Over the last 6 months, I’ve started carrying an A6-sized notebook around wherever I go.  I use it to jot down ideas I have for a project I’m working on, or considering doing.

I’ll even use it for making a list of some sort, for example, I need a shopping list, or I have a list of vinyls (please don’t judge me from the photo shown below) I want to find and I’ll tick them off the list as I find them – a bit like a wishlist.  And lists of tasks I need to complete that day (or even over time).  I’ll use it for anything I need to remember!

Another use for the notebook is for my wellbeing.  I struggle with anxiety and depression, and I find it useful for offloading what’s going on in my brain and how I’m feeling, which helps me to keep track of things.  

I did use other specific notebooks for journaling about my mental health in the past but they didn’t work as well for me as these everyday notebooks do.

So, you can see why I call this an “everyday notebook”, and I can’t live without one now.  Where I go, it goes!

The notebooks I use are notebooks I make myself.  In essence, they are A5 paper folded in half, a stiffer card for the cover and holes punched into the spine where I finish with a saddle stitch…that’s it.  I’m working on a tutorial, so watch this space!

My first couple of notebooks have been using plain and square paper.  These were ones I had created before I started with the everyday notebook, and they were lying around to be used.

I prefer the A6-size for the notebooks as they do fit into a pocket, whether that’s trousers, coat or bag pockets.  I don’t like anything bigger or too many pages as this just adds weight to it.  It’s the perfect size.

In my latest notebook, I’m testing out some lined paper I’ve created using Affinity Publisher 2 and added page numbers because I’m always referencing different pages in my notebooks, and have been writing the page numbers manually before.

I use 15 pages of A5 paper which gives you 60 pages in total to write in.  As mentioned before, it’s not too big and heavy to carry around perfect for the job I need it for.

Once I’ve completed a notebook, I place a label on it using my label printer with the number of the notebook (for example, I’m on my third notebook, so it will be number 3), the date I started it and finished it.  

It will be placed into my cupboard, where I can look back on anything for reference or simply have a read.

I love using a notebook because it’s a physical thing, it’s simple, but can hold so much information in it.  I love the way it gets dog-eared over time while using it, it’s that tactile feeling!

Another reason for using a notebook is that it helps with keeping your brain active when writing (there is some science behind it), and helps with your wellbeing.  

Also, I think we are in a culture these days where we rely heavily on technology and using apps to make notes or journals just doesn’t feel personal enough for me.

Plus, the dreaded screen time!  I will admit it myself, it’s so easy to get stuck scrolling through apps and looking at pointless posts or videos when you should be doing something else!  I’ve been there like most people in today’s world.  Especially when you realise that a couple of hours (or more) have just gone.

I’ve even started to use a paper diary this year which I have made myself because I don’t want to use my phone!  The diary will be another post, so look out for that one too!

I hope that this post has helped, and I would be interested to hear your thoughts on using an “everyday notebook”.  Have you got one, or thinking about it?  Let me know in the comments below.

Thanks for reading!