December 2023 Planner Update | Hobonichi & Bullet Journal

[@designchik]

Oof, I hear you on the sugar. I’ve eaten my body weight in sweets the last month. I love sugar, but it’s out of control at the moment, and I feel like crap. I’m sorry to hear about your depression; I am struggling with a bad bout as well. Always remember that depression lies. It tells you awful things about yourself that aren’t true. It’s so clear that you are a lovely person, Helen. Try to be as kind to yourself as you are to others. ❤ P.S. Love the sweater; I admire anyone who can knit!

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

Sameeeee!!! I just don't feel good when I overconsume sugar >.< Thank you so much for your kind words ❤❤❤ Wishing you a happy new year!!!

[@julietuffee]

I'm visually impaired so sometimes writing in my planner and journaling is hard for me...but a sticker is a great way for me to express myself. You don't know how much difference your stickers have helped me through some difficult days. Thank you so much for everything you do and I wish you a very happy and peaceful new year!!

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

This absolutely made my day!!! Thank YOU Juliet

[@cherie.23]

I hope with this year, you are able to bid goodbye to everything that has brought you sadness... be in things, people, and relationships. And with the new year, I hope you will have more space within yourself to welcome more self-growth, and peace. It will be okay, Helen! Dont let anyone take your peace from you! :)

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

These are beautiful words, thank you so much Rui

[@404-equivalent4]

I think the sweater looks really nice! You can always sew some stars or snowflakes where you see the imperfections and i think they wouldn't be even noticeable anymore. Great job on your first big knitting project!

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

OH This is a brilliant suggestion!

[@Amelia-ce3ge]

For kindle, epub, pdfs and libby work perfectly fine on it :) I have the kindle paperwhite signature, and i only need to charge it every 4 to 5 weeks, the eink on it makes it feel like im reading a real book, and it has anti glare too. If your kobo ever dies (pray to the bean gods that it doesnt), i recommend the paperwhite :) its the best purchase i have made in many years.

[@babboosbabydoll]

Wishing You Every Happiness & Success in 2024, Helen!

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

Ahhh thank you SO much! Happy new year!

[@sherrycohen1824]

Happy New Year, Helen and family. What a lovely tradition for a baby - 100 days old! I'd heard of Red Envelope when relatives meet a baby for the first time, but I understand that's celebrated in families from some parts of China. Also, I thought Into Thin Air is a fantastic book. Jon Krakower is a mountain climber and an excellent writer. I also liked his book Under The Banner of Heaven about fundamentalist Mormons. And that sweater is gorgeous. There's no end to your talents.

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

Hapipest new year Sherry!!!! Ohhh I'm glad to heary ou enjoyed the book ^_^ Excited to finish it!

[@jom6829]

Personally, having tried knitting, I think your sweater looks great and very glad it hasn't put you off. Sorry to hear about your car incident but relieved you're ok. Wishing you a very happy, prosperous but peaceful and kind 2024.

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

Aw thank you so much!!!! Happy new year!

[@leahbrown9042]

You did such a wonderful job on your sweater. So proud of you. Don’t know when you had the time.

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

Aww thank you Leah!!!

[@kathrynkline282]

Loved the monthly review. And I’m so glad you are ok!

[@CreatingWonderland]

Such a lovely year! Thank you so sharing and being so genuine and honest. I think you are just the bees knees and goals! Great job on your sweater as well!!

[@onemorerow520]

Oh my gosh, that was one of the first garments I ever knit! Well done, Helen! May you find lots of success and love in 2024!

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

Thank you!!! I ADORE Florence haha. Happy new year!

[@amycampbell2264]

Wow Helen this sweater looks amazing love it

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

Thank you so much!!!

[@ciaradanyel]

Into Thin Air is a book that I’ve read several times because it’s so good!

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

Now I'm even more excited to finish it up!

[@jiyoonlee8566]

Yes we do celebrate 100 days after birth in Korea! Congrats to your sister and nephew, and happy new year!🎉

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

Ah I knew it!!! Hehe thank you so much Jiyoon!!! Happy new year~

[@cheryldailey5310]

Puppies!!! Yay!!! Accident? Yikes! You could knit a sweater for your nephew! ❤ I used your prompts last month and plan on using them this month as well. Thank you for sharing! Your glove looks elegant. I hope you have a lovely week! ❤

[@myfutureisgreen]

I hope your nail heals quickly! This year, I decided to stop myself from attempting any more habit tracking. Truly, I don't see the point of it other than creating guilt for yourself, either from being inconsistent with your habit or with your tracking. Maybe it really motivates some people, but I think people who struggle with tracking should reconsider how it fits in their lives. Also, I definitely gave up on my last planner for the holidays and only used the December monthly in my new Hobonichi for planning/tracking. I was so happy with that decision!

[@marzettik]

Look forward to these videos and will continue too. Happy Planning New Year. ❤

[@netrellawrence1244]

I love your first sweater 🤗. I’m also, really excited to start my first 2024 Hobonichi planner. You inspire me 💛.

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

Thank you so much!!!! Happy new year!

[@ashley_smith]

I've been cutting back on added sugar since October and my favorite new-to-me find is date syrup. It is sweet, but is just made with dates. That's it. That's the ingredient list lol Dates have natural sugars, but they added nothing to it, so you don't have to count it in your added sugar tracking. I like adding date syrup to Cream of Wheat, with 100% cocoa powder, also no added sugar. The date syrup mixes so well with the warm Cream of Wheat. You get the smell of the chocolate, and you get the sweetness, too. You can also let bananas ripen a lot and add them to rolled oats. Great filling snack, and again, no added sugar. :)

[@dzuel09]

Happy New Year, Helen! Hope this new year brings you all things things you want and you’re able to let go of things that aren’t serving you. Thank you for being such a light for those of us who struggle to plan and with consistency. You don’t know how much your videos help.

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

Thank you for your kind words!! Happy new year!

[@shelleyannefogarty9436]

Just like everything you get better the more you do so your knitting will improve. Good on you for testing yourself.

[@TheBohemianStyle]

Thank you for all the lovely washi tapes, and stickers!

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

Thank YOU! Happy new year!

[@carmendlugo1585]

Fabulous year! Happy New Year Helen🎉 May you have success, happiness & prosperity 🥰

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

Happy new year Carmen!!

[@Yesica1993]

Congratulations on the sweater! I always admire people who can make things. I have not the slightest clue.

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

Thank you Yesica! You totally can! Try a scarf hehe

[@gabbytube8057]

Thank you so much Helen!!! Love to wait and watch your videos on Sunday! Wishing you a happy and healthy New Year ahead!😍❤️🤩

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

Happyyyyy new year! Thank you Gabby!

[@deniseholmes7958]

Happy 2024, Helen! Whew, glad you are ok. Thanks for everything this year... too much and too many things to list! Anyways, love you.🎉❤🎉

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

Thank you Denise!! Happy new year!

[@rozettemori]

I love your videos so much, they are so calming and relaxing to watch. I'm always so inspired to write in my journal after watching you and train my handwritting

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

I'm so glad!!!! Happy new year and happy planning!

[@peteypan4]

Fun Fact if you didnt know. Kindles dont work in Canada for library books. They do in the states but Kobos are the only one that works with any libraries in Canada

[@Anniekatie439]

Genuinely speaking you gave me the inspiration to start a journal and i am very thankful for that .Genuinely i never thought that i will ever in my whole life time that i will do journaling and also i am so excited to start my first journal journey in 2024 .Let's see how it goes and also Thank you very much for giving me inspiration. Happy New Year!!!!

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

Omg this made my day, thank you Annieee! Happy new year!

[@angelalee7012]

For a first sweater, it's really good! And for the first few large items, it's more important to finish than get hung up on what went wrong. You done did awesome!!

[@slie011]

Happy New Year, Helen!❤️

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

Happy happy new year Jean!!!

[@betinaceciliafeld9854]

That sweater looks amazing for a first try! I put a similar tab in my 2024 bullet journal for my yearly goals, in order to have them always at hand when planning my months and weeks. I may try those journaling prompts, it's so hard for me to stick to journaling 🙈. Have a happy new year!

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

Happy new year!!! Thank you so much and good luck!!!

[@jessiruu]

I love love love your bullet journal updates. I wish I could draw and be creative as you. 🙂

[@wyrdness1]

you can. Just do it.

[@leahfischer5264]

THE ANGRY KNITTER 😂..sounds like a great new YT channel!!😂

[@EmEmJee89]

I love your 2023 review spread!! You have accomplished a lot this year!!! I also really like the incomplete spreads😅Happy New year Helen!! Lots of love and happinness 😘😘

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

Thank you so much!!! Happy new year!

[@tailsof1leo180]

Puppies! Would love to see some pictures/videos of puppies. Their antics always brighten up any day

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

I will try to include them in a future video!! Right?? So energetic and silly haha

[@loveforpaper6203]

Love it and I love your products! I just ordered from your shop yesterday (Nicole in PA) and I’m so excited! Thanks for sharing your products 😊

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

Yay! Thank you for ordering Nicoleee!

[@ratbag113]

Happy New Year to you and your family and friends. Thank you TCMC for the little community I’ve found because of you. It has meant a lot these past few years. I hope your fingernail heals well and quickly and that it’s not too painful in the meantime. The sweater is incredible - I wouldn’t know where to start! I’m having an episode myself today. Depression has won and I can’t shake it right now but hoping that tomorrow, the start of a new year, will shake off the current feelings then. We’ll see.

[@isomon5441]

Such a cosy planner update 🥰 I wish you the best of luck and good health for 2024! (PS: I'm speaking from experience here. Never underestimate car accidents, even if they seem minor. They can always cause micro tension in your muscles (which try to keep your posture in place after impact) which can lead to bigger blockages a couple of weeks or months later. If you can, seeing a good chiropractor/osteopath/massage therapist is always a good idea.)

[@AvnieKadlaskar]

Happy new year ❤❤love your videos

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

Thank you Riley!

[@Angelique185]

Thank you so much for the video Helen!! I was so sad about new years and being alone, but your videos truly help me so much

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

SENDING BIG HUGS!!! I hope you make today a cozy & fun day for yourself!

[@Angel6_]

Oh my goodness I’m glad that you’re okay. I’m sure it was still a very nerve wracking experience. Sending lots of love to you and your family. ❤❤

[@charnaywiener]

Happy New Year's Eve, Helen❤ i hope you have a good 2024, especially since its the year of the dragon! I love that you wore a whole glove to hide one nail and then also kept your ring on😂 A great end to the year!

[@ChantelleArts]

stunning video, Happy new years

[@yan4581]

The lines behind the running emoji on the 2023 in numbers page are making my heart so warrrrrm omg how adorable! I’ve loved seeing your bullet journal through the year! I hope you have a wonderful new year and get good relaxing and rejuvenating in!! Be gentle with yourself Helen you work harder than we know and we know that’s already so hard!! You’re fantastic!

[@Jen39x]

Pretty sweater and keep knitting. I don’t knit but do other needle work and like everything else it takes practice to get better

[@dani5165]

One thing I always wanna say is a reminder that you can enjoy books that don’t have much value. You can absolutely read “trash” books that are just fun! During my really depressive times, just reading a funny romance book that I can just lose myself in and I don’t need to think about the actual feelings I have currently. You shouldn’t always do something productive. Your productivity does not define your work and you are allowed to have fun and do something that might not count in your head as “productive” I love my kindle because I can find small books that i can just curl up in bed when i get burnt out and can’t do anything any longer. (Which is also absolutely okay) Toxic productivity is something that I worry about falling into and others falling into and I wanna always remind everyone that you shouldn’t be productive all the time. We need rest

[@alejandragomez499]

Love this! Happy New Year! Hope your fingernail feels better!

[@debbiea9262]

Happy New Year dear Helen 🎉

[@kimikobuford]

Happy Sunday Helen. Happy New Year🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

Happy new year Kimikooo!

[@dptuffy.creates]

I am the same with sugar! Always trying to overcome it. It causes inflammation for me. That’s a great looking sweater, especially for your first one. Well done Helen!

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

Thank you so much!!!

[@miro6571]

happy new year Helen. Am so thankful I found your channel and that's one of the best things in 2023

[@lissy.journals]

yay! i love these videos from you, soo much inspiration!! happy new year helen🥰

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

Thank you Micah!!! Happy new year~

[@MsSclera]

Happy new year Helen! I can relate with the sugar detox. Hopefully I can manage to do it too. Love your sweater anyway 🎉

[@purlsandpolish]

Congrats on finishing your sweater! Make sure you wet block it, it helps all the fibers settle and look more finished!

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

Omg yes I kept hearing this term but I have yet to look into it! Thank you for the reminder!!!

[@purlsandpolish]

@@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo wet blocking is basically a bath for your finished item! It’s super easy and totally worth it!

[@productivitymodeon]

I'm sick with covid so no celebration for me but happy new year to you🥰❤️

[@LaurasChronicLife.]

I also was hesitant to switch to an e-reader at one point. I was also wary about audiobooks. But I realized I can read more on a ereader and love audiobooks now since I learned I could speed up the author to fit my pace of reading. I have some health issues that make my wrists, elbows and shoulders hurt a lot so holding large heavy books meant not reading as long as I could while holding a ereader or listening to an audiobook while my eyes are closed during a migraine. I also use Libby a lot cause it’s hard to get out for me to go to my library. If your library uses it- Hoopla is also a great app. Congrats on the ereader!

[@elizabethmartinez7828]

Great video, Helen. It’s usually best not to quit something cold-turkey. Maybe you can look at your total sugar intake in a week and then lower by 1/4 every week until you get to where you want to be. For example, if you have a muffin every day for breakfast, try having a muffin only five times the first week and so on. If you drink 5 cups of coffee a day, start with 4 cups a day for a week and then 3 cups a day for a week and so on. 🫶💕

[@jessicaabad5424]

wow, the sweater turned out amazing! I mean, being your first and all... I am sure the next one will have less holes, maybe even zero😁 I am glad to hear you are enjoying the ebook, it did take me a few year to get to that point😅 anyway, Happy New Year🥳 (from a snowless Switzerland😭)

[@RiseWithRaina]

I hope one day I’m cool like Helen so I can have a sticker shop & be friends with other sticker shop owners lol that’d be rad!

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

We can all still be friendsss. Nothing beats having a real-life planner friend to meet-up with though!!!

[@blace1200]

Happy new year❤❤❤

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

Happy new year!!!

[@HouseOfPagesAndPaints]

I just got a kobo because it works with overdrive…I already had a kindle, but I’ve already saved so much money by reading books from overdrive. It’s the besssst

[@stareenafraser]

It's the ring on the glove for me! Hope it heals up well

[@haich_loves]

That’s interesting about the Kobo e-reader. I have a Kindle one but have barely used it the last couple of years as tend to read digital books on my phone - though I do like the bigger screen. I got it out again recently but it’s an old one so there’s no backlight and my husband didn’t pay for the ad-free one, which sometimes annoys me. I was wondering about whether I should treat myself at some point and update it to a newer version, but since it still technically works I haven’t yet. I do like the idea of it being linked to Libby, as I do like to borrow books through that, but then the Kindle and Kindle app link to Goodreads and Kindle Unlimited (not that I have that at the moment) 🤔 I am now curious and want to go explore the Kobo shop and options though as I would still have all the Kindle benefits via my phone…

[@Pursuit_Of_A_Homestead]

I hear ya with the sugar ..and it’s in everrryyyythiiing so it’s hard to avoid lol even when I think something is healthy, I flip over to the nutrition facts and it’s packed with sugar 😂😭 but it definitely does make a difference when you try to cut back a bit so it’s worth the energy trying to cut back haha Loved all of the updates this year! It’s encouraged me to get a Hobonichi Cousin this year and try journaling 🙌🏽🥳 Sending all the good vibes for 2024!! May it be a happy, healthy, successful year 🤗💚

[@claudia1201]

You know that "Into Thin Air" has been made into a movie? Called "Everest", if you're interested. I watched the movie first and then read the book. Loved both.

[@stampinwithshas]

Happy New Year Helen ❤️. I am quite a newbie to TCMC community but i absolutely love it! Thank you for all you amazing work! I love the sweater you've knitted! It gave me a thought!! I love knitting but I knit toys, I was wondering maybe if you could do a collaboration with a knitting designer for a stuffed emoti! It would be amazing! Hope you're feeling OK, love n hugs xx

[@carolinedoran4034]

LOVED Into Thin Air! You should be so proud of your sweater! I never got past knitting socks as a “wearable”! We need puppy pics

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

Ahh thank you Caroline!!! I'm LOVING the book hehe.

[@shelbseroo]

As hobonichi themselves say: "happy nothing special day" - even though they don't feel complete or particularly beautiful, nothing special days are also worth celebrating :)

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

This is beautiful!

[@meaniemaelily]

Omg Helen, I also got OBSESSED with the 1996 Everest disaster! I bought all the books written by survivors! What a horrid but SO fascinating tragedy! It’s such a deep rabbit hole to fall into, though! I feel like an Everest expert now 😅

[@gisellelopez4512]

The ending: I’m so so so glad you’re okay sweet Helen!!! 🙏🏼✨ That and the hand I really think 2023 was like wait… I’m not done with you yet. 😭 2024 better be amazing for you or else! Jajaja. 🤣

[@Dany_lop]

Why did I think your nephew was turning 100 _years_ old 😅 lol. I got my first hobonichi cousin after watching yours for a while, I’m excited to use it. Have a happy new year! 🎉

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

That would be SO concerning bhaha. Happy new year!

[@MeganHitachiin]

I love my kobo Clara 2E ereader. I personally don’t like the sleep cover so I choose to use an ereader sleeve and a strapsicle and I love it

[@haich_loves]

Also, definitely feel you about the sugar. I think a sugar detox would actually be really good as well as I feel chocolate has become its own food group recently and I really need to sort that out. Would you be willing to share some of the rules and snack / swap ideas you came up with?

[@RENEDU2]

Happy new year 🎈 are you gonna make a vid of the puppies?

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

Ooo maybe I can include them in a future video! They were SO cute

[@mikifubuki]

I never knitted wearables before until I get over my lazy ass in making gauge swatches. I find gauging tedious as I never did it with crochet but with knitting? whole new ball game. I am tempted now to try and do journal prompts but lessee. Lol! To a brand new year~ :D

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

Hahahaha I feel you! I just want to get started on the project >.

[@mikifubuki]

@@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo I want to knit a sweater already and with intarsia and fair isle. And I got no experience with all those 3. 🤪

[@tatianavelasco1335]

The car emoti is super cute

[@esunonotto]

Omg did you go to Hive Surrey?! :D What do you think of bouldering? Wow it would be a dream if I ever bump into you one day ^ -^

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

YES! Omg I hope not because I would totally embarass myself LOL. Just kidding, I was in awe of everyone tackling the higher levels!

[@mochipjamas]

I'm curious: does the hundred-day ceremony in Chinese culture involve the... oh no, I don't know an English equivalent! LOL In Korean it's doljabi... and now that I think about it, that's at the 1 year celebration, so it's not as relevant, but does the baby do the choosing from objects that are supposed to predict their future? I relate to so many things you mentioned in the video. I'm doing a sugar detox for January as well. I never used to be a big fan of sweets, I was much more of a savory snacker, but during 2023 for some reason, I think I've eaten more added sugar than any time since I was a kid. So, yeah, I'm there with you on that! I'm also debating on an e-reader, although I've been reading ebooks for many years, now. As I get older, it gets harder to hold a book for the kind of marathon reading I enjoy. Plus there's the environmental benefits, as well as simple lack of physical space. When I lived near a decent-sized city it was easy enough to sell or donate old books, but now I live in the boonies, one of the MAJOR drawbacks is -- NO BOOKSTORE and very little by way of reading or writing communities. Point being, I'm torn at this point between a dedicated e-reader or just waiting until I save enough for the tablet I plan to buy later this year. Happy New Year! 🎉

[@nankhanna]

Hi Helen. What was the app you were talking about? I couldn’t find it.

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

Here is the link: apps.apple.com/us/app/flow-focus-pomodoro-timer/id1423210932

[@nankhanna]

@@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo thank you.

[@Yesica1993]

(Also glad you are ok. Eek.)

[@little__something]

Is the Flow app from apple App Store? I can’t seem to find it.

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

Yes it is! Here is the link: apps.apple.com/us/app/flow-focus-pomodoro-timer/id1423210932

[@aliceruss04]

Did the new subscription slots sell out in a couple minutes this time 😭😭 As an australian fan I missed the 7am release time and was late by an hour to see it was sold out already ˙◠˙ A shame but a mistake I will prevent next quarter !!

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

I'm so sorry Alice >.< Thank you for showing up today still!

[@juliaa6373]

Hi Helen

[@TheCoffeeMonsterzCo]

Hello!!!

[@No-self_No-problem]

🙏

[@caitlinharsha5396]

What is your favorite Taylor album?