A New Type of Notebook System for the Fall

So, I understand now that there are these things called traveler’s notebooks that everyone seems to love. I have been obsessed with my Leuchtturm 1917 bullet journal for over a year and a half now. When I first discovered bullet journaling, I couldn’t stop looking things up on Pinterest, checking out YouTube videos, and seeing how other people were doing layouts. It helped me discover a love of drawing I never knew I had as a teen or even as an adult. Who would have thought that a woman in her 30’s would discover a love of doodling? I think that is one of the main reasons why I love all things journaling and keep talking about writing and journaling here on the blog. Now, when I wasn’t in my bullet journal, I was working in my Undated Lush Green Passion Planner. Passion Planners are amazing. They serve a specific purpose because they help you figure out routine when everything feels like chaos, and there is a layout for everyone. Journals seem to have different purposes for different parts of life. Cue the traveler’s notebook.

I was familiar with an insert system, but I never knew how much I would like the traveler’s notebook system until I tried it out. I began putting my traveler’s notebook together in mid-September in preparation for October. I grabbed 4 inserts-one for each aspect of my life that I wanted to include notes, thoughts, or ideas. Because I have loved all things dot-grid, I grabbed dot-grid inserts. These inserts from Wanderings have 100 gsm paper and handle bleeding better than my Leuchtturm 1917 journal does with markers.

1.) The Everything Insert

Brain Dump
To-Do List
Doodles
Morning Pages/Journaling
Creative Writing

2. The Planner Insert

Schedules
Weekly and Monthly Layouts
Future Log
Habits/Goals

3. The Blog Planner Insert

Blog Post Ideas/Blog Ideas in General
Course Planning
Digital Download Design

4. The Family Insert

Meals
House Ideas
Wishlists

I didn’t know how much I would really love having different parts of life separated. Something about having everything together in my bullet journal seemed so representative of well,…life. However, something about having different inserts for different parts of life is helping me keep track of my thoughts. I still love my Passion Planner, but I am moving to a different part of life where I may not need the structure as much as I need the creative freedom to draw, doodle, and glue in awesome things I find. I have my eye on a Chic Sparrow journal (these are everywhere in the traveler’s notebook world), but I really wanted to make sure I liked the system before I invested in a more expensive journal.

So, What is a Traveler’s Notebook?

A traveler’s notebook is a journal system that holds multiple refillable inserts of paper or pages on elastic bands. Often, the journal cover is made of leather and may have additional designs like pen loops, pockets, and cardholders. It is a system designed to change alot on the inside, but remain a constant on the outside cover for years and years.

The two brands I looked at the most:

If you browse the hashtags #travelersnotebook on social media platforms, the thing that drew me in about traveler’s notebooks was the element of creativity. I loved the pictures of drawings that reminded me of the bullet journal system, but I also loved the creativity of gluing things in, the charms that could hang from the front covers, and the different designs based on inserts. Traveler’s journals end up as junk journals sometimes. Junk journals take on the form of life scrapbooking because they involve tons of papers, print outs, foldouts, and more. For whatever type of journal you decided upon, check out some examples of traveler’s journals before you decide to use the system.

The Journal

Typical traveler’s notebooks are 8.5 X 4.5. Inserts for these notebooks are 8.25 x. 4.25. I got the Wanderings journal off of Amazon based on price point because I wanted to try out the system. As I said above, I can see myself getting another type of journal if the system really fits with the different parts of life. While I am worried about how fast I will go through inserts, something seems nice about having a new insert for each month of planning. I also like the idea of starting fresh with inserts because I feel like this will keep me from getting bored. The Wanderings journal and the Midori traveler’s notebooks only have one elastic string on the inside. While this can fit three notebooks comfortably, I think this will be another reason I branch off to a different style of cover in the future. I like that the Chic Sparrow notebooks come with 4 elastic strands on the inside so that each of my inserts could have their own string. I think this will help in the future by making sure the inserts lay flat. In addition, in terms of size, I have loved the A5 size of Leuchtturm 1917 journals, but I also like the narrow size of the traveler’s notebooks. I feel like this smaller size will be easier to carry around in a bag or a backpack.

October Pages

October Cover

I have done leaf layouts in the past, but I wanted to do another month's set of them because they have been bringing me so much joy as the leaves turn here in Michigan. I really look forward to the reds, oranges, and yellows that pop up. I do have to also admit that I am a sucker for all things fall: pumpkin spice lattes, anything cinnamon, apple-scented candles, orange pumpkins, scarves, sweaters, donuts, and books. While cold mornings give way to cold winters, they are refreshing in the morning as I acknowledge that change is always bound to happen. I love fall. I also have done a fox layout based on the novel Pax by Sara PennyPacker that reminds me of fall as well.

Weekly Layouts

I am loving the to-do system along the edges of these weekly spreads! I feel like it keeps the busy-ness of the day-to-day schedule out of the actual planning for the day. It is a good (and healthy) reminder that to-do lists will always be there. The habits were based on my September reflection. I wanted to focus on adding hydration back into my world, moving my body on purpose 3-4 times a week, stopping work at a reasonable time (the one I have the hardest time with), daily gratitudes, and reading for enjoyment.

Future Log and Monthly Planning Sheets

I kept these simple because I don’t want them to have a particular theme over three months. I like planning in three month chunks that match the quarters of the year. I always love the last quarter because it involves preparation for the new year and finishing the year off strong.