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Hey pen friend!

Have you tried journaling in a pocket size notebook?

Personally, I always keep a pocket size notebook as an everyday cary inbox style notebook. Basically, it's a place to house my notes and thoughts when I don't feel like carrying the entirety of my planner and journal system.

But I often cycle in and out of pocket size notebooks for other types of journaling too. I've used them for dear diary style of journaling, for book journaling, junk journaling, etc. I feel like pocket size notebooks are the perfect size for when I need a reset in my system because something isn't working.

I love pocket size notebooks because of how small they are, which makes them easy to carry around and fill. And I love the feeling of accomplishment I get from completing a notebook.

So I'm returning back to a pocket notebook again.

My New Personal Journal

I've fallen off of the bandwagon of personal journaling lately. The long form, dear diary style of journaling where you write about your day, your emotions, or whatever is on your mind.

I enjoy keeping this style of journal as something private and just for myself but also to process things since I tend to be overly independent. I'm one of those people that bottles up all their emotions until things overflow. So I feel like this style of journaling is particularly beneficial for me, and honestly, it helps me sleep better at night.

Why did I stop keeping this style of journal? Sadly, I think it's the fountain pen that was holding me back.

When I write with fountain pens, I like to be in a proper writing space (i.e., at a desk). I tend to be very precious with my fountain pens. So far, I've only dropped a pen once. It was absolutely devastating, and I ruined the nib on my Pilot Metropolitan.

The fact of the matter is that I want to be able to write in my personal journal whenever the need arises. That can be when I'm at a desk, when I'm out and about, when I'm in bed, or simply wherever. So I was struggling to keep up with it while still using fountain pens, and in the end, I just stopped.

I've decided to switch things up and start a new personal journal in a pocket size Field Notes notebook. I love Field Notes because I find their quarterly editions fun, but this time around, I mainly chose Field Notes because the paper is not known to be fountain pen friendly.

To be honest, using a Field Notes and a gel pen has been freeing. When I'm writing in my personal journal now, I don't care how it looks or what inks I'm using. I can just focus on what I need to get out of my head.

I started my new pocket journal on September 1st, and I'm over half way through the notebook. I have a feeling this is going to stick for a while.

Small Notebook Recommendations

So if you're ever stuck with one of your journals, perhaps you may want to try downsizing your notebook and stepping back from tools that restrict you.

Here are some of my go-to passport, pocket, and A6 size notebooks:

• ​Field Notes: My favorite pocket notebook that is not fountain pen friendly.
• ​Dialog Notebook: A pocket notebook alternative that I'm fond of and is moderately fountain pen friendly.
• ​Traveler's Company Passport Insert: A small notebook that is fountain pen friendly. I tend to use this size when I'm also using a passport TN as a wallet.
• ​Leuchtturm1917 A6/Pocket Notebook: For the times when 48-pages is simply not enough. (FYI, this is not a true A6 size notebook. It's between a pocket size and an A6 size.)
• ​MD A6 Notebook: I love A6 notebooks when I want a small notebook but plan on pasting things in.

Currently Debating

With planner season in full swing, I find myself debating over my mind dump book for 2027. I know I want to downsize from the A5 notebook so it's a bit more portable, but I can't decide if I want to use a B6+ Leuchtturm1917 or an A6 Wonderland222 notebook.

If you want to chime in on my notebook choice dilemma, please respond to this email. I'm open to hearing your thoughts and suggestions.

I hope you all are having a great September thus far! I'll catch you in my next email.

<3, Amy

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