As I write on...

I've contemplated the idea of keeping a journal for so long but never really got to it. Back in September 2022, I bought an A5 blank notebook with PU cover for the purpose of daily journaling. I did write in it for about 2 weeks (18/9/22 - 03/10/22) but it lost steam. Fast forward to August 2024, I began again looking for a way to systemically keep a journal. It should be noted that in October 2023, I revived my reading habit and since then, I've been consistently reading something. So far for 2024, I've read 29 books (ahead of the targeted 20 books). This habit has opened up my mind to new and sometimes forgotten views, as well as habits, and that includes keeping a journal. Hence how I got to re-visiting this idea.

From my reading on productivity, I learnt the benefits of carrying a small notebook in my pocket at all times. Cal Newport who wrote 4 of the books that I've read this year said he always kept a Moleskine small notebook in his pocket to jot down anything that picked his interest. Initially, I was not that much interested in this idea (so-called bullet journaling, 'BuJo') so I just went ahead and bought a legal pad for long-form journaling instead. However, as I reinforced the habit by watching videos of people who have been doing this for a long time, I came to learn about Midori (now known as Traveler's Notebook)'s notebook. It was very interesting to see that there's actually an elaborate system for this and not just for notekeeping, but also as a lifestyle driver so much so that there's a large following of this system and it's become almost like a hobby with people personalising their TN with stickers, ornaments and such. The idea of having a small notebook that could have a profound impact on life grew on me and it didn't take long for me to start browsing Shopee and Amazon for this notebook - eventually, I bought one (Passport size) from Shopee! It shipped from Japan but the total price was slightly cheaper than the local stock. Plus, the only bookstores that sell decent stationery are in KL or anywhere on that side of town and I just dislike driving through the traffic jams. Taking the public transport is no better either since I have to park my car at the ERL and proceeded afterwards for a 2-hour journey across multiple interchanges.

I received this on 29/9 but didn't immediately start writing in it. I let it unopened for 2 weeks before I started using it. Perhaps I felt a little bit afraid of making a mistake in it due to the unfamiliarity. Finally on 13/10, I made my first entry. Sure enough, I was disorganised at first and I had no idea what to write. But after a while, it picked up pace and I haven't yet missed a day to write in the journal. Especially in the monthly planner insert, it's a mess since I was still getting used to it. On 28/11/2024, inshallah I will be heading to Madinah & Makkah with a friend to perform umrah. I planned the trip with the help of this notebook and inshallah I'll bring this notebook during the trip.

^When I first got it.. the leather will grow a beautiful sheen of patina over time.

^The first notebook insert is the monthly planner. It's a mess! Didn't know what to write and the Pelikan black ink didn't help as it smudged even after it dried up!

^The second notebook insert in the notebook. Just received the TRC 2025 plastic sheet.

^It's beefing up. It's no scrap book and it won't ever be (I think). I love it as it is at the moment and making it fatter or thicker feels like defeating the purpose since it's supposed to be small enough to fit in your pocket. I carry this in my pants' side pocket.

What makes this habit really easy to adopt, aside from the possibilities of personalising the notebook to your heart's content, is that it's supposed to be succinct and brieft, and that you're not only allowed to write in short sentences but are encouraged to, given the form factor. I could be thinking or seeing something that's interesting to me but it can't yet be properly captured in words so I just write it as a bullet point and then go on with what I'm doing. Later on when I sit down to review my notes, I would transfer it to my journal. It's really just a convenient way to capture your thoughts and keep them on record for when you revisit and possibly expand them into proper ideas.

So yeah, just a little sharing on what's going on in life. I'm totally invested in this newly found habit and I hope to incorporate more of this in my daily life. This blog has been my sole outlet to pen my thoughts for the last 13 years. I still love it and I love blogging as a way to express myself and before anybody gets alarmed (if anybody even reads this), this is not a farewell post. I shall, as the title implies, write on, in fact more than ever going forward.

Cheers