have a Clever Fox journal right now that I’m using for Morning Pages (Julia Cameron’s Artists Way) and memory keeping. It’s a nice journal, but I think I like an official Bullet Journal better, because it slides into my purse more easily. Then again, I’m not crazy about creating journal spreads, so I’ve seriously debated using a ring binder and Etsy or Peanuts Planner Co printables on some really great paper. When I’ve completed the Sidekick, the Clever Fox and the Clear Habits, I’ll want to combine these into one journal, in either the binder or the BuJo. There’s another notebook I keep; a book of lists and prompts, which holds journal topic prompts, lists I want to keep handy, such as a Someday Maybe list, a bucket list, camping and hiking lists for exploring Vermont, where I live, and so on. It’s helpful! And then finally, I have a plan to study drawing, and possibly watercolor, so I will be collecting my own Lochby and a Stalogy notebook, to use as a field art journal. I’ve been studying my journaling process for years and am hoping that my plan to end 2020 with an eight journal system will bring planner peace. In the mean time, I’m testing my ideas cheaply and collecting new products as I use up what I have and can afford the new components to my system.
Hi Yvonne - the Clear Habits journal looks awesome! I checked into that. I didn't realize you're from Vermont! I grew up there in the North East Kingdom and I miss it! Texas is so very different. I've found plenty of things I love about here but Vermont will always be home. I think it's great to reevaluate our journaling and constantly improve on how it's working for us! I dream of being able to consolidate a bit more but every experiment I've tried showed me how much I like the compartmentalizing of my journals! I do carry a large tote so I can easily take whichever ones I want to appointments or dog sitting, etc. :)
Chris Saenz there’s lots to like about the Clear Habits! I am really impressed with it. However, it’s got a few quirks I could do without. I think I could avoid them and spend less by just using a Leuchtturm and tipping in a gant chart from Peanuts Planner Co. The NEK is very pretty. In summers friends of ours rent a house on Carmi because it’s near her parent’s home. My partner and I generally spend a few days with them and take the kayaks up. Gorgeous sunsets! I can see why it’s home! I live in another part of the Valley with handy views of the Lake, the Adirondacks and the Green mountains. It’s gorgeous all over Vermont, but it took years to get used to sea grass, sea gulls, clams and mussels, but no ocean smells. Put a real tweak on my brain for a long while. :)
First time viewer and new subbie here. I keep about 27 journals and notebooks, but they are grouped into categories in several TNs so it isn’t quite as scary looking to my husband. LOL! One of my journals is “self improvement” in their I have my reading log and notes, gratitude journal, and my language learning (acquiring Spanish and French this year). I really like your Decision Journal. That may be added to my stack....but I need to make that decision first.....oh, I just couldn’t pass that up. Thank you for the wonderful walk thru on all your bounded wondery.
Hi Nancy! Welcome - I'm so glad you're here! I know if I had pulled out all my ink journals the number would have been much higher! Ha ha! That's a good one ... needing to make a decision about keeping a decision journal is a real thing .. I had to give it some thought too! LOL :) I'm very glad I decided to keep one and I think the looking back and follow up notes on decisions are going to really help long term!!!
Thanks for the tip on Atomic Habits by James Clear. I have a request in for the audiobook at the New York Public Library. Keep making your wonderful fountain pens/inks/paper videos!
Thank you Chris for sharing your journaling habits and processes it was very interesting to me .I myself only keep one journal and in that i do a daily or bidaily briain bump , i don't do bullet journaling or any kinds of organisation journaling , for want of a better expression. I have started to log what i eat which i found an app for you put in what you've eaten and it shows you your fat , carbohydrate & sugar, its really good but i dont always remember to log my meals . It has thousands of foods including say i eat a can of heinz soup , it knows what's in the soup ,its quite cool. I do sometimes takes notes in videos but i do this on scraps of paper i have held together with a paperclip , these notes allow me to comment on a video or ask questions . Thanks once again for sharing your process.
Hi Matthew - it's funny you mentioned the app for nutrition content. I was just thinking the other day that I'd like an idea how many calories I'm eating even though I don't count them and generally I only concern myself with carbs and overall nutrition ... but I thought to myself there has to be an app for this. :) Before I started the Commonplace Book -- I used index cards which I still love for note taking but I tend to misplace them! :) I love hearing what others are using for journals and notebooks!
I really enjoyed this video, Chris! I loved the glimpse into your journals, and I think having them set up for different things really works great for you. I also like having different journals for different purposes. I have a combo planner/ bullet journal, a diary/ memory keeping journal, and an ink journal comprised of many different pocket notebooks in a pocket TN. I have other books I get into sometimes, but nothing consistent. Thanks for sharing everything, and I liked hearing about your decision notebook. This looks like something that could work for me too. 🧡
Hi Casey - I realized after I did the video that I didn't include all my ink journals!!! Also the TN I started for my Depth year didn't work out even thought it's beautiful! I think the Decision Journal is what I needed more! :)
I just found your video and I enjoyed it! I also enjoy using multiple planners and journals. I think I have up to 13-14 and then I have dupe setups in multiple sizes (Planner, Faith, self care, journal, commonplace, etc.). I really like the idea of a decision Notebook. I may need to add it to my collection. Thanks for sharing! ❤️❤️❤️ joy2plan
Hi Sharon - the Decision Journal has been great - it will be a long term - look back on things and process how things went kind of journal - which I like. I did rather stop in my tracks when the Pandemic came but I expect to get back to it soon!
Ok, here goes my list: 1) bullet journal, 2) Stoic journal - using "A Handbook for New Stoics" and whatever else, 3) LIFT - using what you showed from that video with some modifications and a daily tarot card pull, 4) travelers notebook with 4 books: a calendar for planning author platform stuff, writing & related, quick notes, and drawing. And I'm thinking about adding in a gratitude journal. So yikes, I'm right up there with you.
Hi Terri -- I'm going slowly through the exercises in A Handbook for New Stoics -- I'm finding most of them very powerful and helpful! I was just thinking that one way I could consolidate without really changing things too much - is that I could add a passport size insert for gratitude into my food journal TN. Now that would still keep my gratitude separate for keeping long term and yet I'm in that food journal TN a lot and I know I'd see it and therefore forget less!!!! :) Happy journaling!
I enjoyed this video, Chris. In fact, my love of notebooks is what led me to fountain pens. A lot of what you said resonated with me. A nice notebook that you enjoy getting into, like your decision notebook, motivates you to use it, and as a result fulfill that notebooks purpose. In the past, a video like this would end with me shopping for a new notebook and looking for a reason to justify its purchase. But last night I was thinking about a notebook that I started years ago that I dig out from time to time and do a little creative writing, then when the inspiration is gone, I put it back away. I'm going to get it out now and probably play with it for a few days. Thanks for the motivation. I hope you have a great weekend.
Hi gadgetstop321 - have an awesome weekend! I'm using up notebooks that I bought or were gifted to me this year and I hope to really get creative with what I already have!
Chris, thanks for a great video. I have 3 main journals: Bullet Journal, food/nutrition journal, and a stream of consciousness journal. Seeing all the journals you use, I don't feel so bad with only 3 journals. Thank you again for an excellent video. BTW, you set up your BuJo very much like I set up mine. :)
Hi Barbara - I look at the 8 journals and it seems like a lot but it doesn't really feel like "too much" except when I'm going to travel ... then I have to make myself work in one main bullet journal and a passport insert for my food journal. I can't carry too much weight in a backpack these days! :) But at home it all works great!
I enjoyed your video. I'm really intrigued by the decision journal, I might have to read that Atomic Habits book this year. (I know you have a video on it but want to read the book myself first) I'm using a B6 Slim Cafe Note for my traditional journal too! And this year I started keeping a gratitude journal in a separate notebook, last year I tried it in my bullet journal. My last journal is a morning pages journal. I think it's easy to have keep multiple notebooks if you like writing and like paper, so I don't think your 8 notebooks is a lot.
Hi Behold This - it doesn't seem like any effort having 8 notebooks -- I guess I've always done this. Good to know I'm not the only one who likes compartmentalizing journals!
Your journaling is great! I'm far less organized about that. Funny you talked about the ink subscription. I used to be part of a coffee subscription. Trouble was that it arrived faster than I used it. (And I used to drink far more back then than I do now.) It took a few months of contacting the company and refusing to accept shipments before I could stop it. I've been tempted since then, but I remember the experience. I was very interested in your Bullet Journal experience. I read the same book, and I've thought a lot about that part of my life. Some parts work better electronically (for me), but others require the journal, but maybe with some improvement. It's all a work in progress!
I just enjoy notebooks and journals so much I think since I was very young paper and writing instruments were my main "thing" and now there are so many cool options! Oh wow a coffee subscription sounds like so much fun ... but I know I'd never keep up with that either. Our grocery store now sells their brand in sample sizes which is really nice for trying out the various flavors. When I travel I only bring my bullet journal with me - it works great and the pages are numbered so that's a huge advantage! :)
Thanks for sharing, Chris! Very motivating! I carry an A6 calendar with me at all times. It lives in my purse. I have two A5 Leuchtturm hardcover dotted notebooks as my bullet journals for private/projects and work. (I use Ed Oilwell`s weekly spreads which work perfectly for me.) This year I use a Mark´s Storage.it vertical calendar to track where my time goes. Kind of reverse time blocking. It has very nice Japanese Paper and is very affordable. Then I have a Rhodia softcover Goalbook for Bible studies. An A5 Leuchtturm for notetaking on non-fiction books. Thanks for pointing out "Atomic Habits" ,working on that along with you. Soooo good! I have ADD and struggle with boring tasks like housekeeping :-). An A5 Leuchtturm for notetaking on writing technique books (e.g. "Save the Cat writes a novel", "The hero´s journey"...). And a cheap A5 lined for RUclips ideas. Been thinking for the longest time about starting a channel. Well, that is eight notebooks, too. I find that I get much more clarity and awareness for my overactive, scattered brain from implementing them last year... Greetings from Germany!
Hi Kirstin! Awesome! It's so good to hear from someone else who keeps 8 notebooks/journals as well! I enjoy keeping things by subject/type compartmentalized! I'm so glad you're enjoying Atomic Habits! My brain can really scatter too. I was diagnosed with ADD at age 40 - but I have a lot of coping mechanisms that I developed before I even realized I had it. :) Oh I think that would be awesome and I encourage you to start a you tube channel! I checked into the Mark's Storage.it notebook and I found one on Amazon I really like. I haven't purchased it of course but I will enjoy learning about them ... I like the style with the zip pouch on the front! :)
@@ChrisSaenz13 That is so interesting! I was diagnosed at the tender age of 52 (two years ago) and like you had developed coping mechanisms in many areas of my life. Since then the whole journaling/notebook setup has helped me improve overall stress levels and the particular areas in which I struggle. I would really like to explore the Adult ADD theme on my channel. I will drop you a line if I ever find the courage to get in front of a camera :-)
Thank you so much for sharing your bullet journal. I'm just starting with my first journal this weekend. I haven't used RUclips that much, but I will more now that I've found you! Today I found all ( I think) of your journal videos. I like your formats because they are simple and easy to use. I'm excited about getting started and tracking everything I keep forgetting! 🙂 How do you keep track of your pens? I want to create something that I list my pens, where and when I bought them, etc. I've searched on RUclips but didn't find anything. Any ideas you have will be appreciated. (I'm combining my exploration of calligraphy with the renewal of my love for fountain pens and my new interest in ink, thanks to you!) I enjoy every one of your videos, your attitude and spirit is a joy to watch. Eventually, I will watch all of them. Thank you for sharing your passion and I wish you the very best in everything!!
Hi Kay thank you so much for your kind words!!! I keep track of my pens now with Google Documents which is free up to I think 15 GB - I made a spread sheet with it and it was pretty easy! There are videos on how to do a Google Spread Sheet on some other channels. Some other people I know use Fountain Pen Companion website to track their inks and pens and currently inked. I still use my bullet journal heavily especially during this stressful time! It keeps me going in the right direction. I hope you will enjoy bullet journaling as much as I do!!! I also keep a traditional "Dear Diary" journal now too.
Chris Saenz Thanks so much for your reply. I hadn't thought of a spreadsheet, although I want a way to add a picture of the pen and an Excel or Word document may be the way to do that. My first thought was a journal. I did set up my bullet journal and my first entry will be tomorrow. I'm looking forward to the journey. Please do whatever you need to do to handle your stress. Many people want you to be well and happy, myself included. Be well and best wishes.
Hi Chris, this is great!! I am doing better this year. I am keeping track of things on the blank pages in the back of my planner. So far my future log, what pens and inks I am using, my spending tracker, Lottery tracker for scratchers and the regular lottery games each week, and my savings tracker. Oh and a reading tracker. Thanx for the encouragement!!
Hi Sharon - I was just thinking about how my savings tracking is only small in the back of my checkbook. I guess it works but it might motivate me more to see it often. :)
i have 3 notebooks and a notepad that i use every day ... i have my bullet journal which has kind of an overview of whats going on in the calendar then i have my clairefontain journal where i do long journaling and then i have my pocket buzzbook that i use for work notes and calendars of when meetings are happening and such also i use the buzzbee for my calorie intake logue its perfect for that and my pay it forward stickers that comes with the book which are useful for if you do nice things for other people which i have a video on that .. i also have a Pen and Gear notepad from walmart that i use for shopping list it lives in my bag so i can remember what i need to shop for every day
Hi Marilyn! I need to pay better attention - I must have missed it - have you shown your buzzbook on your videos? It sounds really cute and pocket size is awesome! I'll look for the video. The overview in my bullet journal plus daily lists of about 1/2 a page really keep me on track most of the time! I wouldn't know what to do without a monthly overview/spread and a small weekly for logging BIG stuff that has to get dome. My life wouldn't be fun without journals and notebooks!!!!
@@ChrisSaenz13 I've been a bit ill I did a unboxing but I havnt done like a full review I'll probably do one when I get home from work cause I've been told I cant use it at work for confidentiality but I can use it for food journal so that's what its gonna be instead
Hi!! Me too! It's so nice to hear what everyone is using and that I'm not the only one with several going at once! :) My husband keeps only one notebook/holder system going at a time I think and his pocket notebook.
Hi Chris. My wife (not a fan of fountain pens) has at least three notebooks on the go at any one time. My journals are breeding in numbers, I now have three "gratitude" journals as well as a goal book, not to mention my daily notes and a diary... Plus a notebook for work!
Hi Chris, I watched your video last night and felt I had to comment. I am staggered that you keep 8 journals/notebooks. Only because it would be too much for me. I understand they all serve a different purpose. I am pretty new to the idea of keeping a journal. So, at the start of this year I decided to give it a go. I am not going to feel guilty if i don't write something every day. In fact I am telling myself there is no pressure to fill the journal. This leisurely approach suits me. At the same time I am asking myself what am I doing this for? And, will I look back over the entries in the future? If you detect an element of doubt you are right. Past experience tells me I am keen to start new projects but I also have a bad record of giving up.
Hi David. It is interesting to me that the journals I look back on the most are my bullet journal - which is a record of everything I did and all the major things that happened end up in those - plus quite often small photos & my messy "process" journal but those I tend to look back only to the one before and I could likely start burning the other old ones! The bullet journals are like a treasure to me ... so I KNOW those are important to continue with! I too start new projects and have a habit of not always finishing! The new decision journal is one of the best helpful ideas I've run across ... given the issues I have with decisions. :) I think you're very smart to journal with no pressure, guilt or expectation. It will remain fun doing it that way!
Hi Chris! I love the thought you put into each of your notebooks. I also have a notebook addiction and no shame about it lol. I just counted mine and I am currently using 6, including my bullet journal. I think as long as I’m using what I have, it’s actually sustainable for my life and sometimes necessary since I also use my journal practice therapeutically. I wanted to ask you about the Lochby journal cover and how it compares to your old Lihit Lab cover. It sounds like you love the Lochby very much. I like my Lihit cover but the strap is starting to loosen & I’ve only had it a few weeks. I’ve got one leather cover in A5 but that’s housing my morning pages notebook and I don’t like taking it out of the house which is why I’ve been looking into non-leather options that I don’t have to baby. Do you have a video on pros or cons with the Lochby cover? Thanks and have an awesome day! 💕
Hi well.loved.notebook! The Lihit Lab cover seems to have a slimmer profile overall. The Lochby Field Journal cover is chunkier and has more capacity ... of course I keep just my A5 Leuchtturm notebook in mine plus a few journaling supplies/stencils etc. I have the Lochby in daily use for bullet journaling and have since the day I got it ... it's just the perfect cover for me. That being said, I also have a Nock Seed A5 cover in Iris that I use with an A5 hardcover notebook for regular journaling and that Nock case is quickly becoming a favorite of mine ... it holds up to tough daily use and I love that it zips closed. It was (for us with our budget) pricey at $70 but it seems worth every penny. I can't really think of anything I dislike about the Lochby ... the only small irritant CAN sometimes be the closure hook is clunky/bulky when the journal cover is open but as long as I smooth it out I'm good and it is such a high quality buckle/hook I really am not complaining. I hope this helps a little bit. All 3 of the A5 covers I do have are great and there are really no big dislikes ... each one has something special it seems like. The Lehit Lab is a slim profile very sleek and I like the front pen sleeve. The Lochby is rugged and has so much space for stuffing things -- it's very sturdy too and adjustable. The Nock Seed zips closed and is also fairly slim in profile .... the only thing that I notice is that I only want one fountain pen in it unless the 2nd one is slim. Other wise it makes the cover lumpy and off somehow. But I am able to tote a TWSBI Eco, a slim fountain pen and a slim pencil in the Nock Seed. :)
@@ChrisSaenz13 Yes, this is super helpful and I'm grateful for all your input! I love the look of the Seed cover; my only wish is that it came in muted colors. I tend to gravitate toward neutrals mostly. There aren't a lot of options out there. They used to have a grey Seed with black lining that looks lovely, but it's either discontinued or out of stock. Vanness has the best price, but still steep at $60 in my opinion. I just may go for the Lochby. Side note: Would you believe I only just discovered 68 gsm TRP? After almost 4 years of being a fountain pen lover lol...what rock have I been hiding under? Ha! I love it so much more than 52 gsm, so I know that having the extra inserts from Lochby would also be great for ink journaling or even as a decision journal. You've given me some great ideas here. Thanks again and have a great day! :)
Hi Kim - I've thought about that. What I'd like is for my gratitude journals to survive me and be around for anyone who cares but the other journals probably would be best burned even though there's not tons of negativity in them. When I inherited some of my great-grandfathers journals in the pocket size I started thinking more about the possibility of who would read my words after I'm departed. :)
I really hate dot grid and graph grid. I want lines for writing, and blank paper for sketching. Other than this, I'm right along with you in the number of journals and notebooks I use daily or weekly as one kind of journal or another. I'm probably lucky I don't use more. I have dozens and dozens of journals and notebooks, and can't see a new one without buying it. The only reason I don't buy even more than I do is because the rest of my money goes to fountain pens, mechanical pencils, ink, pencil lead, postage, envelopes, stationery, on and on. I do need to consolidate, at least a bit. For true journals, I'm pretty sure I can cut down to my leather, roll up Shepherd's Journal that goes everywhere with me, and a large leather cover that I use to hold either a Black 'N Red side bound spiral notebook, or a similar Rhodia notebook. I also use an 8x11 eighteen month See It Bigger planner as a project journal. And I use a Pen Gear 180 sheet 10.5x8 inch, five subject notebook I use as a junk notebook. I probably shouldn't even count the Planner or the junk notebook. The planner just lets me keep track of progress on various projects I have going on, and the Pen Gear is a place to scribble notes, memos, ideas, etc., that aren't developed enough for a journal or planner. I'll eventually throw away the planner, and I go through the Pen Gear notebooks like crazy, filling one, throwing it away, and starting another on a monthly basis. I still need the others, and I still need the Standard Midori for when I'm away from home, and a hardcover pocket journal for times when carrying anything larger just isn't practical. But this would eliminate three, maybe four, other journals that I'm using now.
Hi James - your pen and gear five subject sounds quite a lot like how I use my CVS Caliber notebooks! Next time I am out I will look at those because I have noticed some fountain pens don't' bleed thru that paper! Glad to know I'm not the only one using multiple journal/notebooks!!!! I used to like only lined paper but now I do like a dot grid but not for my process or long form journal -- mainly for my bullet journal and gratitude book. The Midori notebooks I have were given to me and came with dot and graph plus the lined and plain A6s that came in the ink flights. Happy journaling!!!
"sometimes I get the horses in front of the cart".............. Presumably , you normally travel with your horses pushing your cart, then ? With those 8 books to keep track of, and write in, do you employ a maid to do your housework ? (:- ) I wish that I had your energy.
Ha ha! Oh my brain did scramble that one in good shape. No employees here - I do everything and what I can't do my husband does but without my bullet journal to keep me straight I'm not sure I'd get much done. :)
I used to have a Leuchtturm dotgrid bullet journal, and several smaller notebooks for all kinds of stuff.
This year I changed things up. I now use one regular size Travelers Notebook, with three TN inserts: 1 graph that I use as a commonplace notebook, 1 graph that I use for day to day notes on just about everything, and 1 2020 Weekly + Memo Refill. The weekly spread of this one has the days of the week on the left page, I use that as my bullet journal. On the right page it has 5x5 graph, I use that as my gratitude journal. This setup works great!
Of course I can already see more journals on the horizon. I read about the decision journal in Atomic Habits, so I think that might be one that could work for me. We'll see, I first want to finish the book. Then read it again slowly and take notes :-)
Hi Janny - I'm going back over my underlines and notes in Atomic Habits slowly now. I even researched online about decision journal keeping and there was quite a bit of information which really kick started me on keeping that journal. It just seems like a really smart long term idea for me since I often struggle with both big and small decisions.
I admire your being able to consolidate into the regular size TN that's something that I wish I could do ... but I have not yet been able to make things fit ... I think I'd have to use a simpler system if I was any busier or working outside the house especially. :)
I love your videos! Your journals are beautiful but I have to say your tablecloth is just wonderful!! Filet crochet is a beautiful art!
Hi Jenn -- my tablecloth was made by my grandmother ... she had amazing skills! :) I'm so happy I have this one my aunt gave it to me recently!
@@ChrisSaenz13 Very lucky! So much time and talent goes into those tablecloths.
I love your enthusiasm for journaling!
I am currently using a Morning Sidekick and a Clear Habits for habit tracking, doing brief creative writing prompts, and creating a better morning routine. Then I have a Clever Fox for rapid logging, to do lists and a bit of memory keeping. I also have a binder project journal. These are working for me to a point, but I don’t have planner peace or enthusiasm with this system. I’ve been mulling how to get it over the course of 2020.
I plan to develop my system for tracking, rapid logging and pomodoro logging with a Jibun Techo system.
I also want to keep a more elaborate project journal with either a binder or an official bullet journal. Either way, I will supplement with two booklets for a master list of projects, and Next Action lists, because I want to combine Getting Things Done, the bullet journaling method and Clair at Minimal Plan’s project journal method for working on my projects.
I recently collected the resources for my commonplace book method, inspired by Ryan Holiday. I have a box with index cards and guides that I will be pairing with a Rocketbook and with Evernote. I’m using all of this for my note taking because I need handwriting in order to learn, but processing and integrating works best for me with a combination of analog and digital writing.
A few years ago, I picked up a Chic Sparrow Nano to use as a wallet and rapid log. I combined it with a fabric nano insert from an Etsy shop and a mini Zebra ballpoint. It’s just great for grabbing my phone and wallet to run out the door with.
In February, I’ll be starting a new Doodleplan coloring planner. I’ll use the monthly pages to track a few things and the weekly pages for topic specific notes. I’m using this as a creative mental health journal.
As I said, I have a Clever Fox journal right now that I’m using for Morning Pages (Julia Cameron’s Artists Way) and memory keeping. It’s a nice journal, but I think I like an official Bullet Journal better, because it slides into my purse more easily. Then again, I’m not crazy about creating journal spreads, so I’ve seriously debated using a ring binder and Etsy or Peanuts Planner Co printables on some really great paper. When I’ve completed the Sidekick, the Clever Fox and the Clear Habits, I’ll want to combine these into one journal, in either the binder or the BuJo. There’s another notebook I keep; a book of lists and prompts, which holds journal topic prompts, lists I want to keep handy, such as a Someday Maybe list, a bucket list, camping and hiking lists for exploring Vermont, where I live, and so on. It’s helpful!
And then finally, I have a plan to study drawing, and possibly watercolor, so I will be collecting my own Lochby and a Stalogy notebook, to use as a field art journal. I’ve been studying my journaling process for years and am hoping that my plan to end 2020 with an eight journal system will bring planner peace. In the mean time, I’m testing my ideas cheaply and collecting new products as I use up what I have and can afford the new components to my system.
Hi Yvonne - the Clear Habits journal looks awesome! I checked into that. I didn't realize you're from Vermont! I grew up there in the North East Kingdom and I miss it! Texas is so very different. I've found plenty of things I love about here but Vermont will always be home.
I think it's great to reevaluate our journaling and constantly improve on how it's working for us! I dream of being able to consolidate a bit more but every experiment I've tried showed me how much I like the compartmentalizing of my journals! I do carry a large tote so I can easily take whichever ones I want to appointments or dog sitting, etc. :)
Chris Saenz there’s lots to like about the Clear Habits! I am really impressed with it. However, it’s got a few quirks I could do without. I think I could avoid them and spend less by just using a Leuchtturm and tipping in a gant chart from Peanuts Planner Co.
The NEK is very pretty. In summers friends of ours rent a house on Carmi because it’s near her parent’s home. My partner and I generally spend a few days with them and take the kayaks up. Gorgeous sunsets! I can see why it’s home! I live in another part of the Valley with handy views of the Lake, the Adirondacks and the Green mountains. It’s gorgeous all over Vermont, but it took years to get used to sea grass, sea gulls, clams and mussels, but no ocean smells. Put a real tweak on my brain for a long while. :)
First time viewer and new subbie here. I keep about 27 journals and notebooks, but they are grouped into categories in several TNs so it isn’t quite as scary looking to my husband. LOL! One of my journals is “self improvement” in their I have my reading log and notes, gratitude journal, and my language learning (acquiring Spanish and French this year). I really like your Decision Journal. That may be added to my stack....but I need to make that decision first.....oh, I just couldn’t pass that up. Thank you for the wonderful walk thru on all your bounded wondery.
Hi Nancy! Welcome - I'm so glad you're here! I know if I had pulled out all my ink journals the number would have been much higher! Ha ha! That's a good one ... needing to make a decision about keeping a decision journal is a real thing .. I had to give it some thought too! LOL :) I'm very glad I decided to keep one and I think the looking back and follow up notes on decisions are going to really help long term!!!
Thanks for the tip on Atomic Habits by James Clear. I have a request in for the audiobook at the New York Public Library. Keep making your wonderful fountain pens/inks/paper videos!
Hi @honnony -- that book is one of my long time favorites now. The ideas in it stayed with me and really help!!!!
Thank you Chris for sharing your journaling habits and processes it was very interesting to me .I myself only keep one journal and in that i do a daily or bidaily briain bump , i don't do bullet journaling or any kinds of organisation journaling , for want of a better expression. I have started to log what i eat which i found an app for you put in what you've eaten and it shows you your fat , carbohydrate & sugar, its really good but i dont always remember to log my meals . It has thousands of foods including say i eat a can of heinz soup , it knows what's in the soup ,its quite cool.
I do sometimes takes notes in videos but i do this on scraps of paper i have held together with a paperclip , these notes allow me to comment on a video or ask questions .
Thanks once again for sharing your process.
Hi Matthew - it's funny you mentioned the app for nutrition content. I was just thinking the other day that I'd like an idea how many calories I'm eating even though I don't count them and generally I only concern myself with carbs and overall nutrition ... but I thought to myself there has to be an app for this. :)
Before I started the Commonplace Book -- I used index cards which I still love for note taking but I tend to misplace them! :)
I love hearing what others are using for journals and notebooks!
I really enjoyed this video, Chris! I loved the glimpse into your journals, and I think having them set up for different things really works great for you. I also like having different journals for different purposes. I have a combo planner/ bullet journal, a diary/ memory keeping journal, and an ink journal comprised of many different pocket notebooks in a pocket TN. I have other books I get into sometimes, but nothing consistent. Thanks for sharing everything, and I liked hearing about your decision notebook. This looks like something that could work for me too. 🧡
Hi Casey - I realized after I did the video that I didn't include all my ink journals!!! Also the TN I started for my Depth year didn't work out even thought it's beautiful! I think the Decision Journal is what I needed more! :)
I just found your video and I enjoyed it! I also enjoy using multiple planners and journals. I think I have up to 13-14 and then I have dupe setups in multiple sizes (Planner, Faith, self care, journal, commonplace, etc.). I really like the idea of a decision Notebook. I may need to add it to my collection. Thanks for sharing! ❤️❤️❤️ joy2plan
Hi Sharon - the Decision Journal has been great - it will be a long term - look back on things and process how things went kind of journal - which I like. I did rather stop in my tracks when the Pandemic came but I expect to get back to it soon!
Ok, here goes my list: 1) bullet journal, 2) Stoic journal - using "A Handbook for New Stoics" and whatever else, 3) LIFT - using what you showed from that video with some modifications and a daily tarot card pull, 4) travelers notebook with 4 books: a calendar for planning author platform stuff, writing & related, quick notes, and drawing. And I'm thinking about adding in a gratitude journal. So yikes, I'm right up there with you.
Hi Terri -- I'm going slowly through the exercises in A Handbook for New Stoics -- I'm finding most of them very powerful and helpful! I was just thinking that one way I could consolidate without really changing things too much - is that I could add a passport size insert for gratitude into my food journal TN. Now that would still keep my gratitude separate for keeping long term and yet I'm in that food journal TN a lot and I know I'd see it and therefore forget less!!!! :) Happy journaling!
I just use the wired notebook, legal pads, copy paper, and I do audio and video journals since age 15, and I will be 80 in October.
I enjoyed this video, Chris. In fact, my love of notebooks is what led me to fountain pens. A lot of what you said resonated with me. A nice notebook that you enjoy getting into, like your decision notebook, motivates you to use it, and as a result fulfill that notebooks purpose. In the past, a video like this would end with me shopping for a new notebook and looking for a reason to justify its purchase. But last night I was thinking about a notebook that I started years ago that I dig out from time to time and do a little creative writing, then when the inspiration is gone, I put it back away. I'm going to get it out now and probably play with it for a few days. Thanks for the motivation. I hope you have a great weekend.
Hi gadgetstop321 - have an awesome weekend! I'm using up notebooks that I bought or were gifted to me this year and I hope to really get creative with what I already have!
Chris, thanks for a great video. I have 3 main journals: Bullet Journal, food/nutrition journal, and a stream of consciousness journal. Seeing all the journals you use, I don't feel so bad with only 3 journals. Thank you again for an excellent video.
BTW, you set up your BuJo very much like I set up mine. :)
Hi Barbara - I look at the 8 journals and it seems like a lot but it doesn't really feel like "too much" except when I'm going to travel ... then I have to make myself work in one main bullet journal and a passport insert for my food journal. I can't carry too much weight in a backpack these days! :) But at home it all works great!
Amazing video!!!
I enjoyed your video. I'm really intrigued by the decision journal, I might have to read that Atomic Habits book this year. (I know you have a video on it but want to read the book myself first) I'm using a B6 Slim Cafe Note for my traditional journal too! And this year I started keeping a gratitude journal in a separate notebook, last year I tried it in my bullet journal. My last journal is a morning pages journal. I think it's easy to have keep multiple notebooks if you like writing and like paper, so I don't think your 8 notebooks is a lot.
Hi Behold This - it doesn't seem like any effort having 8 notebooks -- I guess I've always done this. Good to know I'm not the only one who likes compartmentalizing journals!
Your journaling is great! I'm far less organized about that.
Funny you talked about the ink subscription. I used to be part of a coffee subscription. Trouble was that it arrived faster than I used it. (And I used to drink far more back then than I do now.) It took a few months of contacting the company and refusing to accept shipments before I could stop it. I've been tempted since then, but I remember the experience.
I was very interested in your Bullet Journal experience. I read the same book, and I've thought a lot about that part of my life. Some parts work better electronically (for me), but others require the journal, but maybe with some improvement. It's all a work in progress!
I just enjoy notebooks and journals so much I think since I was very young paper and writing instruments were my main "thing" and now there are so many cool options! Oh wow a coffee subscription sounds like so much fun ... but I know I'd never keep up with that either. Our grocery store now sells their brand in sample sizes which is really nice for trying out the various flavors. When I travel I only bring my bullet journal with me - it works great and the pages are numbered so that's a huge advantage! :)
Thanks for sharing, Chris! Very motivating! I carry an A6 calendar with me at all times. It lives in my purse. I have two A5 Leuchtturm hardcover dotted notebooks as my bullet journals for private/projects and work. (I use Ed Oilwell`s weekly spreads which work perfectly for me.) This year I use a Mark´s Storage.it vertical calendar to track where my time goes. Kind of reverse time blocking. It has very nice Japanese Paper and is very affordable. Then I have a Rhodia softcover Goalbook for Bible studies. An A5 Leuchtturm for notetaking on non-fiction books. Thanks for pointing out "Atomic Habits" ,working on that along with you. Soooo good! I have ADD and struggle with boring tasks like housekeeping :-). An A5 Leuchtturm for notetaking on writing technique books (e.g. "Save the Cat writes a novel", "The hero´s journey"...). And a cheap A5 lined for RUclips ideas. Been thinking for the longest time about starting a channel. Well, that is eight notebooks, too. I find that I get much more clarity and awareness for my overactive, scattered brain from implementing them last year... Greetings from Germany!
Hi Kirstin! Awesome! It's so good to hear from someone else who keeps 8 notebooks/journals as well! I enjoy keeping things by subject/type compartmentalized! I'm so glad you're enjoying Atomic Habits! My brain can really scatter too. I was diagnosed with ADD at age 40 - but I have a lot of coping mechanisms that I developed before I even realized I had it. :) Oh I think that would be awesome and I encourage you to start a you tube channel! I checked into the Mark's Storage.it notebook and I found one on Amazon I really like. I haven't purchased it of course but I will enjoy learning about them ... I like the style with the zip pouch on the front! :)
@@ChrisSaenz13 That is so interesting! I was diagnosed at the tender age of 52 (two years ago) and like you had developed coping mechanisms in many areas of my life. Since then the whole journaling/notebook setup has helped me improve overall stress levels and the particular areas in which I struggle. I would really like to explore the Adult ADD theme on my channel. I will drop you a line if I ever find the courage to get in front of a camera :-)
Thank you so much for sharing your bullet journal. I'm just starting with my first journal this weekend. I haven't used RUclips that much, but I will more now that I've found you! Today I found all ( I think) of your journal videos. I like your formats because they are simple and easy to use. I'm excited about getting started and tracking everything I keep forgetting! 🙂
How do you keep track of your pens? I want to create something that I list my pens, where and when I bought them, etc. I've searched on RUclips but didn't find anything. Any ideas you have will be appreciated. (I'm combining my exploration of calligraphy with the renewal of my love for fountain pens and my new interest in ink, thanks to you!)
I enjoy every one of your videos, your attitude and spirit is a joy to watch. Eventually, I will watch all of them. Thank you for sharing your passion and I wish you the very best in everything!!
Hi Kay thank you so much for your kind words!!! I keep track of my pens now with Google Documents which is free up to I think 15 GB - I made a spread sheet with it and it was pretty easy! There are videos on how to do a Google Spread Sheet on some other channels. Some other people I know use Fountain Pen Companion website to track their inks and pens and currently inked.
I still use my bullet journal heavily especially during this stressful time! It keeps me going in the right direction. I hope you will enjoy bullet journaling as much as I do!!! I also keep a traditional "Dear Diary" journal now too.
Chris Saenz Thanks so much for your reply. I hadn't thought of a spreadsheet, although I want a way to add a picture of the pen and an Excel or Word document may be the way to do that. My first thought was a journal. I did set up my bullet journal and my first entry will be tomorrow. I'm looking forward to the journey. Please do whatever you need to do to handle your stress. Many people want you to be well and happy, myself included. Be well and best wishes.
Hi Chris, this is great!! I am doing better this year. I am keeping track of things on the blank pages in the back of my planner. So far my future log, what pens and inks I am using, my spending tracker, Lottery tracker for scratchers and the regular lottery games each week, and my savings tracker. Oh and a reading tracker. Thanx for the encouragement!!
Hi Sharon - I was just thinking about how my savings tracking is only small in the back of my checkbook. I guess it works but it might motivate me more to see it often. :)
i have 3 notebooks and a notepad that i use every day ... i have my bullet journal which has kind of an overview of whats going on in the calendar then i have my clairefontain journal where i do long journaling and then i have my pocket buzzbook that i use for work notes and calendars of when meetings are happening and such also i use the buzzbee for my calorie intake logue its perfect for that and my pay it forward stickers that comes with the book which are useful for if you do nice things for other people which i have a video on that .. i also have a Pen and Gear notepad from walmart that i use for shopping list it lives in my bag so i can remember what i need to shop for every day
Hi Marilyn! I need to pay better attention - I must have missed it - have you shown your buzzbook on your videos? It sounds really cute and pocket size is awesome! I'll look for the video. The overview in my bullet journal plus daily lists of about 1/2 a page really keep me on track most of the time! I wouldn't know what to do without a monthly overview/spread and a small weekly for logging BIG stuff that has to get dome. My life wouldn't be fun without journals and notebooks!!!!
@@ChrisSaenz13 I've been a bit ill I did a unboxing but I havnt done like a full review I'll probably do one when I get home from work cause I've been told I cant use it at work for confidentiality but I can use it for food journal so that's what its gonna be instead
Great video Chris! I'm so glad to see that I'm not the only one who has several notebooks/journals in use at once.
Hi!! Me too! It's so nice to hear what everyone is using and that I'm not the only one with several going at once! :) My husband keeps only one notebook/holder system going at a time I think and his pocket notebook.
Hi Chris. My wife (not a fan of fountain pens) has at least three notebooks on the go at any one time.
My journals are breeding in numbers, I now have three "gratitude" journals as well as a goal book, not to mention my daily notes and a diary... Plus a notebook for work!
You are the most adorable 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
LOL that was my phase when my kitten Coco would not let me film videos at my pen desk I think. LOL
Hi Chris, I watched your video last night and felt I had to comment. I am staggered that you keep 8 journals/notebooks. Only because it would be too much for me. I understand they all serve a different purpose. I am pretty new to the idea of keeping a journal. So, at the start of this year I decided to give it a go. I am not going to feel guilty if i don't write something every day. In fact I am telling myself there is no pressure to fill the journal. This leisurely approach suits me. At the same time I am asking myself what am I doing this for? And, will I look back over the entries in the future? If you detect an element of doubt you are right. Past experience tells me I am keen to start new projects but I also have a bad record of giving up.
Hi David. It is interesting to me that the journals I look back on the most are my bullet journal - which is a record of everything I did and all the major things that happened end up in those - plus quite often small photos & my messy "process" journal but those I tend to look back only to the one before and I could likely start burning the other old ones! The bullet journals are like a treasure to me ... so I KNOW those are important to continue with! I too start new projects and have a habit of not always finishing! The new decision journal is one of the best helpful ideas I've run across ... given the issues I have with decisions. :) I think you're very smart to journal with no pressure, guilt or expectation. It will remain fun doing it that way!
@@ChrisSaenz13 Thank you, Chris. I appreciate your response.
Hi Chris! I love the thought you put into each of your notebooks. I also have a notebook addiction and no shame about it lol. I just counted mine and I am currently using 6, including my bullet journal. I think as long as I’m using what I have, it’s actually sustainable for my life and sometimes necessary since I also use my journal practice therapeutically.
I wanted to ask you about the Lochby journal cover and how it compares to your old Lihit Lab cover. It sounds like you love the Lochby very much. I like my Lihit cover but the strap is starting to loosen & I’ve only had it a few weeks. I’ve got one leather cover in A5 but that’s housing my morning pages notebook and I don’t like taking it out of the house which is why I’ve been looking into non-leather options that I don’t have to baby. Do you have a video on pros or cons with the Lochby cover? Thanks and have an awesome day! 💕
Hi well.loved.notebook! The Lihit Lab cover seems to have a slimmer profile overall. The Lochby Field Journal cover is chunkier and has more capacity ... of course I keep just my A5 Leuchtturm notebook in mine plus a few journaling supplies/stencils etc.
I have the Lochby in daily use for bullet journaling and have since the day I got it ... it's just the perfect cover for me.
That being said, I also have a Nock Seed A5 cover in Iris that I use with an A5 hardcover notebook for regular journaling and that Nock case is quickly becoming a favorite of mine ... it holds up to tough daily use and I love that it zips closed. It was (for us with our budget) pricey at $70 but it seems worth every penny.
I can't really think of anything I dislike about the Lochby ... the only small irritant CAN sometimes be the closure hook is clunky/bulky when the journal cover is open but as long as I smooth it out I'm good and it is such a high quality buckle/hook I really am not complaining.
I hope this helps a little bit. All 3 of the A5 covers I do have are great and there are really no big dislikes ... each one has something special it seems like. The Lehit Lab is a slim profile very sleek and I like the front pen sleeve. The Lochby is rugged and has so much space for stuffing things -- it's very sturdy too and adjustable. The Nock Seed zips closed and is also fairly slim in profile .... the only thing that I notice is that I only want one fountain pen in it unless the 2nd one is slim. Other wise it makes the cover lumpy and off somehow. But I am able to tote a TWSBI Eco, a slim fountain pen and a slim pencil in the Nock Seed. :)
@@ChrisSaenz13 Yes, this is super helpful and I'm grateful for all your input! I love the look of the Seed cover; my only wish is that it came in muted colors. I tend to gravitate toward neutrals mostly. There aren't a lot of options out there. They used to have a grey Seed with black lining that looks lovely, but it's either discontinued or out of stock. Vanness has the best price, but still steep at $60 in my opinion. I just may go for the Lochby. Side note: Would you believe I only just discovered 68 gsm TRP? After almost 4 years of being a fountain pen lover lol...what rock have I been hiding under? Ha! I love it so much more than 52 gsm, so I know that having the extra inserts from Lochby would also be great for ink journaling or even as a decision journal. You've given me some great ideas here. Thanks again and have a great day! :)
I love diamond golden sands on TomoeRiver paper with a medium or broad nib. It’s so pretty!
Hi Ecuador86 - that sounds like a beautiful ink!
Diamine not diamond! Hahah it’s a beautiful gold!
Interesting and insightful! Thanks for sharing your process with us. Would it help to consolidate your gratitude journal with your regular journal?
Hi Kim - I've thought about that. What I'd like is for my gratitude journals to survive me and be around for anyone who cares but the other journals probably would be best burned even though there's not tons of negativity in them. When I inherited some of my great-grandfathers journals in the pocket size I started thinking more about the possibility of who would read my words after I'm departed. :)
Horses inform of the 🐎 🛒
Never heard of that one before
Word scramble in my brain again! LOL
I really hate dot grid and graph grid. I want lines for writing, and blank paper for sketching. Other than this, I'm right along with you in the number of journals and notebooks I use daily or weekly as one kind of journal or another.
I'm probably lucky I don't use more. I have dozens and dozens of journals and notebooks, and can't see a new one without buying it. The only reason I don't buy even more than I do is because the rest of my money goes to fountain pens, mechanical pencils, ink, pencil lead, postage, envelopes, stationery, on and on.
I do need to consolidate, at least a bit. For true journals, I'm pretty sure I can cut down to my leather, roll up Shepherd's Journal that goes everywhere with me, and a large leather cover that I use to hold either a Black 'N Red side bound spiral notebook, or a similar Rhodia notebook.
I also use an 8x11 eighteen month See It Bigger planner as a project journal. And I use a Pen Gear 180 sheet 10.5x8 inch, five subject notebook I use as a junk notebook. I probably shouldn't even count the Planner or the junk notebook. The planner just lets me keep track of progress on various projects I have going on, and the Pen Gear is a place to scribble notes, memos, ideas, etc., that aren't developed enough for a journal or planner. I'll eventually throw away the planner, and I go through the Pen Gear notebooks like crazy, filling one, throwing it away, and starting another on a monthly basis.
I still need the others, and I still need the Standard Midori for when I'm away from home, and a hardcover pocket journal for times when carrying anything larger just isn't practical.
But this would eliminate three, maybe four, other journals that I'm using now.
Hi James - your pen and gear five subject sounds quite a lot like how I use my CVS Caliber notebooks! Next time I am out I will look at those because I have noticed some fountain pens don't' bleed thru that paper! Glad to know I'm not the only one using multiple journal/notebooks!!!! I used to like only lined paper but now I do like a dot grid but not for my process or long form journal -- mainly for my bullet journal and gratitude book.
The Midori notebooks I have were given to me and came with dot and graph plus the lined and plain A6s that came in the ink flights.
Happy journaling!!!
"sometimes I get the horses in front of the cart"..............
Presumably , you normally travel with your horses pushing your cart, then ?
With those 8 books to keep track of, and write in, do you employ a maid to do your housework ?
(:- )
I wish that I had your energy.
Ha ha! Oh my brain did scramble that one in good shape. No employees here - I do everything and what I can't do my husband does but without my bullet journal to keep me straight I'm not sure I'd get much done. :)