revisiting the hobonichi cousin | sleep log, creating layers, summer woes ✸ 

You don't have to justify switching journals with anyone. I switch between 3-4 journals and planners constantly and I enjoy that you're able to share your journaling methods in multiple ways because I feel thats more relatable for me. I think people who get upset are usually more upset that they can't really planner or journal hop as fluidly (since this is an expensive hobby...) and sorta rely on their fav content creators to stick with one thing. But imo, it's more interesting to see people try different things out for different reasons. I may have 3-4 journals but they all have a different purpose.

I honestly think that everyone should use any kind of journals that make them happy and contented, because this is actual purpose of journaling ❤

You can and should do whatever makes you happy! I am not watching because of a specific journal or notebook you use, but because I really enjoy how you talk about what you love and your approach to your systems :)

sending so much love and comfort to anyone struggling through the summer xx we're in autumn here and trying to savour it as much as possible for our northern hemisphere friends

summer depression is very real especially when you live in a state where the temp usually reaches triple digits. I have to use air con and a fan and that feels barely enough.

Megan, I know you said you sounded unhinged when you first tried to talk about the bog stuff that you found through your pages, but I personally would be really happy to hear you talk about anything bog-related that your heart desires. I was wondering if you would have any book bog recommendations? I am currently reading "Gathering Moss" by Robin Wall Kimmerer and although it is centered around moss but not bogs per se I am finding it quite fascinating. Also, please do not feel the need to justify yourself to anyone - in moments of unrest such as summer (which is also a living Hell for me - too hot, too bright, too sweaty), finding comfort and remaining content are needs, not luxuries.

“Summer depression” by Girl In Red has been my summer anthem since 2018! Sending virtual hugs to anyone and everyone who’s having a hard time. We can do it, though. We can find small things we enjoy, go on early morning or evening walks when the outside cools down. And of course, we can find comfort in whatever notebooks we fancy. New notebooks and system-related problem solving as a coping mechanism is so so real (and important, so let’s not deprive ourselves of that). For the same reason, I just got my new/old Kinbor A6 (2023) that I’ll be setting up for knowledge management. Very grateful for being able to distract myself from the existential dread with some simple pieces of paper.

I really appreciate how much care for yourself you are demonstrating for us all. The way summers are changing with global warming, I have found them more challenging, especially the heat. Good luck with the aircon and May this summer be tolerable for us all.

I never saw anyone talking about summer depression other than me and they normally found it weird since I live in a tropical country (I’m supposed to live summer I guess) but I’m depressed most of the time…in winter I just wanna live a little and feel less overwhelmed. (For being borderline autistic and some other stuff I just don’t really know what’s which thing’s fault) so I’m very glad to see people talking about it. I feel seen kinda I guess

I feel the same way regarding summer depression, I always get it too. And no need to justify journal switching, I think doing what you feel most comfortable with at that moment is the most important thing!

About the AC unit: i live in the south east of the US, i live in an old mill house with no centeal heating or AC. My window unit finally died after 20+years and i replaced it with the same kind of floor to window unit. I made it a little hand sewn cover and removed the outer vent cover and painted it navy blue (it fits with my decor) then sealed the paint with a food safe glaze so im not breathing in micro flakes of paint or whatever. It looks much better. I think i might place a small table over it for extra camouflage. PS I also get a weird body disphoria when I dont have long nails. Like "whose hands are those???" But then again I have the uncommon body dismorphia that makes me think im five inches taller and wear shoes that are two sizes too big so 🤷‍♀️

I love your experiments, no matter what, so keep them coming. Is also nice to see when you hit that happy place because it allows many of us to test things without actually testing them, if that makes any sense 😅 Ohhhh!!!! The Uniball One is an amazing pen. I am a Pentel Energel preacher, because I discovered it thanks to my left-handed bestie and she swears by that pen, dries fast and is trusty, been using it for years now. We tried the One recently, I love the chunky one but it feels weird on my hand, so I got the normal one in the green and grape bodies. I have been using both on my Hobonichi day fee this year and both work perfectly with it, no complaints. What I love about the Uni One is that is so dark but doesn’t smudge, and I use the dot markers instead of dot stickers and I have dotted on top of words without awful smudging. I tried the Uniball signo and I HATED IT, I tried it on a leuchtturm notebook and on a midori, and it was awful, the words would transfer to the previous and following pages and I have pages where if I pass my fingers I can still smudge the writing… a year later. And is even worse on the Hobonichi I had last year. I thought I had a bad batch or something and purchased a refill, nope, same, tried 5 refills and had the same issue every time. It also has a shine that I find absolutely distracting. So disappointed, people hyped that pen so much to me that I am still salty about the fact that it is not at all good and I feel incredibly cheated. 😅 Other than that, I like how ballpoint pens look and work on the Hobonichi pages since always, the one they send as freebie is the Uni Jetstream and is lovely in any kind of paper you try it on. I have a super old Pilot Easytouch Fine that is a lighter black but is also very lovely, it used to be my ride or die pen, so I feel attached to it even now. And the best part, they don’t ghost. Sorry for the rant, is just that it took me forever to find pens that feel comfortable to use, so I have strong opinions due to the struggle.

if it helps to know about the pens, there is a uniball one F, which is the same texture and feel as the P, but is less fat and a normal length, and also comes in a lot of (pen body) colours to choose from! they use the same refills ^^ but i also understand not wanting to change around pens even more gosh i really do just feel the summer thing, especially the opposite SAD-like feeling. but i'm glad you were able to get an air con and i hope it helps enough to fight away the worst of it!

Please never feel like you need to explain yourself! For myself it is very affirming when I go through my own struggles. I think you are so brave to show it to us all. ❤

I rewatched your video cuz you told about all your "little" reasons why you make your decision and they so much resonate with me 🙈 i always felt that im odd for having these reasons and "rules" why and how i do things with my journals, its nice to hear simulare and same thing of other people - tho to say they mostly are on the spectrum 😂

#selfcaresummer ! ❤️‍🩹

Your position to change the system is super understandable, and in the end it will be interesting in the same way, I don't know why, but I like to see the usability of the polka dot stickers, and the aesthetics they have. On the other hand, I'm going to miss seeing your filofax active, and thinking from the point of view of the channel's content, I think it adds a really cool dynamic, because when it comes with another system it will be fun to follow.

I bought a rings notebook to play with in June when I have time off from work. I also switched out of my Weeks into a planner I designed in order to save time drawing things out while I’m working. I usually try to stick with one system each year, but just found I wasn’t using my planner regularly and I really NEED to be using it regularly, so I switched and it’s working for me. I can’t wait to experiment with rings, though. I’m really excited with the possibilities it gives. I also have SAD in the summer-it’s too warm and there’s all this pressure to go out and have “fun,” which stresses me out. I can’t imagine having to deal with it without having an air conditioner now that we have central air. I still get the summertime blues, but I feel like there’s a place I can hide away and deal with it alone when I need to. I hope your air conditioner gives you that space. Take care!

The summer is always a huge struggle for me. Thank you for sharing your experience, it is so helpful and inspiring to me.

I have a Hon for the first time as my journal this year, and it is absolutely beautiful, but the pressure to do something in it every day is real. So I have just purchased an inexpensive rings system that I can have with me all the time, where everything is more relaxed! We love more than one system over here ✨🤍

that's such a pretty pattern for a journal cover 🥰

Excited to see the Hobonichi :) Also, for the record, I would have loved to hear you blabber on about bogs 🐸

I haven’t caught up with your vids in a while but omggg bog special interest gang! 💖 saying this with my commonplace pages about bogs (and the neolithic sweet track) open next to me hahaha.

Yes!!! ☺️☺️ love it!!

I beat myself up when I realize that I don’t like my current journal or I buy one and recognize that I don’t want to write in it. I spend so much money on journals and planners. Just know this is a safe space where we can relate to you and your concerns.

I really like the cover and you don’t need to justify changing journals. I have about 3 journals I switch around in, so you’re good. Happy Hobonichi summer

That cover is gorgeous omg! 💕 I get the same in the summer let's survive thisss I believe in us

That is one cute cover!!! 🐶

I was literally just checking Patreon minutes before the notification popped up!! Love this so much and your way of working is so fascinating and thoughtful!

You had the grace from the get go as far as I was concerned, and I'd bet the vast majority of your viewers. You're good! "Hobonichi Summer" Carry on. ❤

yeah, the summer is the absolute worst for me too - and it gets so frustrating when it seems like everyone around me loves the summer and gets annoyed if i complain too much. i mean, i only complain about the summer as much as they complain about the winter, but it's more socially acceptable to hate winter i suppose. anyway, the point is i get you and i'm simultaneously glad to not be alone in this and sorry to hear you have to deal with it too!

Summer is tough for me too. It gets pretty hot here in Texas and I find very bright, sunny, cloudless days depressing. Especially when there are a lot of bright cloudless days in a row. I can feel like an ant under a magnifying glass when I go outside, it's so unbearably hot. Edited to add: I tend to go with mermaid themes in my journals for the summer. I think of them living deep in the ocean where it is cool and the sunlight does not reach. Thinking of them during the most miserable parts of the summer when the sun and heat are inescapable brings me some comfort. :)

I use the uni ball signo 0.5 in the hon and it works for me, if you need any pen recs, also i think its nice you are allowing yourself to have fun and move into different systems as your needs change, I think it makes sense, just enjoy what works for the moment.

your nails look so good

Great video! Your hobonichi is beautiful! I always use my hobonichi more in the summer! It is fun to carry it around for commonplace and I use it To have an easy organizer for summer and literary projects and self care! I love how you format everything It is such great organization and so pretty

I'm so glad you set up the air con! Yep it is the ugliest damn thing. And I spend the season resenting it. But, as you say, it works. For me it takes the heat discomfort down a notch or two so I can function a wee but better. Sending you positive thoughts. ❤

Thanks Megan, lovely book and updates. Books are great emotional support tools. Nice to see your summer set up. 🫶

Your handwriting looks amazing. Fun (?) fact: Uni-Ball One won the Guinness World Book of Records for blackest gel ink.

I’ve been having a pen struggle, myself. I’ve been transcribing old journal content into one bigger journal, for legibility/accessibility and ran out of my pilot ballpoint. I bought a box of uniball ballpoints (they weren’t available individually) because the waterproofing is really important to me, but turns out it’s one of the more liquidy inks, doesn’t write super smoothly, and ghosts a lot! Pretty disappointing. I finally found more of the Pilot BP S fine at the pharmacy, of all places… I just love how dark the ink is, no ghosting, fairly water resistant in my experience (I’ve encountered a leaky bottle tragedy), fine point which is my preference, and I just love the emboss of writing with a ballpoint pen.

Also I'm not sure how hot it gets bc sometimes this won't work effectively if it's boiling hot but~ box fans save my life in the summer and they're nicer than an air con. We have air conditioning in my house but who I live with won't turn it on and the box fans really help. Not as ugly especially bc you can get different colors and they're just a square

I purchased my first hobonichi 2 days ago. I bought the plain a5 one. It got shipped yesterday. Im so excited ☺️ i used other japanese notebooks before but not hobonichi. I wonder how ill feel about the pages ❤

For me the s stands for summer too.

I haven't finished the video, I'm only just under 3min in, but does your schedule/routine change in the summer? When I was in college, I'd get really low because I lost my routine and I'd feel like I was floundering with no control. I haven't watched many of your videos, but I'm wondering if you have the same issue.. Perhaps a structured schedule to keep you "stable" might help?

Please share which aircon you purchased! I’m in the UK too 🥵

Feel good in your books ❤ Did you ever though of the sterling ink common planner? Not want to plant a seed there 😅 just cuz i am thinking of trying it instead of the hobonichi next year

Summer is the worst for me too, I live in Cyprus and we get 35+ degrees that makes it impossible to go out. It's a burning hell out there. Last summer I spend july and august Locked in my bedroom with AC 24/7. 😓

Not to seem rude as if you don't already know, im not sure but~ have you tried thin see-through curtains? They're like the gauzey curtains and they soften the light in a room a lot.

Does this tomomi cover fits the clear cover on cover??

Frankly, I def get what you are saying. You are already dealing with a lot, there's no reason you should feel the absolute need to stay "monogamous" with a single journal system because that would be causing you more grief than necessary.

Why dont u use the hobonichi for journaling, since its a daily dated notebook, and then do the commmonplace and planner in the filofax? 🤔

For summer try the desert lifestyle, sleep during the day and work at night when its cooler. Being self employed you have that advantage. Buuuuuuuuuuut take vitamin D3 to boost what you naturally would get in sunlight. Since your family left the corner shop, it's dead....no soul.

You don't need to justify your choices... Its not like you are deciding to do anything immoral or illegal....

Hey! Do you have a PO box/ accept gifts? Would love to send you some of my stickers 😊❤ I make specialized stickers for Field Notes ❤

If I had a nickel for every time I switched journals/planners, I could buy and sell bill gates 5 times over