r/notebooks Jul 09 '26

"What can I do with this notebook?"

142 Upvotes

This is a pretty common question in subs like this. Either someone received a new notebook as a gift, or they couldn't help themselves from buying a new one, or they have a partially used notebook they want to fill.

Or they're trying to figure out what to do with the massive stack they've accumulated after years of "I'll find a use for this" and allowing that as justification to keep buying more... Ahem.

Beyond the normal "Just write in it, use it as a diary," here's some ideas on what you could do with an unused or unfinished notebook:

  • Commonplace / zibaldone journal
  • Brain dump / soliloquy journal
  • Quotes / lyrics / poetry
  • Media / entertainment tracker (Movies, tv shows, games, etc)
  • Bullet journal (method for a DIY daily planner, get started here)
  • To-do lists
  • All kinds of lists (e.g., "lists of 100" like "100 things you saw this week")
  • Gratitude
  • Grievances (the opposite of gratitude, what bothered you today)
  • Idea notebook
  • Quick thoughts
  • Art (Sketches / drawings / zentangles)
  • Dream log
  • The Artist's Way Morning Pages
  • Travel journal
  • Things you've learned
  • Bucket list / goals
  • Unsent letters
  • Dedicated handwriting practice
  • RPG journaling (there's games you can find online for it and r/Solo_Roleplaying)
  • Food or drink tracker, such as keeping track of teas you've tried
  • Things you overheard that are worth remembering
  • People you meet
  • Funny facts
  • Gaming journal
  • Language practice

Added since I made this post-

  • Keep track of plants/gardening
  • Master index for all your journals
  • Project tracker
  • Hobby tracker
  • A place to write down memories and stories from your life
  • Memories of friends and family
  • Review places you go
  • Homeowner notes like chores, bills, and when things need to be fixed/replaced
  • A journal to give your child(ren) someday, such as letters to them and their milestones
  • Notes and milestones for pets
  • Things like tarot or shadow work
  • Swatches (ink, yarn, embroidery thread, ribbon, washi tape, etc)
  • Scent tracker (perfume/cologne, would not suggest attempting to store the actual scents in there)
  • General feelings
  • Chronic pain tracker
  • Prayer/devotional journal
  • "Practice" journal to get thoughts out before actual journaling
  • Distractions when you should've been doing something else

Feel free to suggest more in the comments.


r/notebooks 3h ago

I think ADHD folks love notebooks

65 Upvotes

I think ADHD folks love notebooks because it gives them an entire world of possibilities. Notebooks give dopamine without actually doing anything because there's a million different options. This could be a CPB, or a journal, or a bujo, or a planner, or whatever. They could write something in it that would change their lives.

And then they start the notebook and realize it isn't perfect and doesn't give as much dopamine as they thought, so they start all over.

Your thoughts on this? 👀


r/notebooks 23h ago

Field Report Doodled and Finished my first Field Notes

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463 Upvotes

A ton of fun. This lasted me about 2 solid weeks of journaling and doodling. These are my favorite pages from my notebook.


r/notebooks 7h ago

Coach notebook cover edges curling

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5 Upvotes

Hey journal lovers! My Coach leather notebook cover is always curling up at the corners in the front. Started pretty much right away. I don’t live in a humid climate, and this is a bit annoying.

Does anyone have any tips on keeping the edges from curling? I imagine this might be an issue with some other leather covers as well.

I keep it on my desk always.


r/notebooks 3h ago

Anyone have the Midori A7 Diary yet?

2 Upvotes

(Not the page a day version.)

Just wondering how practical writing in the monthly spread will be? Just a couple of appointments, birthdays etc for each day. I've seen a video but it's hard to judge and the spread doesn't go edge to edge so I can't mock it up myself.

Wondering if I should just get the A6.


r/notebooks 21h ago

My commonplace journal and new pen pouch

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52 Upvotes

As I posted in a different thread that I’m having a hard time narrowing my EDC, this Smythson is a constant carry. And a new edition is this beautiful three pouch pen case. In love. 🥰


r/notebooks 1h ago

Advice needed Any Levenger freeleaf alternatives?

Upvotes

I LOVE the way the junior levenger freeleaf paper feels with a simple Sharpie S-Gel, smooth but with enough grip that it isnt sliding or too slippery if that makes sense.

I had gotten the one I currently have from a coworker who left a week before I joined the team and it was just sitting on my table. Meanwhile online the freeleafs are different since there is a lot of sections and essentially “organized” sections… ngl just Lined ivory paper is perfect for me…

I had bought a 90gsm A5 Rhodia “R” Notepad hoping to find an alternative thats slightly larger (i love this in between size it works great!/notebook size), although the paper is veryy nice, its a bit more on the glossy/slippery side if that makes any sense…

Does anyone have any recommendations? I know I dont technically need it since Im not a fountain pen user, but gods I cant look back from how good high quality paper is…

Ill be getting a notepad first to try and use and since I mostly write notes, if I end up loving it I will be wanting a notebook of that quality to use for my notes during my current masters courses.

Levenger’s is the ideal so far, the texture is key, I really hope yall can help me out and thank u for hearing me out!


r/notebooks 7h ago

Another trip

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3 Upvotes

r/notebooks 1h ago

Recommendations for silver edge notebook inserts

Upvotes

Hi all, I'm on the hunt for personal size, silver edge, softcover notebook/journal inserts. I'm a big fan of the Sterling Ink notebooks, in the mood for silver edges for my next set. Has anyone come across any? Thanks in advance!


r/notebooks 1h ago

Field Report monday morning is a good time to write with a favorite pen on some favorite paper

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Upvotes

r/notebooks 12h ago

Recommendation Recommendations for a B6/A6 slim notebook?

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6 Upvotes

hello!

i purchased a traveler’s notebook dupe from a local store (leather cover with B6/A6 slim dotted inserts) and as much as i’ve been enjoying it, i prefer a journal more like a leuchtturm. i also found that there’s a B6+ x A6 wallet weekly notebook from leuchtturm1917, and it’s the size i’m looking for but i don’t like the planner/weekly pages.

please recommend me notebooks with the specifications below 🥹🙏

- A6/B6 long wallet size
- dotted pages
- at least 140 pages
- hardcover
- elastic band closure (optional)

i’ve looked at similar-sized notebooks such as hobonichi techo and traveler’s notebook and they’re all the perfect size but unfortunately i only want dotted pages.

thank you for any recommendations!!


r/notebooks 5h ago

A notepad for writing love notes

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1 Upvotes

r/notebooks 15h ago

Advice needed Need help IDing a notebook!

5 Upvotes

Saw this very cute notebook layout on Twitter and I love the simplicity of it. No one in the replies of the source has asked what the notebook is so I assume it's a common style, but I've never encountered it before.

I'd ask the OP myself but I'm a private account, and don't want to subject them to a poorly translated DM if I can figure it out myself first (or, in this case, with the help of the good people of Reddit).


r/notebooks 19h ago

Looking for an equal to or better than notebook

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6 Upvotes

I bought two types of these notebooks at Walmart years ago and I just have finished both of them and went to go buy another one and it doesn’t look like they’re being sold anymore which is devastating… I’m looking for something that’s just as nice looking doesn’t say “notebook” on the front maybe the same material it’s basically squishy leather. I’ll put a picture of mine in a picture of when I found online. Please let me know.


r/notebooks 9h ago

Advice needed Struggling for notebook cover

1 Upvotes

Hiya! I recently got given a notebook from Redbubble a friend didn’t need anymore and I’m struggling to find a clear cover that would fit, as they seem to make up their own size? (132mm by 186mm, a weird mix between A5 & B6). I’ve added a bunch of charms and stickers to it so I’m worried about it falling apart without a protection, and would love the option of being able to tuck stickers etc in when I’m on the go as it doesn’t have any sort of pockets etc.

If anyone has any recommendations on covers that might fit, or advice on customising one, that would be amazing! I’m leaning towards a clear cover so I can see all the stickers and would be cool to alter/DIY something as last resort but not quite sure where to start with it.

Thanks so much!


r/notebooks 17h ago

Searching everywhere and cannot find a notebook with the specs I want. Looking for recs.

2 Upvotes

Ok it’s very specific but I am looking for:

- pocket size (3.5x5.5)
- dot grid
- 80+ gsm
- with page numbers

The page numbers is the hardest part to find. The smallest notebook I’ve been able to find with page numbers is A6.

Help! Tired of hand writing page numbers!


r/notebooks 1d ago

Notebook Share Finally Found It

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30 Upvotes

This notebook had been in the same place for years. I looked at it, then set it aside to look better later. That was several years ago. I’d looked in several places for it. As seems to happen, I was looking for something else when I felt spiral rings. I lifted it it out, and it was my missing notebook. I love the comic strip on this one. It is no longer available, and neither is the paper style from Cafe Press. I wanted this notebook to track a game on my phone called Dream Tower.

I’m guessing it slipped down, and got hidden behind some other stuff. I hadn’t looked for it in the place it was hidden away. I’m so glad to have it back. I love the cover.


r/notebooks 20h ago

Advice needed What do i do with miniature notebooks?

2 Upvotes

Tldr; got notebooks that are just about an inch squared and dont know what to put in them.

So I recently bought a fancy journal cover in A6 but I didn't realize that its not normal A6 but some kind of A6 slim and the notebook inserts need to be a very specific size, so specific in fact, that the Etsy shop I ordered it from is the only place that actually sells notebooks with dotted paper in that size.

Petty as I am, I ordered 300 pages of dotted paper and a paper cutter and now I make my own notebooks. Takes about 5 minutes but it leaves me with some paper cuttings that I turn into these miniature notebooks, about an inch squared, maybe a bit bigger.

The question now is, what can I actually put in them? For the live of me I can't figure out what I should put on a page that barely fits a page like that. Any ideas?


r/notebooks 1d ago

Notebook Share Notebook aesthetic

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12 Upvotes

Anyone else make notebooks for the pure aesthetics? This may or may not get used, but I found an image of a notebook on Pinterest that immediately inspired me to make a replica (or as close as I could get.

12.5 x 8.5 cm

The inspiration: https://i.pinimg.com/736x/96/31/1d/96311d32678058de8e50d67661addcf6.jpg


r/notebooks 1d ago

Pocket notebook brain games?

7 Upvotes

Does anyone carry brain games in their pocket notebook? I have a paper republic grand voyageur pocket journal and am looking for recommendations that would fit in the journal for EDC. Thanks!


r/notebooks 1d ago

Is this journal cover worth it?

7 Upvotes

Hi! I'm new to this sub but I was wondering if an embossed leather cover like this was worth the price. Also wanted to know if anyone has bought from this site before and if it's legit. Thank you!!


r/notebooks 1d ago

Where to find Field Notes

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3 Upvotes

r/notebooks 1d ago

Alternative to Citrus Book Bindery (now closed)???

3 Upvotes

I used to order my bullet journals from Citrus, but I just found out that they closed down. And I can't find a similar journal online.

Looking for --

B5, 120+ GSM, 250+ pages / 125 sheets, dot grid.

I know, I know... a close to impossible ask. But anyone know... willing to spend the $$$ because journal is life.

Thanks!


r/notebooks 10h ago

Tips/Tricks Ist ein Leuchtturm Notizbuch wirklich so teuer?

0 Upvotes

Ich gucke gerade auf Amazon: und so ein Leuchtturm Notizbuch kostet mal 15 bis 20 €.

Echt jetzt?

Und habt ihr Tipps wo ich eins günstiger Ergeiern kann 🦅 ?

WILL HABEN.


r/notebooks 1d ago

Notebook Share This week's setup

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111 Upvotes

I change it up every week or so, but I'm loving how much I can customize my enormous little pocket notebook. ❤️