Last Updated on October 29, 2013 by Kate Darktea

To me writing a diary, or journal, is about senses; I’m capturing my memories using my senses as well as my thoughts. This is one of the reasons why I handwrite my diary; even though I type quicker than I write I like the sensation of pen on paper and believe it helps my thoughts flow.
I’ve written a diary on and off since I was eleven and have used a variety of diaries and notebooks ranging from university notebooks to Italian leather books. When I was younger I decorated the books (my first includes pictures of Dirty Dancing, Johnny Depp in 21 Jump Street and Corey Haim and Corey Feldman) but more recently I’ve bought pretty or interesting books. I’ve also gone from A5 page a day diaries to lined notebooks to plain notebooks and I’m currently using an A6 page a day and a few lines in a five year journal.
I only have a few requirements in a notebook. I like smooth paper; scratchy paper which causes a pen to stick or leave uneven marks is annoying and interrupts my thought process. I like the notebook to feel luxuries because it adds pleasure each time I use it and the book must be compatible with using a fountain pen. I admit I don’t always use my fountain pen but when I do, I don’t want the ink to come through the page or to feather around the text because it makes it difficult to read later.

Paperblanks is a brand I discovered after my sister-in-law bought me a couple of their notebooks for Christmas, and I learnt they meet my requirements as well as as coming in a variety of sizes, covers and formats.
Paperblanks notebooks

The first two notebooks were plain page Ultra and Midi sizes with a magnetic closure. The fold over closure feels secure and has been useful because I carried the Midi book in my handbag and I didn’t want other items to slot inside and bend the pages. That notebook has seen a lot with me, including two pregnancy scans where I remember writing as I sat in the waiting room. I used the Ultra book as my main diary so it remained in my bedside drawer.


I purchased the small pink book to capture the stories my daughter tells me about her (imaginary) fairies. I wanted a book that was small as I don’t know long the fairies will be around (they are currently on a long holiday in Africa) but pretty and magical looking. Shiny pink with gold swirls fits the requirements. My daughter loves the book and sometimes we read it before bed instead of a story and relive comments such as:
- B’s fairies are not allowed pets; except for parrots
- B can’t really see her fairies, but she can leave them a phone message
- B’s fairies are taller than Daddy
Paperblanks planners
Even though I’ve used their notebooks for several years, I didn’t know Paperblanks did diaries and planners (maybe because I’ve concentrated on non dated books recently), so when I was asked if I wanted to try an 18 month planner I was very excited. Although I have no idea what you use 18 month planner for; are they for people who can’t decide between a normal diary and academic planner, but what do you do at the end of 18 months or do you run two in parallel for 6 months?

Anyway, we use Google calendar for our appointments, even B has one so all three carers (ED, mother in law and I) have access and can see what she is doing each day. So instead of using the planner to record appointments, it is our central place to record items we need to buy or take somewhere on a specific day, such as birthday presents to a party or items to go on the shopping list.

We’re not currently using the overview pages because we can easily see this in our digital calendar, but I love the space. In normal diaries you have the whole year on the inside cover and you can squeeze one short thing in for each date, but in the Paperblanks planner there is room for several words. There are also several timetable pages which I’m thinking of using to list the times of B’s extracurricular activities, because I haven’t worked out her timetable in reception yet.

The planner also includes an address book stored in the standard pocket at the back. At first, I thought this was pointless as all my numbers are stored in my phone, but realised it was a useful place to store important numbers such as school, nursery and doctors so they can be accessed quickly, particularly for my mother-in-law. The book is so small that even if she has to look at every page it won’t take long to find the correct number.
Would I buy Paperblank notebooks and planners again?
Absolutely. Now I know Paperblanks make diaries I am going to add a small page a day diary to my wish list. This year, I made the decision to use a dated diary on 1st January so bought what I could find in my nearest town; it is actually pretty good as the cover is interesting and pages are smooth but it does not feel luxurious. However, I do have an issue with the book sizes. I work very well on the ISO A sizes, so I know I want an A6 diary, but unfortunately Paperblanks use their own system which involves me having to look up the dimensions of A6 and compare it to the Paperblanks website and pick the closest match; not straightforward.
When we replace the 18 month planner, I really like the Verso layout which has a week on one page next to a lined page. This works great for our use because we can write a long list and link it to the relevant date, rather than squeezing the list into the available date. I’ve never seen this format before and think it is fabulous, but unfortunately it appears there are none available at the moment. I hope they are in stock this time next year.
What type of notebooks and diaries do you use? Do you have a list of requirements like me? How would you use an 18 month planner?
Disclaimer: I was given two notebooks by my sister in law, one by Paperblanks and I bought one. I was not paid for this post and all opinions are entirely my own.
Hi Kate, I’ve just come across your blog with interest. I am a journal keeper though I destroyed my old ones in a fit of paranoia about them possibly being seen, just a random fear and I now regret it. However, I still have that worry so decided last year, on the advice of a friend who started doing the same thing, to keep a visual diary, I use cheap A4 exercise books which are study and good value and write in events of each day and photos/tickets etc, I may write a brief note about how I am feeling but don’t go into detail. Its totally non private and anyone can read it as far as I am concerned. However, I do miss journaling as in writing when I feel like it and getting things off my chest aswell. But I still worry about anyone possibly reading this sort of writing and taking it the wrong way. For instance when I am mad with someone the only the way I can deal with it is to write it down, even though it may be negative, I just have to put what I feel and it may not be pretty but then once I calm down I don’t want to keep that entry as I feel different then and guilty for what I have written. I have thought about keeping a spiral notebook for this purpose and just ripping out any entries I don’t want to keep but I do love pretty notebooks such as Paperblanks which are my favourite. However, they seem too pretty to rant in and it would be a shame to rip out pages. Also they don’t seem very thick so do they last a long time? I would hope to think so as they are expensive for a notebook. I would favour the A6 one that I could carry around with no weight. What are your thoughts on this? I don’t want to rant in my visual diary as that is just for daily events. Would it be worth getting a Paperblanks or just a cheaper spiral book?
Yours
Jill
Hello Jill,
Thank your for your comment and question. I am lucky that I trust my family not to read my diaries, I’ve written them for 25 years and I’ve never read themselves so I’m not sure what I’d feel if someone else did. Have you thought about keeping a digital diary, either on your computer or online? I have used the software LifeJournal before although I prefer to write by hand. Or online there are some suggestions here I tried Oh Life for a while, but again prefer to keep a diary by hand.
In terms of the Paperblank diaries, I think it would be difficult to tear out pages because the pages are bound in folded sheets, so if you tear one page out you will loosen the structure of the other pages. I carried my A6 Paperblank diary in my hand bag on and off for 8 months and although it shows wear on the corners it is still very robust and looking in one piece. Have you at other manufacturers to see if you can find some pretty spiral bound ones, maybe Paperchase or maybe personalising your own like here
Hi Kate
Thank you for your reply. I have tried journalling on my computer but I don’t feel it’s the same. I may have to just use a spiral pad and tear out pages.
Does online journalling not work for you?
No, there is something about holding a pen that helps me write. I think I want to edit more if I use a keyboard.