Day 148: BLP Ep #3 – Overview of Current Systems – Hobonichi & Beyond
August 10, 2020
This episode is a virtual walkthrough the Hobonich Techo Cousin, which I have used for years and was using at the time of recording. I haven’t made up my mind about 2021 yet, but going back to this old standard is certainly a strong possibility.
Since the episode is an audio walkthrough, in the show notes today I hope to mostly provide some visual aids to illustrate what I was talking about. So here we go . . . some Hobonichi glamour shots. I hope these are a helpful adjunct to the episode!
beautiful 2020 cover is a photo design by Hiroshi Hitano Will I be able to use it again, given memories of 2020 thus far? I guess only time will tell . . .
open! To the left behind the pencil board, there are pockets for stickers (not shown in this shot, but they are there. I am fairly minimalist but I like to use a few stickers for accents.)
Here’s the ruler with the French writing on it (shown with the A&O Bullet Journal I’m currently using). It is a sentimental item that was given to me by Josh’s grandmother who passed away in 2019.
Yearly page near the beginning of the Hobonichi! Perfect for habit tracking; I used to use it as a family illness tracker back when my kids were constantly getting and passing around URIs. (Bizarre that this isn’t really a thing in our household anymore – one COVID silver lining!)
Monthly page! These are at the beginning of each month’s daily pages, and for me they are perfect for defining goals for the month.
Weekly pages. In my preferred vertical layout so you can really see the spaces in the week. If I do use the HTC next year, I will start doing more of a time blocking style since I like the concept as well as the visual aspects.
A daily! In my pre-bullet-journal style. Again, if I do go back to the HTC I have some fun ideas about how I will meld some of the current elements I use with these pages. Note use of the built-in timeline on the left.
Here is the table of contents of my “accessory notebook” (really the Hobonichi Memo Book). I’m not entirely sure I will use this next year — it’s not as fun for me as a dot grid journal, though it is handy & convenient!
In contrast to the above, here is a shot of how I use my bullet journal to create weekly pages. I love using this notebook so much that I may go to a hybrid approach next year!
Random “journaling” type page in the bullet journal. One benefit of having undated blank pages . . .
I hope these visual aids help! There is so much more I could say, but what I was trying to do in this episode is to create a feel for my physical planning landscape (rather than the routines and rituals that go with it!). PLENTY more on that to come 🙂
The Hobonichi Store for 2021 will be opening in the beginning of September – they actually have a very cute/fun countdown that they are doing through the month of August, where they gradually unveil new features and covers. You can find many of their products on Amazon or Jetpens, but it’s REALLY fun (for me anyway!) to place an order from their store. This year’s freebie is a BRUSH PEN, which I’m really excited about! Here’s their 2020 Spring Store (I’ll link to the 2021 store as soon as it’s up!).
Episode #4 will feature my first guest (yay!) and then Ep #5 will be allll Q&A — you all sent me a treasure trove of great questions, so thank you! Please keep them coming, as well as suggestions for great guests, products to review, techniques to discuss, etc! Thank you all for listening (I’ve been thrilled with the initial response which confirmed that the world DOES need a planner podcast!) — and please feel free to leave a review (esp on apple) or tell your friends.
You’re new podcast is so much fun!
I love how the weekly view allows for 24 hour time tracking/ blocking. Do you know of other planners/ calendars that do this? I’ve been looking for a new weekly planner and most are 6a-6p, or something like that, but I want to be able to track the whole day, especially since I often work til 10:30 or midnight.
Thanks for introducing me to Hobonichi as well! This year, I went with the Hobonichi Day Free, which is perfect for bullet-journaling. Every week, I actually draw in a simple one week spread over two pages because I also prefer the vertical layout (doesn’t take much time, and it is part of my weekly review–more like “preview”)
ooh yes that will be perfect for you!! (This is random but I was surprised to hear that the day free does not come with the ‘freebie’ – this year the brush pen. I feel like that’s not fair somehow 🙂
inspired by your current bullet journal style, i’ve started!!!! YAY!!! I’ll do it at least for 30 days to decide if I’ll stick to it. I’m really enjoying your podcast!
where should I send questions? here are some:
1. if you make a mistake in the journal, what do you do? doesn’t look nice to cross
2. do you add things to your daily page lists as you remember them throughout the day?
3. how often do you review your previous years journals?
If it’s a minor mistake, I will just leave it (like a minor spelling error). If it’s an event that is cancelled, I will neatly drawn an arrow and write “cancelled” (I think that looks nicer than crossing out!). i definitely add things to my daily lists sometimes. and I very rarely review old journals but the ones I’ve saved I’m very glad i have!
I’m so grateful you introduced me to the hobonichi about 5 years ago! I have the Avec cousin this year. I love the flexibility- when I was studying i used the weekly pages non stop for planning classes, meetings etc but now my electronic calendar takes care of that aspect and the weekly pages are just for a start of week sketch of evening plans. I use the daily pages much more now (in a similar way to you). The avec is great for a fresh start mid year – much needed this year!
I love a vertical layout, too. I can separate to-dos, menus, and appointments so much easier plus there’s room for time-blocking, which I’m hoping to try while I’m working from home.
Thanks for the weekly review list. I copied it with my own additions on a page in the back of my planner and used to to plan this week.
I love the acknowledgement n the episode that these days post its are pretty useful for planning! I couldn’t bring myself to put any school dates until I got some little post it flags. Now I find myself using them for everything more than a week in advance and part of my Friday afternoon ritual is looking through the next week and replacing post it’s with pen wherever I can.
I loved this episode! (Truth is I love them all– bobw too obviously) thank you for bringing your charm and endearing love of planners and planning to the masses. Can not wait to hear more! 🙌
Hi! I’m really interested in the Hobonichi Cousin for next year, but I’m confused by their site – can you provide guidance somehow to help navigate their products? Thanks!
I think I will have to do an order clarification post of some kind!
There is also a lot of useful info on Jetpens – not on how to order, but understanding the different types.
Maybe I’ll do screenshots when I order, too! I promise it’s not that bad 🙂
I’ve been interested in getting a Hobonichi planner for years, thanks to you talking about them on BOBW 🙂 I can’t seem to find the answer to this anywhere…. when the Hobonichi Techo is open, does it lay flat?
My new Hobonichi techno cousin, just arrived for 2021- so excited!!!!
Thank you for introducing me to the Hobonichi line 😀
ReplyHilary McConnachieSeptember 14, 2020 at 12:49 pm
Hi Sarah, I am eyeing the Day Free Hobonichi. Can you recommend a good, basic pen to use with it? I don’t care so much about what the pages look like with the ink, my bigges priority is to be able to write things down and have them not smudge with minimal drying time. Thank you!
ReplySarah Hart-UngerSeptember 14, 2020 at 2:04 pm
Uniball Jetstream! comes with the planner if you order from hobonichi 🙂
Sarah, I JUST got my first Hobonichi for 2021 yesterday inspired by this podcast and post. I was struggling with whether to get the Avec, but your daughters words about wanting to have everything in one place resonated with me, so a chunky Hobonichi Cousin (I’m a big sticker-er) it is. Now looking for pens that are fine-point and do minimal or no ghosting. I hate ghosting. Have you already posted on this?
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24 Comments
I recently ended up getting just the July – Dec Techo Avec. I can’t bear to plan beyond that at this point.
Thanks for turning me to the Hobonichi!
You’re new podcast is so much fun!
I love how the weekly view allows for 24 hour time tracking/ blocking. Do you know of other planners/ calendars that do this? I’ve been looking for a new weekly planner and most are 6a-6p, or something like that, but I want to be able to track the whole day, especially since I often work til 10:30 or midnight.
The Jibun Techo has all 24 hrs (though MN -6AM are slightly cramped!)
Thanks for introducing me to Hobonichi as well! This year, I went with the Hobonichi Day Free, which is perfect for bullet-journaling. Every week, I actually draw in a simple one week spread over two pages because I also prefer the vertical layout (doesn’t take much time, and it is part of my weekly review–more like “preview”)
ooh yes that will be perfect for you!! (This is random but I was surprised to hear that the day free does not come with the ‘freebie’ – this year the brush pen. I feel like that’s not fair somehow 🙂
inspired by your current bullet journal style, i’ve started!!!! YAY!!! I’ll do it at least for 30 days to decide if I’ll stick to it. I’m really enjoying your podcast!
where should I send questions? here are some:
1. if you make a mistake in the journal, what do you do? doesn’t look nice to cross
2. do you add things to your daily page lists as you remember them throughout the day?
3. how often do you review your previous years journals?
If it’s a minor mistake, I will just leave it (like a minor spelling error). If it’s an event that is cancelled, I will neatly drawn an arrow and write “cancelled” (I think that looks nicer than crossing out!). i definitely add things to my daily lists sometimes. and I very rarely review old journals but the ones I’ve saved I’m very glad i have!
I’m so grateful you introduced me to the hobonichi about 5 years ago! I have the Avec cousin this year. I love the flexibility- when I was studying i used the weekly pages non stop for planning classes, meetings etc but now my electronic calendar takes care of that aspect and the weekly pages are just for a start of week sketch of evening plans. I use the daily pages much more now (in a similar way to you). The avec is great for a fresh start mid year – much needed this year!
I love a vertical layout, too. I can separate to-dos, menus, and appointments so much easier plus there’s room for time-blocking, which I’m hoping to try while I’m working from home.
Thanks for the weekly review list. I copied it with my own additions on a page in the back of my planner and used to to plan this week.
I love the acknowledgement n the episode that these days post its are pretty useful for planning! I couldn’t bring myself to put any school dates until I got some little post it flags. Now I find myself using them for everything more than a week in advance and part of my Friday afternoon ritual is looking through the next week and replacing post it’s with pen wherever I can.
I loved this episode! (Truth is I love them all– bobw too obviously) thank you for bringing your charm and endearing love of planners and planning to the masses. Can not wait to hear more! 🙌
thanks so much Rebecca!!!
Hi! I’m really interested in the Hobonichi Cousin for next year, but I’m confused by their site – can you provide guidance somehow to help navigate their products? Thanks!
I think I will have to do an order clarification post of some kind!
There is also a lot of useful info on Jetpens – not on how to order, but understanding the different types.
Maybe I’ll do screenshots when I order, too! I promise it’s not that bad 🙂
Awesome, thanks!
I’ve been interested in getting a Hobonichi planner for years, thanks to you talking about them on BOBW 🙂 I can’t seem to find the answer to this anywhere…. when the Hobonichi Techo is open, does it lay flat?
it absolutely lays flat 🙂
My new Hobonichi techno cousin, just arrived for 2021- so excited!!!!
Thank you for introducing me to the Hobonichi line 😀
Hi Sarah, I am eyeing the Day Free Hobonichi. Can you recommend a good, basic pen to use with it? I don’t care so much about what the pages look like with the ink, my bigges priority is to be able to write things down and have them not smudge with minimal drying time. Thank you!
Uniball Jetstream! comes with the planner if you order from hobonichi 🙂
Great! Thank you! I am very excited to use Hobonichi moving forward. I never would have heard of them without your Blog. Many Thanks!
Sarah, I JUST got my first Hobonichi for 2021 yesterday inspired by this podcast and post. I was struggling with whether to get the Avec, but your daughters words about wanting to have everything in one place resonated with me, so a chunky Hobonichi Cousin (I’m a big sticker-er) it is. Now looking for pens that are fine-point and do minimal or no ghosting. I hate ghosting. Have you already posted on this?
I use the uniball Jetstream. There IS some ghosting – I’ve learned to live with it as price to pay for such a compact book!
Thanks! Look forward to more Best Laid Plans!