This is the second installment in our Importance of Journaling Series. If you will remember last time, I promised that we would be given reviews on journals/planners and that we would talk about what to look for in them. Well, we try to fulfill our promises here at MVM and we have been in the process of doing that since that post. The good news for you is that we still have some to showcase. Obviously, journaling is easier when you like the journal you are using. The question you need to ask yourself is “What do I want from a journal?” There are several factors to consider.
Size -
It’s easy to think that size doesn’t matter (see what I did there), however, at least with journaling it does. I carry a bag with me almost 24/7, so I don’t need a journal that can fit in my pocket. At the same time, I don’t personally want to bring out a notebook when I want to write something down. If my bag is to full it drives me crazy. Of course you are the best person to decide what works for you. For me the perfect size is 5 1/4 x 8 1/4. The reasons for this are numerous, but number one: it fits in my Rickshaw Folio. Now the folio is often refered to as a Moleskine folio and while I have no problems with their products (I am sure Tim will have a review forthcoming) I am tend to gravitate toward the EcoSystem Journals (I have a review of them forthcoming!). They also fit in the Folio perfectly.
Texture-
I love the way this Rhodia hardcover feels (review is coming!) What kind of lifestyle do you live? Are you a journaler at Starbucks pretending your drink isn’t really just a milkshake? Or are you in the wilderness writing about how a leaf falls? Determining when and where you will be using your journal is crucial to getting the one that’s right for you. We will talk more about where to write in the next post, but for now you need to examine where you would like to journal because that is going to directly determine your journal. Luckily we have more reviews coming from all kinds.
Paper Quality-
You may say “Paper is paper.” This is because you haven’t journaled enough on crappy paper! Though we have more coming on finding the right pen for you (I KNOW SERIOUSLY, WE HAVE SO MUCH STUFF COMING) you need to find the “write” paper. Unfortunately, I find this is best done through trial in error, unless you have a site like MVM giving you information about the paper quality of different notebooks, WHICH YOU DO. Also, a site that does GREAT things on journals and stationary is The Well-Appointed Desk. We read that blog for information on this stuff on occasion.
Color/Feel-
You need to find a journal that inspires you. Something that you can connect with and feel attached to. This will make you use it more. Feel free to make it your own, develop your own system. Let your crazy out. I decorate mine with stickers from companies we are working with and I label the side of them when I started them so I can keep them and look back and remember what I had going on in my life at that time. Of course I different journals for different things and now I have journals from other companies to test that have random notes in them….my system is bit off right now. Don’t judge me.
Our next post will be discovering HOW to journal and what makes you good at it. In the meantime, re-read some of our past journal reviews and get ready for some new ones!
