I’ve fallen deep into this whole journal ecosystem trend. Have you heard about it? I first heard about it thanks to Tessa of The Slowdown on Substack and since then I have been going deeper and deeper into it.

 

A little backstory: Long, long ago, I discovered YouTube channels that showed people setting up their bullet journal spreads. I find these videos calming to watch. Especially Erin Smith. Her bullet journals are beautiful and her Australian accent is so soothing. 

 

It never inspired me to want to pick up that kind of journaling myself, though. Seemed too crafty for a non-crafty person. And, frankly, it could get expensive because I could totally see myself buying all of the stationary supplies. But I do very much admire, appreciate and enjoy watching the people who are gifted in that creativity. 

 

Which is why this whole concept of a journal ecosystem has blown my mind. 

Do you even know how many blank journals I have? Do you even know how many more filled journals I have? I’ve even drafted a letter to my descendants so they have instructions on what to do with them after I’m gone. 

 

Thinking about death isn’t so whimsical, so let’s get back to the ecosystem.  

 

I’ve been experimenting over the course of the last couple of years with my productivity system. Last year I went almost all in on digital everything. But, it didn’t quite work for me. To offset too much digital, I created weekly and daily planner sheets for myself. I also got a paper planner for more of a way to jot down or document what I did throughout my day. It evolved into including a habit tracker, as well. 

 

I found that I really liked this hybrid approach. It seemed to be working better than not understanding Notion the way I wanted to. 

 

I’ve always been a journaler. Writing helps me process complex thoughts and emotions that drive me crazy when they’re just left swirling around my head. I’ve kept one, main journal for years that I write all those inner workings out in. I write down prayers, I wrestle with God there, I record what He’s teaching me from His Word and during my daily quiet time with Him. It’s an ongoing conversation with the Triune God, basically. 

 

And I’ve loved that. 

 

Now is the time to add to that one journal system. 

 

Over the course of time, I’ve picked up and utilized guided gratitude journals. Will continue. 

 

Last year, I think it was, I first came across Commonplace Books. I instantly loved it but over-engineered how to do it and so I haven’t done too much with it. I’ve tried it digitally in my notes app with eh results. I’m not ready to give up on it, though, so I’m going to refine my process and experiment with a smaller notebook to begin with.

 

Here’s a list of my current analog journal ecosystem:

 

 

Digitally, I’m trying out these journals:

 

 

I’m breathlessly awaiting the arrival of a travelers style leather cover, which I’m still trying to decide what journals I’d like to use in it. I’m thinking of making it like a comfort journal. So, it’ll have the things I find interesting and are comforting to me. I will tell you about it in a later post, so stay tuned for how my journal ecosystem will evolve!

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