2…
Countdown to 2026
Two days until 2026 and today I am reflecting back on my journals.
This was a year of discovery. I have so many ideas, so many IDEALS (thanks to social media), that I tried many different things.
Here’s a glimpse into my journals and favorite pages from the year.
Productivity Planner
I started the year continuing a Happy Planner I had started the previous August. I absolutely love this Villain theme and the pages! It worked really well with keeping me organized. I liked the small, pocket size and I love that you can move pages around.
Here are a couple of my favorite pages:
In July, I made the leap to a Hobonichi Techo Cousin Avec. (And now I’m hooked to the Hobonichi brand.)
Some of my favorite pages:
Takeaways:
I love the pages that I’ve added doodles to or taped in pieces from the day.
Capturing small moments, like text messages and conversations, are fun to look back on.
I have a lot of empty pages, but it’s okay. They speak for busy times in my life too.
Journaling
Before moving to the Cousin Avec, I kept my journal and my productivity planner separate. I dabbled in the idea of combining them in July with the Avec, but I wanted to show you a few pages from my bullet journals. I still added to them periodically as well.
Pages I love:
Takeaways:
I love recording my life, like the movies and tv I am watching or the books I am reading.
Ideas Journal
This notebook has been with me since 2023 and it really centers on the Storystorm prompts, but anytime I have ideas I also add them. I add substack ideas and writing quotes as well. It’s actually almost full which makes me feel so good! Looking at the years listed on the cover made me kind of sad because for some reason I felt I needed it to be full every year. Why do we have these expectations? Why does a notebook have to be full at the end of a year? Life doesn’t just start and stop in a year, so a notebook should not either. And actually…that is my main takeaway from my journals and planners this year.
Let’s say it again:
Life doesn’t just start and stop in a year, so a notebook doesn’t have to either.
Holding it all together
And finally, the cover that is holding it all together! This is an Erin Condren On the Go Folio and I absolutely love it. It brings me such joy to look at and to touch.
Here’s a peek:
I think a big part of being successful in journaling is loving the thing you are journaling in. Don’t overthink it. Add the stickers. (Or tape them!) enjoy the feel of the actual journal and the memories it holds.
Your turn
Look back on those pages, even just your calendar. Remember those highlights and special days. Look at those busy days and remind yourself that you made it!