Gotta Write It Down! A Look at My Notebooks

I’m a note-taker. If I want to make sure I remember something, I have to write it down. So when I stumbled upon Elle Fowler’s Glam Planner videos on YouTube, I was hooked immediately! I know you’ve heard me talk about my Erin Condren Life Planner in previous posts and videos, but I have quite a few other journals/notebooks that I use as well. So let’s talk about what I write in!

Erin Condren Life Planner 2017

My Erin Condren Life Planner is my lifeline. Seriously, I depend on it so much! This is my third ECLP, and I love it. I chose the vertical, colorful layout with a cover of succulents and other plants. You might not be able to tell, but this cover was actually the inspiration for my color scheme here on Katie Actually! I make all my own stickers with my Silhouette Portrait, so every Sunday I sit down to plan out the week ahead.

Moleskine Squared Notebook

There are a lot of things that really intrigue me about Bullet Journaling, but I don’t think I could turn my back on my ECLP. However, I wanted to try it out, so I’m using this squared Moleskine notebook as a blog bullet journal. I use it to keep up with my posts, stats, and brainstorming ideas. I definitely don’t have the neatest handwriting, and I can’t draw for shiz, but I still really enjoy my journal! One thing that I couldn’t live without when it comes to my bullet journal is erasable pens. Essential.

The Happiness Planner

I first saw Kate talk about The Happiness Planner on her blog and thought it sounded like SUCH a good idea. Basically, it’s a journal that helps you “cultivate happiness by embracing the power of positive thinking, mindfulness, gratitude, and self-development.” LORD knows I need some positive thinking in my life right now (#inaugurationweek), and this has been so lovely. The first part of the journal is a bunch of questions to help you figure out what makes you happy vs what makes you sad. Then there is a weekly plan, a weekly wrapup, and a page for every day of the week that asks you to write down your to-dos, the things that made you happy, etc. Besides being a really lovely thing for your soul, can we just take a second to appreciate how GORGEOUS these planners are?? I chose the 100 day planner in aqua with gold lettering, but there are so many beautiful options to choose from. Be still my heart.

Personal Diary

I used to be really good about journaling, but I’ve definitely been slacking. I have this diary from Barnes and Noble that I really need to catch up on… Funny story- when I was traveling back to the States from New Zealand, my diary dropped out of my carry on and got left on a plane at LAX. After I failed to get it back, I dropped, defeated, into a chair during my 10-hour layover just to look up and see Betty White across from me!!! I’m going to keep my eyes peeled for a movie starring Betty White that eerily parallels my life…

Social Media Notebook

I have a few freelance social media jobs, and I frequently need to jot down notes during a meeting. For all that, I use this notebook from Michaels. I’m pretty sure it was like three dollars, but I love it. It’s almost full!

Deathly Hallows Notebook

I’m sure you all know this by now, but I’m a HUGE Harry Potter fan. So when I opened this Deathly Hallows notebook on Christmas morning, my heart nearly burst. Thanks, Megan! This is a great place for me to take any notes on recipes, DIY ideas etc. I really want to throw a HP party at some point in my life, and this will be so essential during the party planning phase. It’s a ruled notebook with some of the gorgeous Deathly Hallows concept art on the inside cover, plus a little foldout talking about the stone, cloak, and wand. I love this so much.

As you can see, I have quite a few notebooks ?. I have a few more notebooks, but I don’t use those as often so I might save those for another day. What notebooks, journals, and diaries do you use? Are you more digital?