Category Archives: Personal

Larger Notebooks from My Collection

If you’ve been reading this site for a while, you know I’m pretty committed to using a certain size of notebook… so much so that a notebook can be almost perfect, but if it’s a few millimeters away from my preferred size and proportions, it’s going to be a reject. But it wasn’t always this … Continue reading Larger Notebooks from My Collection →

My Notebooks Have Become a Meme

I’ve been sharing notebook images from this blog on Pinterest for quite a while (as well as re-posting lots of other people’s notebook images). Over time, I’ve built up a surprisingly large following there, but in recent months I’ve noticed that a particular image of mine seems to have gone viral! The photo in question … Continue reading My Notebooks Have Become a Meme →

Unfinished Notebooks

Back in December 2008, I wrote a post called Finishing a Notebook. At the time, this still felt rather significant as an accomplishment. My notebook usage before the early 2000s was often very fickle– I’d start one, decide I wanted to try something else, then maybe go back to something I’d tried before, then move … Continue reading Unfinished Notebooks →

Keeping a Notebook vs. Keeping a Diary

I shared this article on Instagram recently, but wanted to write more about it here. Don’t Keep a Diary. Embrace the Fragments of Real Life Instead. The author Daniel Poppick talks about how diaries are often kept in a way that can sound a bit stilted or self-conscious: I’ve never consistently kept a diary. On … Continue reading Keeping a Notebook vs. Keeping a Diary →

Notebooks I’m Using Now: Summer 2025

It’s been ages since I updated my “using now” photo, and while some things have stayed the same, there have been some changes along the way. I’m still using my Nolty Gold diary/planner to log exercise, meals, to-do lists, and grocery lists, as well as noting appointments and keeping track of habits. More details here: … Continue reading Notebooks I’m Using Now: Summer 2025 →

How to Use a Notebook When Your Life Isn’t Busy

A few months ago, I wrote about my latest work notebook, a vintage Filofax. It’s working so well for me that I wish I had bought a Filofax in this size years ago to use for this purpose. I can’t help regretting all those wasted decades of using random office supply closet notebooks (as well … Continue reading How to Use a Notebook When Your Life Isn’t Busy →

2025 Planner Set-Up

This year, I feel like I’ve seen more Instagram and blog posts with this title than ever before. Setting up one’s planner for the coming year means different things to different people– for some, it seems to be an elaborate and labor-intensive process! I admire the creativity and care, and I’m sure beautiful, hand-crafted planner … Continue reading 2025 Planner Set-Up →

Hallmark Diaries from the 1970s

I have saved almost all the pocket size notebooks I’ve used in my life, except for the very earliest ones. I was drawn to small diaries and notebooks before I could even write, and the very first ones I remember using were Hallmark promotional diaries given away at the local drugstore– but I don’t have … Continue reading Hallmark Diaries from the 1970s →