March flip-through of Hobonichi A6 Avec and Traveler's Notebook Passport - which one should I keep?!

Hello hello, my March flip-through is here!
I’m still going round in circles trying to figure out if I can just have one planner and if so: WHICH ONE do I let go of??
It’s the battles between format of course (which I think I know an answer for) and another one of “individuality”. Please let me know if I’m delusional in thinking that the way I customise my TN is quite different to what’s out there? Or is it? Shall I get rid of the Hobonichi?!
Help me by telling me what you think of my two planners and/or current set up. How could I improve? 🫰
Then again… am I even asking the right questions? Does it even matter how unique one’s journal (-ing/deco) style is*? Should we just focus on what works? Is everything linked? 🫠
*Probably would be of great benefit though, if I’m trying to provide content on here… ha!

[@BooknBroom]

I feel this struggle SO MUCH! I am using a hobonichi daily and the 5 year journal and I feel like I am always writing the same thing and that is soooo boring! For me I shifted my daily to my feelings for the day, good and bad, as well as my to do lists and goals. I ended up changing my 5 year to more of a slice of life kind of thing. Like a gratitude for the day or a story of something that happened that I want to remember or where my family and I are at in life. Anything that makes today worth comparing to every day for the next 5 years. That helped me a little. So your thoughts of using one to memory keep is a great idea so one is more functional and one is more a slice of life. Really glad I found your channel, I find your videos really interesting and enjoyable.

[@thejournalingpotato]

Omg - slice of life! I love that term. Makes total sense; isn't it weird how sometimes we need a name for something to have it make more sense? I love your approach of "what's unique about today for me to look back on in a year's time" notes - so it's more analytical rather than just a log book brain dump "what happened today" entires - which is the sort of thing I did in my A5 last year. Bronte Swannick and The Common Corner both use a different coloured/type of pen to write journal entries or comments on their pages. Maybe I should try that too. It may make "dear diary" entries less cringy and long as I'd already edited my thoughts, calmed my emotions and whatnot, lol. Thank you for commenting so I could find your channel!

[@BooknBroom]

@@thejournalingpotato I am a writer, so I understand exactly what you mean. Finding the right words, the right terms or names for things, adds clarity and focus to things. You just have to find the RIGHT words or the RIGHT name. My daily journal is just that, a brain dump at the end of the day so I can focus in on what's important to remember for my 5 year entry. It also helps me make my priority list for the next day so I can calm my mind and sleep better. One is to help me clear my head and plan for the next day for mental health, the other is to be able to look back on the day and get an idea of what was important, my hopes, and plans and feelings about life. So I journal in two books every day, but the focus is VASTLY different. I am really glad this helped even a little. OH I am also glad you found my channel! I am still figuring things out and trying to find the perfect pen, the perfect planner. But I also think those are both going to be every changing life long evolutions.

[@sofiiawithtwoeyes]

I am in love with your TN - it has so much personality! It really shows that it’s a system you’ve developed on your own. At the same time, I believe that the materials we use for daily planning should spark joy, and I’m sure that the journey of figuring out your style in the Hobonichi will be so fun and rewarding if you decide to go with it. No matter what you choose to do, good luck! I’d be curious to see the updates.

[@thejournalingpotato]

Ah thank you so much! I think I just need to go for it and brave the fear of customising a Hobonichi. Just because I think the community consensus of using it is to be "neat" and pretty shouldn't mean I can't try something else. Ahh - I can do it! And I shall update once I tired. ...

[@alexthomascreative]

it would be really cool to see a hobonichi book decorated in the way you've described. it sounds like it will be a good creative exercise for you.

[@thejournalingpotato]

Oh! I like this: a creative exercise! Makes the whole process sound more like I'm doing it for the science, for the greater good of journal users. It gives it a purpose beyond just me overthinking for no reason, haha. Love it, thanks!!

[@conor_olo]

I think it is tricky because it's so different for you & like you said seeing other peoples spreads can make it harder sometimes! If you're worried about TRP being an issue, not using it would be more of a waste than decorating on it or chopping stuff up on it? I think getting your style into it would look great! Looking forward to see how your hobonichi is looking next month! Thanks for the video PJ!!

[@thejournalingpotato]

Ok, please don't laugh but what do you mean by TRP - sorry if I'm being really dumb right now? I may have chopped up a few pages already and while it's not a disaster - it does look a little eh, different 😂

[@conor_olo]

@@thejournalingpotato noo not dumb at all! Tomoe River Paper, the hobonichi paper 😁 hahaha ooh well that's very exciting! Looking forward to seeing how your style looks in the hobonichi

[@ghostyplans]

I think whatever you choose is fine! The thing about passport is that it’s undated and it’ll always be there to return to when you want to. I had the same dilemma last month, between my A6 Stalogy and my passport. I stuck with the Stalogy and it worked great. Then when I was ready, I’ve returned to passport.

[@thejournalingpotato]

My passport is dated, but I think I agree that it feels like it would be easier to return to the passport at a later stage. Rather than trying to catch up on who-knows-how many daily pages in the A6, haha!

[@femkedemoor5276]

I think it's absolutely brilliant that you want to tear up pages and play around in your Hobonichi. I think we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to use our books by a certain format because it's so common in the community. I like that you distinguish from "how it should be used" and just do it the way that serves you. It will inspire others as well to use their books to their liking. I think you're brave for doing it differently, and share what works for you with us. Truly, Thank you!

[@thejournalingpotato]

Oh thank you for such an encouraging comment. I've actually cut up a few pages already and I didn't cry. So I'm feeling a bit more encouraged to trial this a bit more. I shall come back and update everyone when there's enough to show! 🫰

[@MomofCurt]

Enjoyed your video and style. If you want to use stamps on TRP (which I’ve done since 2015), use chalk ink (I like VersaMagic). Glad I found your channel.

[@thejournalingpotato]

Ah thank you so much!! I'm going to look up your ink pad recommendation - it would be lovely to have some stamps in my Avec!

[@autisticbucky]

i’m sorry to hear you’re having issues using 2 books. i use my travelers notebook for braindump journalling and my hobonichi a6 avec for memory keeping. having them designated for two separate things has helped me, maybe it would help you to find a specific role for the tn? thank you for sharing! 💛

[@thejournalingpotato]

I did think about that. But I still always come back to: but isn't it better if I could just have everything in one book?! I like the idea of a health journal that some people keep. I think if I were to start one then it makes sense to have that in a separate book which would remain private. Other than that I think I just need to listen to myself and stop wanting to add more formats to the frey, haha.

[@minapomelo]

Loved your last flip through so I’m so excited to watch this PJ☺️💖

[@thejournalingpotato]

Ah thank you so much!! 🫰

[@moodles69]

Keep both! They are quite different styles, passport is a weekly view, Hobonichi A6 is daily. I love them both! ❤

[@thejournalingpotato]

Ah yes, you're right! And the thing is, I plan better in a weekly view... So I'd need to find away of how I would tackle actual planning if I phased out the TN...

[@joyfultracey3348]

I’m sorted in same boat. I’m using a5 hobonichi bc I spent money so wanted to use but I also have a problem buying pretty journals (only have 2 that I’ve bought this year) and I enjoy being in a pretty journal. However I do NOT like being in two diff journal/planners. But I dk which one I want to use so I’m using both and feel like I’m writing duplicates. I know I only want one journal/planner. I just allowed myself tooo many options I guess

[@thejournalingpotato]

Ahaha, you hit the nail on its head when you said "I spent money on it" and "I want pretty things"! I feel the same about my journals too, especially the TN covers. I know I won't use them in the near future yet can't stop myself from buying them. I ordered the Tokyo cover knowing full well I haven't enjoyed using a standard size in years! 🫠

[@joyfultracey3348]

@@thejournalingpotato 🤣 I understand abt standard size. I have sold a lot of covers but I keep my standards just “in case” I decide to use that size which I haven’t in abt 6 years. Enjoy ur videos!

[@eprohoda]

How’s everything going?! like it. very excellent !be well,

[@thejournalingpotato]

Hello, all good here. Thanks for your comment!

[@cefwyn7878]

Can i ask where you got the clips from thaf you stuck on the back of your pins? Also, i don't think you should get rid of your passport. You clearly love it! I know that's not a particularly helpful answer!

[@thejournalingpotato]

Hello! If you search "clear plastic clips self adhesive tapestry poster" online you should have these pop up. Let me know if you manage to find them. Haha, I'm changing my mind every month as to whether or not to get rid of the TN. Currently, in the month of May, I'm thinking: I'm keeping it. I like it too much. HA! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@cefwyn7878]

@@thejournalingpotato Found them! Thank you:)

[@appletree.valley]

just briefly wanna say i love your diys, the clips especially are so brilliant! i think it's gonna be so interesting seeing how you'll combine some of the ways in which you used your tn with how you're currently using your hobonichi! you already have a very unique style, and experiments like this i feel will either add to it or help you define it more :D but the topic of personal style vs influence we receive being a part of a community is such a great one to ponder! i really enjoy hearing your perspective, as smn entering the space having already had a chance to develop your style outside it and then getting to play and integrate new elements with it. how did you first start planning? was it something you stumbled upon in a shop and gave it a go? did you discover the community bc you were already using the same tools? cause for me it was the other way around:))

[@thejournalingpotato]

Ah Roxana - deep deep questions being asked here :D I think it started in school, I was proudly using a FiloFax A5. Then our school started offering us a free A5 ring-bound calendar/planner made by a third party at the beginning of every academic year. After school I used Moleskines for a while and at some point changed to Traveler's Notebooks. I used the standard vertical layout all through uni. After uni I swapped into a passport weekly. I actively avoided the online journaling community (for fear of being influenced) until a year ago and promptly !! got influenced to try a Hobonichi... I think your way into journaling is very interesting and maybe how many people get into it? It's probably the least "wasteful" in terms of not needing try many types of journals as well as time-investment before finding your perfect one. You can do all the research by watching videos etc. Which is how one would do many other things in life right? Like buying a car. It's good to have some pro and con points and maybe a "starter list" of items that come recommended so one is not too lost and overwhelmed by choice. I guess my journey until now has been very organic. Which may also explain why I'm so "narrow minded" in wanting to keep my "style" and be in one planner. Like, I'm set in my ways and unwilling to move forward ahahaha. PS: May I use your questions as a theme for a video? I'm thinking I could try and find my old Moleskines and maybe even my planners from school... and maybe do an "origin story", lol.

[@zeldak3933]

Humbly I will say listen to yourself you already know your answer, you already have an amazing system! ❤️ Of course is good to experiment But sometimes multiple options can make you feel miserable I wish I could have realized earlier after spending a lot of time and money thanks to you I found my planner peace A lit bit from where “I came” I started TNR with just blank notebook back then I didn’t knew have dated notebooks so I thought is impossible 1 year 12 notebooks ? I gave up Then I got 2 cousins 1 for me 1 homeschool and I got influenced and I bought 1 dayfree for my Japanese and 1 midori a5 1 day 1 page for memory keeping I end up overwhelmed and get rid of everything except a5 homeschool cousin (I moved to a hobonichi weeks, later ) after that in April got a6 and a weeks mega i use the mega for EDC and simultaneously a6 and a5 for the same purpose memory keeping I got rid of a6 multiple times …. I tried the cousin and I end up feeling tired of the pressure of daily format I realized I see life in weekly perspective so daily is not good format for me anyway I got a hobonichi 5 year a6 and A5 sizes got rid of them. finally I came to the conclusion I love TN and weeks so let’s go with that ( I overcame the idea of getting Hibino, moleskine, Jibun techo) At the beginning of this year I had 1 TNR for memory keeping, dairy etc. 1 week for EDC and 1 weeks for home task management etc. And then I found your channel and I saw the light! I always had love MD cream paper and the new hobonichi paper I didn’t like it I made the decision after seeing how you use your passport that small it doesn’t mean limited you can always add more pages etc. Besides TN Regular size is too big and heavy I can’t possibly carry it outside, and 2 Weeks it was too much. So I’m left with my passport for: Journal and is everything about memory, life, health, art, trips personal etc. and weeks I merged my 2 planners in one: EDC and main planner. That’s it for me thanks to you I discovered my style “pocket style” and I got simplified my life and storage system wherever I go I can carry my journal and planner! just this year I will finish with the weeks but next Will be passport and mini 6 rings plotter (or any small rings) because of the same size and versatility for a planner. Well sorry for my long message from a stranger from internet I apologize for that and my English, I just wanted to be of help, as you help me thank you ! ❤️

[@thejournalingpotato]

Oh my goodness! I'm sorry I didn't get to reply sooner but I needed to sit down properly and read through what you've written. First of all: thank you so much for your time watching my video and commenting! I'm so humbled that you found my video helpful and that you are happy in your planner setup now! You mentioned a very important point that I don't think is talked about that much: the (visual) perception of time! Depending on culture and other factors we all grow up seeing and learning how hours, days and weeks are portrait on paper, in 2D. I for sure plan better in a monthly grid (with Monday being the first column and Sunday the last) or a weekly layout (either vertical with hours or spread over two pages). Which is probably why I have been so happy in a TN passport for so long. Perfect portable size and very adequate for collecting memory ephemera when needed. I'm not a "dear diary" person, so the daily pages in the Avecs (A5 or A6) feel like a lot of excessive empty space. But at the same time having the space is nice for days when I have something extra to add. In the end, I've decided to play a little more with my A6 Avec (especially after spending money on a leather cover, oops...) but I'll try and keep up with my TN passport, too. I think it might be a good thing to be able to look back on at the end of this year and compare and contrast the two books. Let me know how you get on with your Weeks and TN passport and if you try a small rings!