What is an journal ecosystem – and do you need one?
It is simply your method of journaling and the books you use to make your magic happen. But to sound more official:
A journal ecosystem consists of the different outlets you use to document life, art, feelings, routine, etc. It can consist of blank books, handmade journals, planners, virtual journals, etc. The beauty is they all work together to reflect your life and your story.
Rather than put everything in one book, a journal ecosystem allows you to keep your thoughts, ideas, and hobbies in separate areas.
I’ve been journaling for decades and I’ve used all kinds of ways to keep the job rolling. I’ll share what i’m doing these days, as well as offer some tips to help you on your journaling journey!
Here is an overview of my journal ecosystem, and the reasoning behind the elements. Remember, there is no right or wrong way, it’s about what works for you.
This time of year, everyone invests in a blank book or planer to FINALLY organize their life. Then it falls by the wayside in a couple weeks. Guilty!
But I do have a system that works.
View this post on Instagram
My journal ecosystem
For calendar appointments, I use my iPhone and Google cal. No compromise here.
When I’m feeling overly moody and need to vent to the abyss, I use my iPhone journal app. I’ll unload my feelings, then recite a gratitude list to close it out (because I feel guilty for unleashing so many unregulated emotions, LOL).
Now onto the fun, artsy stuff!
Old school blank 8×10 hardback sketchbook
This is a blank book I’ve had for years. It’s a hodge podge of sketches, pages decorated by friends, diary entries, collage work, etc. I even use it when I’m printing making – I’ll use it to catch overflow from my paint roller.
Savoring the process. That’s what this journal is all about. Because it is a continuation, I can see my progress over the years. I often take this one with me when I travel. It has nice heavy pages for watercolor and mixed media. And of course I had to decorate the cover with stickers!
I work on this one maybe once a month or at longer stretches.
Daily art journaling/documenting: Hobonichi Cousin
After presenting at Wild for Planners last year, I became so inspired to do more planning and journaling. My friend, Ammie, told me how much she loves using a Hobonichi Cousin, so I bought one. Little did I know it would become my third child.
I don’t use it as a planner, but more for junk journaling with intention. I save ephemera from daily life, travels, little and big moments and create artful spreads. Sometimes I’ll glue pages together, sometimes not. It’s become part of my weekly routine to sit down and catch. up on life by documenting memories.
I’ll do another post about a deep dive into this, but for now – yup. I love using this book.
No rules or reasoning, just glueing stuff down and doodling, jotting notes. I even list my favorite shows ands books, nice baristas, random acts of kindness. The best part is is makes me so happy to look back at the pages.
We can often think our lives are boring, but once you take on a project like this and reflect – you’ll see micro moments you would have likely forgotten.
I work on this one a couple times a week. One of my favorite methods is to visit a coffeehouse and just sit and work in my Hobonichi. I travel with it as well, I have alittle pouch with pens, a glue stick, washi tape, and mini-scissors.
Watercolor journal
Practice, practice, practice! That’s why I bought this chunky 5×5 watercolor journal. I watch a lot of watercolor tutorials on TikTok and IG. Andrea Nelson is my FAVE, I literally bought this journal just to practice and learn techniques. I’m already on my second journal!
Sticker Journal
Another 5×5″ journal, but this one has thinner pages. I use it to make use of all my stickers. I practice a variety of paper folding, sticker layouts and more. This one is awesome because it is mindless, it is just playing with stickers. Literally getting them off the backing and put to use in a great way.
I work on this a couple times a month.
Other methods I use in my journal ecosystem:
- Nightly to-do list.
- Desk calendar for jotting down timelines.
- Brainstorming journal for noting ideas, outlines before I input them into a Google doc.
- Google docs for business plans.
- Black page journal for opaque pens.
- Handmade journals from paper scraps.
Tips for creating a journal ecosystem
Give each journal a job that suits your needs and lifestyle. For example: One for feelings, one for ideas, one for dreams, one for business.
Choose joy and creativity and PLAY time over perfection. Messy pages mean you’re actually using your journal.
Let your journals talk to each other because ideas can travel. Nothing has to stay stuck in one notebook.
Build tiny rituals. Maybe five minutes with coffee, before bed or during a creative break.
Keep supplies simple: A few good pens (I love glitter pens), a few markers, glue stick and scraps.
Allow seasons and vibes to flow! Some journals get loud, some get quiet. Both are totally OK.
Protect your pages! Your journals are a sacred, private, honest space. No rules, no judgment!
RELATED:
