## i've been journaling since I was 8 [(00:00:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1s) - Journaling is a highly personal and particular activity, with careful consideration given to the type of journal and style of journaling used, and this practice has been ongoing since the age of 8 [(00:00:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=41s). - The journaling practice has resulted in a collection of at least 15 journals, which document an entire life, and these journals are kept on a dedicated shelf [(00:00:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=50s). - The current filming location is the living room, which is also visible to neighbors, and this location is being used because the roommate is away for the day [(00:00:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=10s). - The journals are considered precious, with one being referred to as a "prize gem" that is taken everywhere, indicating the importance and value placed on these personal records [(00:00:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1s). ## journaling changed post college [(00:01:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=60s) - Journaling post college has been a helpful practice, and it is currently the most effective method, differing from the style used during college years [(00:01:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=60s). - The college-style journaling is discussed in old videos, which may be more suitable for those who find the current style unhelpful, as journaling is a personal tool [(00:01:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=68s). - The current journal is considered a prized possession, always carried along with essential items like a wallet and phone, containing sensitive and personal information [(00:01:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=98s). - The journal contains explicit and personal content, making it a significant concern if it were to be stolen, as it holds more intimate and potentially controversial thoughts than what is publicly shared [(00:01:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=116s). - The writer stands by the content written in the journal, implying a sense of honesty and authenticity in the thoughts and feelings expressed within it [(00:02:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=143s). ## how journaling made my life better [(00:02:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=146s) - Journaling has helped to keep a person sane, both mentally and emotionally, and has also served as a replacement for doom scrolling, providing a mindless activity that does not involve performing for others or seeking validation [(00:03:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=191s). - Journaling has been helpful in taking a break from stimulation, such as scrolling on social media, which can provide mini dopamine hits and overload the brain, whereas journaling involves a blank page and a pen, allowing the brain to feel less overloaded [(00:03:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=224s). - Using journaling as a space to write down thoughts, even if it seems like there is nothing to write about, can be beneficial, as it can help to organize thoughts and make them more coherent, and can also involve writing down commentary on things that have been read or watched to help solidify learning [(00:04:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=265s). - Journaling has also helped to improve the ability to speak and organize thoughts, by allowing a person to put their thoughts down on paper, even if they are messy and disorganized, and then categorize and make sense of them, which can lead to more organized and coherent expression of thoughts [(00:04:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=293s). - The process of journaling can involve a "first draft" of thoughts, which may be confusing and disorganized, but can be refined and clarified through the act of writing, and can ultimately lead to better organization of thoughts and improved ability to express them [(00:05:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=330s). - Overall, journaling has been a valuable tool for improving mental and emotional well-being, and for developing better thought organization and expression skills [(00:06:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=364s). ## what journals i buy [(00:06:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=384s) - The journal used is a combination of three journals in one, bound together within a [[Traveler's Notebook]], with the leather part being one of the most expensive components, costing around $60, and has lasted for 4 years despite being subjected to spills and other forms of damage [(00:06:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=384s). - The Traveler's Notebook has a unique binding system where a string is inserted into the center of the journals and woven into the notebook, holding the three journals together, and the inserts are relatively inexpensive, costing around $3 and can be purchased from [[Amazon (company) | Amazon]] [(00:07:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=457s). - The inserts used are made for the Traveler's size, open flat, and have super thin pages, which is perfect for writing with a pen, and the user prefers unlined paper, which allows for more flexibility in writing and drawing [(00:08:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=524s). - The user has a preference for blank paper, as lined paper makes them feel claustrophobic, and they appreciate the ability to write horizontally, diagonally, and draw arrows without the constraints of lines [(00:09:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=572s). - The three journals include a main journal, a second journal with different content, and a third journal, which is a Honachi 2025 planner, a more expensive component, costing around $70 with shipping, but is used daily and is an essential part of the user's sanity-keeping routine [(00:10:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=605s). ## how i use journals [(00:11:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=668s) - The use of journals is a key factor in maintaining sanity, as it allows for the expression of unfiltered thoughts and emotions, including good and bad things, existential questions, and criticisms, without judgment, providing an outlet for thoughts to be released without erupting or hurting others [(00:11:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=668s). - The first journal serves as an emotional dump, where all thoughts, feelings, and experiences are written down, including gossip, criticisms, and questionable thoughts, allowing for a space to be truly oneself without holding back, and providing a healthy way to process emotions [(00:11:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=687s). - Writing down thoughts and emotions in a journal prevents them from being bottled up and potentially causing harm to oneself or others, and instead allows for a free and open expression of any thought or feeling, no matter how crazy or questionable it may seem [(00:12:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=736s). - The idea dump journal is used to record big ideas, plans, and updates, including ideas for YouTube and podcast episodes, and is often referenced during recordings, with the journal being filled with notes, arrows, and doodles, and even criticisms of oneself [(00:13:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=809s). - The journals are used to process and reflect on thoughts and emotions, allowing for personal growth and self-improvement, and providing a space to acknowledge and understand the reasoning behind one's thoughts and feelings, even if they may not be reasonable or acceptable [(00:13:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=819s). - The use of a planner is also mentioned, although not extensively discussed, as a tool for organization and planning, with the intention of showing an example of a completed journal [(00:14:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=883s). ## why i stopped bullet journaling [(00:14:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=890s) - The decision to stop using a planner was made after graduating from college and moving to New York, at which point the entire planner system was abandoned in favor of a more free-form approach to journaling and creativity [(00:14:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=890s). - In college, journaling took the form of scrapbooking and DIY spreads, which involved cutting out items, using markers, and creating elaborate designs, serving as an outlet for self-expression and creativity [(00:15:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=903s). - This creative outlet was necessary during college as a means of expressing oneself artistically, but it is no longer needed as creative expression now manifests in other areas, such as tattooing, editing, and doodling [(00:15:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=924s). - The current approach to journaling is minimalist in nature, reflecting a need to reduce physical and visual noise in a chaotic life with multiple projects and constant task switching [(00:15:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=951s). - The choice of planner itself is also intentionally minimalist, indicating a deliberate shift away from the elaborate and decorative approach used in the past [(00:16:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=961s). ## why i don't like passion planners [(00:16:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=969s) - The Passion Planner is a time box planner, but it is not a preferred choice because it restricts tasks to specific time slots, which can be limiting [(00:16:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=969s). - The dislike for the Passion Planner stems from its rigid time-boxing approach, where tasks are assigned to specific time frames, such as from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., which is not a suitable approach for someone who values flexibility [(00:16:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=977s). - A more preferred approach is to have a general idea of the tasks that need to be done for the day and then choosing which ones to start with and finish with, allowing for flexibility in the daily schedule [(00:16:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=992s). - This flexible approach allows for alternating between different tasks, such as tattoo work and YouTube, on different days, without being restricted to a specific time slot [(00:16:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1009s). - The only instance where time boxing is used is through the Google Calendar app on the iPhone, where events and social engagements are scheduled with specific times [(00:17:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1023s). - When selecting a planner, the goal is to find one that fits a flexible approach and has a minimalist look, which is a key consideration in choosing a suitable planner [(00:17:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1037s). ## my favorite planner [(00:17:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1043s) - The planner in question is considered to be highly suitable, with its design closely matching the ideal planner, and it is available in different language versions, including Japanese and English, although the English version is currently sold out [(00:17:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1043s). - The planner features a yearly calendar on the first page, followed by monthly calendar layouts, where general day-to-day tasks can be listed, such as a certification course for work [(00:17:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1065s). - Each week is allocated a small rectangle for daily to-dos, with seven days listed on the left-hand side and a free grid on the right-hand side for writing additional notes, providing a balance of structure and freedom [(00:18:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1086s). - The planner's design allows for flexibility in writing down various thoughts and tasks, as demonstrated by the example of using the grid to list unrelated thoughts that were clogging up the mind, such as "period brain fog" and "dye" [(00:18:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1117s). - The act of writing down these thoughts in the planner helped to clear the mind and reduce mental clutter, showcasing the planner's effectiveness in organizing tasks and promoting mental clarity [(00:19:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1140s). ## a ramble about hair [(00:19:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1142s) - The decision to get a haircut and dye was made to regain a sense of normalcy, as the current hairstyle was making them look haggard and reminiscent of their middle school and high school self, which prompted them to take action and get their hair back to black and trim their bangs [(00:19:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1142s). - The process of getting a haircut and dye was a personal experience, with conflicting feelings about sharing the new hairstyle with others, as one side wanted to keep it private, while the other side wanted to show it off, but ultimately, the new hairstyle made them feel like themselves again [(00:19:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1150s). - The journal being discussed is a personalized and essential item, described as a "rightand" that fits all their needs, is portable, and can fit in all their bags, making it an ideal tool for their current requirements [(00:20:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1218s). - The journal's design and functionality may not be suitable for everyone, but it is hoped that it might inspire others to create their own customized journals that cater to their specific needs and preferences [(00:20:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1227s). - The act of getting a haircut and dye, as well as the journal, seems to be a therapeutic experience, helping to alleviate feelings of losing oneself and providing a sense of renewal and freshness [(00:19:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1185s). ## don't copy other people's journals [(00:20:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1252s) - When starting to journal, beginners often get caught up in making their journal look perfect, but the important aspect is what the journal is doing for them, not its appearance [(00:20:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1252s). - The journal is a tool, and its purpose is to serve the individual, so if a particular method or trend, such as using a Passion Planner or a Bullet Journal, is not helpful, then it should not be used [(00:21:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1284s). - It is unnecessary to write about things that do not matter to the individual, such as gratitude, if it does not come naturally, as this can lead to inconsistency and make journaling a chore [(00:21:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1291s). - Personalizing the journal to meet one's own needs is crucial, and it should be used in a way that makes life easier, not more complicated [(00:21:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1319s). - Journaling should be consistent and helpful, and if it is not, it may be because the individual is trying to follow someone else's method instead of creating their own [(00:21:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1313s). ## ways to use empty journals [(00:22:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1332s) - There are various ways to use empty journals, and some methods may be more suitable for certain individuals, providing alternative approaches to utilizing these journals [(00:22:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1332s). - Empty journals can be used in multiple ways, including methods that have been personally tried and other techniques that have been discovered, offering a range of options for users [(00:22:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1339s). ## how to start journaling consistently [(00:22:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1345s) - To start journaling consistently, it is essential to look beyond the aesthetics of journaling and not get overwhelmed by the idea of having a perfect journal, and instead, simply open it and write down whatever comes to mind [(00:22:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1345s). - Journaling can be as easy as writing down word for word whatever thought is on your mind, without following a specific template, and doing this as many times as possible to see a pattern emerge over time [(00:22:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1365s). - Journaling can take many forms, such as writing down poems, lines from songs, quotes, or conversations, and it is crucial to remember that it does not need to fit everybody else's standards or style, but rather be completely for the individual [(00:23:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1389s). - Some people may use their journal as a collection of physical items they find, such as receipts and stickers, and paste or scrapbook them onto the paper, which is a valid form of journaling [(00:23:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1427s). - Others may use their journal as a recipe book, writing down recipes they hear about from friends, family, or social media, and this too is a legitimate way to journal [(00:24:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1440s). - The key to journaling consistently is to make it a personal and individual experience, and not compare it to others, but rather use it as a means of expression and collection of thoughts and ideas [(00:24:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1458s). ## high low buffalo [(00:24:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1462s) - The concept of "high low Buffalo" is introduced, where "high" refers to the good thing that happened in the past week, "low" refers to the bad thing, and "Buffalo" refers to the weird thing that happened, with an invitation to share personal experiences in the comments [(00:24:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1462s). - The "high" for the week is shared, which is not necessarily a good thing, but a funny incident where a conversation with mom about giving up on dating life led to a discussion about grandma's Buddhist prayers for good luck and health, and a humorous exchange about praying for a boyfriend [(00:24:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1497s). - The "low" for the week is shared, which is experiencing extreme "Sunday scaries," a feeling of terror and adrenaline rush on Sunday night due to the upcoming workweek, and attempts to prolong the weekend by lounging around and sleeping in late [(00:27:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1640s). - The conversation with mom about giving up on dating life is further discussed, where the decision to focus on making better YouTube videos and being a better tattoo artist is shared, and mom's reaction to this decision is revealed, including her prayers for a boyfriend at the temple [(00:25:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1505s). - The idea of letting the world do its thing and not actively seeking a relationship is introduced, with a humorous anecdote about mom's specific prayers for a boyfriend, and the image of her kneeling and praying for this intention [(00:26:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1602s). ## some adults never grow up [(00:28:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1717s) - Many adults do not truly grow up and instead remain like little kids in bigger bodies, as evidenced by their behavior in everyday situations, such as on public transportation [(00:28:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1717s). - An incident occurred on a train where a girl and a guy were blocking the doorway, and when an attempt was made to squeeze through, the girl became defensive and accused the person of trying to take her space, using phrases reminiscent of childhood [(00:28:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1731s). - The girl's behavior was seen as an example of how unhappy people often react to minor inconveniences, and it was noted that genuinely happy people tend not to mind giving up a little or dealing with small annoyances [(00:30:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1844s). - The incident was resolved by walking away and finding another spot on the train, with a reflection on how people's behavior can be influenced by their overall happiness and well-being [(00:30:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1820s). - The importance of journaling and sharing experiences was also mentioned, with an invitation for viewers to share their own tips and advice on using journals in the comments [(00:31:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc&t=1896s). ## Sources - [website](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmq3miaGlYc?si=mwLoce_WmsIkrEYZ)