my journaling experiment

Summary

In this video, the creator shares an unintentional journaling experiment using a Traveler’s Notebook throughout August and September 2025. They explore personal journaling habits, preferred writing spots at home, and the impact of using a soft-tip brush pen on slowing down their writing. The video also highlights the advantages of separating free-form journaling from their Hobonichi Weeks planner, as well as the joy of cream paper and portable, travel-friendly setups. Additionally, the creator reflects on a Kinokuniya Seattle visit, observing limited Hobonichi stock, exercising restraint, and discovering a Midori cream paper insert. Overall, it’s a thoughtful exploration of mindful journaling and stationery enjoyment.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker has been experimenting with journaling using a Traveler's Notebook since August, focusing on documenting daily events at different times of the day.
• 😀 The Traveler's Notebook setup includes a Hobonichi Weeks planner, with a clear cover that slides through the notebook's main insert for easy access to both journals.
• 😀 The experiment revealed that the speaker tends to journal only at certain spots in the house, such as the office desk, coffee table, or couch, even though they take the notebook everywhere.
• 😀 Smaller notebooks, especially those smaller than palm-sized, are not comfortable to write in for the speaker, highlighting the importance of having a comfortable writing surface.
• 😀 Using a Tombow Fudenosuke brush pen with a soft tip made the speaker slow down and focus more on their writing, encouraging better thought processing while journaling.
• 😀 The speaker prefers the cream-colored Midori paper in their Traveler's Notebook for its smooth texture and compatibility with their Hobonichi Weeks planner.
• 😀 The experiment with journaling has led the speaker to appreciate the freedom of free-form journaling, compared to the more structured approach of the Hobonichi Weeks.
• 😀 Traveling with the Traveler's Notebook made the speaker more inclined to write during flights and when out, showing the portability and convenience of the setup.
• 😀 The speaker has started feeling the need for another journaling book as their Hobonichi Weeks is running out of space, especially with the unstructured thoughts they tend to jot down.
• 😀 Despite seeing tempting Hobonichi products at Kinokuniya, the speaker decided not to purchase them, feeling content with their current setup and being mindful of unnecessary spending.
• 😀 The speaker is excited about a recent purchase of a Midori Free Diary with cream-colored paper, which offers a two-month journaling option that could complement their existing setup.

Q & A

What was the purpose of the speaker's journaling experiment?

The speaker's experiment aimed to explore what kind of journaler they are by checking in at different times of the day and recording their thoughts in a Traveler’s Notebook, with an emphasis on time and location.

How did the speaker feel about their Traveler’s Notebook setup initially?

Initially, the speaker did not enjoy using the Traveler's Notebook because the structure made it difficult to lay flat, and they were not fond of certain aspects of the design.

What led the speaker to start using the Traveler's Notebook more frequently?

Over the course of August and September, the speaker began using the notebook more regularly as they found a setup they loved, which they felt was more flexible and suited their journaling needs.

What did the speaker learn about their journaling habits after a month of experimenting?

The speaker discovered that they tend not to journal while outside, except in certain situations like at a coffee shop, and they usually write in three specific spots at home: their office desk, the coffee table, and the couch.

How did the speaker use time and location in their journaling experiment?

The speaker began adding timestamps and location details to their journal entries, such as noting the time of day and where they were when writing, to capture more context about their journaling process.

What did the speaker find challenging about writing in smaller notebooks?

The speaker mentioned that writing in smaller notebooks, particularly ones smaller than the size of their palm, made their hands uncomfortable, which is why they preferred larger notebooks for journaling.

Why did the speaker choose the Tombow Finoske brush pen for their journaling experiment?

The speaker chose the Tombow Finoske brush pen because its soft tip made them slow down their writing, helping them ensure their thoughts caught up with their pen, which they felt was crucial for deeper reflection.

How did the speaker feel about the Hobonichi Weeks as a journaling tool?

While the speaker initially used the Hobonichi Weeks for journaling, they felt it was running out of space and was not ideal for freeform journaling due to the planning-related content that filled up many of the pages.

What was the speaker’s experience at Kinokuniya Seattle regarding Hobonichi products?

At Kinokuniya Seattle, the speaker found that many Hobonichi items were out of stock, including the Tomiier collection. They browsed the store but ultimately didn’t make a purchase, even though they considered buying some pencil boards.

What did the speaker purchase at Kinokuniya, and why did they choose it?

The speaker purchased the Midori Free Diary, a cream paper grid insert, because they were looking for a standard cream grid refill, but Kinokuniya didn’t have it. They appreciated the Free Diary’s layout, which offered a similar grid experience and could serve as a two-month journaling tool.