All About Journals & Journaling

Let's chat about journals: why it's good for you, where to buy them, which are best, and what to write! #journal #journaling #pens #fountainpens #journals

[@christophermckellar1352]

This filled me with enjoyment. Perfectly informative and nurturing and encouraging. Thanks.

[@HemingwayJones]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you!

[@dailycharmaddict]

Love, love, LOVE this video, Hemingway! I have journaled on and off since the days of little girl diaries with tiny keys to hide, securing the words from prying eyes. I’m inconsistent but since rediscovering my passion for fountain pens, my dedication is renewed. You’ve inspired me with your tips and suggestions. I also am a child of the 70s and that’s a great prompt. I have already started writing one-page memories of things and people who interested me back then and I have about a million ideas left to write. Thanks for a super video.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you very much!

[@brianexplores285]

Journaling has been valuable in my life. I’m doing it more than ever. It’s interesting how I have become more and more honest with myself as I have journaled. It’s a very healthy activity. I am a bit concerned, though, that others might read them some day!

[@HemingwayJones]

There is that. I am OK with that. I feel like it will stand as a testament to who I was as a person.

[@a.o9656]

I actually think about my journals one day in museums in about 100yrs time hahaha. When I visit war museums and see old journals I'm always fascinated and think am I going to be important enough...is mine interesting enough for future people?

[@davidanderson3425]

That was excellent. I love those leather bound journals in your collection. I think I will come back to this video and watch it again. You gave a lot of useful information about buying journals and made some great points about why you write. Many thanks for the video.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you, David, you have been consistently kind. I appreciate it. I am so glad that you enjoyed it.

[@AvecPoesie]

So interesting to hear you mention 9/11/01. That happened to be my 13th birthday. I had been keeping Journals since I was roughly 7 years old. I remember writing ✍ a lengthy entry on that tragic day/birthday...but, none of my childhood/early adolescent Journals survived a family move. 😣 I had quite a lot written that is now completely lost. I have maintained the habit over the course of my life, though. I simply do not have anything from before January 2004. Oh well. I adore the Fiorentina line. I was just thinking last night how I had not purchased a Journal from that brand since 2020. I've been buying vintage Journals. So glad to have discovered this channel. 🖤

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you very much. I am glad you enjoy the program. We have a lot in common and have had a similar journey. I’ve sadly lost so many journals. Stop be again sometime.

[@Mpompadour]

I enjoyed this very much and your journals are beautiful. I journal and pretty much do as you do, writing down the days events and things I do and about interactions with my family, friends co-workers, ideas etc. It's fun to look back and read what was going on. You can relive those times and sometimes surprise yourself reading about an important event you had forgotten all about. Journal on!!!

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you very much for the kind words and insightful comment. All the best.

[@markcollins2876]

Very good video. I love journals too. But I most only use cheap Composition books. I only write because I love to write with my fountain pens. One book lasts 3 months. Sometimes I write in more expensive journals, the most expensive would be 20 or 25 dollars. No more expensive than that. Excellent video, great job!

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you very much for the kind words. I love hearing about how other people journal. It’s such a great and rewarding hobby. All the best.

[@umpapamaomao]

I started journaling because of your TikToks and this video has given me a lot of good information. 😊

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you so much! I appreciate it and I am glad that it was useful.

[@Sonicman415]

What a fun video. Gorgeous journals. I like hearing what your journey has been. I love journaling. I’ve done it off and on my whole life. I’m paper obsessed now.. Japanese mostly.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you so much! I completely understand your obsession with paper. All the best.

[@kayteeart]

Hi HJ… thought I would pin my recommendation here. I love my new Sterling Ink A5 grid notebook. It has Sanzen Tomoe River paper. I can write on both sides no feathering or bleed through! I ordered a second lined page notebook as well. The construction is top notch… you can even fold it back to back to write on the second side of the paper. They have loose leaf with three hold punch and so much more in several sizes. So far no regular loose leaf just three ring style. As a comparison to Hobinichi at $40, Sterling is $25 for I think it was 250 pages. Super fast shipping as well. Love patronizing the little boutique vendors too!

[@robertcalkjr.8325]

Thanks for the nice video and journals. I don't keep diaries and journals. But I've been thinking about getting some journals to keep the notes I take for my hobbies in one place. I have many hobbies including electronics repair, watchmaking, firearms repair, knife sharpening, leatherworking, and now fountain pens. And my notes are all jumbled up together and everywhere... So, I need to get all of my notes separated and consolidated into their own journals.

[@anguswhite8233]

my top tip for journaling is start with the date esp. include the year!: I started with a Midori traveler’s notebook and it was only 5yrs later when I was trying to organise my mountain of inserts that I belatedly realised the year really helps!; also, I can’t write in a straight line to save my life so my other top tip is use a grid on unlined paper!:)

[@karinwebster5694]

I know it is an older video, but I really enjoyed this one.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you! The back catalogue needs love too! Thank you!

[@dumbphonemom]

What a beautiful collection! I can’t resist a good looking high quality journal. I agree about Barnes and Noble; it’s my go-to for journals; I can’t walk out of there without a hole in my pocket 😂

[@HemingwayJones]

Very true! I love journals!

[@kimlizak4580]

How did you know that these journals would work with fountain pens? Love this video with all the great ideas about journals and journaling

[@HemingwayJones]

Sometimes I don’t! I do now! With Bottega Veneta, I just ask him. The B&N stuff is pretty good. It’s made in Florence.

[@splums]

From when I was very young I wrote everything down. My sister used to tease me when she found all my lists and poetry. I stopped as I felt a little ashamed of what I had written. I began again at Uni and still have one of my favourite journals from that time. I continued to note take but just threw them all away just afterwards. I have just got back to journalling again and recently bought a few notebooks and a Traveller's Company travel journal (which I am loving for my daily agenda and scrapbooking). I so agree that just writing down things is so amazing. I sit and take notes all the time then put some of them into my main journal if they are really significant. Gone are the days of me feeling bad about writing down my thoughts and I even got my youngest daughter into journalling too as a hobby. Thanks for your content!

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks so much! That is wonderful that you found and have shared your journaling journey with your daughter! And us too. I am so glad it inspires you. Wish you all the best and stop by again soon.

[@brettcody76]

Hemingway, I am loving your channel! It’s a joy to know you, my friend!

[@HemingwayJones]

You are too kind. Thank you!

[@anjichurch4406]

I am going to be 60 and I also wrote poetry in my emotional teens and kept journals in spiral notebooks that did not make it through the years either...but I do still have just one hard cover that I labeled "poetry" in 6th grade and have poems in there that were written else where, from straight through to my senior year of high school. There is silence for a bit, and then I start writing when our first son was expected and have not stopped since. I agree 100% about Barnes and noble. Enjoying looking back through your videos when I have a chance here and there. Thanks for all you share!

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks very much! I love that we have had similar experiences. Thanks for being here.

[@mariagonzalez3713]

love your thoughts

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you very much.

[@reddiewip]

i've been journaling for about 5 years now. some of the things i put in my journal are: - a monthly playlist, writing down my favorite songs down as the month goes by - i have autism so i write about my special interests - writing about my cats - i have a fountain pen wishlist :)

[@HemingwayJones]

That all sounds wonderful!

[@yusrikarim5511]

Been watching your tiktoks. I must say, am DELIGHTED to see this video.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you very much! KZbin is a great place for me to expand on the ideas generated over there. 20 seconds does not do some of these topics justice. I am glad that you like the longer format.

[@davemilne2484]

I really like you videos, thank you so much (as I sit here with my celluloid fountain pen and journal, taking a break to look at your channel)

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you very much! I appreciate it.

[@ginopagnani7286]

Thank you , this was a great video and has given me a number of ideas !!

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you so much! That makes me happy. I felt like no one saw this. Thanks for the feedback and all the best. Stay inspired!

[@lindyredmond9838]

I just found your channel. Im a journaler too. I really enjoyed your ideas and description of various journals. Your calm voice is also soothing. Thank you

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you very much and welcome to the channel. I am so glad you enjoyed this. I have some more videos on this subject coming up.

[@Taz_Brown_Coaching]

HJ I just watched this video for the first time today. I ordered a journal from Botega it. It was just shipped out to me yesterday. It will have my initials on it. It’s beautiful! Thank you for helping me discover this bindery. I know I will purposely more in the near future.

[@HemingwayJones]

That is wonderful! I hope you find a lot of joy with it. I wish you all the best.

[@Scouzeboy]

Greetings from Australia. I found your Journalling video so please disregard my comment on your most recent video. I find journalling very therapeutic and I am mapping how the world is coping with the Covid Pandemic. So this is a part f my Everyday Journal. Being a fountain pen fanatic I soon found the problems associated with paper. So now my journals are bespoke A4 journals 100gsm and in hardback form. Your leather journals are very impressive. Well done. And those Venetian journals. Wow. Keep the videos coming.

[@HemingwayJones]

I have been obsessed with nicer journals but they are pricey. I have been buying from Botega Obscura on Etsy. He is an artist. He is taking a break until March but keep an eye out. I’ll post more of his around that time. The Venice ones are pretty great. I would like to get back there to purchase some more, but it has been difficult with recent goings on. I like that you’re so passionate about journals and pens. I hope we keep in touch.

[@michellek649]

Loved this! Thank you and I have subscribed!

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you very much! It is greatly appreciated.

[@hazshepherd]

I too fill a journal in just a few months. I started in 1995 and still rarely miss a day. It's very interesting to look back at my life and remember what went on for any given day. I always think of it as living my life at least twice and perhaps more. I experience the events, I journal the events and add what I find meaningful about the events, and then when I read the journal later I relive the moments. My wife tells me often that I have a great memory as I recall something we did months or years ago. I do have a good memory because I've lived it more than once.

[@HemingwayJones]

Hello Cameron, I love this comment! Thank you so much for sharing. This is a wonderful and original perspective.

[@JogieGlenMait16]

i'm writing prayers in my journals. i also write reflections of the day from daily bible verses I read. I also write lists, random ideas, and transcript notes (from my work). it not only give me reasons to use up inks in my fountain pens but express myself on pages of personal messages to my future self.

[@HemingwayJones]

I’m so glad that it keeps you writing and inspired! Thanks for being here.

[@getmartincarter]

AD. V Kalens December - If you start your Journal by writing down the date having you considered writing the date in Latin ? Writing the date in the Latin system of counting forward to the next key date focuses the mind in a forward direction rather than backwards or not at all. Although eccentric to the modern mind writing the date counting forwards improves planning and emphasises how few days remain until the next main event. Carpe diem

[@HemingwayJones]

Hello Martin, This has never occurred to me, but I love it. It is such an interesting way of thinking. Thanks for this!

[@roy_eappen]

I'm new to this so thanks for sharing your perspective. Really enjoyed the video. Just started with a Dingbats Wildlife notebook for the past two months....already surprised by how many pages I can fill.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks very much! Journaling is so fulfilling, so satisfying. Check in again, Roy, and all the best.

[@BeastMadeReviews]

really enjoying your channel!

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you!

[@traceythibault4946]

You have amazing and beautiful journals i also love both notebook's and journals i been writing since 2020 and i still LOVE writing and i love watching videos about other people's notebook and journal collection's 🩷🩵❤️💜💖💗💓💞

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you so much!

[@badnewskings]

Is there a list that you would suggest, maybe a top 5 of what you would choose for a beginner journal? Have been interested in fountain pens and journals for about 10 years now and finding your channel was a gold mine for me. I am enjoying some of my older pens as well as some new additions per your recommendation (the Kaweco Sport and Lamy Safari are really great) and want to put them to good use.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks so much! I did do a journals video that has some more information, but I often get the made in Italy ones from Barnes & Noble with leather covers. The paper is nice enough for fountain pens, though not the best. Leather means they’ll last longer. Some older journals of mine didn’t survive. I do like anything with Rhodia paper for extreme smoothness. Atoms to Astronauts has some charming hardcover notebooks with nice paper. (They ghost a little, but you can still read what you write on the other side and they have nice hard covers). I would stay away from Moleskine. The paper isn’t very nice, sadly, because I love their heritage.

[@noiseterrorcodes]

i like to sketch but,.. after watching this video i am going to start to journal, thanks for the inspiration

[@HemingwayJones]

Awesome! Happy to hear it.

[@davidbusse8900]

You mentioned that you don't copy quotes, etc. as part of your journal writing, while acknowledging that other do. I copy for practice occasionally. Let me give you a perspective on that. As a friend of mine put it, there is pleasure to be had in the zen-like experience of simply watching ink flow onto the page.

[@HemingwayJones]

Hello and yes, I don’t do that, but I do occasionally write down a good quote in my notes in my journal. I should have been more specific when I was speaking about this. What I meant to say was that I personally don’t fill up with journal with aesthetic exercises: writing quotes, poems, etc. I use my journal to explore myself, to challenge myself, to look for opportunities for personal growth that emerge from what I write. I have other notebooks and things that I use somewhat this way; handwriting exploration, practice, and the backdrops for filming. Thanks for your insight and I completely agree!

[@getmartincarter]

Thanks

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you very very much! I appreciate it and you so much! All the best!!!!

[@nokiot9]

I’ve been using strathmore 400 mixed media’s for decades. I’ve got a closet half full of them 😂. They’re my favorite because they aren’t as expensive as bound watercolor books but will stand up to almost anything you throw at them (I like to paint in them too)

[@HemingwayJones]

Very nice. Thank you!

[@getmartincarter]

It’s proven to be a most enjoyable experience watching your channel and the ideas upon pens , ink , paper , classical music , and English expression . Recently , whilst watching Inkquiring Minds Channel, the gerund ‘ Jonesing ‘ was used in reference by the presenter to his obsessive quest for a difficult to find pen ! Could this an allusion to you and a new gerund invented in your honour ?

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you very much and I am so glad you are enjoying this channel. I appreciate it. I don’t know that channel but Jonesing is a pretty common expression. I think it is most likely coincidental. All the best.

[@jolynsorensen8312]

I love the paper of the Florentina journals from Barnes and noble. I have a pretty good collection from Barnes and noble very underrated brand. I also love the refills from this company they had a simple paper cover that I love to make my own leather cover for. I noticed recently I can not find them anymore do you know what happened to them?

[@HemingwayJones]

Hello and yes, I agree completely. I don’t know what happened to those, but is sadly seems that they are paring down their selections. They used to have multiple shelves devoted to leather and then to paper. Some corporate decision, The Florentina stuff is great.

[@ve5394]

You inspired me to use beautiful leather journals. I think would be good you provide the P&N link so we can quickly to buy from your recommendation. Love your contents. I love journaling as well

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks so much! Happy to help. It’s definitely on the Barnes & Noble website if you search leather journal.

[@elainelawson4965]

Question for H.J. or viewers who love journaling: I've journaled for decades and love the leather "book" journals, but my problem is the difficulty with writing legibly when my hand "falls off" starting near the bottom of the page. I have helped the issue by balancing my hand on another journal of approximately the same size. I would love to hear any suggestions.

[@HemingwayJones]

Hello Elaine, I hope some others may chime in because I write very strangely as I am sure you have seen in my videos. My hand sort of hovers there from all the practice I had writing while traveling, often standing. I do however sometimes put the journal and my arm on a cushion and it just sort of works itself out. I write very straight up and down, as it sounds as if you do. Thanks very much!

[@steffymuze]

I'm doing the same you are with another similar journal so would love to know too. I think I'll eventually do the hand hover thing out of necessity (and lack of desk space )😊

[@davidbusse8900]

Your solution sounds good to me. Other ideas: Don't be afraid to use both hands, one to support or steady the other. I have a tremor in my right hand that varies, and often I have to place my left against my right hand to keep control of the pen on the page. Slowing down might help a bit. Not sure. Anyway, keep writing.

[@anindyasil3]

I always thought about starting a journal but I never got to decide what to write because still now my daily life is pretty uneventful. Can you give me some pointer on that please? Another question: do you use those dated journals, as you were saying that you finished a journal in two months.

[@HemingwayJones]

Hello and all the best. Here is an entire video on this very subject: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2TWqYGKadyVaLs Basically, if you feel that your life is uneventful, go internal. Explore the vast reaches of your emotional landscape. There are volumes inside of you. I am sure. I date them myself at the top of the page so that I can determine how much space I need for each entry, but you can do it your own way.

[@anindyasil3]

@@HemingwayJones I shall definitely see the video. I asked about the dates ones because the majority of the stores here in India have those dated ones.

[@a.o9656]

How much do you usually write? Do you write daily? I journal daily in my hobonichi A5. So an A5 page per day. I used to write a lot too but found that I was rambling on a bit. So I decided to give myself some boundaries

[@HemingwayJones]

I write everyday for a minimum of 20 minutes. I’ve been doing it for so long that I just do it now. I really enjoy it.

[@a.o9656]

Sometimes I take an hour to write in an A5 page because I'm trying to be concise and target what's really important. I feel like I ramble

[@brettisernhagen9446]

How often do you revisit old journals?

[@HemingwayJones]

Often. Usually when I am at my desk and I reach over when I’m on the phone or something. Sometimes I am surprised by the past!

[@peterpuleo2904]

"The unexamined life is not worth living". Socrates

[@HemingwayJones]

Words to live by. Thanks!

[@rodchung173]

What is your go to pen for journaling?

[@HemingwayJones]

Go to would have to be my Montblanc Egyptomania. I love its butter soft nib. So fun to use. My Lamy Safari with their calligraphy nib is nice too. It’s a 1.1mm stub that feels sharp-sided. How about you?

[@davidbusse8900]

Got a PaperBlanks journal to start the year. Very disappointed. Paper is poor quality. Ink spreads and feathers even with a dry ink and an extra fine nib. I have two others that have performed well so it was a surprise. None the less, looking for something else. My B&N seems to be getting away from Florentia in favor of Nourvel Art. Do you have any experience with the Nourvel journals?

[@HemingwayJones]

I do not, I am afraid. The Fiorentina are quite nice though. Are they available online?

[@davidbusse8900]

@@HemingwayJones The Fiorentina site appears to be for dealers. Amazon has one or two. Unable to find much of a source for retail purchase.

[@MrRufusjax]

"Four and a half...and seems like she's ready for high school.". In the same boat. It gets worse when you get consistently outsmarted by your daughter's 6 year old logic. Good luck to you.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks so much! She just started kindergarten yesterday. So fun. All the best.

[@viarnay]

People just don't write at all nowadays 😔🥺🤔

[@HemingwayJones]

Sadly not too much. On this channel we do.

[@getmartincarter]

As you say a possession must have either utility or beauty or both to have a place in one’s home . The law of diminishing marginal utility suggests that purchasing additional pens for their utility only would be a foolishness . But is there a law of diminishing marginal beauty ? Consider a flawless pearl or an expensive handbag ; alone a pearl is attractive two could become earrings but once it is strung into a neck less then it’s beauty is complemented by the others . Queens wear three strands only not more . But might the Queen find each additional set of three string pearls less beautiful. Would she become less enthralled as the sight of so much splendour turned sour ? An endless array of beautiful items of the same utility is a foolishness . It is so because by analogy with the law of marginal utility from economics , one must aim to equalise both one’s marginal utility but also one’s marginal beauty . Spend your discretionary income in such a way that different items without utility appear to the beholder to be of equal marginal beauty. Let’s present an extreme case of a widow living alone in her home with every utility needed to function but containing 1000 Louis Vuitton handbags : this lonely lady has threadbare garments old shoes and a Toyota Corolla with 500,000 miles on the clock , a plastic wrist watch and plastic jewellery . The stray cat she feeds scraps visits her daily but does not stay .

[@HemingwayJones]

That was actually William Morris who said that and he was a true master of the decorative arts. He believed, in part, that a craftsman working with their hands, producing beautiful things would find happiness and accomplishment. By extension, having these things, knowing that they were made by happy fulfilled workers, would pass some of these sentiments along. I do feel that one could become desensitized to beauty in a specific instance, but a true holistic sense of beauty can bring many angles of appreciation. For me, much is about how things align to my needs and aesthetic. I would not want to become miserly, hoarding beautiful things like some Tolkien Dragon. Maybe the goal of this channel is to share these things in an effort to keep people inspired and writing. Much to discuss!