Why a Travelers Notebook is my Favorite Planner

I have used ring planners, coiled planners, large planners, small planners, and tried every major planner on the market, but I keep coming back to a travelers notebook. Today I share why it is my favorite and why I keep coming back to this style of planner.
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[@stephaniaeverett6377]

I started getting into planners 3 years ago and then after 4 months I got too overwhelmed and didn’t have the time to put into all the bells and whistles and I even went the budget route with getting them on sale. Tried TN’s, Ring, and then HP took me over the edge and I had to stop and gave everything away. But about a few days ago I missed having a creative outlet and felt like all I wanted was a TN but not a plastic one that’s super bright. A timeless classic leather one. Got one on Amazon, it feels amazing! And like someone else commented the texture is comforting. It’s not overwhelming I keep my stickers to a minimal but still so cute! TN’s especially the standard sizes is my all time favorite 🥰 thank you for the video.

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

Thanks for sharing, I love hearing your story!

[@Anyusha]

Love how these types of planners are compact yet you can have anything you need in it! Thanks for sharing, your planner is really cute! :)

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

Thank you ☺️

[@lindajeanne9962]

I have been on such a long- and expensive planner journey and tried out a TN a few months ago and have never felt so settled with a system as this one. can’t believe it took me so long!!!

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

I’m so glad you found your style!

[@stephmendo6243]

I feel the same way! I want to keep using HP because I’ve spent so much money on it but I think even when I move to a TN I will still use HP stickers.

[@pattimachugs1047]

I agree with you about the TN I just recently got one and I Love it! And I have used so many different types of planners through the years since high school. But this is perfect because you can design it to fit YOUR LIFESTYLE.

[@brismiles8062]

I’m the same when I’m in a ring binder of any size!! Too many sections and it becomes overwhelming!! Completely agree

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

Yes! I've just simplified things down to a minimal organization style in my TN now, compared to rings.

[@LindselleCreates]

I love TNs as well! Especially because you can change some of the inserts depending on where you are going or what you need for that day! I also like that the inserts are not as large as notebooks so it doesn’t seem so overwhelming to have to finish an insert before going to a new one like it is with a notebook. I like changing up my notebook so much so it is nice that inserts aren’t as big!

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

yes, exactly my opinion on all of those things you said!

[@stephmendo6243]

Okay- so I love your video! You cleared a lot up for me. I had been using HP and recollections disc and spiral bound planners. I have really bad anxiety and although those options are great- it is so overwhelming for me. I had been looking into a travelers notebook and I think I’m going to transfer over to this system! Thank you!

[@bvtsunamiwake21]

I'm realizing that I love my travelers notebook but I also really dig Happy Planner: so I have combined them into an unholy union. Suits me just fine actually.

[@jtfirewalker]

That’s awesome! How? I am an HP girl and I have empty TNs everywhere and want to use them but I don’t know how to use both at the same time!

[@sandracapps5543]

Yes, HOW, please.

[@KtSayss]

What a great idea! Do you just print pages for your HP to go into your TN? Just curious how you do it! Love the idea 📒📖🖊

[@sandracapps5543]

By the way, I think these are called OMNI journals. See Yippee Cahier(sp?) on YOU TUBE.

[@KandyG]

You expressed my sentiments about TNs perfectly. I found most of the time I didn't reference back to those precious notes or research. Because seasons change or you learn and grow beyond what you wrote. The only time I found myself going back was my soap recipes and diy cleaner recipes. So I just cut them out and tip them in or rewrite. Also who can snuggle with ring bound or spiral bound planners? My favorite reason and why I don't want to change back is that. The feels you get when you're holding your TN 🙂

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

Yes, that feel of a TN in your hand is perfection!

[@Swt.Designs]

Tysm for sharing.this is awesome, I know kinda old but definitely informative.

[@susanwright134]

I also love my TN’s. Except I use several sizes. My favorite is the B6 Slim. I do have two of the Narrow sized also. I used rings, a bullet journal and electronic planner but TN’s are best. They are portable, you can change out inserts and dashboards.

[@Mamadriggs]

I'd love ideas of what kind of lists do you keep in your permanent list book? I love this -- because I am SOOOOOO much like you in that I overdo the tabs and subcategories and all the things and then it's overhwelming. I"m leaving the Happy Planner this month and going back to a TN just for the sake of the portability and need to NOT DO ALL THE THINGS> I literally have four HPs that I consolidate into one when I could easily make a TN my own.... which is what I'm gonna do.

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

I usually make a list when I need it. The notebook is blank until I think of a list I need. I don’t usually prepare any lists, it happens as I go through the year 🤩

[@jacquelinerogers2997]

Thank you so much about focusing on TNs. I've done rings, coiled and HP. For me they can be intimidating because I don't have anything Earth shattering to everyday or every week TNs seem to fit my life more. Plus the inserts are too cute!

[@whitneya.2336]

You could also create an index to solve the problem of having various pages that you want together. 😊

[@noop5_plans]

I wasn’t sure I’d use the daily pages in my Hobonichi and I pretty much use them every single day now. I use them even more than my weekly usually!

[@TJames1081]

really love this! i have not yet been able to commit to a travelers....but i find myself attracted to them, i think primarily because of your videos. you are so efficient and streamlined, yet the process is still open somehow. i think a big part of it is the quality of the leather cover. when i bought one on amazon (not that all on amazon are bad), it didn't lay flat and felt very confining. your foxy fix and planner beautiful covers are so pretty and awesome quality, i think investing in a nicer one may make all the difference. right now i'm in a fauxbonichi, just a grid notebook (not dot grid, but regular grid) and starting to get into that freedom of a totally personalized spread. thank you for another useful and inspiring video!

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

Maybe you can journey towards a high end leather notebook soon. It sounds like you have the best part settled, the actual notebooks 💕

[@kelseybogus7354]

I just got my first TN last week! It's great so far.

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

Great to hear!

[@PeacockPigment]

Travelers notebooks are my favorite size right now!! Love your quote inserts - so pretty!

[@ThisReyesSchoolHouse]

yes! I don't use a travelers notebook as a planner BUT I do have one for my notes! each insert is notes for a specific thing which makes everything so much easier! I think i can totally jump on board to adding an insert for my monthly pages!

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

That's a great idea!

[@KtSayss]

I just stumbled across TN's for the first time a couple weeks ago on Pinterest, while searching for a writing journal! & I absolutely love EVERYTHING about them! It feels as if Travelers Notebooks were made solely for me 😉📖🖊! Your video has cleared up many questions, so Thank You 💞!! I can not wait to begin this new journey! Much Love ~Katie

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

Yay! Enjoy!

[@EricaLucasLoves]

TNs are so flexible.

[@talinawinston5505]

Travelers notebooks are very nice. I am glad I decided to use one

[@NicolePalmervlogs]

I would like to try a traveller’s notebook! Great video!

[@Dreblueskies]

TNs are great, currently I use a single book as a Bujo and I love have everything in one place but someday I will return to a TN.

[@ariautech7242]

I have both. I have my bujo as a normal planner, and I use my TN for church notes, summer photo album, lists, and other random stuff like receipts and stickers n stuff

[@PhilippeTuinman]

Nice to hear about your foreseen struggles with this system and that it actually wasn’t a problem. Helped convincing me ;)

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

I’m glad it helped, thank you for watching ❤️

[@mavenunltd]

I love my plexus! and my TN. I have a b6, a6, pocket, field notes, and a micro.

[@bamber4757]

Im sold. I know this video is like 2 years old but just thought of the bullet note method for continuing notes. I see some people just number their pages and for instances where you write a new thought on the page intended for continuing the present thought, just say 'continued on page 58' for example-- either on a sticky or on the bottom of the page.

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

Yes, there are so many ways to make it work how you want ❤️❤️❤️

[@cosmogurl85]

When i went to travel note books I haven’t had any desire to go back. But your black spiced pepper is gorgeous

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

Same with me, I have stayed in a travelers notebook most of the time for the last several years! It’s such a great planner ❤️

[@Hyacinth000]

I have tried so hard to use my traveler's notebooks. I have 2 Chic Sparrow. I found the small books to much to replace constantly. Also I always have to take out the books to write in them. Not so with my disc bound and bullet journal. That being said, one of my traveler's notebooks, my belove pocket Chic Sparrow Mr. Darcy, serves as my wallet. But I have a moleskine pocket size planner in it.❤️

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

I’m glad you found what works best for you ❤️ That’s what is important at the end of the day.

[@Addicted2Planning]

I love your planner, especially the squared spine. My struggle with a TN is that it doesn’t lay perfectly flat. So I’m in a Hobo weeks which works for me and it lays flat.... I’ll just ogle yours. Lol

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

Haha! I do love that a square spine is a feature of all the Planner Perfect planners- such a great thing!

[@akira_ariga]

I have that same "fear" of not being able to move pages around, as someone who grew up with rings and also uses discs Trying to ease into the TN system by first using it for stuff that wouldn't require any impulses to move pages, because I do love the aesthetic and feel of the system.

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

It was a mental battle at first, but I’ve never looked back and honestly could not imagine going back to rings or discs ❤️

[@823Nina]

I love the idea of travelers notebooks and have used them in different sizes but always have issues with writing in them because they don’t lay flat. How do you write in yours? Do you take the insert out or write with it still in the cover?

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

I write with it in the leather. I find it lays flat enough for me; and I normally use my other hand to hold down paper when writing all the time anyway, not just in my planner.

[@creeksidehomeschoolers]

I haven't ever tried a TN, but I don't know if it would work for me. I really really like a coil bound planner. I like to have my planner flat to write in and open to the week I'm on. A coiled planner makes that easy and it doesn't take up a huge amount of space being open. I do think I would love and waste so much time flipping through a TN to get to my current week/day. They are truly beautiful especially the leather cover, but I also find myself flipping through my coil planner and loving the way it looks even on an off/bad planner week. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

Stick with what you love 💕

[@kramtx]

Thanks for sharing! I am new to the TN community and found this video very helpful!

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

Thank you! I’m glad it helped ☺️

[@conniewh4189]

I use a standard / narrow / Midori size TN and love it.

[@lrJ0Y7231]

I really enjoyed your video! I had the same concerns that you did. But I was drawn to the size and the feel so I thought I would give it a try. And I will never go back to any other type of planner.

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

It’s a great planner! ❤️

[@Danceswithfishes]

I've never heard of these. OMG, where have these been all my life?

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

They are amazing!!!! ❤️

[@Danceswithfishes]

@@AnnieSmithawifenmother Apparently so! I'm in the UK, so I may not be able to use your links but thank you so much for the review 🤩

[@nehhachadda412]

I am so so so drawn towards travelers notebook.

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

They are awesome 🤩

[@lynnbarnett5548]

I do a monthly page then I just do daily after that brain dump and everything on my daily if I more then one book it over whelmed me where I can't think straight or remember anything but I love planning wish I knew how my head work in school so I could stay more orangize

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

Me too, I wish I knew all this in college! Oh well, it helps me now.

[@Sheree-aka-SherryLynn]

I heavily invested in Happy Planner stuff...and then too much work. I’m back in my TN.

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

Oh no! Sometimes you have to try something you don't end up liking, in order to figure out what really works. And now you know :)

[@stephmendo6243]

Same! I’ve invested a lot into HP and it’s just too much and too overwhelming. I think I’m going to try TN because I can make it fit me and my lifestyle without feeling pressure or being overwhelmed.

[@beverlyh8561]

Great information, thank you for sharing.

[@lynnbarnett5548]

Can you do a update tn

[@pamelamurrell825]

I have been all over the place this year, but have found myself in a TN as of late.

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

I love that it's like the middle-ground of planners. In my opinion, anyway.

[@lynnbarnett5548]

Love your video can you do a5 planner 52planner how would you set it up

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

I’m not familiar with that planner?

[@planningandpowerlifting]

I am thinking of using an A7 sized notebook to carry in my wallet for grocery lists and other things.

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

That sounds like a great size and system 💕

[@katsmith8263]

Never liked that the TNs don't lay flat. I need to use paper clips so they don't close up on me. Also they are so heavy.

[@pamtheado5325]

Thanks

[@Cmelift]

What would you recommend getting into TN? Planner perfect/ hobonichi? I am new to the idea but love it can the notebooks be in interchangeable in both systems ?

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

It depends on what you like about the system, I think. A hobonichi is dated and spans the entire year so you would just use it and fill it out all year long. A Planner Perfect is blank and has more flexibility if that’s more what you’re looking for.

[@jsbutterfly11]

Getting back into TNs now after spending a brick on ring binders (SMH). But I'm remembering what was a frustration for me before. ... The "hump" you have when you try to writing in one of the first inserts. Do you have a hack for this? or does it just not bother you?

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

I put my most used notebooks in the center strings so there is less “hump” to write over. Otherwise, I don’t really notice 😆

[@timredmond3657]

do you save all of your notebooks year after year or just the months ones?

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

I have saved most of my books so far. I probably threw away a few of them that just had random notes I didn’t need anymore.

[@suzisaintjames]

So??? How's a TN better than rings? You made rings sound very desirable. Is it the size? ❤🌅🌵😷

[@SubmissiveBladez]

Well for me personal its I can have all in my TN - calendar/planner/journal/diary/wallet. I tried Rings but the system doesn't go well with my needs and I tried diffrent sizes. 🙂

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

TN’s are the best for me for a bunch of different reasons as I shared in my video ❤️

[@b.d.walters9402]

I have discovered that there is a balance between chaos and composition...Creativity often requires the cacophony of scrambling for place by the elements and components contained in the whole achievement of heart and head...spirit and soul. I thrive in the chaos because I am an order maker...the moments of absolute peace are refreshing, but become tiresome and boring over time. Too much planning removes the spontaneous synchronicity of surprise that keeps me curious about the next thing that could occur in "LIVING EVERY DAY ANEW".

[@gailewing4080]

Are these inserts 7-1/2 x 4?

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

You can see the exact dimensions on the website- the leather is a bit larger than the notebook so there are two measurements for this size.

[@sandracapps5543]

Not way messy. Way USED! As it should be.

[@sbrown8937]

Do you have a Facebook account?

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

I have an Instagram which I just linked in the description box ☺️