It’s awesome that you’re putting out this message. I started out with the bullet journal method and a cheap dotted notebook before putting in more $ towards it. I built up the habit to where I just finished using a 480 page A5 nanami seven seas journal in 10 months. It made me proud to see that I could put so much effort into something for a long time. Like you said, try the routine of it and then see if you want to maintain it. Now I’m planning to move into an undated B5 planner with monthly and weekly outlines. Since I know that not having dates makes my life easier and pulls me in to the planner because I can make what I need. I’ve started creating mock b5 pages to get a feel for planning in it.
That is awesome! I loved reading about your plan and how making mock spreads and building a habit is a true testimony for you. It is always so interesting to me to hear that undated pulls people in because I feel the opposite! I need the accountability of a dated planner! Good luck in the upcoming planner season and 2025 prep!
JASMIN! I'm literally 7 minutes in and I adore this already. We really do need some kind of index or documentation of stationery issues from consumerism to system creation to influencing, and I love that you're creating a home for it here. Thank you!!
I am glad that you made a video on this. This needs to be spoken about. There are so many people hauling journal and planners all the time and then just tossing them aside. The prices of some of these books are astounding. I didn't even know. I had a problem with buying custom planner binders a couple years ago and so this year I decided to sell them all and move to traveler's notebooks. I needed to go back to the basics. And I am so glad that I did. It was the best decision that I made. I am so happy in the TN regular size. I don't feel the need to try anything else. You can even put rings in travelers which I may do for my commonplace TN just so I can add and remove pages. I am looking forward to customizing them in the future to make them fully mine. But when you find something that works it feels so nice and freeing. I am no longer tempted. One creator said that when you finally find your system, it feels like a warm glass of milk. Thanks again for sending me those ink samples and the chats on ig. :)
I absolutely had a problem buying brand new bullet journals because new covers would be released. I had a collection that would last me 10 years if I used 2-3 journals per year! I’ve since sold them all and lost money on every single one. It was stressful and tedious to resell them and you’d think I learned my lesson but I went and did the same thing with Traveler’s Notebook covers just months later 😆 with a year under my belt using TNs I’m now learning what works for me and where I find the most joy in using my TNs. Now I don’t have the urge to add another cover but instead enjoy what I have and hope I have the courage to let some go as time passes.
This was my first full year using planners and journals together and I fell down a huge rabbit hole... But let me say... It's TRULY helped me with my ADHD brain and mental health because of journaling.... I ordered from so many companies and the one I didn't think I would use the most I did (hobinichi) and the one I wanted the absolute most I've hardly touched.... I did find sterling ink and the options she is giving for 2025 is UNMATCHED. so I've decided to stick to ONE brand - a small business to support them because she truly went above and beyond for her customers... And I'm only going to allow myself to TRY ONE new company each year only after I figure out what works best for me... I'm still working on the sizes but I do know what I need.. a lot of people get caught up in what everyone else is getting (FOMO) but a lot of people fail to realize most influencers online get A LOT of their items for FREE so they will market their brand... They aren't always putting a car down payment on planners every year. We also have to stop obsessing about how our planners look for EVERYONE but ourselves when most people never even see our layouts unless it's on FB groups. We have to stop comparing ourselves to people who have also been doing it A LOT longer than us.... We can become well rounded once we have a few years behind us as well.. it has to work for US, not everyone else .. we are all different. If it's not useful or bringing something positive to our lives then it's silly to spend monthly rent on planner items.... BUT with this said... If it makes people happy and they can afford it -- let them go for it. We shouldn't judge what anyone else does as long as it works for them. Anyone who has extra planner items (a hoard like I did with happy planner before I lost everything to my name leaving an abusive relationship) donate to people like myself! I love stationary items and when I lost everything.... It almost broke me because these things bring me joy when most days were only pain .. donate them to women shelters where they are leaving abusive relationships and they have no idea how to plan because they weren't allowed to work or do anything... I did that and ended up volunteering and the woman.... It's just a beautiful experience to see them become self dependent and confident in being able to run their home on their own knowing they are more than capable. Donate to schools, or sell and make your money back and save it away for next year's planners so you can buy the planners you want and maybe even a new cover! Tons of ideas for items that we are no longer using. Last thing (sorry for my ADHD motivated rant lol) but I make a wishlist -- I put the items I want but I wait 30 days and when I could afford things I would go through it every 30 days and if I was no longer interested or it didn't spark joy -- I crossed it off! We just have to stop being so impulsive with our buys which trust me, if I wasn't a struggling single mom I would have these issues as well. And also, sell stuff you're not using and don't buy anything until you have money from those sales. These are a few things that have helped me! I hope this makes sense. I've been driving for 9 hours today and my brain is mush. Thank you for posting a video that hopefully helps someone new coming into the community because I know how overwhelming it can be!
@@Chaos_and_Creativity I discussed this once on Instagram with a poll and my EU followers were absolutely flabbergasted that North American followers were buying planners with credit cards and adding on debt for stationery purchases. There is a huge difference in how general populations see shopping because of how we’ve been exposed and marketed to since we were kids!!! When I heard an account I follow say they were in debt because of the fountain pens they were buying…that really put it into perspective for me that it’s not worth it!
Amazing video, I loved listening to you and hearing your advice, thoughts and experiences. Thank you so much! I often find myself feeling overwhelmed with choices and I often have to remind myself what works for someone doesn't mean it will work for me 💖
This is the most relatable video I’ve seen recently regarding “getting them all only to ditch it or forget about it in a few months”. Like you I had plans to use this journal for this and that journal for that, etc. But February rolled around and I found out I was pregnant and started to feel exhausted during my first trimester. I had to ditch some planners/journals or put most of them on pause. I continued to decorate my bullet journal. But put most of my plans on post it’s as I wanted to take a before the pen photo. Which I eventually did so now I’ve been backlogging and I get the whole it’s taking the joy out of journaling for me. So I had to step back. I recently jumped back into my TN weekly log which I’m still finding my rhythm, but so far enjoying and loving the process. This was such an eye opening video because now I need to reevaluate with how I wanna use my planners/journals for next year because like you I’ll have a new baby at the end of the year. This is my first pregnancy so I may have added an another journal to my list which I’m also having fun with because I get to log all sorts of things pregnancy related and get to see this and reflect on this later on in life. But this was such a great video overall. Thank you talking about reflecting on what we need and what we don’t need. And to also remind us not to fall for the marketing strategies of buying everything.
Congratulations on your pregnancy and good luck to you! Wishing you a safe and healthy delivery! The newborn stage is a nice time to sit and journal because they can sleep on your chest if you wrap them up or if they are good sleepers will stay in their sleep space. But definitely give yourself grace as you learn this new chapter! I took on too much when my son was born because I could, but when he started crawling and moving around, it became hard to keep up with my journals! as much as we love this hobby, the demands of our lives change and so will our planners & journals. I hope you find what works for you in your next season of life!
This is such a great topic to address!!! I think once you find what works for you, there’s power in having a sense of pride knowing what works for you and sticking with it. Also taking pride in being simple in a world of consumption, i try to use what i already have and make “stickers” out of cut outs from magazines and church bulletins and trash. Not to promote “pride” or thinking your better than someone else, but this is what helps me as someone who COMPLETELY relates to constantly being influenced and a lot of times succumbs to that influence. Ps- congrats on your baby! I’m due with my first next week :)
You got it exactly! I’m in a place where I’m confident and proud to to know that A6 and standard TN are sizes that are versatile for me. I think it is great to feel that sense of pride in finding what worked because often times a lot of trial and error came before that moment. Congrats to you too! Wishing you a safe labor and delivery to a healthy baby 🥰
You're so right! While I'm collecting pretty notebooks, I do not mind them being shelf trophies. It's just the designs I enjoy, I've accepted this. Planners on the other hand, are different. If I purchase this, I want to use it. I know I'm weekly planning, I've done this for years. For a while I have been writing down my gratitude, so I know I'm going to this in 2025 also. And I just started daily writing in a Hobonichi I abandoned last year because I wanted to try something and it works so far. Just to showcase what you are saying.
Thank you for sharing! I think it’s so important for others watching to read personal testimonies! No matter how seasoned a planner, it’s always nice to hear and get community confirmation about these points.
So many useful gold nuggets and tips, I also love how you included examples of your own decisions and what you're not getting next month. Perfect timing as I'm just starting to think about what planner systems to get for next year. Thanks for the video!💜
I do a meeting with my planners and notebooks every year. I shop my stash and create my wishlist. It's really comforting. I have my planner (switched from vertical to horizontal but stayed with Hemlock and Oak) and my notebook (switched from weeks size to TN standard size but kept the same Tomoe River Paper). A planner and a notebook is my perfect balance of beautiful structure and messy flexibility.
Great video and perfect timing. I am going to keep it simple for 2025. I might purchase another A6 Aura Estelle Catch All or Sterling Inks A6 Common Planner. I will also purchase a TN Horizontal Daily for my Gratitude Journal for the 3rd year in a row. The OURS Studio planner didn't work for me this year, as well as the Traveler's Passport size (it's too tiny for me) and the Skinny Happy Planner. Jas your not alone in buying all the "things" for 2024. I wish you the best with your purchases. ❤❤
I applaud you on 3 years of gratitude journaling! That is a great journaling habit! I wish you the best of luck too and that we stick to our No Buy lists and wishlists
Thank you so much for such a thoughtful conversation. A mantra I use very regularly for planners and other things is "I do not have to own it to appreciate it." There are so many more beautiful things in the world than I could ever acquire. Many incredible things can't be acquired. We still appreciate and are inspired by all of them. I had a dramatic shift in lifestyle about a year ago and have found myself planning less and journaling more. At this point I have 3 daily books - a small passport booklet for planning 'lite' (new addition midway through the year to experiment separating planning from journaling), my A5 common planner for journaling (used to be primarily a planner/notes), and a repurposed PaperTess Designs TN size undated Yearly Planner as a five year journal. This is working so well for me. Keeping it the same next year, but switching out my passport for PTD Daily Pocket. But the functionality of it will be the same as my passport. There is SO much inspiration out there, but I am very content with the paper home I have created for myself.
That mantra is so spot on! I am going to share that one day. It is absolutely true and a great mindset to be able to shift from FOMO of lusting over something we can’t have to appreciating something we don’t need.
i had my Hobonichi favorites (de facto cart) already locked and loaded, and then i sobered up and came to terms with the fact that as much as i theoretically like vertical weeklies, i dont... actually like it? or at least not in the Cousin setup. and i hate the quotes and the space they take up. and that i really just want montly calendars and enough blank pages to write on. ok so no weeklies ... thats the Day Free. but no quotes? then thats the plain grid notebook. i can draw lines for 12-14 months if it means there are no quotes! so instead of a Cousin or a HON, im gonna get either 1 each of the grid and blank notebooks or 2 of the grid. and the Kitagishi cover that i love 😅
I enjoyed reading your thought process! It really shows that all we need is pen and paper! A little bit of prep work and you’ll have your monthly calendars and all the blank pages you want!
I want to try a hobonichi cousin because the dailies are laid out the same way my fave bujo dailies get drawn up. I time/task track, so i use that time scale on the left, and then the whole page is open for notes, writing, journaling... I love that layout. I've thought about it carefully. But since deciding I'm def trying one, i decided to use up my notebook stash. So on my vacation this year i worked up my couple remaining dot grid A5s into half year journals for 2025. I'm slowly integrating common placing into my daily journaling as well, so that's going to shift things. So I'm looking at integrating common place color coding into my pages and just leaving myself that flexibility, trying the cousin for 2026 to see if the paper is a win for me personally, and then try basic, traditional bujo system with common placing in dailies in a lined notebook for 2027. All the while I'll be trying to use up pens and markers etc and working to simplify my tool set overall. I will say, I finally started the switch to fountain pens in efforts to reduce waste beyond gel refills and they have absolutely reignited my love of journaling, writing, and generally sitting down to reflect. They feel like a ritual - carefully uncapping, posting, and then enjoying the process of ink to page. BUT, it's 110% true that's not the case most of the time for most people with most products. We think a certain thing will give us that, but it's the DOING that really makes the difference.
Watch Tori on Paper - she has a couple amazing videos showing how you can use the cousin but do different layouts weekly and how you can modify the pages to work for you in really any way possible! I just watched a couple and it made me fall back in love with my cousin... It was my first year in one (A6 and A5 because my brother brought them back from Japan when he went last year) and I was SO CONSISTENT in it until I left an abusive relationship and lost everything so for a couple months my heart wasn't into it, until I watched her videos (and there are a ton of others)... Just wanted to put that out there if you come to find a certain layout or page isn't working for you -- you CAN make it work for you with just a little time and love!
Fantastic conversation! I really appreciate this video. I already told myself I would not be buying “extra” planners/journals that I am never going to use. I will be buying from small businesses and only buying what I need for the year. I believe I have found what works for me. I’m sticking with one planner and one undated journal. I also do not plan on purchasing extra stuff. I also believe I have found the fountain pens that work for me. Even though they’re a bit expensive, I prefer to buy one a year rather than having a whole ton of cheap pens that I will never use. I could care less about the latest and greatest. I go for what works for me. I also hate clutter so this helps me not to over-buy. I have an issue with stuff sitting around and not get used. It literally gives me anxiety.
I hate clutter too. Once it starts to overflow my space and prevent me from being creative, it starts to stress me out and have anxiety too. I’m starting to get to that point now because we’ve moved to a smaller space. Seeing my entire collection of stationery and all the things brand new or unused is sickening! It’s my wake up call to resell, declutter my stationery as well as who I follow on social media, and practice harder on self control.
There are so many people worried about their planner line up and it’s literally September. We have to plan for the season we are in. I went from an a5 to a b6 because I don’t have the time to journal like I used to pre child. And I’m going to an even smaller size because I’m going back to work. The amount of people buying to buy but the hobby is planning not hoarding.
I love that you're talking about stationery and planners. I have been using a planner for most of my life and you do need to try different styles and sizes and it does take time to find out what style and size works best for you. I have been collecting planners and planner supplies for years so I do have a large amount of supplies. I have been using Erin Condren softbound
I’m going on 7 years now since collecting and keeping bits from my stationery and planning. I used to toss my agendas but since bullet journaling I’ve started to archive my planners. Its starts to become physically too much as space runs out!
Thank you for this open and non-accusatory discussion of shop marketing tactics. I recently realized what a marketing genius a shop owner is that I bought exclusively from. I am annoyed with myself that I fell for the strategies. I hand it to the shop owner. The person is very skilled at marketing. I do not blame the individual for being manipulative. That is the person's livelihood. I am just frustrated that I allowed myself to fall for it. After this realization, I have stopped following social media and TH-cam posts. I am shocked by how addicted I was and by how much money I spent because I failed to understand the marketing tactics. I hope others who hear your discussion are able to honestly consider how they respond to marketing. In these tough economic times, most of us need to reconsider how we spend money.
Yes! I feel the same way. I don’t blame the shop owners, it’s business after all! They know how to play into our emotions. Being aware of the tactics definitely help to combat shopping. I’ve done the same to unfollow shop accounts but stay following personal accounts if they have one.
Wow THANK YOU for this video! This is such an important and refreshing conversation and we need to discuss these things more. It’s so nice to know that I’m not alone in my feelings. Planner season is so exciting, but I’ve also been feeling so overwhelmed by influencers. I struggle sooo much with fomo and being easily influenced by social media. I'm definitely trying to find a balance and set boundaries. Thank you for these tips and for being so thoughtful and genuine. Subscribed!
Thank you so much! I am easily influenced too! A majority of the time I’m talking to convince myself of my own advice and remind myself of this dialogue that I don’t need everything everyone else is using and doing!
Loved this whole conversation and look forward to more of these!! I love the in depth analysis of it all! It’s like trying to find root cause into why we do the things we do or why we need certain things and then fixating on it only to end up chucking it later down the road lol. I’m totally guilty of this! I’m also that enabler friend with the YOLO mindset lol 🤣🤣 I did too much planner hopping last year that made myself crazy and am really proud (and surprised) I stuck with my books as far as I have this year! You and Emily shared soooo many golden nuggets and I resonated with so many of them too! As for my 2025 line-up: Sticking with what I know works and definitely more of the same this year (b6 planner but a different brand/layout, a5 hobo as memory keeper, 5Y in my 3rd year!, a6 personal diary, a Sterling Ink TN for hobbies/joy. Single TN insert for monthly food log. Also giving myself some room to play and I think it was Sujey who had one book to just experiment with - loved that method so gonna try that lol.
I feel I’m going to end up doing the same! Keep everything the same and allow for one new thing to experiment with. It seems the most practical and logical while allowing room for someone new fun and exciting!
Thanks for this video. It was constructive & made my decision even stronger to stick to what worked for me from my experience since re-entering this community. I definitely will shop the stash that I've accumulated since Sept '21. I am sticking to my Hobonichi weeks, A6 (I have not decided if it'll be the reg, avec, or Hon yet), and getting the Hobonichi ntbk like you cz of the paper. B6 for my journal, tho, thinking of the B6 Slim for 2025. For TN, I also won't get the dated ones but only be getting the stickers & if they come out with nice insert covers. I have to create a list of what not to buy. I am also not gonna try to buy cz of FOMO until I am really sure that I am really going to use the product. I did pre-order 2 planners already, the TN undated Faded Chronicle & the creffectivepaper passport before I really thought about the situation, hopefully, I'll like it. Looking forward to more episodes like these to keep us in check of reality. Another episode or topic that I would like to learn more about is how to sell for a destash safely. I wanted to do this but I am really scared that's why up until now I haven't done it. Good Luck with the rest of your pregnancy & wishing you a safe delivery. 😊🙏
I’m so glad the video was insightful for you! Talking about how to destash would be an excellent topic! Thank you for that suggestion! I think it would be very helpful. Thank you for the well wishes 🥰
This is such a helpful video! Thank you for keeping it so real. I’ve been debating whether to switch up my planner system, and you’ve really inspired me to stick with what’s working already. I do have a couple areas I can tweak, but for the most part it’s an “if it’s not broke don’t fix it” situation.
In the spirit for planning your purchases, Catherine from Sterling Ink homeschools her son and if I remember correctly she created her academic planner for that need. You could consider watching her videos to see if it fits your needs.
On your comment about doing math just to use journals, I can relate. Bulletproof Journals has a short video on BuJo Time Saving Tricks. I think you might find it very useful!
Thank you for that info! I didn’t know she homeschools her kids. I’ll have to check her shop out again. Her shops is one that I’ve unsubscribed from and unfollowed given that her past products didn’t resonate with my style of planning or journaling. Now that I have a different need I’m interested to see if anything she offers will work for me.
Jas! Such a great topic and video! I am actually writing a small article about a similar topic at the moment. This needs to be talked more and more in the community.
Thank you for the amazing conversation, Jas! I love having a thought partner in you! I will def refer back to these thoughts when planner season starts!
Fellow homeschool mom of 2 kids (4th and 2nd grade) and also pregnant 😆. I love logging in plotter for school! It’s great! Trying to figure out my personal plans for 2025 too since babies make time scarce. So far I’m thinking personal rings and tested 8lotus inserts for fountain pens. I’ve abandoned my Hobonichi cousin but it was great for a pre-pregnancy season. Both my 4th grader and 2nd grader LOVE their individual cousin HONs. They put their chores and daily routines + washi and stickers each day.
Oh I am totally going to get my kids A6 HONs when they are old enough to log daily tasks 😍 I think rings will be the easiest thing for me to experiment with given it’s my first year homeschooling.
Thanks for this video!! You put so much time into recording, and doing it twice! Your dedication is really admirable ✨ I will say though, paper planning did change my life. As someone with a lot going on, paper planning is what helped me focus in ways that digital calendars couldn't. I also happened to pick up a hobonichi a6 on a whim and that started my journalling habit, so maybe I'm just an exception to the rule 😅
I think everyone in this hobby will agree with you in some way that the habit of paper planning and journaling has changed their life. Journaling change my life in SO many ways! The physical planner tho, layout, page count and all, won’t change a persons life and that’s the distinction I was trying to make. I hear way too many times about how “if I change to this planner maybe I’ll get more productive or organized” Somewhere along the way people forget that the planner is supposed to serve as a tool, not the solution.
@@journalwithjasAND there are literally SO MANY different ways to change your planner layout to work for you.... But I will say size HAS been difficult for me, because I do want to be happy in whatever size I choose because if I'm not, I won't use it. So I've had to try multiple sizes to see what works... Luckily there aren't dozens and dozens and sizes and after finally trying them all this year, I'm much closer to knowing what fits my needs... If I told you what I started with and ended up with you would think I was crazy lol but at least I know (for the most part) what works And I'll be sticking with a small business and only buying ONE new planner brand a year to be creative in and see if it's something I could use for the following year but if I don't have it picked by January then I'm not doing it. I would much rather create a healthy and long lasting routine than have my hobby and something that has made so many positive changes in my life become stressful and overwhelming... Literally defeats the purpose lol
Love listening! Is this a podcast ongoing?!? Regarding your themed journals - would love to hear about your update - how you feel about compartmentalizing everything versus people who archive in one book - all the things!
You are so right. I have 2 tns in passport and regular which i use everyday, went to japan early this year and at that time im contented with my 2tns which i also brought wd me that travel. Now that im watching tn videos, im itching on getting more limited editions like the airport and records limited editions. And regretted not havent bought tns in my japan trip. Good thing i contemplated and asked myself do i really need another one? And your video confirms that we dont really more that just sits in our shelves.
And speaking from my own experience, once we own in excess, it can be hard to let go because we make excuses to keep them! I’ve tried and tried countless times to minimize my TN covers but each one I create a sentimental story and it becomes hard to let it go! it’s much easier for me to prevent buying something all together than to try to move on from it and resell.
It’s awesome that you’re putting out this message. I started out with the bullet journal method and a cheap dotted notebook before putting in more $ towards it. I built up the habit to where I just finished using a 480 page A5 nanami seven seas journal in 10 months. It made me proud to see that I could put so much effort into something for a long time.
Like you said, try the routine of it and then see if you want to maintain it.
Now I’m planning to move into an undated B5 planner with monthly and weekly outlines. Since I know that not having dates makes my life easier and pulls me in to the planner because I can make what I need. I’ve started creating mock b5 pages to get a feel for planning in it.
That is awesome! I loved reading about your plan and how making mock spreads and building a habit is a true testimony for you. It is always so interesting to me to hear that undated pulls people in because I feel the opposite! I need the accountability of a dated planner! Good luck in the upcoming planner season and 2025 prep!
JASMIN! I'm literally 7 minutes in and I adore this already. We really do need some kind of index or documentation of stationery issues from consumerism to system creation to influencing, and I love that you're creating a home for it here. Thank you!!
Thank you so much! I appreciate your comment and hope more conversations like these can happen!
I am glad that you made a video on this. This needs to be spoken about. There are so many people hauling journal and planners all the time and then just tossing them aside. The prices of some of these books are astounding. I didn't even know. I had a problem with buying custom planner binders a couple years ago and so this year I decided to sell them all and move to traveler's notebooks. I needed to go back to the basics. And I am so glad that I did. It was the best decision that I made. I am so happy in the TN regular size. I don't feel the need to try anything else. You can even put rings in travelers which I may do for my commonplace TN just so I can add and remove pages. I am looking forward to customizing them in the future to make them fully mine. But when you find something that works it feels so nice and freeing. I am no longer tempted. One creator said that when you finally find your system, it feels like a warm glass of milk. Thanks again for sending me those ink samples and the chats on ig. :)
I absolutely had a problem buying brand new bullet journals because new covers would be released. I had a collection that would last me 10 years if I used 2-3 journals per year! I’ve since sold them all and lost money on every single one. It was stressful and tedious to resell them and you’d think I learned my lesson but I went and did the same thing with Traveler’s Notebook covers just months later 😆 with a year under my belt using TNs I’m now learning what works for me and where I find the most joy in using my TNs. Now I don’t have the urge to add another cover but instead enjoy what I have and hope I have the courage to let some go as time passes.
This was my first full year using planners and journals together and I fell down a huge rabbit hole... But let me say... It's TRULY helped me with my ADHD brain and mental health because of journaling.... I ordered from so many companies and the one I didn't think I would use the most I did (hobinichi) and the one I wanted the absolute most I've hardly touched.... I did find sterling ink and the options she is giving for 2025 is UNMATCHED. so I've decided to stick to ONE brand - a small business to support them because she truly went above and beyond for her customers... And I'm only going to allow myself to TRY ONE new company each year only after I figure out what works best for me... I'm still working on the sizes but I do know what I need.. a lot of people get caught up in what everyone else is getting (FOMO) but a lot of people fail to realize most influencers online get A LOT of their items for FREE so they will market their brand... They aren't always putting a car down payment on planners every year. We also have to stop obsessing about how our planners look for EVERYONE but ourselves when most people never even see our layouts unless it's on FB groups. We have to stop comparing ourselves to people who have also been doing it A LOT longer than us.... We can become well rounded once we have a few years behind us as well.. it has to work for US, not everyone else .. we are all different. If it's not useful or bringing something positive to our lives then it's silly to spend monthly rent on planner items.... BUT with this said... If it makes people happy and they can afford it -- let them go for it. We shouldn't judge what anyone else does as long as it works for them.
Anyone who has extra planner items (a hoard like I did with happy planner before I lost everything to my name leaving an abusive relationship) donate to people like myself! I love stationary items and when I lost everything.... It almost broke me because these things bring me joy when most days were only pain .. donate them to women shelters where they are leaving abusive relationships and they have no idea how to plan because they weren't allowed to work or do anything... I did that and ended up volunteering and the woman.... It's just a beautiful experience to see them become self dependent and confident in being able to run their home on their own knowing they are more than capable. Donate to schools, or sell and make your money back and save it away for next year's planners so you can buy the planners you want and maybe even a new cover! Tons of ideas for items that we are no longer using.
Last thing (sorry for my ADHD motivated rant lol) but I make a wishlist -- I put the items I want but I wait 30 days and when I could afford things I would go through it every 30 days and if I was no longer interested or it didn't spark joy -- I crossed it off! We just have to stop being so impulsive with our buys which trust me, if I wasn't a struggling single mom I would have these issues as well. And also, sell stuff you're not using and don't buy anything until you have money from those sales. These are a few things that have helped me!
I hope this makes sense. I've been driving for 9 hours today and my brain is mush. Thank you for posting a video that hopefully helps someone new coming into the community because I know how overwhelming it can be!
@@Chaos_and_Creativity I discussed this once on Instagram with a poll and my EU followers were absolutely flabbergasted that North American followers were buying planners with credit cards and adding on debt for stationery purchases. There is a huge difference in how general populations see shopping because of how we’ve been exposed and marketed to since we were kids!!! When I heard an account I follow say they were in debt because of the fountain pens they were buying…that really put it into perspective for me that it’s not worth it!
Great conversation! “That it doesn’t become fun anymore” was the turning point for me! Shopping my stash this year is my goal!
Amazing video, I loved listening to you and hearing your advice, thoughts and experiences. Thank you so much! I often find myself feeling overwhelmed with choices and I often have to remind myself what works for someone doesn't mean it will work for me 💖
This is the most relatable video I’ve seen recently regarding “getting them all only to ditch it or forget about it in a few months”. Like you I had plans to use this journal for this and that journal for that, etc. But February rolled around and I found out I was pregnant and started to feel exhausted during my first trimester. I had to ditch some planners/journals or put most of them on pause. I continued to decorate my bullet journal. But put most of my plans on post it’s as I wanted to take a before the pen photo. Which I eventually did so now I’ve been backlogging and I get the whole it’s taking the joy out of journaling for me. So I had to step back. I recently jumped back into my TN weekly log which I’m still finding my rhythm, but so far enjoying and loving the process. This was such an eye opening video because now I need to reevaluate with how I wanna use my planners/journals for next year because like you I’ll have a new baby at the end of the year. This is my first pregnancy so I may have added an another journal to my list which I’m also having fun with because I get to log all sorts of things pregnancy related and get to see this and reflect on this later on in life. But this was such a great video overall. Thank you talking about reflecting on what we need and what we don’t need. And to also remind us not to fall for the marketing strategies of buying everything.
Congratulations on your pregnancy and good luck to you! Wishing you a safe and healthy delivery! The newborn stage is a nice time to sit and journal because they can sleep on your chest if you wrap them up or if they are good sleepers will stay in their sleep space. But definitely give yourself grace as you learn this new chapter! I took on too much when my son was born because I could, but when he started crawling and moving around, it became hard to keep up with my journals! as much as we love this hobby, the demands of our lives change and so will our planners & journals. I hope you find what works for you in your next season of life!
Station-nerdy!! Love it!
Thank you for being so brave to talk about this which is the toughest and itchiest topic in our community🙌
This is such a great topic to address!!!
I think once you find what works for you, there’s power in having a sense of pride knowing what works for you and sticking with it. Also taking pride in being simple in a world of consumption, i try to use what i already have and make “stickers” out of cut outs from magazines and church bulletins and trash.
Not to promote “pride” or thinking your better than someone else, but this is what helps me as someone who COMPLETELY relates to constantly being influenced and a lot of times succumbs to that influence.
Ps- congrats on your baby! I’m due with my first next week :)
You got it exactly! I’m in a place where I’m confident and proud to to know that A6 and standard TN are sizes that are versatile for me.
I think it is great to feel that sense of pride in finding what worked because often times a lot of trial and error came before that moment.
Congrats to you too! Wishing you a safe labor and delivery to a healthy baby 🥰
Thank you! :’)
You're so right! While I'm collecting pretty notebooks, I do not mind them being shelf trophies. It's just the designs I enjoy, I've accepted this. Planners on the other hand, are different. If I purchase this, I want to use it. I know I'm weekly planning, I've done this for years. For a while I have been writing down my gratitude, so I know I'm going to this in 2025 also. And I just started daily writing in a Hobonichi I abandoned last year because I wanted to try something and it works so far. Just to showcase what you are saying.
Thank you for sharing! I think it’s so important for others watching to read personal testimonies! No matter how seasoned a planner, it’s always nice to hear and get community confirmation about these points.
So many useful gold nuggets and tips, I also love how you included examples of your own decisions and what you're not getting next month. Perfect timing as I'm just starting to think about what planner systems to get for next year. Thanks for the video!💜
Thank you so much for watching Marc!
I do a meeting with my planners and notebooks every year. I shop my stash and create my wishlist. It's really comforting.
I have my planner (switched from vertical to horizontal but stayed with Hemlock and Oak) and my notebook (switched from weeks size to TN standard size but kept the same Tomoe River Paper). A planner and a notebook is my perfect balance of beautiful structure and messy flexibility.
Great video and perfect timing. I am going to keep it simple for 2025. I might purchase another A6 Aura Estelle Catch All or Sterling Inks A6 Common Planner. I will also purchase a TN Horizontal Daily for my Gratitude Journal for the 3rd year in a row. The OURS Studio planner didn't work for me this year, as well as the Traveler's Passport size (it's too tiny for me) and the Skinny Happy Planner. Jas your not alone in buying all the "things" for 2024. I wish you the best with your purchases. ❤❤
I applaud you on 3 years of gratitude journaling! That is a great journaling habit! I wish you the best of luck too and that we stick to our No Buy lists and wishlists
@@journalwithjas ❤
Thank you so much for such a thoughtful conversation. A mantra I use very regularly for planners and other things is "I do not have to own it to appreciate it." There are so many more beautiful things in the world than I could ever acquire. Many incredible things can't be acquired. We still appreciate and are inspired by all of them.
I had a dramatic shift in lifestyle about a year ago and have found myself planning less and journaling more. At this point I have 3 daily books - a small passport booklet for planning 'lite' (new addition midway through the year to experiment separating planning from journaling), my A5 common planner for journaling (used to be primarily a planner/notes), and a repurposed PaperTess Designs TN size undated Yearly Planner as a five year journal. This is working so well for me. Keeping it the same next year, but switching out my passport for PTD Daily Pocket. But the functionality of it will be the same as my passport. There is SO much inspiration out there, but I am very content with the paper home I have created for myself.
That mantra is so spot on! I am going to share that one day. It is absolutely true and a great mindset to be able to shift from FOMO of lusting over something we can’t have to appreciating something we don’t need.
I absolutely LOVE what you said about not having to own something beautiful to appreciate it... That really hit home with me!
i had my Hobonichi favorites (de facto cart) already locked and loaded, and then i sobered up and came to terms with the fact that as much as i theoretically like vertical weeklies, i dont... actually like it? or at least not in the Cousin setup. and i hate the quotes and the space they take up. and that i really just want montly calendars and enough blank pages to write on. ok so no weeklies ... thats the Day Free. but no quotes? then thats the plain grid notebook. i can draw lines for 12-14 months if it means there are no quotes!
so instead of a Cousin or a HON, im gonna get either 1 each of the grid and blank notebooks or 2 of the grid. and the Kitagishi cover that i love 😅
I enjoyed reading your thought process! It really shows that all we need is pen and paper! A little bit of prep work and you’ll have your monthly calendars and all the blank pages you want!
I want to try a hobonichi cousin because the dailies are laid out the same way my fave bujo dailies get drawn up. I time/task track, so i use that time scale on the left, and then the whole page is open for notes, writing, journaling... I love that layout. I've thought about it carefully.
But since deciding I'm def trying one, i decided to use up my notebook stash. So on my vacation this year i worked up my couple remaining dot grid A5s into half year journals for 2025.
I'm slowly integrating common placing into my daily journaling as well, so that's going to shift things. So I'm looking at integrating common place color coding into my pages and just leaving myself that flexibility, trying the cousin for 2026 to see if the paper is a win for me personally, and then try basic, traditional bujo system with common placing in dailies in a lined notebook for 2027.
All the while I'll be trying to use up pens and markers etc and working to simplify my tool set overall.
I will say, I finally started the switch to fountain pens in efforts to reduce waste beyond gel refills and they have absolutely reignited my love of journaling, writing, and generally sitting down to reflect. They feel like a ritual - carefully uncapping, posting, and then enjoying the process of ink to page.
BUT, it's 110% true that's not the case most of the time for most people with most products. We think a certain thing will give us that, but it's the DOING that really makes the difference.
Watch Tori on Paper - she has a couple amazing videos showing how you can use the cousin but do different layouts weekly and how you can modify the pages to work for you in really any way possible! I just watched a couple and it made me fall back in love with my cousin... It was my first year in one (A6 and A5 because my brother brought them back from Japan when he went last year) and I was SO CONSISTENT in it until I left an abusive relationship and lost everything so for a couple months my heart wasn't into it, until I watched her videos (and there are a ton of others)... Just wanted to put that out there if you come to find a certain layout or page isn't working for you -- you CAN make it work for you with just a little time and love!
Fantastic conversation! I really appreciate this video. I already told myself I would not be buying “extra” planners/journals that I am never going to use. I will be buying from small businesses and only buying what I need for the year. I believe I have found what works for me. I’m sticking with one planner and one undated journal. I also do not plan on purchasing extra stuff. I also believe I have found the fountain pens that work for me. Even though they’re a bit expensive, I prefer to buy one a year rather than having a whole ton of cheap pens that I will never use. I could care less about the latest and greatest. I go for what works for me.
I also hate clutter so this helps me not to over-buy. I have an issue with stuff sitting around and not get used. It literally gives me anxiety.
I hate clutter too. Once it starts to overflow my space and prevent me from being creative, it starts to stress me out and have anxiety too. I’m starting to get to that point now because we’ve moved to a smaller space. Seeing my entire collection of stationery and all the things brand new or unused is sickening! It’s my wake up call to resell, declutter my stationery as well as who I follow on social media, and practice harder on self control.
I absolutely love this conversation/topic (and all your content!) it's so important to talk about this in our community. Thank you Jasmin!
Thank you so much Sandy! Goodluck in the upcoming planner season!!!
There are so many people worried about their planner line up and it’s literally September. We have to plan for the season we are in. I went from an a5 to a b6 because I don’t have the time to journal like I used to pre child. And I’m going to an even smaller size because I’m going back to work. The amount of people buying to buy but the hobby is planning not hoarding.
Absolutely! I’ve found going to smaller sizes has been much more manageable for me as well post-children. And yes to the planning > hoarding
I love that you're talking about stationery and planners. I have been using a planner for most of my life and you do need to try different styles and sizes and it does take time to find out what style and size works best for you. I have been collecting planners and planner supplies for years so I do have a large amount of supplies. I have been using Erin Condren softbound
I’m going on 7 years now since collecting and keeping bits from my stationery and planning. I used to toss my agendas but since bullet journaling I’ve started to archive my planners. Its starts to become physically too much as space runs out!
Thank you for this open and non-accusatory discussion of shop marketing tactics. I recently realized what a marketing genius a shop owner is that I bought exclusively from. I am annoyed with myself that I fell for the strategies. I hand it to the shop owner. The person is very skilled at marketing. I do not blame the individual for being manipulative. That is the person's livelihood. I am just frustrated that I allowed myself to fall for it. After this realization, I have stopped following social media and TH-cam posts. I am shocked by how addicted I was and by how much money I spent because I failed to understand the marketing tactics. I hope others who hear your discussion are able to honestly consider how they respond to marketing. In these tough economic times, most of us need to reconsider how we spend money.
Yes! I feel the same way. I don’t blame the shop owners, it’s business after all! They know how to play into our emotions. Being aware of the tactics definitely help to combat shopping. I’ve done the same to unfollow shop accounts but stay following personal accounts if they have one.
Also your voice is so soothing to listen to
Wow THANK YOU for this video! This is such an important and refreshing conversation and we need to discuss these things more. It’s so nice to know that I’m not alone in my feelings. Planner season is so exciting, but I’ve also been feeling so overwhelmed by influencers. I struggle sooo much with fomo and being easily influenced by social media. I'm definitely trying to find a balance and set boundaries. Thank you for these tips and for being so thoughtful and genuine. Subscribed!
Thank you so much! I am easily influenced too! A majority of the time I’m talking to convince myself of my own advice and remind myself of this dialogue that I don’t need everything everyone else is using and doing!
Loved this whole conversation and look forward to more of these!! I love the in depth analysis of it all! It’s like trying to find root cause into why we do the things we do or why we need certain things and then fixating on it only to end up chucking it later down the road lol. I’m totally guilty of this! I’m also that enabler friend with the YOLO mindset lol 🤣🤣 I did too much planner hopping last year that made myself crazy and am really proud (and surprised) I stuck with my books as far as I have this year!
You and Emily shared soooo many golden nuggets and I resonated with so many of them too!
As for my 2025 line-up: Sticking with what I know works and definitely more of the same this year (b6 planner but a different brand/layout, a5 hobo as memory keeper, 5Y in my 3rd year!, a6 personal diary, a Sterling Ink TN for hobbies/joy. Single TN insert for monthly food log. Also giving myself some room to play and I think it was Sujey who had one book to just experiment with - loved that method so gonna try that lol.
I feel I’m going to end up doing the same! Keep everything the same and allow for one new thing to experiment with. It seems the most practical and logical while allowing room for someone new fun and exciting!
Thanks for this video. It was constructive & made my decision even stronger to stick to what worked for me from my experience since re-entering this community. I definitely will shop the stash that I've accumulated since Sept '21. I am sticking to my Hobonichi weeks, A6 (I have not decided if it'll be the reg, avec, or Hon yet), and getting the Hobonichi ntbk like you cz of the paper. B6 for my journal, tho, thinking of the B6 Slim for 2025. For TN, I also won't get the dated ones but only be getting the stickers & if they come out with nice insert covers. I have to create a list of what not to buy. I am also not gonna try to buy cz of FOMO until I am really sure that I am really going to use the product. I did pre-order 2 planners already, the TN undated Faded Chronicle & the creffectivepaper passport before I really thought about the situation, hopefully, I'll like it. Looking forward to more episodes like these to keep us in check of reality.
Another episode or topic that I would like to learn more about is how to sell for a destash safely. I wanted to do this but I am really scared that's why up until now I haven't done it.
Good Luck with the rest of your pregnancy & wishing you a safe delivery. 😊🙏
I’m so glad the video was insightful for you! Talking about how to destash would be an excellent topic! Thank you for that suggestion! I think it would be very helpful.
Thank you for the well wishes 🥰
This is such a helpful video! Thank you for keeping it so real. I’ve been debating whether to switch up my planner system, and you’ve really inspired me to stick with what’s working already. I do have a couple areas I can tweak, but for the most part it’s an “if it’s not broke don’t fix it” situation.
Absolutely! I’m glad you got a little nudge to just stick with it! I am definitely holding onto that same motto going into 2025!
In the spirit for planning your purchases, Catherine from Sterling Ink homeschools her son and if I remember correctly she created her academic planner for that need. You could consider watching her videos to see if it fits your needs.
On your comment about doing math just to use journals, I can relate. Bulletproof Journals has a short video on BuJo Time Saving Tricks. I think you might find it very useful!
Thank you for that info! I didn’t know she homeschools her kids. I’ll have to check her shop out again. Her shops is one that I’ve unsubscribed from and unfollowed given that her past products didn’t resonate with my style of planning or journaling. Now that I have a different need I’m interested to see if anything she offers will work for me.
absolutely loved this! i've found planner peace this year and will be continuing with the same journals again for next year :)
So planner peace actually does exist!!! 😂 love that for you and I feel like I’m getting closer to planner peace. I hope it stays that way!
Jas! Such a great topic and video! I am actually writing a small article about a similar topic at the moment. This needs to be talked more and more in the community.
Thank you V! I look forward to seeing your article!
Thank you for the amazing conversation, Jas! I love having a thought partner in you! I will def refer back to these thoughts when planner season starts!
Thanks for having this conversation with me 😘 We’ll have to do a follow up post planner season damage!
I wrote down my Unbuy list right the other day😊
Fellow homeschool mom of 2 kids (4th and 2nd grade) and also pregnant 😆. I love logging in plotter for school! It’s great! Trying to figure out my personal plans for 2025 too since babies make time scarce. So far I’m thinking personal rings and tested 8lotus inserts for fountain pens. I’ve abandoned my Hobonichi cousin but it was great for a pre-pregnancy season. Both my 4th grader and 2nd grader LOVE their individual cousin HONs. They put their chores and daily routines + washi and stickers each day.
Oh I am totally going to get my kids A6 HONs when they are old enough to log daily tasks 😍 I think rings will be the easiest thing for me to experiment with given it’s my first year homeschooling.
Thanks for this video!! You put so much time into recording, and doing it twice! Your dedication is really admirable ✨
I will say though, paper planning did change my life. As someone with a lot going on, paper planning is what helped me focus in ways that digital calendars couldn't. I also happened to pick up a hobonichi a6 on a whim and that started my journalling habit, so maybe I'm just an exception to the rule 😅
I think everyone in this hobby will agree with you in some way that the habit of paper planning and journaling has changed their life. Journaling change my life in SO many ways! The physical planner tho, layout, page count and all, won’t change a persons life and that’s the distinction I was trying to make. I hear way too many times about how “if I change to this planner maybe I’ll get more productive or organized” Somewhere along the way people forget that the planner is supposed to serve as a tool, not the solution.
And thank you so much for acknowledging that I talked about this topic twice 😆
@@journalwithjasAND there are literally SO MANY different ways to change your planner layout to work for you.... But I will say size HAS been difficult for me, because I do want to be happy in whatever size I choose because if I'm not, I won't use it. So I've had to try multiple sizes to see what works... Luckily there aren't dozens and dozens and sizes and after finally trying them all this year, I'm much closer to knowing what fits my needs... If I told you what I started with and ended up with you would think I was crazy lol but at least I know (for the most part) what works And I'll be sticking with a small business and only buying ONE new planner brand a year to be creative in and see if it's something I could use for the following year but if I don't have it picked by January then I'm not doing it. I would much rather create a healthy and long lasting routine than have my hobby and something that has made so many positive changes in my life become stressful and overwhelming... Literally defeats the purpose lol
This topic!!! 👌🏾
Love listening! Is this a podcast ongoing?!? Regarding your themed journals - would love to hear about your update - how you feel about compartmentalizing everything versus people who archive in one book - all the things!
Thank you!!! I hope to have a Stationerdy episode once a month if I can keep up evergreen topics!
You are so right. I have 2 tns in passport and regular which i use everyday, went to japan early this year and at that time im contented with my 2tns which i also brought wd me that travel. Now that im watching tn videos, im itching on getting more limited editions like the airport and records limited editions. And regretted not havent bought tns in my japan trip. Good thing i contemplated and asked myself do i really need another one? And your video confirms that we dont really more that just sits in our shelves.
And speaking from my own experience, once we own in excess, it can be hard to let go because we make excuses to keep them! I’ve tried and tried countless times to minimize my TN covers but each one I create a sentimental story and it becomes hard to let it go! it’s much easier for me to prevent buying something all together than to try to move on from it and resell.
Excellent content