In My Traveler’s Notebook Era

Friends, I have big news!

Nine years, pretty much to the exact date, after buying my first-ever Traveler’s Notebook, I have finally started to use it. It’s funny, really, because I have never quite been that sort of person or writer that hoards empty notebooks; I’m pretty good at selecting one and running with it until it runs its course. My Traveler’s Notebook, however, has become the stuff of urban legend at Chez Mish. I once added masking tape to each insert, thinking that’d will me into using it, to no avail.

2025, however, is the year of my Traveler’s Notebook. I estimate that I’ll run out of space in my current bullet journal by May, and it’s time I started considering what my next notebook or journal will be. After reading Megan’s posts about her Hobonichi Techo addition, I seriously considered one of those but, upon reflection, I don’t think that’s quite right for my needs at the moment. In my mind’s eye, I’m after a catch-all solution – yes, like a bullet journal, haha – to bring together my everyday planning, future planning, lists, scrapbooking and, well, some memory-keeping as Eddie and I make memories in this house together.

Why not my Traveler’s Notebook?

While travelling in Tokyo back in March 2016, I picked up the regular size black leather cover, plus a blank book and an undated, grid book. It felt like such a big, special souvenir from an equally big, special trip that I scared myself right out of using it. So, right now, the blank book is completely unused and the grid book is my travel junk journal or, as god intended, scrapbook. (Where did the phrase ‘junk journal’ come from?! I sort of… hate it?) I’m planning to pick up a weekly diary insert so I can briefly wave farewell to setting up any sort of bujo layout for a good few months. Then, I’d love to add an extra book solely to track my novel notes, character profiles and manuscript progress and process. Lastly, I’ll add an extra grid one for daily lists, sketches, photos, reflections… It’ll feel more commonplace journal than my bujo has for a while. Hopefully. I really like the fact that my Traveler’s Notebook can carry multiple books at a time, and I’m really looking forward to seeing the cover wear and patina over time, become storied with etches of movement and travel and having been loved-on and lived-in.

Stay tuned for some writerly updates.