r/notebooks • • Jul 09 '26

"What can I do with this notebook?"

176 Upvotes

This is a pretty common question in subs like this. Either someone received a new notebook as a gift, or they couldn't help themselves from buying a new one, or they have a partially used notebook they want to fill.

Or they're trying to figure out what to do with the massive stack they've accumulated after years of "I'll find a use for this" and allowing that as justification to keep buying more... Ahem.

Beyond the normal "Just write in it, use it as a diary," here's some ideas on what you could do with an unused or unfinished notebook:

  • Commonplace / zibaldone journal
  • Brain dump / soliloquy journal
  • Quotes / lyrics / poetry
  • Media / entertainment tracker (Movies, tv shows, games, etc)
  • Bullet journal (method for a DIY daily planner, get started here)
  • To-do lists
  • All kinds of lists (e.g., "lists of 100" like "100 things you saw this week")
  • Gratitude
  • Grievances (the opposite of gratitude, what bothered you today)
  • Idea notebook
  • Quick thoughts
  • Art (Sketches / drawings / zentangles)
  • Dream log
  • The Artist's Way Morning Pages
  • Travel journal
  • Things you've learned
  • Bucket list / goals
  • Unsent letters
  • Dedicated handwriting practice
  • RPG journaling (there's games you can find online for it and r/Solo_Roleplaying)
  • Food or drink tracker, such as keeping track of teas you've tried
  • Things you overheard that are worth remembering
  • People you meet
  • Funny facts
  • Gaming journal
  • Language practice

Added since I made this post-

  • Keep track of plants/gardening
  • Master index for all your journals
  • Project tracker
  • Hobby tracker
  • A place to write down memories and stories from your life
  • Memories of friends and family
  • Review places you go
  • Homeowner notes like chores, bills, and when things need to be fixed/replaced
  • A journal to give your child(ren) someday, such as letters to them and their milestones
  • Notes and milestones for pets
  • Things like tarot or shadow work
  • Swatches (ink, yarn, embroidery thread, ribbon, washi tape, etc)
  • Scent tracker (perfume/cologne, would not suggest attempting to store the actual scents in there)
  • General feelings
  • Chronic pain tracker
  • Prayer/devotional journal
  • "Practice" journal to get thoughts out before actual journaling
  • Distractions when you should've been doing something else

Feel free to suggest more in the comments.


r/notebooks • • 11h ago

Notebook Share I couldn't find a Lochby that I could order online at an affordable price, so I got my own alternative

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160 Upvotes

Also fits my X4 perfectly!


r/notebooks • • 13h ago

I made my own trifold and notebooks

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191 Upvotes

I paid $50 for a large half shoulder of 4 - 5 oz leather (enough to make 3 x A6 and 1 x A5 trifold.

$90 for dye, conditioner, wax, soap and thread (still waiting for thread), still have some stitching to do.

It's chunky, perfectly rigid and I'm really happy with it.


r/notebooks • • 45m ago

The reason my family both hates and loves me

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• Upvotes

My family gets overwhelmed with planning. I like to break things down and figure out what we’re doing, what we need (my mom’s famous line: “oh, do you know what we should’ve done?”), and who’s doing it. I try to anticipate my mom’s question before the event. They thank me after and get aggravated with me in the process, and that’s ok :) We started having a chili cook-off a few years ago in the fall, and they love it.


r/notebooks • • 4h ago

Notebook Share Almost 4 years of daily use

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24 Upvotes

Annual post about my setup. ❤️

I outlined the contents last year, if you’re interested: https://www.reddit.com/r/notebooks/s/IAdnfwbzIi


r/notebooks • • 1d ago

DIY How I’ve been making pocket notebooks

1.4k Upvotes

With fabric covers bound to book cloth. Pamphlet stitch with colored waxed thread. Also a fun decorative hand-marbled sheet inside.


r/notebooks • • 14h ago

2 months in my anti-scroll kit

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26 Upvotes

r/notebooks • • 1d ago

Recommendation beautiful use of a notebook: eugène delacroix's travel notebook

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196 Upvotes

source: cosmoslitterair twitter.


r/notebooks • • 14h ago

Advice needed Lochby field journal alternative

13 Upvotes

Hey all,

I’ve been eyeing the Lochby Field Journal for a bit now. I like its functionality quite a bit having the ability to fit up to 4 A5 notebooks at once. This is something I’m using for businesses use - so while I don’t hate the Lochby look, it definitely has more of an outdoorsy aesthetic.

Are their any recommended brands out there that will function the same, but have a sleeker, more professional look?

Thanks!


r/notebooks • • 1h ago

I’m kind of having a journaling crisis.

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• Upvotes

r/notebooks • • 17h ago

Abandoned journals

7 Upvotes

I truly love the idea of journaling and how it allows me to think ideas or problems through. I tend to see things much more clearly when I write about them. The problem is that I will lose interest in journaling and abandon the notebook I was using. When I get interested again I start a new notebook so I have several partially used journals. Any suggestions on what I can do with them or how to restart them.


r/notebooks • • 1d ago

Prettiest Journal Cover I've Made

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311 Upvotes

So far. Hehe. Made with genuine Moonstones and Jade stones.


r/notebooks • • 17h ago

Multiple Notebook Cover

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2 Upvotes

r/notebooks • • 1d ago

With a random cute paper

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21 Upvotes

r/notebooks • • 1d ago

Recommendation Notebook that's A5 height but a little bit narrowed - is there a standard size that matches this?

5 Upvotes

I got a bookaroo branded notebook as a gift from my son. It's A5 tall but a little bit narrower. It's also fewer pages than most A5 notebooks with a hardcover. It's not great paper, only really usable with ballpoint pens like bic or jetstreams. Signo and gel pens don't really work with the paper.

The A5 size generally suits my needs but how I carry it in my work bag means full A5 width is a bit too big. I can fit the bookaroo notebook with my pen pouch in the laptop caddy I have. The pen pouch is actually a zip pouch from outdoors brand Alpkit. The laptop caddy came with my overboard drybag rucksack. I've stopped using the rucksack but still use the caddy with my ortlieb bike pannier for my short cycle commute from station to work site.

It's small things that make a bigger difference IRL I find and this 1.3cm narrower width works better for me. It's actually 0.5cm taller but I'm less bothered by height being bigger.

I know standard traveller's notebook inserts are about A5 height but narrower. However it's even more narrow, too narrow for me. Also I've never seen a hardcover, standard TN insert notebook. I'd like a hardcover notebook A5 tall by a little narrower. Ideally with good paper. Lined, dotted or gridded (fancy getting gridded most for a change but lined or dotted is perhaps more likely to be available). Would also like a page marker and elastic closure band.

Anyone with a recommendation from a UK source?


r/notebooks • • 1d ago

Rhodia x … Skims???? What the hell

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4 Upvotes

r/notebooks • • 1d ago

A vintage-style notebook.

14 Upvotes

I decided to make a vintage-style notebook. I decorated it with pyrography. I think it turned out well. What do you think?


r/notebooks • • 1d ago

Archer and Olive Albums

5 Upvotes

I love A&O but their notebooks are too condensed to do the type of journaling I do (pasting in pages and sometimes "junk"). Has anyone used the new album style? They are tempting me!
Link for context: https://www.archerandolive.com/collections/junk-journaling


r/notebooks • • 1d ago

Yellow paper: what are the best highlighter colours?

3 Upvotes

So in my enthusiasm I ordered a beautiful yellow papered notebook. Without releasing that my yellow highlighter probably won't work lol! Should've thought of that. What colour highlighter would work best on this paper? I always have a pink highlighter for certain events and notes. But I also want a 'standard' highlighting colour to draw attention to some phrases and make them clearly standout


r/notebooks • • 1d ago

Notebook Share September walk-through

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3 Upvotes

This is my September in 66 seconds! I felt like the actual month went by just as fast.


r/notebooks • • 1d ago

Advice needed Good pairing for quick drying pen?

5 Upvotes

Hello, i’ve bought a few Zebra Sarasa Dry pens (chronic lefty smudger) and want to start journaling. Kind of confused by all the advice on what notebook’s paper would be a good pairing for this pen?

I like the look of the Rhodia Webbie but seeing mixed messages on whether that kind of paper will mess up the quick drying aspect of the pens? I want something lined, A5 sized. The Midori MD looks cool but i’d rather buy a notebook that has a cover already.

Any suggestions?

Thank you


r/notebooks • • 1d ago

Advice needed Has anyone seen the 2027 version yet?

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5 Upvotes

This was originally from Dollarama.


r/notebooks • • 1d ago

DIY I made a thing

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13 Upvotes

r/notebooks • • 1d ago

Advice needed Need Help IDing Brand of This Journal

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18 Upvotes

For the love of God can someone please tell me what brand this is? I thought it was Moleskin but it’s not.

Mine has…
-Better paper quality (thicker to the touch, doesn’t bleed through)
-Side pen holder
-TWO bookmark lanyards vs one
-Size is 5.5x10.5

I will be forever grateful 📓


r/notebooks • • 1d ago

Advice needed 2027 Decision

7 Upvotes

I just started journaling at the beginning of these year. At first I was doing really well. It’s formed and changed over the past few months and I’ve slacked off some.

Anyway, I am currently using the Wonderland222 All-in-one A5 which I really enjoy. However, last night I discovered the Aura Estelle Magnet which has the daily/blank pages after each week, one for each day. Just wondering if anyone has used these systems. Which one you prefer and why?