💫 how I use my journals and why | hobonichi, traveler’s notebook | my journal ecosystem 2025 🌿

Hi friends! This week, I’m sharing my *journal ecosystem…* all the different notebooks I keep and how they work together. I’ll talk about the reasons I journal, some research on the benefits of different styles of journaling, and then walk you through each journal I’m currently using. Toward the end, I’ll take a step back to reflect on what feels essential, what isn’t working in my ecosystem right now, and what I might change going into 2026. How would you describe your style of journaling? Do you keep everything in one book, or do you separate them depending on purpose (like memory keeping, morning pages, or growth)? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. 💭 ✨ Please consider joining me for my latest project on Patreon - documenting my progress on completing my Japan travel journal! It is free to join, and the little coco companion tier will include bonus journal-with-me, progress flip-throughs, and livestreams. I also send occasional happy mail 💌 https://www.patreon.com/c/littlecocostudio References Faccio, E., Turco, F., & Iudici, A. (2019). Self-writing as a tool for change: The effectiveness of a psychotherapy using diary. *Research in Psychotherapy : Psychopathology, Process, and Outcome*, *22*(2), 378. https://doi.org/10.4081/ripppo.2019.378 FioRito, T. A., Geiger, A. R., & Routledge, C. (2021). Creative nostalgia: Social and psychological benefits of scrapbooking. *Art Therapy*. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07421656.2020.1748986 Lin, K., Kawai-Yue, J., Sklar, A., Hecht, L., Sterman, S., & Tseng, T. (2025). *Crafting a personal journaling practice: Negotiating ecosystems of materials, personal context, and community in analog journaling* (No. arXiv:2504.19767). arXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2504.19767 Sohal, M., Singh, P., Dhillon, B. S., & Gill, H. S. (2022). Efficacy of journaling in the management of mental illness: A systematic review and meta-analysis. *Family Medicine and Community Health*, *10*(1), e001154. https://doi.org/10.1136/fmch-2021-001154 Ullrich, P. M., & Lutgendorf, S. K. (2002). Journaling about stressful events: Effects of cognitive processing and emotional expression. *Annals of Behavioral Medicine*, *24*(3), 244–250. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15324796ABM2403_10 Mentioned: @lianelikes @xoxolorae To help you navigate this video, I’ve included timestamps below: 0:00 - Intro 3:02 - Reasons why I journal 6:14 - Benefits of journalling 9:57 - What is a journal ecosystem? 14:10 - Journal show-and-tell 14:30 - Long-term / 5-year 14:48 - Memory keeping 15:37 - Stream of consciousness / morning pages 17:36 - Therapy wins (professional growth) 18:44 - Happy mail 19:47 - Travel 21:21 - Fountain pen and ink 24:27 - What are my essential journals? 31:07 - What’s not working? 31:45 - What might I change? If you have any feedback or requests for future videos, please let me know! Thanks for being here; I appreciate you! 💗 Affiliate Links This is the book we’re using for The Artist’s Way: https://amzn.to/4kxHBau * (if you are okay with digital versions, I believe they are available online if you don’t mind searching around for it!) . The Washi Tape Shop, use this link and the code littlecoco10 for 10% off your order: https://www.thewashitapeshop.com?aff=1928 My favourite Traveler’s Company / Midori products: Traveler’s Notebook - Camel - Regular https://amzn.to/3ZKKs8G * | Passport https://amzn.to/3N1wwQq * Traveler’s Notebook - Olive - Regular https://amzn.to/4jx6Lpg *| Passport https://amzn.to/42k250d Traveler’s Notebook - Dark Brown - Regular https://amzn.to/42k250d * | Passport https://amzn.to/4jfKCfg * Brass Clip Airplane https://amzn.to/3Zy46ox * | TRC logo https://amzn.to/3zK9Wse Midori Brass ruler https://amzn.to/4lC8ICF * Pencil board (especially for blank notebooks) Sticker Release Insert - Regular https://amzn.to/4gHemkk * | Passport https://amzn.to/4gSXMhN * Kraft Folder Insert - Regular https://amzn.to/3TF6BS8 * | Passport https://amzn.to/3zydSwc * Clear Zipper Pocket - Regular https://amzn.to/4eAh4q4 * | Passport https://amzn.to/3TJ9y3Y * Interlocking Band - Regular https://amzn.to/47Hg416 * | Passport https://amzn.to/3ZDOMGL * *Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in this description are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them - at no extra cost to you! This helps support my channel and allows me to continue creating cozy, journaling-inspired content. Thank you for your support! 😊 *** Contact info: gmail: littlecocostudio snail mail: Alison PO Box 91546 2343 Eglinton Ave W Toronto, Ontario M6E 0A2 Canada Thank you so much for being here! 💗 Due to my working schedule, I am unable to commit to a regular upload schedule, so please subscribe and turn on the notifications for when new videos upload if you’d like to see more from me :) NAME: Alison INSPIRATION: My rescue dog, Coconut. 🥥 EDITOR: me!