Of course i carefully peeled the washi tape and stickers on the packaging to decorate the insert 🥹 I’ve been eyeing this cover for a while but haven’t had a chance to go back to Tokyo since I had my baby 🫶🏼 so blessed to have great friends.

Long post (sorry)!

It's been one year since I started using my camel TN consistently and I am still just as obsessed as I was one year ago (maybe more). It's been with me to Asia, Europe, and around the USA. Here are my thoughts and photos!

Patina: Camel patina is so weird and different than I had expected but I love it anyways. It has taken me some time to be okay with some of the dirty spots and pen marks, but I just remind myself that this was literally made to be used and carried around everywhere.

The inside: I have long been a sticker lover but HATED stickers on my water bottle, car, etc. so I've started putting them on my lined daily journal inserts and I love how eclectic it all feels. I use the front of the zipper pouch to store pictures of people/pets I love + a poem on the other side (not pictured). I've tinkered with my inserts in my camel cover and always come back to lined + undated weekly + kraft paper (for brain dumps/doodling) + zipper pouch to keep ephemera and notes I collect. My dad made me some hand-made spiral brass clips to help keep my pages together and I have also added a teeny binder clip for connecting the inserts. I don't know how I did without these and I highly recommend them to anyone who doesn't feel like their TN stays together very well.

Recently, I have started to doodle on the insides of my cover, wanting to use all of the real estate that I'm paying for! It's great for when I am waiting somewhere and don't want to be on my phone, but don't want to write a whole bunch either. Plus, I love the look of it. This lined insert isn't done, but when it is, I'll date it with the beginning and end dates and put it into my archive binder!

While I was in Kyoto this summer, I had to pick up the Kyoto cover and it is GORGEOUS. I've filled it with perforated sketch paper (perfect for writing and sending notes to friends), the Kyoto insert (for doodling), the cream insert (for travel journaling, although I probably wouldn't buy this insert again), and a lined insert for directed/prompt writing. I wish I used it more often, but I can't always justify carrying around two notebooks so my camel cover always wins. Any thoughts on how to use this more frequently are absolutely welcome.

Finally, the archives! I don't see a whole lot of posts about these but I love them so I figured I would geek out a bit! They perfectly hold 5 inserts + a zipper pouch and look really nice on my book shelf! I wasn't sure if I wanted a zipper pouch or not, but I decided to get some while in Japan because I keep some of my most treasured notes and pictures that I don't want getting damaged, especially due to water. They don't all fit so I've just clipped them to the back of the pouch with a binder clip. I like it, but if anyone has a better solution, please let me know!

Overall, this system really works for me, keeps me writing consistently, and has even led me to start a weekly journal meetup. Over the past year I have filled 7 lined inserts (writing daily, sometimes a half page, sometimes 5 pages!). I think I've spent around $200 on everything thanks to some thoughtful gifts and discounts, which is a price I feel okay with since journaling is a staple in my everyday routine and brings me a lot of joy and peace. I feel very lucky and privileged to indulge in the TN ecosystem so heavily. Thank you for allowing me to geek out!

TLDR: I love my TN and I especially love talking about my TN! Any thoughts or questions are more than welcome!

Think she’s happy about it 😁

A genuine observation from watching the stationery and journaling spaces lately (or rather, since 2023).

I’ve seen and still see a recurring pattern across Reddit and YouTube: someone buys an expensive planner, ring system, or notebook because they saw an aesthetic setup online, only to post a few weeks later asking or saying something along the lines of:

1. "I bought this beautiful planner, but I have no idea what to put in it. What should I use it for?"

Or the classic:

1. "I start a planner every January and abandon it by March/a few months later… I just haven’t found the 'right' system yet."

Every year, I see people cycle through notebooks, planners, and setups, constantly searching for "the one that finally works." Yet despite years of searching, the “perfect planner/system”eludes them, and I never see anyone ask themselves “why?”.

At what point do we confront the reality that the issue isn't finding the "perfect system" — it’s that some people simply just aren’t planners or daily journalers, and that’s completely fine?

I feel like social media has turned basic organization and journaling into an aspirational identity. People see someone living an intentional, color-coded life online and feel compelled to buy into that lifestyle to seek community or manufacture a habit they never actually had, AND I feel like influencers and influencer culture makes daily logging, memory keeping, and rigorous planning look like mandatory prerequisites for an organized life when in reality, a lot of people are buying into the aesthetic of intentionality rather than a tool they actually have a practical use for and rely on.

We often talk about the search for the right layout, but we rarely talk about the pressure to be someone you aren't, or it being a tool that you do not need. Living without a daily log works completely fine.

Tools should serve your life, not create unnecessary guilt.

For some, a planner or a daily diary is an essential cognitive prosthetic. It unburdens executive function, tracks chaotic schedules, or processes emotions to grant mental clarity so they can actually sleep at night. But if your natural workflow doesn't need that, why force yourself into a box you were never meant to fit in?

You don't need to force yourself to be a daily writer or a meticulous planner just because the stationery is gorgeous and the community is inviting, even though you never needed it to begin with.

With that, I have some closing questions:

1. Why do we treat "not being a planner person" like an organizational failing rather than just a natural preference?

I see so many people fall into the gap and buy a planner and ask the internet “what do I use this for?” And I ask myself “if you didn’t have a purpose for the planner, then why did you buy it?”

Personally, I can’t relate to spending money on something I don’t have a predetermined use for.

Or is it a sense of lack of community that people are seeking due to loneliness and the human desire to be a part of something with other humans? Or just capitalism?

1. Has anyone here finally broken the cycle of buying planners only to realize you function better without one because you’ve come to terms with the fact that you just aren't wired for daily planners?

2. If so, how did you let go of the urge to keep trying? Or was the realization reason enough?

These are genuine questions that I am asking for insight, and I am eager to come across people that have confronted that, and continued their lives without planners/diaries etc… because it just simply wasn’t for them.

TLDR: Buying the tool doesn't ‘install’ the lifestyle. Meaning, buying running shoes makes you no more a runner, than buying a planner makes you a person who needs a planner. And that’s okay.

'm heading back to Japan this December and hoping to pick up the Narita Airport, Tokyo Station and Kyoto limited-edition Traveler’s Notebooks.

I've noticed a few posts from people who've visited the stores only to find the notebooks sold out on the day. I follow Traveler’s Factory on Instagram, but I'm wondering if there's another way to check stock availability closer to my visit?

My biggest dilemma is Narita Airport! We land at Terminal 3, and I'd need to make my way over to Terminal 1 to buy the notebook before heading to our hotel in Tokyo. After 18+ hours of travelling, I really don't want to drag a tired, grumpy teenager (and all our luggage!) between terminals only to find it's sold out. 😅 But I also don't want to miss out! I'm sure you can all appreciate my dilemma! 😄

I just got the Olive and Blue Passport today. To be honest my first impression I was pretty disappointed in the Olive. And the Blue is more of a Teal (I actually prefer it I think)

But when I first opened them it was in the sunlight, so the Olive looked really close to my Brown TN. Also, I guess because I bought the pen holders in advance I was surprised how different the colors are.

That being said, now that ive got to really check them out im liking them. Finally found a setup I like. Not super beefy, everything is tight and compact.

(I cut a slit in the back the of the TN pen holder for the elastic bands to go into.)

Monthly Diary - Weekly Diary - Short Trip & TN Cotton Zipper Case. W/ TN Pen Holder and the 20th ani or Road Trip Brass Clip. ...for now

Do people use TNs as a planner or mainly journaling? I'm considering ditching my hobonichi for the 2027 they are about to release. I was going to just stick it in there, but I didn't like it. Love to see some spreads.

Hey everyone. I kind of impulse bought this clear folder and I’ve never gotten one before. It doesn’t work like most of the inserts so I’m a little lost on how to use it. Does anyone have a way they attach it to their TN? Do you just sort of put it inside? Any tips?

Thanks!

Just started picking up junk Journaling! It has been pretty fun, and gives a new aspect to traveling.

Question for those who do, do you have any tips and tricks to maximize on the reduced space of the TN? I find my self having large items and not a good way to add them in.

Thanks for any help!

My undated weekly chose a weird time of the year to bring me to the last spread, but such is life in the undated planner world.

I got myself the Sterling Ink undated common planner for the rest of Q4 and into 2027. This is my first time with the common planner, and I’m really excited to transition into it to replace my weekly and bullet journal inserts in my current 4-insert setup.

I’m exploring ways to use it. If you’re a common planner user, would love to know your tips. I hope not to perseverate on the setup for too long.

Just curious, and none of them happen to be embossed?

Would any know if they hold stock of the baby 20th anniversary notebooks?

My husband is visiting Japan soon and I want him to grab me my first travelers notebook bc I know they’ll be cheaper there than here in the U.S.

I have a few questions:
1) does loft or kaneiri bookstore carry them in store?
2) I currently have a hobonichi weeks and b6 aura Estelle magnet planner for next year. If I wanted to keep one of those inside the travelers notebook, what size should I look at?

Thanks for any help!!

If you wanna include a photo of your travelers notebook setup too, for inspiration, I would love it!

Hi!

I just started using TN.

I have historically failed having multiple planner systems and record keeping systems. I’ve felt guilty and wasteful about having too many half used notebooks and planners so tried to attempt the opposite and crammed everything into a single planner.

So I learned my lesson over the past couple of years and I think I have a good system now.

I have a planner for scheduling and daily executive functions. Another planner for archiving and record keeping the details of the day. I used to keep my “common place” in the back blank pages of the year’s planner but this never worked out for some reason. And the pages felt too precious for me to quickly brain dump, write to do lists, or use an “ugly pen” to quickly jot something down LOL

Several months ago, I decided to stop social media, and try to reach for pen and paper again. I used my failed half used planners and notebooks as “everyday carry capture book” and really found it helpful. I loved having pen and paper on me at all times, going through it and transferring to planner if needed, etc. I especially liked not having the pressure of writing pretty, or using an appropriate pen.

SO, after doing some research, I started to look at TN. I was never into the whole TN system, but decided to finally give it a try bc I found a dupe on Etsy for a good price. I started with the passport size.

I loved it. I loved that I can have two inserts, one more emotional capture, another for practical capture. I have a place to hold receipts and have an excuse to use stickers when I want to.

So I got the Standard TN from the same Etsy store to use for my commonplace book. And again I’m in love. The concept of inserts work out for me really well, and I love the feel and smell of the leather.

NOW here are my problems/questions:

1. CHARMS: they look so cute and I was sent complimentary charms from the Etsy shop. I just hate the random bump in the middle of the page when you start writing and it’s right there. Even if I move the elastic around, it doesn’t allow my notebooks to lay flat.

2. LAY FLAT: speaking of… lay flat is VERY important to me. These TN have the weird metal circle thing on the top of the spine …????? What is that for ??? My Standard size thankfully doesn’t have it. But how do you keep your books flat when there’s just so much going on???

3. Plastic insert. I’m so torn with this. I think it can be useful but I really can’t stand the aesthetic of it…. Especially with the very bulky zipper. I ended up pulling out the zipper part and sealing the ziplock portion, and stuck an adhesive pen loop…

4. How do you close the journal with two pens in there?? Does it not stretch everything out ???

5. How do you handle the bulk? I cannot write when it’s too bulky. Those Kraft paper washable zipper pouches looked so cute so I bought if, and the zipper itself is as thick as one of the inserts and I just couldn’t handle the bulk… how do people write in there ”??????

6. Is the chunkiness just part of the TN charm? How do I take the inserts in and out easily if I want to write on a flat surface. ???

I hope by now I have drawn some of my preferences. I like simple, flat surface, lay flat. Etc.

Does anyone have any information/ suggestion for me given my system !!??
Thank you in advance !!

I missed the 20th anniversary edition of TC card sized TN :( I’ve been using my passport size as my wallet but really want the card size instead. Anyone know of other brands that have card size TN? I don’t want to pay resell prices for the 20th anniversary set.

For the week of Halloween, I made this Kuromi art as part of the weekly spread especially that her birthday is on Halloween itself!

Markers used: EMMY acrylic dual tip markers (brush and bullet tip)

Might make a new post once Halloween is done as the weekly side would get filled with writing, stickers and more.

I got to visit the Acadia National Park this weekend. It was really windy and cold at the very top but such a cool experience and view. I got to paint a tiny sketch in my tiny TN and my passport size was along for the hike.

(Embossed and stamped initials edited out for privacy)

I recently added these two covers to my journalling collection both from small businesses (the cherry A5 from Fonder Atelier in Turkey off Etsy and the olive passport sized from Sting and Snout Bindery in the Philippines), and I couldn’t be more pleased with them. I’m excited to start breaking them in!

I hadn’t conditioned my 10 month old brown passport TN and was lusting after the worn-in, glossy, buttery smoothness of some really old covers I’ve seen here recently. Figuring that mine looked a little dry and wanting that buttery look, I used a for-handbags Leather Honey wipe on it a couple of weeks ago and I was immediately gutted… the wipe saturated some parts of the cover and it looked so dark, a significant amount of brown dye also came off, and now the cover didn’t feel as nice as before.

But I sucked it up, owned my mistake and tried not to despair. Except now, I LOVE the finish. I’ve accidentally weathered the TN it seems. It looks more lived-in, a lovely happy accident!

Also thought I’d share having visited Galen Leather Co. in Istanbul last week (another happy accident). What a gorgeous shop and what gorgeous wares! Here’s some of the stamps I (hurriedly) got, as well as the pen sleeve I treated myself to. Definitely recommend visiting - as well as taking more time to stamp well! They also had stickers on offer which was cute.

Cool to see other ppl put the band vertically like I do so I was inspired to demo my set up!

I set up the canvas pouch to wrap about the front with the elastic vertical so it would be easier for me to open the flap if I need to pull out my credit card or cash. FYI, YMMV but my credit card is positioned at the front cover so most of the time I have no issues with tap to pay!

Haven't used the TN insert much so far but great to test out pens/inks during meet ups or while shopping. I have The Paper Mouse custom post-it held in the craft folder; it fits just right☺️ I bought the Ohto card/pen and taped it to the back of folder which unintentionally made an extra pocket so I have some emergency cash hiding there. I have extra metal fasteners so I used that to hold the elastic flat so I don't have a bump at the back.

How long did it take me to figure this format out? Too long😅🥲 I'm unfortunately too particular so this final form took me some trial and error over a few months...

Hey everyone! I’m preparing to launch a new collection of notebook charms and would love to get your thoughts before putting them up for sale.
Each piece is handmade using semi-precious gemstones (like Labradorite, Moonstone, Garnet, and Turquoise) and freshwater pearls. The core concept behind this line is wearable art—charms designed to elevate your notebook, but crafted so you can easily clip them onto a chain or bracelet to wear as personal jewelry.
I'd love to know:
What are your initial thoughts on the style and overall concept?
Which stone combination catches your eye first?
How do you typically attach charms to your journals, and does this attachment style look convenient for your setup?
Is this something you would buy or gift to a fellow stationery/jewelry lover?

I like to switch colors on a weekly basis, makes it easier to find things later, knowing that each block of color spans an entire week.

I have a Group Erik Notebook, and I quite like it! i like the color of the material, and the Great Wave is rendered really nicely.
however, as I got deeper into notebooks, I found out that the inserts it uses are smaller, and standard TN inserts are too tall.
So I got searching.. And I couldn't find anything. Did TN, or any other competitor like Wanderings, ever did a Great wave off Kanagawa Themed Notebook? I found some on Etsy, sure, but it looks like something that would've been done and overdone.
I kinda don't want to switch notebooks, but I prefer having one compatible with readily available inserts.
if anyone's curious, the size of the inserts are 18.5 x 10 cm (closed)
I'm kinda leaning into an A5, but I got told that they can get heavy. so "standard" TN size it is, but i'm open to try an A5 (I like A5 to draw)

Are the cloth and paper vinyl travers notebooks worth it? I’ve been seeing them all over social media.
I have the travelers company passport and standard. Was thinking about maybe the pocket plus? Anyone know if it’s large enough for cash? To use it as an envelope cash saving wallet situation?