I love seeing these journals filled in like this! Thank you for sharing this. I tried to start a 5-year journal a few years ago but totally fell off the wagon - it was a cheap one I got at like, TJ Maxx maybe? and it was VERY small to the point of being almost impossible to write in, it didn't have the blank page opposite each day, and the paper was not great quality so even regular gel pens had some bleed. All told it wasn't fun to write in for me, which lead to me being very spotty with how I was using it, which lead to me not feeling like it was "worth it" to keep writing in it when I had so many blank days already. BUT I have LOVED the idea of one ever since, and I bought the Hobonichi A5 one this year! My rules that I've set up for myself are: Rule 1 - One ink color per year - I have inked a TWSBI fountain pen with an ink that is close to the pantone color of the year and that is my dedicated ink and pen for 2022 for this journal, which will make it immediately obvious when looking back which "extra" stuff on the blank page goes with which year. Rule 2 - Try to keep the bulk down (great minds think alike) and Rule 3 - give myself the grace to leave blank space and empty days. Some days I go to work, come home, eat leftovers, watch some youtube and go to bed, and if I don't feel like there was anything that happened that day that was worthy of commemorating in the journal, THAT'S OK. I can have blank days, and it doesn't make the project less worthy of continuing.
I admire those who can make peace with blank days. I'm not there yet and I'm not sure why, but realistically, I know it would get to me for my 5 year so I have to plan for it. I don't mind in my other journals, but even on travel dates I miss flying to Australia I still have to write something on it haha. Nothing much, but still. The year in an ink color sounds fun and so creative matching it to the Pantone for the year!
I first saw your flip through video for 2020 and during that time I was also doing my techo kaigi. I told myself that I will not get one and will just watch your journey with the 5 yr techo through UA-cam but after recovering from Covid, the changes and abundance that I have been receiving in my life. I decided to get one! I resonated the things you mentioned like with knowing the nuances of each day , keeping the memories and seeing your growth. I’m so thankful for people like you. Hope you keep on inspiring others! 💕U!!!
Wonderful James Thanks for Sharing and I hear you as it is so important to look at the positives and the way we look at any challenges in our life we can all I am sure see with in ourselves where it can be so easy to see all the challenges and things that we perceive to be not so Good . I love that you do this is what i try to do as well I have a gratitude journal that i try to work in every day I hope to in the future do a hobonichi journal as from seeing yours would be wonderful. I am also one for yes Celebrating our growth is so important to look at this for sure and so wonderful to do this is not something That has been practiced and often we are not taught to do in society always easier to look at where we are have not done so well . Most important yes to Celebrate growth and accomplishments as we deserve so yeah so love you do this and have Shared this as so important for all of us to do in our lives. Love your journal and your honesty you share with us you are a treasure James and in all you do makes a difference .
Thanks for the journal flip videos! I think celebrating growth is crucial to letting yourself off the hook some. Just reviewing my own journal from 2021 was surprisingly beneficial going into this year. I thought I had accomplished nothing but realized I actually matured emotionally last year. I always appreciate your videos and love your art.
What an amazing video. So comprehensive with your thoughts and reflections on journaling and its process. Hobonichi really needs to sponsor you on this one, because I’m seriously thinking about making this commitment! Thank you for introspection and openness, I really value that.
Very inspiring flip through. Love your artwork. I also do not like bulking up my journals either. So I try to be light on the stickers and washi. I am now happy about the English versions of the weeks, so i do not feel the urge to washi over the Japanese. I also love how you missed days or did not want to write as much, you just simply said it with like Nope, or huge bubble letters.
Thank you for this flip, because of you I finally bought one start date this year, and I have been enjoying it...taking to heart the things you shared. I think I will be more motivated next year as I see what happened this year....and I keep mine in the box as well.
Hi James… new to your channel. Thank you so much for this video! I just purchased a 5 year and wanted to find someone talking about their experience. Love your pages, just magical! Your tips and insights really helped👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
I love the look of your journal! I started mine just this year and am quite sad I didn't think of it earlier, having a rundown of the last 2 years would have been so interesting. I'm also finding it difficult to put things on the right page because I keep thinking what if something big happens in the next 4 years and I need the space then... I guess that is what the journal teaches though, any memory is a good memory and there are no wrong ways of documenting them, you just have to do it. Your video is super inspiring in any case!! Do you print your pictures etc on specific paper to make them less bulky?
Thanks Lena! Nothing specific - I use OnlineLabels.com paper (sometimes I get it through Amazon) and I use their Glossy white label paper or transparent matte label paper. Transparent is slightly thinner, not by much though, but it makes a difference over time. I also use Chiltern Wove (UK brand I think) Matt photo sticker paper for my mini photo collages, it is THE BEST quality Matt sticker paper for super fine details, which are important when my photos are super tiny. My printer is a Canon MX922, and I print those photos on the best quality print settings and I'm super happy with the results.
Very inspiring. I have decided to start one January 2023, first day of my retirement to document my new life, Love your videos, thank you James.
What a fabulous time to start!
I love seeing these journals filled in like this! Thank you for sharing this. I tried to start a 5-year journal a few years ago but totally fell off the wagon - it was a cheap one I got at like, TJ Maxx maybe? and it was VERY small to the point of being almost impossible to write in, it didn't have the blank page opposite each day, and the paper was not great quality so even regular gel pens had some bleed. All told it wasn't fun to write in for me, which lead to me being very spotty with how I was using it, which lead to me not feeling like it was "worth it" to keep writing in it when I had so many blank days already. BUT I have LOVED the idea of one ever since, and I bought the Hobonichi A5 one this year! My rules that I've set up for myself are: Rule 1 - One ink color per year - I have inked a TWSBI fountain pen with an ink that is close to the pantone color of the year and that is my dedicated ink and pen for 2022 for this journal, which will make it immediately obvious when looking back which "extra" stuff on the blank page goes with which year. Rule 2 - Try to keep the bulk down (great minds think alike) and Rule 3 - give myself the grace to leave blank space and empty days. Some days I go to work, come home, eat leftovers, watch some youtube and go to bed, and if I don't feel like there was anything that happened that day that was worthy of commemorating in the journal, THAT'S OK. I can have blank days, and it doesn't make the project less worthy of continuing.
I admire those who can make peace with blank days. I'm not there yet and I'm not sure why, but realistically, I know it would get to me for my 5 year so I have to plan for it. I don't mind in my other journals, but even on travel dates I miss flying to Australia I still have to write something on it haha. Nothing much, but still. The year in an ink color sounds fun and so creative matching it to the Pantone for the year!
I first saw your flip through video for 2020 and during that time I was also doing my techo kaigi. I told myself that I will not get one and will just watch your journey with the 5 yr techo through UA-cam but after recovering from Covid, the changes and abundance that I have been receiving in my life. I decided to get one! I resonated the things you mentioned like with knowing the nuances of each day , keeping the memories and seeing your growth. I’m so thankful for people like you. Hope you keep on inspiring others! 💕U!!!
I just started my Hobonichi 5 year this year. I hope I can make it 5 years.
I just started this year too 😊
This video was so special! Loved the illustrations and collages, thanks so much for sharing ❤️
Wonderful James Thanks for Sharing and I hear you as it is so important to look at the positives and the way we look at any challenges in our life we can all I am sure see with in ourselves where it can be so easy to see all the challenges and things that we perceive to be not so Good . I love that you do this is what i try to do as well I have a gratitude journal that i try to work in every day I hope to in the future do a hobonichi journal as from seeing yours would be wonderful. I am also one for yes Celebrating our growth is so important to look at this for sure and so wonderful to do this is not something That has been practiced and often we are not taught to do in society always easier to look at where we are have not done so well . Most important yes to Celebrate growth and accomplishments as we deserve so yeah so love you do this and have Shared this as so important for all of us to do in our lives. Love your journal and your honesty you share with us you are a treasure James and in all you do makes a difference .
Great video! :) Can't wait for you to complete it. Will buy one for 2023.
Thanks for the journal flip videos! I think celebrating growth is crucial to letting yourself off the hook some. Just reviewing my own journal from 2021 was surprisingly beneficial going into this year. I thought I had accomplished nothing but realized I actually matured emotionally last year. I always appreciate your videos and love your art.
I got my first 5 year last year and it was because I watched one of your videos. I fall behind but I catch up in the end. Love your 5 year flip.
3 years and going strong. Congratulations. You just might convice me to try it!
Thanks for sharing! Love seeing all your little doodles interspersed with the writing :)
What an amazing video. So comprehensive with your thoughts and reflections on journaling and its process. Hobonichi really needs to sponsor you on this one, because I’m seriously thinking about making this commitment! Thank you for introspection and openness, I really value that.
Thanks James - loved the flip and what you had to say - thank you SO much!
Beautiful with so many memories.
Very inspiring flip through. Love your artwork. I also do not like bulking up my journals either. So I try to be light on the stickers and washi. I am now happy about the English versions of the weeks, so i do not feel the urge to washi over the Japanese. I also love how you missed days or did not want to write as much, you just simply said it with like Nope, or huge bubble letters.
This was wonderful to watch! You have motivated me! Thank you.
Love this video, thanks for sharing with us 💕
Thank you for this flip, because of you I finally bought one start date this year, and I have been enjoying it...taking to heart the things you shared. I think I will be more motivated next year as I see what happened this year....and I keep mine in the box as well.
Loved watching this video! You have done so well keeping it up to date. All that tiny writing 😍
This is fantastic, Wow 3 years already, I might start now! Is a good perspective to keep the sequence to one Episode.
This was lovely
Hi James… new to your channel. Thank you so much for this video! I just purchased a 5 year and wanted to find someone talking about their experience. Love your pages, just magical! Your tips and insights really helped👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Amazing!! I bought one of these last year after seeing your flip through of 2020! I hope mine holds as much as yours does 💛
What a great video!!!!!
I love the look of your journal! I started mine just this year and am quite sad I didn't think of it earlier, having a rundown of the last 2 years would have been so interesting. I'm also finding it difficult to put things on the right page because I keep thinking what if something big happens in the next 4 years and I need the space then... I guess that is what the journal teaches though, any memory is a good memory and there are no wrong ways of documenting them, you just have to do it. Your video is super inspiring in any case!!
Do you print your pictures etc on specific paper to make them less bulky?
Thanks Lena! Nothing specific - I use OnlineLabels.com paper (sometimes I get it through Amazon) and I use their Glossy white label paper or transparent matte label paper. Transparent is slightly thinner, not by much though, but it makes a difference over time. I also use Chiltern Wove (UK brand I think) Matt photo sticker paper for my mini photo collages, it is THE BEST quality Matt sticker paper for super fine details, which are important when my photos are super tiny. My printer is a Canon MX922, and I print those photos on the best quality print settings and I'm super happy with the results.
Very nice :) seeing that it ends in 2023 would you be buying a new one for 2024?
Yes, I plan on buying another when this one ends :)
Awesome video! =)
Thank you for sharing. =)
Do think that the A6 was big enough? In the future would you try an A5 or stay with an A6
A6 was great for me, I’ll stay with a6 :)