My 2025 Journals Are Not Working for Me...

[@kevinpark9609]

god i love the journaling community because everyone is sooooo different and what they need is so different - some of your comments you made about the techo or whatever that you didnt like is EXACTLY what i liked about it or what not love your content!

[@moonlit.journal]

Haha yess that's what I love about it too! ❤ Thank you so much 🙂

[@marihiraya.archives]

I’m only half way through the video and want to comment before I lose what I was thinking lol I want to say that I love how thoughtful you are with your journals. I feel that journaling is such a personal thing and to be able to share your thoughts about and how you feel about it appreciated. It has taken me about 8 years of constant abondonment of my journals because the system didn’t work for me. The way I journal is somewhat like you. It felt like a chore to have journal about my thoughts every day. I like to journal when I have things to talk about and things I need to process. But I also want to also capture happenings. And also my everyday. And so I finally found the journaling style that worked for me. And that was the practice of documenting my day in a fun way with stickers. Then only journaling if I want to expand on that. So I get best of both worlds of being in my journal daily but also not obligated to talk/write about how I’m feeling or reflecting on something if I don’t want to. Don’t be so hard on yourself about changing your system. It’s an important thing in your life and you definitely should do what works best for you. You can always repurpose those notebooks. That is what I have been doing. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!! You are definitely not alone! :)

[@moonlit.journal]

Thank you so much for this comment ❤ Really appreciate your kind words and encouragement! And I'm so happy to see that you've found the system that really works for you! I think I am finally finding it myself :)

[@DaddyDiBs]

With over 40 years of journaling, I have to say that I have never changed my system or my way of journaling. I have changed the size of my journals from A5 to A6 and found that B6 suits my needs more so than any other size journal. Another issue is the Tomoe River paper has changed and the new Sansen version has some issues that many have complained about, and one is the feathering. Loved your honest point of view on your journaling tribulations but don't fret it will all work out in the end. Kudos from NYC.🗽

[@moonlit.journal]

Thank you so much for your kind words! ❤ That is incredible! Hopefully moving forward I can be more consistent with the journals I use. It's all a learning experience and these experiments ultimately helped me get closer to understanding what really works for me. :) Thanks again!

[@moniques.journal.corner]

So much of this hits home! Im not happy with the new weeks. Between the writing experience and the fact that no matter what i do it wont lay flat... i fell out of love and have been struggling. Im a B6 girlie at heart, but i have this "fantasy" of being a tiny planner girl... ie A6 or pocket... and they are so stinking cute, but in reality i need another book to accompany it to have enough room... now im just struggling to get the right setup in b6 for my brain. I love that you simplified. Im working on it so i can enjoy my things!! Lovely video!

[@Sypeth]

I have already changed 4 times s8nce the beginning of the year 😂 I think planner hopping is my real passion 😅

[@InkySparks]

😂😂😂

[@AnastasiaR]

Ive also noticed the trend of people not liking their systems earlier than usual this year. It seems to me that a lot of the people who left Hobonichi are struggling to fill in the gaps of certain things that Hobonichi does well.

[@Ashley-d1m]

I tried the cousin for first time this year. I was so pumped up and hype, jumped right in and was adoring it! The pages unfortunately started lifting from the top and bottom of the book:( I purchased another one, same this started😮I gave it up and I’m using for just notes really

[@moonlit.journal]

That's very true! It's a shame that so many are struggling with faulty paper this year though 😕But at least for me, Hobonichi will always feel like home regardless 💗

[@missfl0werstar]

I agree that the whole TRP debacle caused a lot of people to struggle with their planning system this year. I've been resisting the urge to just throw my hands up and leave my current planner/journal, but the layout and in-hand feel is so perfect and I'm so happy to have found one book that can hold my whole life (I use an A6 by Papertess) that I feel like I can endure the feathering and inconsistency for this year. TRP better step up their game for 2026 though.

[@Ashley-d1m]

@ I think I’m one foot in peace and one foot out now, we’ll see. I recently received my first passion planner. I have started in it and doing some back planning, it’s been awesome! The hemlock and oak that is just gorgeous I plan to memory keep in. So one that has more structure and is a bit larger now for me to write in, passion will be solely for forward and functionality and hemlock will still be with me for the “actuality” aspect from my days. I will find something creative for the monthly spread in the H&O and I think I’m set! This is awesome! I’m getting there after a struggle over the Hobonichi planners.

[@booksnphilosophy]

what is the trp debacle? ​@@missfl0werstar

[@lisaleone2296]

I've changed gears every 2 weeks since I got my last 2025 planner in November. I realized yesterday that when setting up this week in my main planner, I was literally emulating the layout of a planner I decided not to use in December. All roads keep leading me back to the first planner I bought from the season, which not coincidentally is the one I bought based on my needs that I've used in the past successfully. All of the others were "ooh shiny" and I'm trying to force my life to fit into them. Why do I do this to myself? I need a planner buddy to smack the shiny new planners our of my hand. Figuratively speaking.

[@moonlit.journal]

I hope you find exactly what you are looking for! ❤ It can be so conflicting trying to figure it out when nothing quite fits your needs perfectly.

[@LittleCocoStudio]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, despite feeling conflicted about it. It sounds like you learned a lot from experimenting with trying something new, and it takes a lot of self-awareness and reflection to recognize when something isn’t working and needs to change. The fact that you felt relief moving back onto your Cousin shows that it was the right move! My journals are working out so far this year because I haven’t changed things much from last year… but that’s because I was too scared to switch things up 😅. I’ve been so tempted to try a daily journalling practice, especially in the Cousin, but I looked at my daily journaling track record and realized it would likely be too much for me at this stage in my life. My daily processing journal isn’t pretty at all, but I use mine similarly to yours - to work through how I’m feeling and build more self-awareness. I can’t have too many restrictions when I’m journalling, otherwise I’ll get distracted and forget about what I need to process. I do like journalling in a TN sized notebook, but it wasn’t until I switched to an insert with a smaller grid that allowed me to fit more on a page (previously, I was in an A5!). I also love my TN cover, so I’m always reaching for it and holding it. Haha I suppose it has become my emotional support book. 🥲 Thanks again for this wonderful video. 💗 I think it is going to go a long way in helping others who may be feeling similarly at this point in the year!

[@moonlit.journal]

Thank you so much for the encouragement ❤ I'm so glad your 2025 journals are going well! Definitely a smart move to stick with what worked last year. And haha I can completely relate to the feeling of an emotional support book. I think because we both seem to process our emotions through articulating them in our books, it's natural to get attached to them! Thanks for the kind words as always 💗

[@tinytigerco]

I completely agree it’s helpful to talk through what’s not working and I’ve also found it insightful to hear your thoughtful reflections. I’ve found your flip throughs quite motivating actually to recommit to my books and an experiment with different spreads that work better for me. I’m glad your Cousin offered a safe space to return. That’s so disappointing to see your 2025 A6 had the defective TRP. My A6 was thankfully spared but both my Weeks have the ink spreading and bleed issues.

[@moonlit.journal]

Thank you so much for the kind words! ❤ I'm definitely feeling at home being back in the Cousin. And I'm glad this has maybe inspired you to experiment with your spreads. Hope your 2025 journals have been treating you well! :)

[@Saturdays.Script]

Its great you could move back into your cousin! I found your video very thoughtful. Im glad you were able to really hone and pinpoint what was and wasn't working and find solutions. Happy journaling to you ❤❤❤

[@moonlit.journal]

Thank you so much for the support and well wishes! ❤ I hope your 2025 journals are working well for you!

[@seekingcelestialgrace]

Everything you said about your current system really resonated with me and how I am feeling about mine. I want journaling to always be a joy and not a tedious hobby; finding what works for me to achieve that is important. Great video!

[@moonlit.journal]

Thank you so much for the kind words! I hope your journals are working out well ❤

[@mopete9830]

My digital cousin is probably the best thing I've ever made. I actually journal everyday. If I miss a day I back fill. I'm journaling a lot more now and it's working really well for me. I've even started doodling in the pages, which is huge for me. I haven't drawn in forever.

[@moonlit.journal]

That is amazing! How cool that you've found the method that really works for you. It always makes me happy to learn what others are enjoying using, thanks for sharing. 🙂

[@greygoldandleather]

Oh my goodness! I loved this video. I love honest people speaking about honest feelings. So thank you for your vulnerability. I have a super LONG comment so I hope that doesn't annoy you or anyone. Anywho, first thing is, do not feel alone. I experienced this same thing very early in January and had to completely revamp. I went kind of opposite of you, so I went from a A5 sized to a passport Traveler's Style Notebook. However I am a retired professional makeup artist, so no need for so much space. I also streamlined my "life book" into a concise memory/hobby insert, health focused life insert (utilizing the grid for check offs systems), and a minature commonplace insert. It is always the right decision to change something when your soul is nudging you differently. So well done sister. Last, I get flash migraines and my mother gets frequent longset migraines. Her doctor prescribed Sumatriptin and she has experienced rave results. We also don't eat more than 15 grams of carbs/sugars per meal, (always eating protein first) and opt out of all grains and milk/lactose foods. We both have some rave health improvements to share if ever you have interest. Sorry again for a long comment but there was so much to say. Thank you again for your special videos moonlit! 🤗🩶

[@moonlit.journal]

Thank you so much for the support and encouragement! ❤ I really appreciate you taking the time to comment. And I'm glad you adjusted your system when it wasn't working for you too! I hope it's working out well now? I'm sorry to hear about you and your mom's migraines, it is never easy. I appreciate your advice 🙂

[@greygoldandleather]

@@moonlit.journal You are so welcome! And yes it is working like a charm less like a chore. Have a wonderful week and rendezvous in your cozy journaling system. 🤗

[@gangwarilydrummond]

Thank you for sharing this. I’m also totally changing my planners. After much back and forth, trying to make it work, and feeling like I have to just push through and force it until it clicks, I gave myself permission to just start over with something else. It’s made all the difference. For now anyway 😊.

[@moonlit.journal]

I'm so glad you came to the realization that starting over might be better for you than sticking with something that wasn't working. I hope your new system continues to work well! ❤

[@Ashley-d1m]

Great video with awesome information. Speaking from experience, I’ve been through way too many already and it’s not even February. I’m strictly a functional planner and I freaked. I’m in a passion planner now and totally thought about it, the PP is brand new too, barely learning it…but I need to find a daily routine, daily planner!!! I may just try an simple stalogy since they are awesome and just try my own method

[@moonlit.journal]

Thank you so much! ❤ I completely understand! It can be so conflicting/confusing. I hope you find "planner peace" in 2025! ✨

[@awkward.empath.amanda]

Thanks so much for sharing this! 😊💛 I think it’s so important to be able to change your mind. To me it’s so insightful & thoughtful. I can totally relate to wanting a system to work, and working it all out to be a ‘success’...only to find that it just doesn’t fit. I haven’t read the other comments, but I hope you’re not getting too much negativity. If you have the means to be able to change, then I think it’s really healthy to do so! It’s your daily life. For me, my journals are crucial to my mental health. I need to feel comfortable and safe in them...and the layout, size, the tactile feeling of the pages & writing on them...these make a difference in how I’m able to journal daily. I’m grateful to be able to have these things - I don’t take them for granted. And it feels like you don’t either. I’m glad you have changed to what’s best for you right now! 💛🖊📖😊

[@moonlit.journal]

Thank you SO much for this comment, I really appreciate your kindness and encouragement ❤ It's really validating honestly. I completely agree with you about needing to feel safe and comfortable in your books. So it's most important to understand what is going to help you be in your journals the most. Thank you again and hope your 2025 journals are treating you well! 🙂

[@torionpaper]

Sending you lots of love and good vibes for your notebooks! It’s the worst feeling when they don’t work out like you hope. Looking forward to see what you adjust to 💗

[@moonlit.journal]

Thank you so much for the positive thoughts and encouragement ❤❤ It definitely is an uncomfortable feeling, as someone who is so reliant on their journals. Your videos have definitely played a big part in helping me realize that it is okay to adjust my system when I need to, so thank you!! :)

[@torionpaper]

@ 💕💕💕

[@JoannaDominguez]

I’ve been feeling the same way-it’s not even February yet and I’m considering jumping ship to another notebook/system. I just need to get over the mental hangup of the guilt of a DNF. I try to tell myself as long as I’m trying and learning from it, it’s okay lol

[@moonlit.journal]

I'm sorry you're feeling the same way! It can be so conflicting and uncomfortable. Wishing you planner peace soon! 💗

[@taranickoledesigns3340]

Thank you for posting this. I have been feeling guilty about wanting to abandon a few of my journals.

[@moonlit.journal]

Thank you! I'm sorry you've been feeling similarly. Wishing you planner peace in 2025 ❤

[@BeaCatalasan]

I also felt the same way about the A6. Last year I used an A5 Hon and I find the A6 too limiting for the things I want to write about. So I had to buy another A5 Hon even if it's halfway through January. It's sad when sometimes such systems don't work but it's better to know them early on to make adjustments:)

[@moonlit.journal]

Yes I agree! I'm glad you made the switch if it's ultimately what works best for you. Hope your A5 Hon is going well! ❤

[@UrNo1gurl]

i understand it , for past few years i tried to keep notebook , but ended up not using or ripping pgs out of them cuz of pranoia , but this year i started keeping again and i am more comfortable now , and i think its ok if something is not working the same as u wanted , cuz thats how basically life is , enjoying what u do is really important too

[@moonlit.journal]

That is very true, and a great reminder. Thank you! ❤

[@ninabee644]

I'm using a small, undated notebook for journaling this year because daily journaling is also not for me and it's going great so far! keeping up with one every day it's not always manageable 🙂‍↔️

[@moonlit.journal]

That makes a lot of sense! I'm so glad it's going well for you! ❤

[@ghostyplans]

Girl, I lasted eleven days in my Narrow TN with monthly, weekly, and daily inserts. LUCKILY I got undated inserts, so I can move back into them when I’m ready. I moved from three inserts to a cut down Narrow Moleskine. I draw the monthly out, and don’t do the weeklies, but also journal. It’s like the same system but in one book instead of three. 😅 makes sense to my brain that it feels like less work. Idk 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@moonlit.journal]

I'm glad you were able to adjust your system so that it works for you! ❤ And yess to undated inserts!

[@angelle07]

I tried using a TN and I couldn't get it to work for me but I had heard somewhere that some people willl turn the book sideways and write from the bottom to the top, using the sides as top and bottom. Perhaps that would give you ther wider set up? I haven't tried again but it is a thought. Thanks for your honest thoughts.

[@moonlit.journal]

I've seen that as well! That's a good idea, I think I would still miss the overall size of the A5 though, at least for my long-form journaling. And thank you so much! 🙂

[@Seferothx]

Ive been feeling a little bit similar with my TN. I dont like the weekly layouts, but i do like the simple grid inserts for daily journaling/memory keeping. I plan on checking out the Plotter USA booth at the CA Pen Show next month and maybe I can use that for commonplacing and planning :) ive been telling myself "i tried it, and its not working for me and thats okay. its not a waste, i just learned its not what i needed."

[@moonlit.journal]

Oh that's exciting! Plotters are a favorite for many, I hope it works out well for you! And thank you, I completely agree that it isn't a waste if you are learning from it and adjusting accordingly. ❤

[@77VJC]

Question - have you considered using your Cousin’s daily pages for work as well and basically making your HC purely work/life admin? That’s how I use mine and it works really well. Weeklies are meetings/appointments and then just the top few to do’s and then in my dailies I have a more comprehensive to do list each day that I can expand to note down steps involved and/or important notes from meetings etc. Especially if you are ignoring the dates /not journaling every day.

[@moonlit.journal]

Yes I have! I've realized that it doesn't work for my brain to mix to-dos with my long-form journaling space. But I find that the weeklies in the Cousin are the perfect place for my "admin" tasks!

[@rforriya908]

I feel like one of the reasons people aren't very happy with their systems this year is because there were a lot of new journaling and related contents last year that may have inspired people to explore new systems, whether that be incorporating new layouts or an entirely separate journal for a specific purpose. Most people likely waited until the new year to try out these new layouts and/or systems and quickly found out that it didn't work for them. That and maybe some disappointment from the high expectations people had for some products that may have been hyped online, too.

[@moonlit.journal]

That's a great point. I think moving forward if I'm going to try a new system, I'll be sure to test it out well in advance to see how I like it. Definitely a learning experience! :)

[@serenely]

I have a July to Dec cousin avec that I'm not using that I'm happy to send you.

[@moonlit.journal]

That is so kind of you, thank you so much! ❤🥰 I think I should hold off for now and see how I'm feeling in March. I'm toying with the idea of getting a Spring-start at that point! :)

[@jenscozyatelier]

If I'm going to be honest, my system is always changing 😣 I like trying out new things, and nothing ever truly sticks. Once I accepted that this is just another part of my journal routine, I've simply adapted to my needs and felt less guilty using what I have I'm not enjoying my 2025 everyday journal because of the paper quality, but I'm not entirely sure if I want to jump ship quite yet. I do know that if I do drop this journal from my everyday lineup, it'll be a backup journal in the future and repurposed for something else :)

[@moonlit.journal]

That is so true! For many of us, it's a hobby and it's normal to want to try different things with any hobby in life. ❤ I'm sorry you're having trouble with paper quality this year, I experienced the same 😕

[@TamikoRamirez-e6b]

You and I are at the same page. I too have been struggling with my planner/journal system. I also have noticed a lot of people in the planner community struggling too. I’ve come to accept it’s okay if one planner doesn’t fit in my lifestyle. I have to find what works for me. I’ve come to see that’s part of the journey. Through trial and error. Im going to order a hobonichi cousin and a weeks from the Hobonichi website this week. I’m so excited. This is my journey.

[@jenscozyatelier]

@@TamikoRamirez-e6b I think it's a blessing and a curse that we have so many options 🥲 I want to try everything!

[@moonlit.journal]

@@TamikoRamirez-e6b Very well said, thank you ❤ oh I'm excited for you!!

[@romakhan6155]

Maybe something else will come up that will pick your interest back up on a specific journal - like you a notebook is an open space that can change in purpose to serve the person

[@moonlit.journal]

That's true! I have already come back to my traveler's notebooks and found new purposes for them 🙂

[@kristineanastacia]

Hi! What do you use to print out the movie/show/album covers? Thank you!

[@moonlit.journal]

Hi! I actually do all of my printing at Fedex :)

[@carmentorres7434]

Omg that’s me this year too😢

[@77VJC]

I’m torn with this because more and more it seems people are becoming completely unable to stick with anything. We’re definitely normalising a lack of self discipline, attention and resilience

[@chemkink]

Certainly people are lacking in resilience - they are uncomfortable with struggle as students and their parents are uncomfortable with watching them struggle. However, on a larger scope, a lot going on in the world right now and maybe that’s why people are struggling with discipline and attention as well.

[@thestationeryjunkie]

I agree.

[@fina_lly]

This is a planner system. It’s supposed to work FOR you.

[@77VJC]

@ I get that… and that’s why I said I was torn. But I have seen SO MANY content creators on here constantly planner hopping that it’s really making me question what’s going on on a broader level. And I mean absolutely no shade to this particular creator either. It seems to also go hand in hand with some crazy consumerism by some creators. Multiple expensive planners. Using (pushing) massive amounts of stickers. And I’m all for everyone doing what they like (I’m personally a TCMC fan!) but sometimes it starts to cross a line.

[@fina_lly]

@@77VJC I get what you mean and I am definitely flabbergasted by the amount of planners some people seem to use. It's seems quite unrealistic and it is unrealistic and too much. Most of these planners cost over 40$ each. However that might be part of the problem anyway. Many people seeing these 5-planners and more setups and feeling the need to keep up with that. Kudos for the creator to just going back to smthg they already have though :)

[@JoleeLovesIt]

Nothing is going to help me because of the general uncomfortable events happening …I need to stop reading the news. I don’t think it’s our books, it’s our saddened hearts. At least for me

[@moonlit.journal]

That is a great point and I completely agree. I think a lot of us are restless and uneasy with everything happening in the world and it definitely creeps into our lives and hobbies.

[@InksAndPonderings]

Same. My heart is just heavy these days…