More 2025 Angst: My Own Fault. Why did I buy this?

[@ramblinganna]

Sometimes we need to focus on the small insignificant problems to distract us from the rest of the madness in the world! Pop both planners, and the one you have coming for work into a drawer/cupboard you don‘t use much, and don‘t look at them again until November and then see which of them make you most excited to use for next year. At worst you have a back up in case you spill orange juice on it on New Year‘s Eve and ruin it…. Which I may or may not have done myself last NYE 😆

[@KatiesCraftStudio]

This is an excellent suggestion, thank you! I will do that. Outta sight for a while will probably do me some good.

[@ivanwu6258]

I was desperately looking for a Hobonichi-like planner (without the quotes), and then I found this. Just FYI, both Chinese and Japanese use kanji (basically the same characters, but pronounced differently). The Tomoe River paper we all love is written as 巴川 in kanji, which is pronounced "Tomoe-gawa" in Japanese ("gawa" means river). Meanwhile, in Chinese, it’s pronounced "Bachuan." So, Kinbor does use the same Tomoe River paper-I pen-tested the paper, and they are identical.

[@KatiesCraftStudio]

@@ivanwu6258 I had heard that somewhere, thank you for confirming it. I just wasn't knowledgeable enough to sound authoritative on the issue.

[@KatiesCraftStudio]

@justscribble you might find this interesting

[@stephanieplansandreads]

This is me. I totally get where you are coming from. I will obsess about my 2025 planner line up until probably when I start obsessing about my 2026 line up! I just go with it at this point while trying not to spend too much money. I don't always succeed mind but I try LOL

[@JustScribble]

I love Kinbor planners. The paper is nice and holds up to watercolor and pens; it's not TRP they call it Bauchuan - but its quite nice. They are very Hobo and Jibun (depending on which one you buy) inspired. The A6 you have is basically identical to the Hobonichi Techo A6. I really like their A5 planners - they have one that's months and days only and one that's months and weeks only and they are really nice. They also have a weeks which is very nice too. I'm was surprised to see you got a daily planner as I thought you were more into the weekly planning but makes sense if it was for potentially journaling vs planning. But I think A6 is a great size - super portable. For less than $2 it's totally worth it to have and just find a use for it or just play in it - not enough investment to put so much thought and stress over it. And we aren't even to fall yet (officially) so you have plenty of time to figure out what you want to use in 2025 and there's nothing to say you can't use both and go back and forth seasonally too. I say put all the 2025 planners away and pull them back out in November/December and figure out what you think is most functional to for you.

[@KatiesCraftStudio]

Yeah, I definitely am more of a weekly planner. It was mostly a moment of weakness! (Followed by more moments of weakness.) But I'm glad to have it and to now know how good an option these planners are. I think you're right, I should put them all away and out of sight for a while.

[@jjensen8509]

Didn’t you like your passport size? I love that size ; it’s so cute! If it was $2 you can Easily sell it. We have all been there. Don’t feel bad !❤️

[@LittleCocoStudio]

What a cute planner! Brown and gold is my happy colour combo. And bread and coffee? ☕️🥖😍 Sorry - probably not helping. 😅 Despite it being relatively low stakes, I get the discomfort you’re feeling about having one too many books. It sounds like you’re approaching this next decision phase with as much thought as you put towards choosing your B6 Slim. The answer will come to you in time! I look forward to seeing what you choose, and what types of customizations you’re dreaming up if you end up trying them out!

[@VeganOrganizer]

I totally get you about the importance of planner problems like these! They are a distraction from other things going on in our lives and also our passion, so of course we take them seriously! It doesn't mean we have no awareness of other life problems. Meanwhile, this Kinbor is tempting me to break my vow not to buy any more dated planners for 2025! I have to stay strong 😅

[@KatiesCraftStudio]

@@VeganOrganizer you can do it! I support you in this vow!

[@VeganOrganizer]

@@KatiesCraftStudio Haha thank you! I can use the support 😁

[@lettersfromthelake6010]

So after watching this I ran right over to Ali Express and ordered an A6 Kinbor. You sold me with the rising and setting sun icons. Adorable. And basically Tomoe River for under two bucks made it a no brainer!

[@KatiesCraftStudio]

@@lettersfromthelake6010 aren't they just the cutest??? I know it's a small detail but I love it

[@thecloudydesk]

I think that needs to be a notebook where you paint/draw pastries you're eating over the course of the year

[@KatiesCraftStudio]

@@thecloudydesk there's an idea! Does that mean I need to eat one every day?

[@thecloudydesk]

@@KatiesCraftStudio At least *most* days ;)

[@TJwritesnstuff]

I'm a big kinbor fan, its been a part of my lineup for 3 years and completely replaced hobonichi this year. However, curiosity for the new hobonichi paper got me and I placed an order for 2025. But you got the planner for such a steal! I think they're different enough from the hobonichi to not feel like i'm getting a carbon copy but the paper is good if not better (IMO), because I can use gel pens and not worry about smearing. If you do decide to use it, I hope you enjoy it since its such a cute cover!

[@teresaslaughter1546]

I was disappointed with Hobonichi because I had my items in the cart,but I waited a day to make sure it was what I wanted, then bam all the prices went way up😮 I had to change my order. I was upset, and it made me realize how expensive this has become. I ordered the A5 kinbor and the weeks to see if I would like it to use next year. I feel like people really build these companies up, and we get paid back with higher prices. I'm even going to stop watching some KZbin channels. I'm going to use my fountain pens and stickers. I already have and make memory keeping stress free and fun😊❤🎉

[@KatiesCraftStudio]

I'm sorry. The Hobonichi experience has been a pretty poor one this year. I only ordered one thing and even then I'm still pretty over all their drama.

[@Livonpaper]

Haha I did the same thing Katie! Except I got the weekly, only $3.45. Can’t resist the price! Interesting to hear about the paper too

[@ashdondondon]

I have the same feelings about not buying something to find a use for later. I did that last year with the Common Planner... guess what is still mostly unused on my shelf? With the Kinbor, I still haven't placed my Hobonichi order, so I am going to see how I feel about the Kinbor before I decide if it will replace one of the Hobonichi A6's I'm going to get for next year. I was planning to buy 3 of them, so perhaps I will only buy two! But at $3 (which is what I paid for mine), the cost was low enough to justify assuaging my curiosity. I'm not out much money if I don't like it, and if I do like it I will have saved the cost of an extra Hobonichi. It's not like a Sterling Ink planner which is much higher cost and feels worse to try and fail because of the initial investment.

[@cerealnana]

Even if you just use it as a scrap or practice notebook it was worth it at that price! I am thinking of getting one to use as an illustrated journal, like Lola Mitchell does. I really have to make drawing my main challenge for next year!

[@behind_the_page]

That cover is super cute tho…

[@leesiahng]

1 day/pg was how i started my 5 year diary! I am a weekly planner and i don't journal, and there were two years where i ended up with dated day/page journal on hand. 1 ended up being my experiemental 5 yr diary - when i was satisfied i could commit, i allowed myself to buy a pretty one the following yr. The other became my gratitude journal as it was tiny, A6. I just scrawl 3 huge things across the page i reckon the benfit comes from fhe act of taking time to be grateful as opposed fo actually documenting it. I alao learnt my lesson through this, despite the beautiful hobonichi A6 camping cove, ita sinply too small for me, A6 is a no go, i dont like the feeling of writing in it. And i also learnt that 1day/page is a no go too. Lessons lwarnt the expensive way but i made the best i could out of it.

[@montgommmery]

You sound just as stressed as I am about planner choices lol I have no advice just know, you are not alone :)

[@KatiesCraftStudio]

@@montgommmery I appreciate that. Glad to have a fellow club member.

[@nyek1246]

I think it was worth the buy, was very cheap and the quality of the kinbor paper on the main techos are really nice. I've been using the Kinbor Weeks for 3 years now and its such a nice alternative. I don't think its TMR though, side by side with Hobonichi, it has a slight different feel and a bit crinkly. But def very close.

[@KatiesCraftStudio]

It's good enough for me, whatever it is! I'm glad you've been happy in them for 3 years, it definitely seems like a great option!

[@anicame2]

Sell the SI planner n try the a6 this yr. I feel u think it’s super cute. Just a suggestion 😊

[@jaquelinemythril2602]

I ended up getting the cats caffe weeks dupe, and I already had my lineup set, so I was thinking of journalling in it. Now, I'm rethinking my line-up, and the kinbor is overly redundant in my new lineup. Might figure a use, might save for later. Not gonna make myself go crazy over it though (b/c I definitely could if I wanted to, lol).

[@tanyarodgers472]

I had my Wonderland222 planner all pre-ordered and ready to go, then I was suddenly struck with the NEED for simplicity and got a Midori Monthly diary. I can probably find uses for both, but I hadn't planned on needing two.

[@charlottesreadingweb]

I also got one because it was very cheap... i'm using mine as a carry with me, brain dump kinda notebook. Just somewhere to write the daily garbage in my head, then translate it into my usual journal

[@moniques.journal.corner]

Sure the stakes are low, but I get it. I got the B6 slim too for next year and I haven't found an all in one TN set up with it that I'm happy with so I temporarily shelved it. It's a super cute size, but at heart I'm a B6 girl so I have 3 different B6s coming so I can decide on my journal for next year. I'm craving a smaller planner/edc so I have a pocket and passport coming... lol so I decisions and destashes to do too.

[@KatiesCraftStudio]

I do really like the B6Slim size, I truly think that's where I'm going to end up. But A6 is so cute!! (I do also love passport but I know it was too small for me in this format for 2024)

[@moniques.journal.corner]

@@KatiesCraftStudio A6 is cute, but I always feel like my hand is off the page journaling in it. We still have 3.5 months... I may stick with my first plan of B6 slim as well. Who knows. I just know I want one planner and one journal next year and I want to keep myself accountable to use and appreciate the things I have.

[@jhecaquitaleg8639]

Same dilemma with the kinbor a6 planner. I know Im not an a6 person as I vowed to stick with my weeks but oh well its cute and I will somehow try to find a use for it 😅

[@KatiesCraftStudio]

Technically they do make a weeks version. But the A6 is so square and cute!

[@loracharis6814]

Wow Katie. At less than $2! At that price there is no guilt. I wish I found that link. That’s worth just over $10. Welcome to Kinbor planners. It’s a nice alternative.

[@KatiesCraftStudio]

@@loracharis6814 it was a back to school sale, I think. And yes, I'm glad to have experienced them!

[@loracharis6814]

@@KatiesCraftStudiohow about zentangles, zentangle inspired art, fountain pen art, ink paintings…. Ignore the dates and enjoy the paper.

[@animerose18]

I’m actually trying out the Kinbor and paid about 14 bucks so definitely a steal! It’s my journal/commonplacing/backup as I’m using a passport next year as my planner. Using standard this year so wasn’t sure if downsizing to a passport is to extreme for next year so wanted a backup just in case

[@aliceinkwell5751]

Just be aware that the kinbor planners are not the same quality as hobonichi and they will not withstand a lot of things being stuck in them due to the spine.

[@KatiesCraftStudio]

@@aliceinkwell5751 good to know. I don't think that's where this book is headed

[@DL-idk]

Wow, that’s VERY cheap. Makes me wonder how it could be this cheap though 🤔 I always hesitant buying from China for all the stories I’ve heard about slave labor can’t seem to stop happening there. I’ve already bought a Hobonichi Hon for 2025. It’s expensive with shipping and all honesty. But I wanted a certain cover so badly so, yeah.

[@alisonridout]

Hi. Is the A6 a complete year? As in one page for 365 days please

[@KatiesCraftStudio]

@@alisonridout yes, it is

[@alisonridout]

@@KatiesCraftStudio thanks so much