September Flip Through In Hobonichi Cousin + Current Planner Thoughts

[@MagentaHero]

Congrats on your first fountain pen! The Sailor was a beautiful choice. Good luck keeping your money now. The ink obsession is real. 😅 You’ll be browsing casually, no commitments, when suddenly 5 different variations of blue or pink or brown will be in your cart and you can’t not get at least one so you get them all and this is your life now. 🤭 Fountain pen community is one of the best I’ve encountered on the internet. Hope you enjoy!!!

[@torionpaper]

Thank you so much! I’ve already started to feel those ink temptations so I know exactly what you mean 😭 I’m excited to dip my toes (or nib maybe??) into the community lol

[@missytrent2153]

I sadly, abandoned all of my 2024 Hobonichi books. I have been a Hobonichi user since 2017. It was so difficult….but I could not enjoy the Sanzen paper, especially with watercolor and fountain pens. It took a couple of months and money, I will admit…..experimenting. Breaking old routines regarding my journaling and planning style. I did quickly buy up several blank Hobonichi notebooks with the lovely Tomoe River paper so that has been my “security blanket”, so to speak…..but in all honesty, the change is proving to be a positive change! I am now doing much nicer watercolor art by leaving Hobonichi paper. I am sketching and painting more than ever in quality sketchbooks and planning in a Traveler’s Notebook! I also do memory keeping in nicer journals that I realize look much more beautiful on a shelf! And…. Because I always loved doing little watercolor illustrations in my Hobonichi planner/journal…. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I can do the same on the Midori paper inserts from Traveler’s Company, that go in my traveler’s notebook! I loved Hobonichi so much…. But they too, have made changes and their changes no longer brought me joy. I’m content again and finding joy in change! Good luck to you and enjoy your beautiful Traveler’s Notebook! I even ordered my 2025 inserts from Traveler’s Company!

[@torionpaper]

Thank you so much for sharing all this! As someone who wants to prioritize painting and inks more I’m feeling this as well. I love that there are sketching and watercolor TN inserts and there is just so much customization possible instead of being stuck with the same paper for an entire year. I’m really trying to figure out my priorities and I think that will help my final decision, I just wish the Sanzen paper wasn’t an issue!

[@akaFabulous]

Oh my gosh, would love to see how you are using your Traveler's notebook!! It's a system I've returned to over and over again! I think it's completely fair to be wanting to experiment with your cousin, especially this time of year!! ❤I've been spending less time on social media because I know it contributes to my planner scaries, and it's really helped me feel solid about using a cousin for 2025 :)

[@torionpaper]

Thank you so much! I’m really excited about the system and how it has been working for me. I’m glad you are feeling good about your cousin, thank you for being here 💕

[@sar7719]

Really excited to see you try a TN. I go back and forth with a TN and Hobonichi over the years, so I'm so excited to see your take on it.

[@torionpaper]

Thank you so much! I’ve been having the best time so far and could definitely see myself using it long term. Thank you for being here ❤️

[@kaseylealma]

😂 it’s the cool kids of the planner community. I’ve always been scared of them too but bought a starter kit this year and I love the feeling in my hands

[@torionpaper]

Its so great in the hands! So glad you joined the club too 😂💕

[@hollylind7489]

Yay! Love Jenni Bick. Such a cool place! Great video as always. I loved the updates ❤

[@torionpaper]

LOVE YOU

[@Jojournals90]

I am so excited to see you get into travelers! If it was a cool kids club (which it can’t be as I’m part of it) then you are definitely cool enough to join 😅 I am luckily over the whole Hobonichi mania and back to my system and settled. Now just need to get through 2025 planner set up season 😂 xx

[@torionpaper]

Omg you are definitely considered a cool club member 😭😭 I’m glad you are feeling settled, such a weird time of year for planner systems 😭💕 appreciate you always

[@autisticbucky]

always love seeing your books! congrats on your first fountain pen!! 💛 the sketches you’ve done in your cousin are so lovely. very cool to see your TN as well, i’m swapping into a standard TN for 2025 bc i missed the size. :)

[@torionpaper]

Thank you so much! I am so surprised how much I am enjoying the size! I appreciate to being here ❤️

[@thejournaldiaries]

Love seeing your pages. I like how your weekly pages look ❤ I thought I was happy with my line up for 2025 but I changed it again lately 😅❤

[@torionpaper]

Thank you so much! I’m feeling this as well so you aren’t alone. It’s a weird time of year for planners for sure 😅

[@gabmatth]

if you remember and don't mind sharing, what was the journal shop in DC called? just asking because i'd like to visit a semi-local place to see hobonichis in person before i buy

[@torionpaper]

@@gabmatth no problem! It was called Jenni Bick Custom Journals. You’ll have to let me know if you end up stopping by!

[@alicem1111]

I keep calling it banana pudding too😂❤

[@torionpaper]

Glad I’m not the only one 😭😅

[@HopeScully]

@torionpaper what is the name of the stationary store in DC? I’m going this weekend and want to check it out.

[@torionpaper]

It’s called Jenni Bick Custom Journals. You’ll have to let me know if end up stopping by! 💕

[@HopeScully]

I will! Thank you!

[@HopeScully]

@@torionpaper What a great shop! I went crazy, thanks!

[@torionpaper]

@@HopeScully omg I’m so glad!! Truly has so much good stuff inside

[@Newsbro89]

I find it so hard to write with fountain pens lol. I guess it’s because I don’t have the best handwriting (it’s gotten much better over the years 😊) but idk if it’s the way I hold the fountain pen or what but I end up either not getting enough ink into to the tip or I rip through the paper. Any tips would be helpful!

[@torionpaper]

I am a newbie myself so I feel like I’m definitely still figuring it out. I will definitely keep tips in mind that have helped me and maybe do a fountain pen video eventually when I’m more educated!

[@car5522]

Honestly, Hobonichi this year has left a bad taste in my mouth as well. I am somewhat of a die-hard Hobonichi fan, I spent a massive amount of money this year on it (and I am happy with everything I got), I collect the boxes, the Cousin is my main ride-or-die, etc, etc. However, the messy first release, the declining quality of paper, the sudden price hikes and increase in the free-shipping threshold, their response to the paper issue, is starting to make me feel like I am being taken advantage of. I love their cover designs, which is a massive reason why I love Hobonichi, but I hope they do better from here on out.

[@torionpaper]

Thank you so much for sharing! I understand a lot of what you are feeling which is a bummer because I am a huge fan as well. Fingers crossed that launches/products will improve here on out 🩷