This year Ive pared back my journaling practice to just one medium sized spiral-bound daily planner that allows me to write in the date and what I want to record. I can pretend its a bullet journal but the measuring and structure is already done for me. Facing each day's planner-page is a blank page for journaling. I am using this to record the big ideas of the day, particularly headlines that I feel are worth witnessing. The act of thinking about what I want to witness, is a ritual in itself. The other daily rituals I record are mundane: my daily writing and reading goals, my vitamins, my daily tasks. But each week I make a point to write a letter, send a note, or call some friend far away. (Most of my friends live far away.) This is a great ritual. As for your examples, the sticker journal is brilliant as long as the coding is simple. I instituted something similar for a loved one who was hospitalized with a broken hip and didn't think she could do the hard work of recovering. I knew she was a goal-oriented person so I made a wall-sized calendar and bought big gold stars. Each day she did her PT she got a gold star. Despite pain and not wanting to do it--despite telling me the calendar was stupid and an eyesore--she worked hard everyday for her gold stars!
I love a double-sided journal/planner! And how wonderful that you were able to create gold-star ritual for a loved-one. Sometimes we need that extra push :)
One of the most important discoveries in 2024 was your work, your posts, your insights and ideas. And I was pleased to be a small part of that. As we go into a new year, I’m thrilled to see you are still going and bringing new perspectives to Notes, notetaking And the whole business of writing things down. Well done and happy New Year.
These are just amazing and inspiring. This whole project you're sharing here is so great, Jillian.
I'm not sure if this has been covered somewhere or asked before, but can I ask you/readers what your favourite pen/pencil choices are for journaling? I know it shouldn't necessarily come down to it, but for me there's something special about a good pen and I'm on the hunt for something good. The ink in Maikka’s pages looks really nice.
Thanks Nathan! I've been a fan of the very cheap uni-ball signo .26 for the past 15 years. Recently, though, I've been using a Lamy fountain pen and I've loved getting to play around with ink.
Yay, Lamy Fountain pen was on my to-treat-myself list to perhaps purchase this week! I shall take your comment as an endorsement, but I might also pick up a signo .26. 😊
I’ll take pages of notes that have outlived their usefulness, sandwich them with leaves and cook. That way the ink becomes blurred, the page is graced by leaf colour and scent, and I can either write on it again, or use it in collage or as a substrate for painting … there’s a picture of the most recent ‘boiling’ in this post
I loved seeing all of this---no surprises there. As I think you've probably seen, Jillian, I tore up 60 or so journals a few years back and used some of the pieces to fill a small room as part of my Life's Work: A Visual Memoir show (there are a couple of pictures of it on my About page here on Substack). I still have a large vat full of the torn pages and have thought of papier mache, so it was interesting to see the Geri Gale's work.
Well, "wide-spread trend" might be over-stating it, haha. But it certainly is interesting to see all the different things people are doing with their journals and notebooks, and heartening to know I'm not the only weirdo out there who's torn up her own words.
This year Ive pared back my journaling practice to just one medium sized spiral-bound daily planner that allows me to write in the date and what I want to record. I can pretend its a bullet journal but the measuring and structure is already done for me. Facing each day's planner-page is a blank page for journaling. I am using this to record the big ideas of the day, particularly headlines that I feel are worth witnessing. The act of thinking about what I want to witness, is a ritual in itself. The other daily rituals I record are mundane: my daily writing and reading goals, my vitamins, my daily tasks. But each week I make a point to write a letter, send a note, or call some friend far away. (Most of my friends live far away.) This is a great ritual. As for your examples, the sticker journal is brilliant as long as the coding is simple. I instituted something similar for a loved one who was hospitalized with a broken hip and didn't think she could do the hard work of recovering. I knew she was a goal-oriented person so I made a wall-sized calendar and bought big gold stars. Each day she did her PT she got a gold star. Despite pain and not wanting to do it--despite telling me the calendar was stupid and an eyesore--she worked hard everyday for her gold stars!
I love a double-sided journal/planner! And how wonderful that you were able to create gold-star ritual for a loved-one. Sometimes we need that extra push :)
One of the most important discoveries in 2024 was your work, your posts, your insights and ideas. And I was pleased to be a small part of that. As we go into a new year, I’m thrilled to see you are still going and bringing new perspectives to Notes, notetaking And the whole business of writing things down. Well done and happy New Year.
Thank you, Tim, your kind words mean a lot to me! I'm so glad you were able to take part in Noted's 2024 anniversary series.
Wonderful!!
So glad you enjoyed this round-up, Patricia!
I loved the Kindergarten Self-Care Chart. So joyful and playful. I am going to try it soon. Thanks Jillian and Caroline :)
I have recently started writing morning pages and keep wondering what I will eventually do with the books. So creative ideas here...
I love the self-care chart too! And, I love stickers, so I might have to give it a try myself.
These are just amazing and inspiring. This whole project you're sharing here is so great, Jillian.
I'm not sure if this has been covered somewhere or asked before, but can I ask you/readers what your favourite pen/pencil choices are for journaling? I know it shouldn't necessarily come down to it, but for me there's something special about a good pen and I'm on the hunt for something good. The ink in Maikka’s pages looks really nice.
Thanks Nathan! I've been a fan of the very cheap uni-ball signo .26 for the past 15 years. Recently, though, I've been using a Lamy fountain pen and I've loved getting to play around with ink.
Yay, Lamy Fountain pen was on my to-treat-myself list to perhaps purchase this week! I shall take your comment as an endorsement, but I might also pick up a signo .26. 😊
It was 100% worth the splurge. And, if you're looking for inks, the Lamy dark violet lives up to its cult status.
I am all-in on the splurge. ;)
(Secretly, I have hopes it'll improve my handwriting, though I know that's a false hope, haha.)
Mmmm...probably won't (lol) but who knows?! My handwriting is slightly different every pen I use.
😆
I'm just looking on the Lamy website. Are you using the Safari or AL-Star or a different model? And what nib size? (Sorry, questions questions!)
I’ll take pages of notes that have outlived their usefulness, sandwich them with leaves and cook. That way the ink becomes blurred, the page is graced by leaf colour and scent, and I can either write on it again, or use it in collage or as a substrate for painting … there’s a picture of the most recent ‘boiling’ in this post
https://indiaflint.substack.com/p/writing-is-thought-made-memory
Your pages are incredibly gorgeous! It makes me want to gather some leaves and try your method out myself. Thank you so much for sharing!
I loved seeing all of this---no surprises there. As I think you've probably seen, Jillian, I tore up 60 or so journals a few years back and used some of the pieces to fill a small room as part of my Life's Work: A Visual Memoir show (there are a couple of pictures of it on my About page here on Substack). I still have a large vat full of the torn pages and have thought of papier mache, so it was interesting to see the Geri Gale's work.
I had no idea this was such a wide-spread trend!
Well, "wide-spread trend" might be over-stating it, haha. But it certainly is interesting to see all the different things people are doing with their journals and notebooks, and heartening to know I'm not the only weirdo out there who's torn up her own words.
I suspect this is only the tip of the iceberg, but I suppose we'll never really know ;)
No, we never will 🤪
This is so wonderful, Jillian!
Thanks, Jolene!!
I love my morning ritual of writing in my simple black Composition book with a simple blue Bic pen. The simplicity of it all sets up my day…
I'm all about simplicity these days! Thanks for sharing, Raymond.
THIS- I have saved the ideas to help with my micro- journaling , micro- meditation, and micro- art habits I am trying to start. Thank you!
I love the idea of micro-everything! It's the best way to start a habit!
Great selection of diaries/journals! Thank you x
So glad you enjoyed it!