I use B5 for planning because I have bad eyes, big handwriting, and the ability to add extra space really helps my adhd brain not go into visual chaos. I use traveler’s for budgeting. It’s great for spending/savings ledgers and I can easily keep it in my purse. I ordered 2 B6 journals to create memory books for my daughters where I can journal notes to them and add pictures throughout the year. My goal is to give it to them next year for Christmas
It takes some time to get used to, but it gets the job done. I received one in a subscription box and have been using it as my brain dump journal. There is way more room to decorate and add stickers/stamps/washi tape/etc., but I am excited to switch back to a smaller journal size.
I'm a weird outlier: I have tiny handwriting but use the B5. Since I use my journal mostly for work, the amount of space is a luxury! And it fits well in my laptop bag next to my computer when I need to go into the office. That said, I want all of the journals in all of the sizes and I'll just die under a mountain of beautiful notebooks.
I originally wanted a square notebook for my first bujo, after seeing the A&O option. I couldnt afford it, so I used christmas money and got into bookbinding and diy-ed it! I absolutely loved it. I challenged myself to use a new weekly layout every week and it was fantastic. Then I bought an A5 from Michaels (US craft store), and that worked out nicely, it was easy to use, and I liked how many pages it had, as it was less than an A&O. I ended up buying an A&O square notebook in January of this year, and will finish the year in it. I enjoyed it very much, but I'm excited to try something else for next year! I am leaning towards a B6 mostly for the size. The square size was nice, but I just felt like it was big and bulky, and the A5 is too thick. It feels huge.
B6 is, I think my favourite. Tried one for the second bit of this year and love it! I get mine from notebook therapy. I also used the b5 as a teacher for all my lesson planning (I taught grade 1 and 2 which is like 6-8 year olds) and it gave me enough space for all my lessons
I've been using an A6 for traditional journalling and I just adore it. My planner is not much larger, so being able to keep both my planner and journal in an A5 Nähe pouch is huge for me 💛 I favour smaller books for bujoing, as I really don't have much going on and I like minimalist spreads. It takes a bit getting used to but it's lovely!
Another option for those that like a little more space than A5, are the A5+ journals by Dingbats. 15.5 x 21.5 cm, rather than the regular 14.8 wide. It doesn't sound like a lot, but depending on how you use it, it can make a surprising amount of difference.
Love my B6s (23 columns by 32 rows, 214 pages) but I wish they were more available! You essentially have to stalk Scribbles the Matter for their drops.
I hear you! I've been into B6 for close to two years, and it's been a struggle. It's gotten better recently with the Common Planner offering a B6 notebook, and I found a great printery, Citrus Book Bindery in the UK, where you can custom order your B6 and pick the thickness of the paper, the line spacing, the cover, etc. It's a bit more expensive than STM, but to me, it's worth it, as I prefer square grid paper, and STM and A&O don't offer that.
I'm trying bullet journaling for the first time and I've gone for a B5 just because it's more cost efficient 😂😂 I must say though, I do LOVE the look of the square notebooks! ❤
for purely functional task based planning, I use a hobonichi weeks - but for my art/creative/memory style bullet journalling, I use b5. I love all the extra space because I love printing out photos to glue in and write notes next to!
Lmfao you started talking pockets and I’m like ‘what pockets?? My clothes don’t have pockets’ and then you immediately brought up the women’s clothing lacking pockets😂
I used a5 for a long time, then switched to b5 for a few years. I actually like having more 'white space' in/around my layouts, so didn't feel the need to fill the space with decorations. I liked being able to spread stuff out with gaps between, it made everything feel less overwhelming. Being able to fit 31 lines for days, and have space to properly fill out titles is nice. And when I was writing a LOT in my journal, I really enjoyed having the extra room. But I'm considering going back to a5 for 2024 (or at least the first part lol) as I'm writing less at the moment and don't need so much space... and you can get a5 dotted journals for much cheaper.
My first journal was an A5, which I liked, but once I switched to B5 I was like... IDK if I can go back 😂 The calendar layouts are so easy, and a quarter of a page is perfect for me for one day's tasks and notes. That said, I'm trying out a square notebook for the first half of 2024 for my daily journal, and I'm excited to experiment with it. Some of the things I've learned about how I use space in my B5 journals can help me play with more layout ideas in different sized notebooks. I fit a full year into my first journal, the A5, so it was a little cramped sometimes. A 6-month journal gives me plenty of breathing room.
Yeah the amount of time you spend/want to spend in a journal certainly plays a role in finding what works 👏 Glad you enjoy the B5! I'ma have to try it again one day 😝💜
Watching this while waiting for my very first bullet journal notebook, a B5, to arrive. I went with it because my anxiety said an A5 would be too small and difficult to use. I think I'll be okay. 😂
I got my first B5 in an A&O mystery sale. While she is gorgeous, and fits the folio I could never find the right disc bound planner for, so far, we have only stared at each other. As a novelist, I love the idea of a lined letter size journal with thicker paper, and may need to look into that. My favorite so far is A5. It feels right, it's accessible, and has the most options when it comes to covers. B6 is A close second, and though I put myself on a no new pocket size books, I see a good one, and I cave. I am in the US, where pocket and A6 seem to be different, and I am now adamant about A6 as my everyday carry.
A6 is my favourite as my bullet journal is really minimal in terms of decoration and also content (I don't have many collections so it's often essentially daily logs). I really like the B6 too although that's not a common size here in the UK.
Oddly this review got me thinking about a B5. I tend to go through 3 A5s a year and would love to cut that down to 2. B5 could be worth it that way. ...now regretting not getting one during A&O Black Friday lol
All about getting people to think about different options 💪 I’ve been doing 3 journals a year for this year and last too. Looking to go to 2 next year 💜😄
I was very much tied between an A5 and a B5 for my first Bujo, and ended up with a B5. Decorating and filing the pages can be a bit overwhelming and intimidating, but I have huge handwriting so Im glad I chose that one!
I’m an A5 girl, but recently got a traveler’s notebook from Archer & Olive. Wondering if I should use it for a bullet journal, or maybe for something like themed playlists. It’s the nostalgia 2023 one with the black & white checkered patrern and “retro stickers” on it.
I ordered 11 dot grid journals from Archer and Olive on their Black Friday Sale. I currently use the A5 from them but am so excited for the 8X8. I have that with no dots or lines and a LS dot grid from a mystery sale, and I love the bigger ones. I'm so excited to use the travel size for a car log and a recipe journal, an A5 with dot grid kraft pages for a food/health journal/tracker, the 4 8X8s as my BuJos this year and the B5 as my Scripture journal. Not sure yet what to do with the others yet. I didn't get an A6 because I saw your set up 😮 and yeah NO. Too small! Love your channel by the way.
I'm currently trying other sizes. November and december in a B6 (firefly too). Love the size, but doesn't quite do it for me for bullet journaling as well. Also because it fits just two months. Then onto square for January to April or May (A5 160 pages holds 4 months, so I don't know if it will fit one more month). And May or June to August or September, depending on how many months will fit as well, TN. After that, I will choose which size I will continue to use. I've tried B5 for my business planning. I've actually converted this to Notion, which I discovered because of you (thank you). I liked it for my business, but not so much for bullet journaling. I do have a B5 notebook, but it will be for moodboards and things like that. While A6 is very cute and I plan on use one of them for a common place notebook, it's way to small for my style of bullet journaling. I'm excited to try and use square and TN for now. Having said that, I am currently using a TN size notebook already for lists. Like you will too. Works perfectly, love it!
Been trying to figure out a new Bujo setup for this year, and found your video partly as I'm curious about trying B5 over A5 - and thank you for helping me decide! I've been struggling to fit all the information and writing I need to into A5 spreads, so B5 does seem like a nice option for me given I'm not as big into decoration? But thank you for also showing how useful the letter/B6 size ones could potentially be for what I'm looking for, not as a main journal but as seperate ones!
Good question. I’m using an A5 now after coming from the Happy Planner. I think A5 also wins because of its ease of storage. That said, I’d like to try one B5 to be able to use my remaining Happy Planner sticker books as well as well as the B6 - so cute! I need wide and have larger handwriting than yours. B5 is my favorite note-taking size, I get coiled notebooks in this size- perfection 😊
I'm intrigued by the square, but struggling to find any square notebooks in the UK (or even shipping from Europe) Before I embrace the shipping and taxes pain and order from Archer & Olive, does anyone have any recommendations?
I’ve had a two or three year long love affair with A6 LTs. I’ve tried B6 but none have enough pages with cream color. My tried and true will always be an A5, specifically from Leuchtturm. I love the cream color pages (migraine sufferer) and I know the I can fit between two to four months depending on spreads. Plus they look best all lines up together.
This was great! I started with an A5 and used that for some years. Now I’m a B5 gal, and I just love the space! Miss the portability of the A5 though for sure. I wonder if I’ll end up switching back to A5 in the future when I start leaving the house more often (going back to school and work).
Glad you liked it! 😄💜 It'd be nice if they had a size in between the A5 and B5 🤔 something with a similar height to width ratio, but not as big as the B5 😝
The face you made about women's clothing and tiny pockets is my new favorite moment from your videos ever! LOL Once upon a time I used a tiny BuJo for a couple of months because it fit in the pocket of my scrubs at work. Never again! I've now swung to the opposite extreme--my current BuJo is an A4, and I'm loving it.
Happy Planner Classic is close to a B5 the layouts are pre printed which might make it less intimidating to decorate. Many blogs have free Happy Planner style layouts that you can print out to play around with different layout or Happy Planner has expansion packs which is 4 months of a layout plus dividers. They also have Notebooks.
I had a B5 that I loved while I was in college, which was nice to keep track of tests and assignments as well as the many happenings in my life at that time. Now I use an A5 for general planning. I also use a softcover B6 for my fitness training log, and a travelers notebook for its intended traveling purposes.
This is such a great video. I'm going to Go Wild in 2024 (second time with this year being the first). I hope I get to meet you if you are going next year. I just discovered your channel and am loving the delivery and information.
B6 is a size I really want to try! I tend to be drawn towards the smaller notebooks and B6 looks like the perfect size for me. However, right now and for the next quarter, I will use an A5.
I was thinking about this the other day...and it's never really a size matter for me. rather a ''how practicle'' is it. I hate to rewrite tasks or information that I didn't get the time to complete or that changed. I'd be curious to Bullet journal in an accordeon style book. so that you can flip out some page you want to have access to (like your dutch doors) but without impacting on the handwriting after? (cutting out part of a page or adding stickers is always a kind of bummer for me as i sometimes find myself writing over the edge and then leaving a bump in my drawing or handwriting) for me, I also find that having a journal for the whole year is too much. If there is something happening and I don't feel like following what I already had planned out in my journal, I feel like that was a failure and I need to start over again. + if you have a weird schedule that require you to have multiple tasks laid out for you to organise them, you could just take a couple of connected page to have a real view at glance of anything you're working on.
I use B5 for my videogame journal and it works perfectly for that purpose - would love to try a suare one too, but they are so hard to find A5 for my normal bullet journal. Anything smaller is just too small for me 😅
I am very curious about how the numbering system came about. I am clueless on why they go up and down without reason, but then I haven’t researched. Do you know why?
My only complaint I have about your videos is when you designate paper as “good quality” or “bad quality” based on gsm. A TON of pocket/A6 have good quality paper, it’s just not the weight you look for
Well yes, I do use good and bad to align with my preferences 😛 “good” to me also means white-white paper with a dot grid too. “Good” it just a faster way of saying that without having to do the whole spiel every time 🤙 though with regards to a “good” paper A6, the only A6 notebooks I’ve used at this stage are the ones with thick 160gsm paper. It’s the size that isn’t super suitable for me 😅
Jeez that was exciting at the end, not knowing who's going to be number one 😮😅 but I agree with all your choices, even though I technically just tried out 2.5 sizes 🤔 I would be curious to see how a square notebook would work for me but a) I think it would be too wide for me when opening it on the table and b) I haven't found an option that suits my needs yet, so A5 it still is 😂🤷🏼♀️
Hi so I’ve used 3 sizes but do own all sizes and have planned uses for the as listed: Letter aka Large Size- Photo Scrapbook Album B5- Prayer/Bible Study Journal & another for my Collections/Reference Journal A5- Visual Monthly Journal and another for my Personal Planner Travelers- I use for a Budget Journal (LOVE THIS AND WOULD LIVE TO DO VIDEOS ON IT) Now the ones I’ve not used but have plans for: Square- Cozy Cafe will be my Recipe Book & Postcard will be my address/ directions book B6- Possibly use for a personal planner or Common Place Book for just jotting down random notes. A6- I have only 1 from A&O and 1 from Midori (I have a moleskin & a Midori Hibino both slightly larger) which I could see being used for Daily thoughts, Common Placing, or sketch ideas. That’s All! Thanks for your video!
I always wish there were a size larger than A5 but smaller than B5, because I always need a few more rows or columns than my A5 has, but like you, the amount of space on a B5 page is a bit overwhelming. Might try a square at some point, although I usually want more rows rather than more columns. I’m continuing with an A5 for my daily bujo and a B5 for long-term & yearly collections bc the extra space will be nice for large lists, vision boards, etc.
As someone who originally started out with A5, I kept wondering why I never finished them and I found that it was too big and overwhelming for me. So, I switched to a B6 and I have used it so much more. But, after I finish it, I want to try out other sizes such as: A6, B7, A7. I find that if it is a smaller notebook, I finish it up easily and it doesn't stress me out. But, I wish there were more designs for the sizes I like, they have them for A5 and understandably so, as its the most popular size. Thanks for the video!
B5 then A5 for me (haven't tried a 3rd size). I have larger handwriting, so more space is better and I never take it anywhere, so portability isn't an issue. I've also found I'm not afraid of whitespace. But (!) I haven't found a B5 cover that I just love, and I love my A5 cover. 1st part of next year will be a B5.
B6 is my fave. I dont decorate my bullet journal I just make grids and doodles so it works for me. I can fit a ton on the page and the journal never feels (heavy). That being said you can barely find it anywhere.
I would love to have a LS or A4 as my long term collection bujo. So far has only found one at A&O, Rhodia, Leuchtturm or as normal spiral notbooks, but those are either way too expensive, have too smal gsm or not fit for long term use.
I haven't tried all sizes as I'm still fairly new to this. I've only used A5 so far. But fir the start of 2024 I am trying a B5. Not sure how it's gonna go. Lol
Exciting! 💜 I really enjoy trying new things, and I hope you do too 😄 one of the issues I found with the B5 which I forgot to mention is that I don’t like white space when I’m journaling which is why I felt compelled to fill the sofa in the B5 😝 this didn’t work as well for me
I got the Archer & Olive B5 and I really liked that size. Unfortunately, Archer & Olive doesn't ship to my country anymore and there are not much alternatives. For next year my plan is to try a dated planner, because my hand doesn't like all the setup of layouts anymore (handcramps due to fibromyalgia). If I ever would like a bullet journal, I would have to choose whether I would rather go slightly bigger to A4, or slightly smaller to A5. The square would be nice, but that is even more harder to come by here than B5. Everything smaller is not even on my radar. So: 1. B5 2. Square 3+4. A5 or A4
I'm not sure if Scribbles That Matter ships to where you are, but they have B5s if that helps! 💜 They also have B5 pre-printed journals, but not sure what style those are 🤔
@@JashiiCorrin For 2024 I ordered a HObonichi, but it's been stuck at customs for 3 weeks now. If it doesn't arrive anymore, I will look into it. Thanks ☺
I rarely carry a bag and my work clothes have decent sized pockets, so my go-to is A6. I sometimes wish I had more space, but more space that gets left behind on a regular basis wouldn’t actually help. I have small handwriting so my favourite is Nuuna who do a 2.5mm grid in their A6/small notebooks, but I’d rather grid or darker dots, and I don’t love their paper for anything besides ballpoint pen. For next year I’m trialing using an A6 common planner.
How lovely to see your beautiful smile! Love the hair! I’m a B5 girl as I have big handwriting and use stickers or printed decorations as I can’t draw a straight line even with a ruler! Plus with three fur less kids and two fur babies, I need room to keep us all organised! I used your layout suggestions in the A6 journal I set up for my daughter! So thank you 🙏🏾 ❤
I just started a journal for the 1st time since retirement. I gravitated to the A6 notebook immediately because I don't have the space to store all those large notebooks. Plus I love the challenge of adorning such a small notebook. Pentalic makes a really good grid A6 (4"x6") at a really good price (they produce notebooks for sketching and painting so their journal has really great paper). Love your commentary.
B5 has turned out to be perfect for me. I don’t really decorate my journals but I usually just do a detailed weekly spread rather than having daily pages. The space available fits everything I want to include across a two page spread without being so big that its overwhelming or difficult to take with me.
This was a very useful video, thanks 📘 Now all I need is to figure out what to do with my notebooks once I’m finished with them. The pile next to my bed is looking dangerously unstable 🤣
An A5 is my usual go to. I've tried a B5 for the challenge, but I just don't have that much going on in my life to fill all that space. I'm going with a travelers size this year to try something new
Nooooo, I thought the square would winnnnn 😂 I love your videos and you're amazing and give me inspiration to do my own, thank you so much, love you and have an amazing end of the year and next year !!! ❤❤
This is sort of funny. I make no decorations at all, and the way the different notebooks were presented actually made me se what I could do with my functional style. Great presentation. Thank you !
I ended up getting a B5, and some washi tape to try some pretty things with the extra room. Thank you again and see you in a few months to see how it went ^_^@@JashiiCorrin
So interesting watching this! Want to get a square one so bad but finding one in the UK is a nightmare! Unless I want to pay twice the price of the book in shipping
I’m thinking of using a 8x8 bullet journal starting in January, I know you have used one so please help me…what page setting would you use for a printable? I really appreciate anything you can tell me❤
Depends on the printable really! Mine are all sized to A5 paper, so I just print from my pdf reader as "at size" (like no size scaling) 🤔 I always want to keep them in the same dimensions as the scaling on the document though 😝 If you wanted an increased size for better fitting horizontally, then maaaaaybe a ~25% increase, but I couldn't be certain as I've not tried it myself 🤔
I print them using the "Actual size" option, so then it prints at the same size as it would be on A5 paper onto the A4 paper that I actually have. Then I cut around individual elements and stick them in (when I use them that is; I only really use printables in example videos rather than my personal setups)
My top three are a5, travelers and b6! I found the b5 super overwhelming too while using it for my reading journal this year. There is tooo much space 😅.
Personally I think B6 is definitely the perfect size (I primarily use B6 sketchbooks and Midi-size Paperblanks journals, midi is roughy B6 size), and I have huge problems with pockets of women’s clothes too 😂😂😂 I would love the square-shape but it’s more difficult to fit into most women’s bags. Most of my bullet journals are A5 simply because it’s the easiest to find.
I have my BuJo on a standard TN (which is my happy place planning-wise). I used a three by four monthly calendar (3 squares width and 4 squares height) and it worked for me. But I'm not a monthly girlie, to be honest. In fact, I've completely ditched the monthly calendar since 2022 and never looked back.
Yeah I wonder how a TN would work with my new planning style I'm going with in 2024 🤔 I think I'd still have a similar problem for my quarterly planning though 😝 but it'd be interesting to try...
My favorite is the B5 for my every day bullet journal. I currently use an A5 for my reading journal, but I'm going to try the square journal for that next year!
This has really made me want to try one of the smaller sizes (A6/B6/Travelers). I use a traditional planner (A5 rings) for tasks and calendars, and my bujo for more "diary" or mental health style journaling and book reviews, both of which are very minimal and all but undecorated. I've been using an A5 for that this year, and it just felt too big! Might be experimenting for 2024, after all! 😂
Jess talking to the journals as if they’re real people with feelings 😅 Me… over here feeling sorry for the losers! Lol Love that in depth review!!
Haha 😂 no journal’s feelings were harmed in the making of this video 😝 except the B5. He was salty 😅
😂as well he should be!! Poor little guy!
😂😂😂💙💙💙💟
I use B5 for planning because I have bad eyes, big handwriting, and the ability to add extra space really helps my adhd brain not go into visual chaos. I use traveler’s for budgeting. It’s great for spending/savings ledgers and I can easily keep it in my purse. I ordered 2 B6 journals to create memory books for my daughters where I can journal notes to them and add pictures throughout the year. My goal is to give it to them next year for Christmas
Aww that’s a lovely use for that size! 💜 also really like the idea of having the expenses in a travellers notebook 💪
I ordered a b5 by mistake for my next journal. I'm going to be interested to see how it works for me.
It takes some time to get used to, but it gets the job done. I received one in a subscription box and have been using it as my brain dump journal. There is way more room to decorate and add stickers/stamps/washi tape/etc., but I am excited to switch back to a smaller journal size.
Hopefully it works for you 🤞 thankfully with B5 being the second most common size, there’s still some good inspo out there 😄💜
I'm a weird outlier: I have tiny handwriting but use the B5. Since I use my journal mostly for work, the amount of space is a luxury! And it fits well in my laptop bag next to my computer when I need to go into the office. That said, I want all of the journals in all of the sizes and I'll just die under a mountain of beautiful notebooks.
I originally wanted a square notebook for my first bujo, after seeing the A&O option. I couldnt afford it, so I used christmas money and got into bookbinding and diy-ed it! I absolutely loved it. I challenged myself to use a new weekly layout every week and it was fantastic.
Then I bought an A5 from Michaels (US craft store), and that worked out nicely, it was easy to use, and I liked how many pages it had, as it was less than an A&O.
I ended up buying an A&O square notebook in January of this year, and will finish the year in it. I enjoyed it very much, but I'm excited to try something else for next year! I am leaning towards a B6 mostly for the size. The square size was nice, but I just felt like it was big and bulky, and the A5 is too thick. It feels huge.
That's fair, and awesome that you've tried a bunch of notebooks! 😄 The B6 is an excellent size, such a cutie 💪💜
Someone is having a GREAT hair day!
That was my thought too! Looking stunning Jess! The colour is great! And those curls are amazing!
Haha thanks team! 💜 I’m trying to dry my hair naturally rather than tying it back 😝
B6 is, I think my favourite. Tried one for the second bit of this year and love it! I get mine from notebook therapy. I also used the b5 as a teacher for all my lesson planning (I taught grade 1 and 2 which is like 6-8 year olds) and it gave me enough space for all my lessons
Totally understand B5 for teaching 👏 lots of space for all the planning and work 😝💜
I've been using an A6 for traditional journalling and I just adore it. My planner is not much larger, so being able to keep both my planner and journal in an A5 Nähe pouch is huge for me 💛 I favour smaller books for bujoing, as I really don't have much going on and I like minimalist spreads. It takes a bit getting used to but it's lovely!
I'd be super keen to try it out at some point! It might be a contender for a 2024 journal size 🤔 will have to see how my new planning style goes 😝
Another option for those that like a little more space than A5, are the A5+ journals by Dingbats. 15.5 x 21.5 cm, rather than the regular 14.8 wide. It doesn't sound like a lot, but depending on how you use it, it can make a surprising amount of difference.
Oh nice 💪 I’d be curious to try that 🤔
Love my B6s (23 columns by 32 rows, 214 pages) but I wish they were more available! You essentially have to stalk Scribbles the Matter for their drops.
I hear you! I've been into B6 for close to two years, and it's been a struggle. It's gotten better recently with the Common Planner offering a B6 notebook, and I found a great printery, Citrus Book Bindery in the UK, where you can custom order your B6 and pick the thickness of the paper, the line spacing, the cover, etc. It's a bit more expensive than STM, but to me, it's worth it, as I prefer square grid paper, and STM and A&O don't offer that.
Heck yeah for the B6 love 👏 it’s a great size 💜 a shame that it isn’t more widely available 😔
I love STM and wanted to go down to a B6 but they told me they won’t make that size anymore. 😢
I'm trying bullet journaling for the first time and I've gone for a B5 just because it's more cost efficient 😂😂 I must say though, I do LOVE the look of the square notebooks! ❤
Haha that's a VERY fair reason for picking a specific notebook size 💪💜
for purely functional task based planning, I use a hobonichi weeks - but for my art/creative/memory style bullet journalling, I use b5. I love all the extra space because I love printing out photos to glue in and write notes next to!
Oh the B5 makes perfect sense for sticking in photos! What a great way to use the space 😄💜
Lmfao you started talking pockets and I’m like ‘what pockets?? My clothes don’t have pockets’ and then you immediately brought up the women’s clothing lacking pockets😂
It needed to be said 😂
0:26 for everyone who uses the international system: A5 [14.60 × 20.96 × 2.54] cm ; B5 [17.35 × 24.99 × 1.90] cm ; LETTER [21.59 × 27.94 × 1.27] cm ; TRAVELER'S [11.00 × 20.96 × 1.27] cm ; SQUARE [20.32 × 20.32 × 1.90] cm ; B6 [12.50 × 17.58 × 1.27] cm ; A6 [8.89 × 13.97 × 1.27] cm
I used a5 for a long time, then switched to b5 for a few years. I actually like having more 'white space' in/around my layouts, so didn't feel the need to fill the space with decorations. I liked being able to spread stuff out with gaps between, it made everything feel less overwhelming. Being able to fit 31 lines for days, and have space to properly fill out titles is nice. And when I was writing a LOT in my journal, I really enjoyed having the extra room. But I'm considering going back to a5 for 2024 (or at least the first part lol) as I'm writing less at the moment and don't need so much space... and you can get a5 dotted journals for much cheaper.
For those who have watched this channel for a while would find Jashii’s ranking not surprising.
Mine is a tie between a5, b5 & square
Haha yeah I think that people could probably guess even before I started talking about what I did or didn’t like about each notebook 😂
My personal favorit is the B6 followed by A6. I'm not as artistic as I'd like to be and the small size is perfect for my more minimalist spreads.
Lil babies! 💜 they’re the cutest 🥰
My first journal was an A5, which I liked, but once I switched to B5 I was like... IDK if I can go back 😂 The calendar layouts are so easy, and a quarter of a page is perfect for me for one day's tasks and notes. That said, I'm trying out a square notebook for the first half of 2024 for my daily journal, and I'm excited to experiment with it. Some of the things I've learned about how I use space in my B5 journals can help me play with more layout ideas in different sized notebooks. I fit a full year into my first journal, the A5, so it was a little cramped sometimes. A 6-month journal gives me plenty of breathing room.
Yeah the amount of time you spend/want to spend in a journal certainly plays a role in finding what works 👏 Glad you enjoy the B5! I'ma have to try it again one day 😝💜
Watching this while waiting for my very first bullet journal notebook, a B5, to arrive. I went with it because my anxiety said an A5 would be too small and difficult to use. I think I'll be okay. 😂
I got my first B5 in an A&O mystery sale. While she is gorgeous, and fits the folio I could never find the right disc bound planner for, so far, we have only stared at each other. As a novelist, I love the idea of a lined letter size journal with thicker paper, and may need to look into that.
My favorite so far is A5. It feels right, it's accessible, and has the most options when it comes to covers. B6 is A close second, and though I put myself on a no new pocket size books, I see a good one, and I cave. I am in the US, where pocket and A6 seem to be different, and I am now adamant about A6 as my everyday carry.
A6 for an everyday carry makes a lot of sense; it’s very carryable 😝 sounds like you’ve used a good range of sizes! 💪
A6 is my favourite as my bullet journal is really minimal in terms of decoration and also content (I don't have many collections so it's often essentially daily logs). I really like the B6 too although that's not a common size here in the UK.
The A6 is such a cutie, I'd be really keen to try it! Would certainly have to pare back on the decoration though 😝
Definitely not much room for decoration!@@JashiiCorrin
Oddly this review got me thinking about a B5. I tend to go through 3 A5s a year and would love to cut that down to 2. B5 could be worth it that way. ...now regretting not getting one during A&O Black Friday lol
All about getting people to think about different options 💪 I’ve been doing 3 journals a year for this year and last too. Looking to go to 2 next year 💜😄
I was very much tied between an A5 and a B5 for my first Bujo, and ended up with a B5. Decorating and filing the pages can be a bit overwhelming and intimidating, but I have huge handwriting so Im glad I chose that one!
Totally makes sense 👏 if my handwriting was bigger, that’d definitely be in the top 3 instead of the B6 💜
I’m an A5 girl, but recently got a traveler’s notebook from Archer & Olive. Wondering if I should use it for a bullet journal, or maybe for something like themed playlists. It’s the nostalgia 2023 one with the black & white checkered patrern and “retro stickers” on it.
I love that design 👏 I nabbed that one in A5 for myself 😄💜
I ordered 11 dot grid journals from Archer and Olive on their Black Friday Sale. I currently use the A5 from them but am so excited for the 8X8. I have that with no dots or lines and a LS dot grid from a mystery sale, and I love the bigger ones. I'm so excited to use the travel size for a car log and a recipe journal, an A5 with dot grid kraft pages for a food/health journal/tracker, the 4 8X8s as my BuJos this year and the B5 as my Scripture journal. Not sure yet what to do with the others yet. I didn't get an A6 because I saw your set up 😮 and yeah NO. Too small! Love your channel by the way.
Your order is giving mine a run for its money 😂 sounds like a great set of notebooks 💪💜
I'm currently trying other sizes. November and december in a B6 (firefly too). Love the size, but doesn't quite do it for me for bullet journaling as well. Also because it fits just two months. Then onto square for January to April or May (A5 160 pages holds 4 months, so I don't know if it will fit one more month). And May or June to August or September, depending on how many months will fit as well, TN. After that, I will choose which size I will continue to use.
I've tried B5 for my business planning. I've actually converted this to Notion, which I discovered because of you (thank you). I liked it for my business, but not so much for bullet journaling. I do have a B5 notebook, but it will be for moodboards and things like that. While A6 is very cute and I plan on use one of them for a common place notebook, it's way to small for my style of bullet journaling.
I'm excited to try and use square and TN for now. Having said that, I am currently using a TN size notebook already for lists. Like you will too. Works perfectly, love it!
Travel size works better in landscape orientation. When I used preprinted diaries that was my preference.
Oh interesting 🤔 I wonder how that’d work out for me. I tend to write a lot of vertical lists so I wonder how fast it’d fill up 😝
Been trying to figure out a new Bujo setup for this year, and found your video partly as I'm curious about trying B5 over A5 - and thank you for helping me decide! I've been struggling to fit all the information and writing I need to into A5 spreads, so B5 does seem like a nice option for me given I'm not as big into decoration? But thank you for also showing how useful the letter/B6 size ones could potentially be for what I'm looking for, not as a main journal but as seperate ones!
Good question. I’m using an A5 now after coming from the Happy Planner. I think A5 also wins because of its ease of storage. That said, I’d like to try one B5 to be able to use my remaining Happy Planner sticker books as well as well as the B6 - so cute! I need wide and have larger handwriting than yours. B5 is my favorite note-taking size, I get coiled notebooks in this size- perfection 😊
I'm intrigued by the square, but struggling to find any square notebooks in the UK (or even shipping from Europe) Before I embrace the shipping and taxes pain and order from Archer & Olive, does anyone have any recommendations?
I’ve had a two or three year long love affair with A6 LTs. I’ve tried B6 but none have enough pages with cream color. My tried and true will always be an A5, specifically from Leuchtturm. I love the cream color pages (migraine sufferer) and I know the I can fit between two to four months depending on spreads. Plus they look best all lines up together.
I might have commented before, or even repeat myself, but your sense of colour and layout is plain fascinating.
This was great! I started with an A5 and used that for some years. Now I’m a B5 gal, and I just love the space! Miss the portability of the A5 though for sure. I wonder if I’ll end up switching back to A5 in the future when I start leaving the house more often (going back to school and work).
Glad you liked it! 😄💜 It'd be nice if they had a size in between the A5 and B5 🤔 something with a similar height to width ratio, but not as big as the B5 😝
@@JashiiCorrin They could call it a B-flat-5 🤣
The face you made about women's clothing and tiny pockets is my new favorite moment from your videos ever! LOL
Once upon a time I used a tiny BuJo for a couple of months because it fit in the pocket of my scrubs at work. Never again! I've now swung to the opposite extreme--my current BuJo is an A4, and I'm loving it.
Haha 😂 glad you liked that one 😝 love that you went completely the opposite way and jumped from the smallest to mega 💪
Happy Planner Classic is close to a B5 the layouts are pre printed which might make it less intimidating to decorate. Many blogs have free Happy Planner style layouts that you can print out to play around with different layout or Happy Planner has expansion packs which is 4 months of a layout plus dividers. They also have Notebooks.
I had a B5 that I loved while I was in college, which was nice to keep track of tests and assignments as well as the many happenings in my life at that time. Now I use an A5 for general planning. I also use a softcover B6 for my fitness training log, and a travelers notebook for its intended traveling purposes.
This is such a great video. I'm going to Go Wild in 2024 (second time with this year being the first). I hope I get to meet you if you are going next year. I just discovered your channel and am loving the delivery and information.
B6 is a size I really want to try! I tend to be drawn towards the smaller notebooks and B6 looks like the perfect size for me. However, right now and for the next quarter, I will use an A5.
B6 is a great size, totally recommend 💪💜
I was thinking about this the other day...and it's never really a size matter for me. rather a ''how practicle'' is it. I hate to rewrite tasks or information that I didn't get the time to complete or that changed. I'd be curious to Bullet journal in an accordeon style book. so that you can flip out some page you want to have access to (like your dutch doors) but without impacting on the handwriting after? (cutting out part of a page or adding stickers is always a kind of bummer for me as i sometimes find myself writing over the edge and then leaving a bump in my drawing or handwriting) for me, I also find that having a journal for the whole year is too much. If there is something happening and I don't feel like following what I already had planned out in my journal, I feel like that was a failure and I need to start over again. + if you have a weird schedule that require you to have multiple tasks laid out for you to organise them, you could just take a couple of connected page to have a real view at glance of anything you're working on.
Funny I found this now. I just decided to try B5 because I have large handwriting 🤞
I want a Letter sized journal for my reading journal so I can have the decoration plus the space for reviewing each book
I use B5 for my videogame journal and it works perfectly for that purpose - would love to try a suare one too, but they are so hard to find
A5 for my normal bullet journal. Anything smaller is just too small for me 😅
I am very curious about how the numbering system came about. I am clueless on why they go up and down without reason, but then I haven’t researched. Do you know why?
My only complaint I have about your videos is when you designate paper as “good quality” or “bad quality” based on gsm. A TON of pocket/A6 have good quality paper, it’s just not the weight you look for
Well yes, I do use good and bad to align with my preferences 😛 “good” to me also means white-white paper with a dot grid too. “Good” it just a faster way of saying that without having to do the whole spiel every time 🤙 though with regards to a “good” paper A6, the only A6 notebooks I’ve used at this stage are the ones with thick 160gsm paper. It’s the size that isn’t super suitable for me 😅
B5 is hard to fill, currently using b6 size its so great.. soon going to try A4 hopefully can fill up the notebook
My top 3 would be B5, A5, and I'm torn between B6 and the Travelers in third.
Been trying to get the 8x8 archer and olive are great but I'm in the UK, anyone know any British brands where i could get one?
Note, I use the Traveler’s size for budget tracking!
Jeez that was exciting at the end, not knowing who's going to be number one 😮😅 but I agree with all your choices, even though I technically just tried out 2.5 sizes 🤔 I would be curious to see how a square notebook would work for me but a) I think it would be too wide for me when opening it on the table and b) I haven't found an option that suits my needs yet, so A5 it still is 😂🤷🏼♀️
Totally fair 😝 I do have a fair amount of space on my desk so it isn't a limited factor for me thankfully 😂
The undated calenders, did you print one out and tape it in? Love your channel! New sub! ❤
Hi so I’ve used 3 sizes but do own all sizes and have planned uses for the as listed:
Letter aka Large Size- Photo Scrapbook Album
B5- Prayer/Bible Study Journal & another for my Collections/Reference Journal
A5- Visual Monthly Journal and another for my Personal Planner
Travelers- I use for a Budget Journal (LOVE THIS AND WOULD LIVE TO DO VIDEOS ON IT)
Now the ones I’ve not used but have plans for:
Square- Cozy Cafe will be my Recipe Book & Postcard will be my address/ directions book
B6- Possibly use for a personal planner or Common Place Book for just jotting down random notes.
A6- I have only 1 from A&O and 1 from Midori (I have a moleskin & a Midori Hibino both slightly larger) which I could see being used for Daily thoughts, Common Placing, or sketch ideas.
That’s All! Thanks for your video!
Sounds like a great set! Love the distinct uses for all of them 😄💜
I always wish there were a size larger than A5 but smaller than B5, because I always need a few more rows or columns than my A5 has, but like you, the amount of space on a B5 page is a bit overwhelming. Might try a square at some point, although I usually want more rows rather than more columns. I’m continuing with an A5 for my daily bujo and a B5 for long-term & yearly collections bc the extra space will be nice for large lists, vision boards, etc.
Id' be super keen to try an in-between size like that 👀
As someone who originally started out with A5, I kept wondering why I never finished them and I found that it was too big and overwhelming for me. So, I switched to a B6 and I have used it so much more. But, after I finish it, I want to try out other sizes such as: A6, B7, A7. I find that if it is a smaller notebook, I finish it up easily and it doesn't stress me out. But, I wish there were more designs for the sizes I like, they have them for A5 and understandably so, as its the most popular size. Thanks for the video!
It's impressive how much the size of a notebook can dictate our overall enjoyment and use, yeah! 💜 Cool that you found smaller was better for you 😄
This video is a masterpiece! 🤌🏼Thank you 😊
B5 then A5 for me (haven't tried a 3rd size). I have larger handwriting, so more space is better and I never take it anywhere, so portability isn't an issue. I've also found I'm not afraid of whitespace. But (!) I haven't found a B5 cover that I just love, and I love my A5 cover. 1st part of next year will be a B5.
Yeah I tend to avoid white space, so trying to fill all of the space in the B5 was a mish 😝 Totally makes sense that it's your favourite though 💪💜
I love your hair curly, btw!
Thanks! 😄💜 I’m trying to let it dry naturally 😝
i've been bujo-ing since 2017 and always did A5 but for 2023 (my bujos last a whole year) I did my first b5 and now i cant go back. so much space!
Haha it’s funny how we can try something once and it completely changes the game 😝 glad you like the B5! 💪💜
I’m thinking of using a travelers for meal planning and grocery lists. I usually use my a5 bujo, but it can be a lot to carry around the store.
That’d be a great use for that size! 💪💜
B6 is my fave. I dont decorate my bullet journal I just make grids and doodles so it works for me. I can fit a ton on the page and the journal never feels (heavy). That being said you can barely find it anywhere.
It’s a bummer that it isn’t more widely available 😔 such a great size 💜
I was excited for the B5 until I saw this. Now I'm hoping one of my black Friday mystery journals is a square journal.
The square is so great 💪 fingers crossed for you! 🤞💜
I looove the square! Where else can we find these besides A&O?
I would love to have a LS or A4 as my long term collection bujo. So far has only found one at A&O, Rhodia, Leuchtturm or as normal spiral notbooks, but those are either way too expensive, have too smal gsm or not fit for long term use.
I've got an A4 size Dingbats that might work 🤔 The paper is more cream coloured than white, and it isn't 160gsm, but it's still nice 💜
I haven't tried all sizes as I'm still fairly new to this.
I've only used A5 so far. But fir the start of 2024 I am trying a B5. Not sure how it's gonna go. Lol
Exciting! 💜 I really enjoy trying new things, and I hope you do too 😄 one of the issues I found with the B5 which I forgot to mention is that I don’t like white space when I’m journaling which is why I felt compelled to fill the sofa in the B5 😝 this didn’t work as well for me
The square seems very interesting, I'll have to try one of those.
Would recommend! It’s a great size 😄💜
I'm a basic biscuit, I use A5 for pretty much everything.
Also, look at your pretty curly hair!
Haha thanks! I'm trying to let is dry naturally rather than tying it back 😝💜
I’m love A5 but for 2024 I am going to use a B6 because I will be on the go more.
Thanks for a great video.
Most welcome! 😄💜 hope you enjoy the B6 🤞
Starting with a B5 after an A5 was too small. Big handwriting. No decorating for me, just a regular guy! 😀
B5 is a great size for writing only! 😄💜
It's so hip to be square, tho! Imma def ask you in 6 months because for me, I get square whenever I can. B5 is my second choice.
Hold me to it! 😝 square is great 💜 B5 deserves a second chance from me 😂
I wonder if A&O will offer more colors and styles in the big square journal if more people start using it. Hmmmmm.
🤞 that’d be a reasonable cause-and-effect in my opinion 😝
Great video Jess! I’ve become such a fan of the square journal for my daily driver. Love the space of what it provides.
Thanks Mark! 💜 Square is great 👏 I appreciated being surprised by it 😂
This is perfectly timed for my end-of-year planner shopping. Thank you!
Most welcome! 😄💜 Hope it was helpful!
I enjoy all of your videos, just a little distracted this time by how great your hair looks! ❤
Haha thanks! 💜 I’m trying to dry it naturally at the moment rather than tying it back 😂
I got the Archer & Olive B5 and I really liked that size. Unfortunately, Archer & Olive doesn't ship to my country anymore and there are not much alternatives. For next year my plan is to try a dated planner, because my hand doesn't like all the setup of layouts anymore (handcramps due to fibromyalgia). If I ever would like a bullet journal, I would have to choose whether I would rather go slightly bigger to A4, or slightly smaller to A5. The square would be nice, but that is even more harder to come by here than B5. Everything smaller is not even on my radar. So:
1. B5
2. Square
3+4. A5 or A4
I'm not sure if Scribbles That Matter ships to where you are, but they have B5s if that helps! 💜 They also have B5 pre-printed journals, but not sure what style those are 🤔
@@JashiiCorrin For 2024 I ordered a HObonichi, but it's been stuck at customs for 3 weeks now. If it doesn't arrive anymore, I will look into it. Thanks ☺
I rarely carry a bag and my work clothes have decent sized pockets, so my go-to is A6. I sometimes wish I had more space, but more space that gets left behind on a regular basis wouldn’t actually help. I have small handwriting so my favourite is Nuuna who do a 2.5mm grid in their A6/small notebooks, but I’d rather grid or darker dots, and I don’t love their paper for anything besides ballpoint pen. For next year I’m trialing using an A6 common planner.
I started in A6, had a brief flirtation with A4, and been consistently in an A5 since 2020.
A brief flirtation 😂 love the wording of that 👏💜
The lyrics in the A6 size. I'M CACKLING.
😂 glad you liked them 😝
square is the most aesthetically pleasing for me! but not practical since i don't decorate much
That's fair 👏 I find that my daily logs with the three columns fill up the space nicely even without decoration if that helps 😛
I did the B5 once, I did not like it :')
I found it too much 😝 but maybe that I’ve have more experience with different sizes, it’s worth a retry 😅 maybe 😂
I'm really keen to try an A6 and the square
How lovely to see your beautiful smile! Love the hair! I’m a B5 girl as I have big handwriting and use stickers or printed decorations as I can’t draw a straight line even with a ruler! Plus with three fur less kids and two fur babies, I need room to keep us all organised! I used your layout suggestions in the A6 journal I set up for my daughter! So thank you 🙏🏾 ❤
I think the square is most exciting for being able to do 3 columns per page
Yeah being able to fit so much in is a big win for me 👏💜
I just started a journal for the 1st time since retirement. I gravitated to the A6 notebook immediately because I don't have the space to store all those large notebooks. Plus I love the challenge of adorning such a small notebook. Pentalic makes a really good grid A6 (4"x6") at a really good price (they produce notebooks for sketching and painting so their journal has really great paper). Love your commentary.
B5 has turned out to be perfect for me. I don’t really decorate my journals but I usually just do a detailed weekly spread rather than having daily pages. The space available fits everything I want to include across a two page spread without being so big that its overwhelming or difficult to take with me.
This was a very useful video, thanks 📘 Now all I need is to figure out what to do with my notebooks once I’m finished with them. The pile next to my bed is looking dangerously unstable 🤣
Ooof Jess gurl, look at that background 😍🙌🏻
Haha thanks! 😄💜
An A5 is my usual go to. I've tried a B5 for the challenge, but I just don't have that much going on in my life to fill all that space. I'm going with a travelers size this year to try something new
All about trying new things 💪 and yeah, the B5 is a loooot of space 😝
Like, a threatening amount of space 😅@@JashiiCorrin
Nooooo, I thought the square would winnnnn 😂 I love your videos and you're amazing and give me inspiration to do my own, thank you so much, love you and have an amazing end of the year and next year !!! ❤❤
Aww thank-you! 💜 Sadly this one wasn't an underdog story 😂
@@JashiiCorrin ❤️❤️
This is sort of funny. I make no decorations at all, and the way the different notebooks were presented actually made me se what I could do with my functional style. Great presentation. Thank you !
Most welcome! 😄💜 Glad it was useful!
I ended up getting a B5, and some washi tape to try some pretty things with the extra room. Thank you again and see you in a few months to see how it went ^_^@@JashiiCorrin
So interesting watching this! Want to get a square one so bad but finding one in the UK is a nightmare! Unless I want to pay twice the price of the book in shipping
2:45 I love the bisexual spread
She chooses a different flag for a color palette each June, it’s a great time!
Glad you liked it! 😄💜 this year we did pansexual pride with a donuts theme 💪 last year was bisexual love-is-love potions 😈
I’m thinking of using a 8x8 bullet journal starting in January, I know you have used one so please help me…what page setting would you use for a printable? I really appreciate anything you can tell me❤
Depends on the printable really! Mine are all sized to A5 paper, so I just print from my pdf reader as "at size" (like no size scaling) 🤔 I always want to keep them in the same dimensions as the scaling on the document though 😝 If you wanted an increased size for better fitting horizontally, then maaaaaybe a ~25% increase, but I couldn't be certain as I've not tried it myself 🤔
Thanks for the info but still have a question…you print your printable on an A5 paper that you put in your 8x8 journal?
I print them using the "Actual size" option, so then it prints at the same size as it would be on A5 paper onto the A4 paper that I actually have. Then I cut around individual elements and stick them in (when I use them that is; I only really use printables in example videos rather than my personal setups)
My favorite size journal is the A5 because is great to write in and it fits well in my bag
Love the new hairdo and the new background!
Thanks Carolyn! 😄💜
My top three are a5, travelers and b6!
I found the b5 super overwhelming too while using it for my reading journal this year. There is tooo much space 😅.
Ooof, I'm not much of a reader so a B5 for a reading journal would last me a lifetime 😂💜
#1 Travelers, #2 A5
Personally I think B6 is definitely the perfect size (I primarily use B6 sketchbooks and Midi-size Paperblanks journals, midi is roughy B6 size), and I have huge problems with pockets of women’s clothes too 😂😂😂 I would love the square-shape but it’s more difficult to fit into most women’s bags. Most of my bullet journals are A5 simply because it’s the easiest to find.
B6 is the cutest size, so portable 👏 shame it isn’t more widely available 💜
I have my BuJo on a standard TN (which is my happy place planning-wise). I used a three by four monthly calendar (3 squares width and 4 squares height) and it worked for me. But I'm not a monthly girlie, to be honest. In fact, I've completely ditched the monthly calendar since 2022 and never looked back.
Yeah I wonder how a TN would work with my new planning style I'm going with in 2024 🤔 I think I'd still have a similar problem for my quarterly planning though 😝 but it'd be interesting to try...
They are my top 3 as well! Loved this vid :)
Glad you liked it! 😄💜 excellent top 3 choice 😛
My favorite is the B5 for my every day bullet journal. I currently use an A5 for my reading journal, but I'm going to try the square journal for that next year!
I do need to give the B5 another chance 😂 square for reading journal is a classic pairing 👌
This has really made me want to try one of the smaller sizes (A6/B6/Travelers). I use a traditional planner (A5 rings) for tasks and calendars, and my bujo for more "diary" or mental health style journaling and book reviews, both of which are very minimal and all but undecorated. I've been using an A5 for that this year, and it just felt too big! Might be experimenting for 2024, after all! 😂
Heck yeah for experimenting 🥳 I reckon they’re worth a trial! 😄💜