Earlier this month, I teased my notebook setup for 2021, and the biggest change was that I have my Traveler’s Notebook firmly back in the rotation. Two things drove this: (1) After experimenting with pretty much every notebook format out there, I’ve come to realize that I prefer taller/narrower notebooks for most of my writing as opposed to a standard A4 or A5; and (2) I prefer versatile formats that allow me to easily subdivide notebooks into sections and add planners and organizing accessories, without being locked into a “dated planner” system. After using the Traveler’s Notebook on and off for the past six years, I’ve come full circle and feel very much at home here. Today’s post is a few shots of my personal notebook setup, with a brief description on how I use each one and links to the specific refills.
For organizational purposes, my Traveler’s Notebook has sticker pouches on the inside of the cover, as well as one of the zippered PVC pouches to hold things like paper clips, stamps, and a few Book Darts.
After the zippered pouch, I have a Kraft Paper Folder that I use to hold travel itineraries, notes, and other loose paper (typically folded). Back when I was traveling extensively for work, any hard copy travel documentation went in here.
The first refill I use is the Standard size “Free Diary” (Weekly + Memo), which I use for blog planning (with notes) and logging various things I track during the week. It can also serve as a mini-journal and repository for quotes and snippets of things I’ve read during the week.
The second refill I use is the “Free Diary (Daily),” which is an undated daily planner refill that I use as a journal. (Since I don’t always write every day, I tend to ignore the numbered pages and just write in the date.) These refills have enough pages for 60 days, assuming one day per page.
The last refill I’m using (for notes, etc.) is the standard blank MD Paper refill that ships with all Traveler’s Notebook starter kits.
So I use three refills total for writing. After the last refill, I have one more pocket sticker on the back cover. Here, you can also see the Medium Pen Holder in Blue (with my Traveler’s Company Brass Ballpoint Pen). This particular Traveler’s Notebook cover was a limited edition from a few years ago, but Traveler’s Company has since released a standard blue notebook. I purchased the orange band separately, as part of a Traveler’s Notebook Repair Kit that allows you to upgrade your band to one of eight colors.
New Traveler’s Company Products Available in The T.G.S. Curated Shop
As you may have seen already, I’m happy to announce that the T.G.S. Curated Shop now stocks the full line of Traveler’s Notebook Starter Kits, Refills, and Accessories! I currently have notebooks available in most sizes and colors (both Standard and Passport), as well as most of the paper refills and accessories, though some are on backorder with the distributor. Please feel free to reach out directly if you have any questions about the Traveler’s Notebook system and how I personally use it. I will also be posting more in-depth Traveler’s Notebook content in the coming months, including a Passport notebook I’m setting up for pocket carry.
This post contains links to the T.G.S. Curated Shop. All products shown here are authentic Traveler’s Company products. The Gentleman Stationer is an authorized retailer of Traveler’s Company Products and The Traveler’s Notebook.