Discover or rediscover the profound value of adding analog to your life.
Use real notebooks and writing instruments to capture thoughts, experiences, insights, and vital information; read physical printed books; record and listen to audio using dedicated offline devices like dictaphones and MP3 players, and much more.
Having an element of analog in your ever increasing online digital life, will help to enhance your soft skills and improve your health and wellbeing.
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The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. [ Ecclesiastes 1:9 ]
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. [ 1 Corinthians 15:58 ]
I’ve found the Papermate mechanical pencil you showed to be the best cheap Mechanical pencil also. I just purchased a set of 12 Faber-Castell Polychromos and I don’t regret it. They were definitely worth the money. But since money is tight, those few will do (and two other open stocks that weren’t included). I love cheap composition books and stock up when it’s back-to-school time. I saw a Blackwing pencil in the store yesterday but that’s for another time ❤ Love this video-maybe I’ll have to try juggling 😊
Top tip Barry I got from Lucas at Blank First Page here on YT is to leave every first page blank. His theory is simple but it works, he’s done a video on it on his channel. Great chat, thanks.
Thanks for the reminder about Lucas' video. I do that all the time now with any new notebooks I buy; as you say, it's simple but does really help :) Delighted you enjoyed the video. Thanks again!
ever since graduating I never buy pens, because gifted pens from fairs and conferences suffice my needs. I still have a free cardboard pen from my uni from 3 years ago. The only thing I like buying slightly more expensive are text highlighters, because they are more cute and thus help me make my life a bit more decorated
Apsara is an iconic name for Indian students and stationery lovers. I am so happy that you found them to be very good. In general, I loved the overall theme of this video. I remember the adage "Being thrifty is not being cheap". I feel this message resonates well with this video. Thank you for making this video.. For my TNs, I have found some very cheaper alternatives for refills. I have also found many cheaper alternatives for A6 and passport size journals. Muji is one very highly underrated brand. Their pens and books are of high quality while being relatively cheaper.
stationery is so cheap and easy to find. You can get pens and pencils at banks, ikea, schools/college, local events or business fairs/shows (they are also often littering the floor outside schools). You also don't need a sharpener or eraser (can use any blade and elastic bands) Notebooks can be made with scrap paper and a stapler or needle and thread/dental floss/any string or elastic. Paper can be found as reciepts, clothes tags, junk mail, free leaflets from businesses, and the blank side of printed documents. Your library may even offer free paper for printing or books that are being thrown out which can also be used. The world is yer oyster
Great video Barry. My A6 198 page hardcover notebook that I use as my Personal Journal was only $11. I use my fountain pen in it & it barely shows through the other side. The same store where I bought it sells Moleskine Notebooks for over $30 & I read online that they're not fountain pen friendly. Your juggling was awesome!!!
Thanks Tony - yes, Moleskine's are not great with fountain pen's, but I do remember reading somewhere that they were (or have) changing their paper quality? I could be wrong. Glad you enjoyed the juggling; perhaps something to try for one of your vlogs? :)
In one of my videos, I show creating art with cheap Crayola colored pencils. Sure, they aren't as pigmented, HOWEVER...it's all in how you use them! If you practice, you can achieve the same effect as the prisma, etc. I'm a true believer in this. Tried and true! Fantastic discussion Barry!
Barry, this was another very interesting, thought-provoking video. I really related to your comments @ 6:08 about being intimidated by a new, (expensive) notebook or journal. Using cheaper alternatives is a great idea! By the way, I was very impressed by your juggling skills, and as well, I really enjoyed all the beautiful scenery and sounds in the background during your walk; peaceful, too! Thanks! 😊 Meline PS - I did find a small 2-year calendar just a few days ago at WalMart that has plenty of space in the date squares, and several well-formatted pages for contacts and passwords; I’ve been carrying it in my purse and using it quite happily! I think it only cost 97 cents! A great buy!
I use a cheap A5 notebook to vent frustrations and things that are grinding me down, to get that trash out of my head. I give myself permission to destroy it when complete. Though I suspect I may keep it and include a note in the index about the purpose. 😉
Giving permission to destroy it, is great, and another excellent reason for buying cheap(er)! Sometimes we do just need to write it all down, but not necessarily hold on to it. Can't imagine spending loads of money on brand-named notebooks and then throwing them out after a few pages :)
Hi from a fellow juggler! Learned when I was a teen and have kept it up. Regarding the fear of writing in a new journal or not wanting to make a “bad” entry, I have found the PLOTTER with its ring binder to take away that fear. I can take out a page, sort/group it or just throw it away.
Another juggler?! Yes!! I feel like I'm juggling notebook uses at times :) Do you know, the more I look at Plotters, the more I can see the benefits in my life for using one. Emmm, really got to make a decision on that.
Many years ago at art college we’d generally have a standard kit list of thing that just work. I remember a standard black a4 sketch pad by Daler was the main tool of a trade, and for many this became a diary / journal etc. That said preciousness was not encouraged as a barrier to creativity. Sometimes the idea of creating, and then disposing of, is just a process until you get to a place where you want to be !
Love the video. Honestly, I've come around to this way of thinking lately. I've always struggled with actually using nice journals. That changed recently when I stocked up on a bunch of spiral notebooks. With the start of a new school year they were $0.45 a piece. As for writing, I like cheap mechanical pencils, but I tend to use a nicer Uni Jetstream 4 in 1 pen. They're only about $7.50 and I get 4 colors which is really nice. I've home through a ton of pens and the Uni Jetstream writes beautifully.
Great prices for spiral notebooks! I must check out the Uni Jetstream - thanks for mentioning that - you could possibly be responsible for yet another stationery purchase I'll have to make :)
@@barrysanaloginsights it's well worth the purchase. I believe it is a hybrid gel ink which makes it a really nice, clear line. I've been able to use the entire ink cartridge thing without any skips or changes in line color or anything. They just work exceptionally well.
Aesthetics and experience drive part of the writing experience. One of my favourite combos is cheap yellow lined newsprint pads and medium tip blue paper mate pens that periodically blob. The sensation of writing cannot be duplicated. There is also an odd relationship that can be explored with a fresh beautiful and expensive notebook. Why exactly are we intimidated? It is literally paper. Just. Paper. Why are people afraid of paper?
@@barrysanaloginsights a further thought on fear … travelers notebooks have resolved this to a certain extent. They have a cover and changeable inserts. So if one “ruins” the insert … you “can just get another one”. An interesting feature of the system. Also - your OG junk journal mom has sort of the same lack of paper fear since the paper she uses is rescue paper.
Good points. Although there is the adage, “buy cheap, buy twice”. When it comes to pens the Bic is great value and if you work around others not a problem if it’s “borrowed”. Of course, we have to balance disposable items against the long term use of better pens that can be refilled. As you say though, the way we use them to get things done is so important. Having a £10000 fountain pen won’t make you a great novelist!
Sometimes the similar the better for sure. I always have a Pen and Gear (Walmart brand ) small notebook and Bic crystal and Bic pencil right beside me or in my bag. Always loaded with lists ideas and scriptures to hand. And beside that my leuchtern journal in a Chic Sparrow cover for the fancier thoughts. 😜😜
You may own a bunch of the most expensive stationery items collecting dust and never use them, on the other hand you may find yourself the most creative and happy person using cheap and simple tools.
Hello! I have actually created a very cheap notebook binding system! I like how you compare quality of cheap sharpener and the BlackWing one😅 You are 100% right! The main point - is to satisfy your needs and get the things done. You can check out notebook I’ve created in my channel if you like to. I find it best way to have modular EDC pocket notebook system. I really like your videos, how did you came out with the idea to record such stuff? Respect! 👏🏾
I've been using cheap Tesco notebooks (various sizes), pens and pencils for the last few years as it doesn't matter if they're full of scribbles. Might start using the nicer ones once my handwriting improves! 😁 We get Spitfires flying over a lot here in Kent which are nice to hear.
I completely agree with your approach here. Nothing will stop up my creativity faster than staring at a blank page in an expensive journal. You may know this already, but I'm a big fan of those Paper Mate Non-Stop pencils (sold as Sharpwriter here in the US). Simple technology which, as you say, simply gets the job done. I also enjoy Apsara pencils and sharpeners. In the US, WalMart stores sell generic, house-brand pencils (under WalMart's "Pen + Gear" label) which were made in India by Apsara or its sister company Nataraj. These pencils are extremely cheap and are also quite nice.
Hi, Barry! You are right about the Apsara Long Point Sharpener. It is the BEST pencil sharpener in the world. I buy them by the box of 20 from Amazon. I also like the Apsara pencils. I buy a ton of notebooks, paper, pens, ink and pencils every year. I do have my favorites, but they aren't always expensive. In fact, they usually aren't expensive. I use a lot of Field Notes; both the 3.5" x 5.5" Memo Book and the 3.5" x 5.5" top spiral work book. The memo book I use as a common place notebook, capturing quotes, notes, ideas, lists, authors, book titles, you name it! The top spiral I keep on my desk and capture notes and drawings. The paper in these notebooks is lined on one side and grid on the other. So usually, I write a note each day on the lined side and draw something (whatever catches my fancy) on the grid side. I also love using a College Ruled Composition Book as a planner. They cost me .50 cents each and work perfectly. Once I broke away from expensive ($60 - $120 per year!) planners I found I was so much happier designing a different kind of layout each week if I wanted to! I'm not afraid to use the supplies that I have, but I do tend to over buy at times. At the moment I'm trying to use up what I have and resist the desire to buy more. I use several fountain pens, but my favorite cost me about $5. The Zebra V-301 FP .7mm nib is my favorite fountain pen. I really like Zebra pens in general. Clearly I could go on and on. Thanks for the video, Barry. Have a lovely day!
Thanks for this inspiration Nancy; you can go on for as much as you like :) It's so much more free when you don't have to worry about massive expense :)
I love mechanical pencils... I can use the lead that I want on them and they work as well as the most expensive regular pencils. I believe the most imortant thing is to enjoy and use what we already have and allow yourself to be creative. To get to know yourself better.
Yes. More likely to experiment. I hesitate to begin writing in a more expensive notebook because I may think, "Yuck, I don't like that!" Then what do I do? Rip out the page? Cross it out? Start a new notebook? Aaarrrgghh! BTW, a while back, you had a vote on color bands. I voted orange. Glad it won! Where can you order them?
It's annoying isn't it when you get a fancy notebook and 'ruin' the first page :) Re: bands - yes indeed, orange won that one. I order them from londongraphics.co.uk
Hi Barry. I take notes on a dictaphone sometimes. I speak Russian but I live in Italy. People don't understand what I say in a public place, it's very convenient! :)
Thanks for this review. We've four grandchildren and three of them are easy to buy for, but the eldest Granddaughter not so. She is so loving and always wants the others to have things, so it can be difficult. She loves all things Korean and Japanese, she's learning to speak Korean. So when I saw this I thought it would be ideal for her. So at the correct time we gave it to her and she absolutely loves it and is talking of travel journaling in it when she goes on holiday. So again thanks. Take care.
Thank you for sharing about your neck, Barry. I’m very sorry that injury occurred, and so needlessly. You have embraced us all as friends, many seem to be your brothers and sisters in Christ (gratefully, I am one), and you are building what feels like a rare quality of relating in what trends to easily be called - but not authentically realized - “online community.” I will pray for you, your life, your community-building and God’s blessing upon it, and also for resolution, healing, and strengthening in your neck. And thank you so much for your prayers for all of us - we all need one another’s care, kindness, honesty, and prayers. God bless you Barry - you are much appreciated.
Sounds terrible Barry. It's unfortunate how something so simple can cause such ongoing problems for you. I used to get neck pain which would cause bad headaches from a whiplash type incident where I hit my head at work on a low hanging pipe back in my early 30's, luckily I was wearing a hardhat. It plagued me for a long time but I eventually went to a chiropractor. He cracked my neck around, which was an awful feeling but it solved the problem for me. Just a suggestion as it worked for me. I hope you find a solution Barry, kind regards, Tony
@@barrysanaloginsights It felt like he was gunna break my neck. Not the most pleasant experience but it relieved severe neck & headaches that I'd been getting for over a decade. Multiple Doctors couldn't do anything about it except tell me it was migraines & give me migraine tablets which did nothing to help relieve the pain. I would often have one day or more off work a week because of it. Never had another "Migraine" since that Chiropractor visit.. I can't remember his fee but it was worth every cent.
I had whiplash, not regarded as serious 30 plus years ago, and occasionally still plays up. Mine is more about looking up than down. I have an infrared vibrating massager and that brings great relief.
We'd make a right pair then in your videos - I'd be recording the roofs of the buildings, you'd be recording the entrances :) Thanks for the massager reminder as I do have one somewhere in the house, so will dig it out again.
I think the exercise is key. When you have knee surgery, they make you walk on it right away. For me with bad arthritis due to several bad car accidents, if I dont move my body often enough, i get stiff and it gets harder to move,etc. This was a great topic. Reminds me to go and walk right now! 😅 Keep us updated on your neck situation. I hope it gets better!
