Inside My Journal Stack: Analog Favorites in a Digital World
While I prefer digital tools for much of my process now, I started journaling with notebooks a few decades ago, and I’m still a fan of analog journaling and regularly use a small collection of print journals. Their purpose is less focused on my daily gratitude practice, which Day One handles expertly, and more of a problem-solving, ideation, time-tracking, and note-taking tool. Here are a few of my favorite notebooks and journals that I have in my collection and use regularly.
Moleskine
When I started journaling, the first notebook that I fell in love with was a Moleskine. That was over twenty years ago, and I still use them. They’re available everywhere, made well, and come in many shapes and sizes with different paper styles (dots, graphs, etc.). Over the years, I’ve used the Moleskine Classic Medium hardcover in black and the soft cover Cahier as well. I even remember an early Internet blog celebrating all things Moleskine, which I used to follow and enjoy. It became so popular that Moleskine eventually acquired it as part of its marketing campaign.
The Subtle Notebook
The Subtle Notebook from Cortex Brand is another favorite of mine. The paper has a lovely feel, and I appreciate that the upper corner of the page is perforated, allowing you to rip the corner off easily; this is convenient for finding the page you’re working on. It’s indicative of the thoughtful design touches that Myke Hurley and CGP Grey have added.
Field Notes
The best everyday carry option for me is Field Notes. It’s beautifully designed and made with so much creativity. I’ve had many of these over the years, and they’re always delightful to use. Coudal Partners and Draplin Design Co. regularly introduce innovative and beautiful designs that remain faithful to the core aesthetic. I still remember when these first came out. The product was, and remains, of such high quality. It helps that their visual design is always on point, and the marketing speaks to my very soul. Watch out, you might get hooked on these.
Ugmonk Analog
I’ve determined that I am a disorganized person. It’s just my nature. I still manage to perform and complete my work, but I sometimes take the long way to get there. I use the Analog system from Ugmonk to stay on track, less as a specific journaling tool and more as a tool to track the journey. I primarily use the Analog cards and the Discbound notebook, which is always open and on my desk next to my keyboard, to track projects and move things from my brain (or from the brains of others standing at my door or via email or text) into the proper places.
What’s Next?
I’m pretty settled with the analog journals that I’m currently using, although I’m always open to trying out new notebooks and seeing how they do. I am actively exploring more print-based tools from a few different makers to help me manage my time, energy, and focus. If you have some suggestions on tools that fit these use cases, let me know.