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moleskine + washi tape

my moleskine + washi tape

I'm about to completely finish my first-ever moleskine journal. This is by far not my first-ever moleskine. I've owned several. But between losing motivation or just plain losing them, or never finding a "method" with them that worked for me, I've yet to ever completely fill one up. 

But I'm just a few pages shy of finishing up my first. Every page. Almost every blank space. I started it with no real rhyme or reason as to how I would use it. I didn't know if I'd journal in it. If it would only be for my list of three. If it would be my own personal scrapbook to clip, save and tape things into. 

Turns out it's been all of those things.

Instead of trying to decide WHAT it would be, I shifted my focus to letting it just be a notebook that was more about time than about what filled the pages. It didn't need to be just one thing or another. It could be everything. And anything.

Though it sounds silly to have that realization about a notebook, the whole thing was pretty freeing to me. 

Because I'm a person who really wants to be a journaller. I want to be a scrap saver, a note collector, a list maker, a calendar keeper, an idea brainstormer. But when I tried to force myself to be just one of those things it didn't work. 

Instead, I'm a little bit of all of those things.

And instead, my moleskine now chronicles many months of my life–the to-dos, the recipes, the scraps, the notes, the lists, the brainstorms. All of it. 

But just a month or so ago, I discovered that there was a way I could organize it just a bit. It's helpful for me to be able to jump back in my notebook and find something I'm looking for. Where I wrote down a phone number. A recipe. Where's that cute note Emma sent Mary on her birthday? Where's my grocery list. 

And there are other things, too. With my work at *Babycenter, I use my moleskine each week to write down what posts I plan to write, things I'm thinking of for the future, people I've been in conversation with. But I rely heavily on those notes because it's a ton to remember. 

my moleskine + washi tape

So I had my little inspirational moment a few months ago when I realized I could use my rolls of washi tape to help me find some of the most important, most used pages in my notebook. And hello, a system was born. 

my moleskine + washi tape

Not every page in my notebook gets the washi tape treatment–but the most often referenced ones do. Each Sunday when I'm finished my planning page for Babycenter, I get out my blue plaid washi tape and run a piece along and folded over the outside edge of the page. I do the same for my to-do lists, recipes, and grocery lists. Each with their own colored washi tape. Everything else in between doesn't require tape. That would get both colorful and crazy. 

Now, when my journal is closed, I can easily see where each "big ticket" item in my moleskine is. I can get to it easily, and I admit, I kinda like the well-loved look it gives my journal. 

my moleskine + washi tape

I just updated my stash with some new tape from Lotta Jansdotter. The woman knows how to put together a bundle of tape that speaks to me. For my next moleskine, I may just change it up all together and break out new brighter tapes. Who knows. I'm crazy like that. (Though I do love me some yellows, browns and blues.)

It feels good to have it down. To finally have a system in place that works for me. 

But I'd love to hear what you guys do. Do you keep a journal? What kind of journaller are you? Are you a list maker? Do you keep your lists all together in one place? I'd love to hear from you, friends. 

————————————————

Speaking of Babycenter…I'm hosting a giveaway for a great little portable labeller from Epson right now. It will make you passionate about labels. 

my moleskine + washi tape

I’m about to completely finish my first-ever moleskine journal. This is by far not my first-ever moleskine. I’ve owned several. But between losing motivation or just plain losing them, or never finding a “method” with them that worked for me, I’ve yet to ever completely fill one up.

But I’m just a few pages shy of finishing up my first. Every page. Almost every blank space. I started it with no real rhyme or reason as to how I would use it. I didn’t know if I’d journal in it. If it would only be for my list of three. If it would be my own personal scrapbook to clip, save and tape things into.

Turns out it’s been all of those things.

Instead of trying to decide WHAT it would be, I shifted my focus to letting it just be a notebook that was more about time than about what filled the pages. It didn’t need to be just one thing or another. It could be everything. And anything.

Though it sounds silly to have that realization about a notebook, the whole thing was pretty freeing to me.

Because I’m a person who really wants to be a journaller. I want to be a scrap saver, a note collector, a list maker, a calendar keeper, an idea brainstormer. But when I tried to force myself to be just one of those things it didn’t work.

SEE ALSO: My new favorite planner
Instead, I’m a little bit of all of those things.

And instead, my moleskine now chronicles many months of my life–the to-dos, the recipes, the scraps, the notes, the lists, the brainstorms. All of it.

But just a month or so ago, I discovered that there was a way I could organize it just a bit. It’s helpful for me to be able to jump back in my notebook and find something I’m looking for. Where I wrote down a phone number. A recipe. Where’s that cute note Emma sent Mary on her birthday? Where’s my grocery list.

And there are other things, too. With my work at *Babycenter, I use my moleskine each week to write down what posts I plan to write, things I’m thinking of for the future, people I’ve been in conversation with. But I rely heavily on those notes because it’s a ton to remember.

my moleskine + washi tape

So I had my little inspirational moment a few months ago when I realized I could use my rolls of washi tape to help me find some of the most important, most used pages in my notebook. And hello, a system was born.

my moleskine + washi tape

Not every page in my notebook gets the washi tape treatment–but the most often referenced ones do. Each Sunday when I’m finished my planning page for Babycenter, I get out my blue plaid washi tape and run a piece along and folded over the outside edge of the page. I do the same for my to-do lists, recipes, and grocery lists. Each with their own colored washi tape. Everything else in between doesn’t require tape. That would get both colorful and crazy.

Now, when my journal is closed, I can easily see where each “big ticket” item in my moleskine is. I can get to it easily, and I admit, I kinda like the well-loved look it gives my journal.

my moleskine + washi tape

I just updated my stash with some new tape from Lotta Jansdotter. The woman knows how to put together a bundle of tape that speaks to me. For my next moleskine, I may just change it up all together and break out new brighter tapes. Who knows. I’m crazy like that. (Though I do love me some yellows, browns and blues.)

It feels good to have it down. To finally have a system in place that works for me.

But I’d love to hear what you guys do. Do you keep a journal? What kind of journaller are you? Are you a list maker? Do you keep your lists all together in one place? I’d love to hear from you, friends. 

 

57 comments on “moleskine + washi tape”

  1. I’m the same kind of journaler as you. I have been using my blog to journal for some time now (and have it published into print once a year using blurb,) but here and there return to my well loved pages. There is nothing quite like a journal to fill… The feel of pen on paper & random clippings from magazines that have inspired. It’s just something wholly different from virtual journaling/pinning…

  2. what a great idea. i always keep a notebook/journal. i jot down lists and random thoughts, blog ideas, and things i’m grateful for. i have lots of pages filled with abstract plans/dreams, and some with concrete ones (like for my garden.)

    i also write a bunch of stuff on scratch sheets of paper but i never end up saving them all. if it’s something i really want to keep, i’ll tape it into my journal with regular clear tape…but washi tape…you’ve opened a whole new realm of possibility for me…

  3. Genius! I know exactly the feeling of trying to put myself into one category of journaling and have a few different “wasted” notebooks around with half-done projects, prompts, etc. I recently gave that up and started doing the same as you… all in one. I have some art journaling, some lists, some song lyrics, some prompts, etc. I LOVE this idea of organizing with the washi tape. Now I just have to get some! Thanks!

  4. I love this, Molly. I too long to be a journaler or scrapbooker but it just isn’t happening. This, I think I could handle. Thanks for sharing!

  5. I do this with Smash Journals. They are fabulous! And they sell Smash Tape which is like washi tape that I also use. It has become a journal/scrapbook/list-maker…it makes me SO happy! And now they sell them at Michaels!

  6. I love this idea. Like you I’ve had trouble figuring out a way to keep up with my (many) different journals. I also end up giving up middle way through or can’t seem to keep up with all of them. I like how simple idea this is. Keep one (and only one) journal to hot down all my thoughts, ideas, sketches and much much more. Thanks.

  7. Molly, this is a great idea. As a writer and journaler I also find myself trying to make my journal into a nitch – some for lists, todos, etc. I love the idea of just letting one book be your all and the tape is a great idea!!

    Hope all is well…

  8. I love this and I’m inspired to buy some washi tape to sort my moleskine. I use mine much like you do, all mished and mashed together. I don’t put To-Do lists in it. But I do put random thoughts, problems I’m trying to solve, notes on my latest research project, prayers, quotations I run across, pro and con lists about decisions, action plans, family mission statements, etc…. Its a great record of where our life was — they’re my working out journals, my thinking on paper journals. I also keep a much simpler journal buy my bed where I record lovely moments, just positive snapshots of moments in our life to remember.

  9. Love the washi tape. Love the randomness of your moleskine. I’m an on-again journaler, but my favorite ever was an ordinary notebook I filled during trainrides in Japan while I taught English there. I didn’t go through the book from front to back, but whenever I had something to write, I’d open it at random and just write. If I ran out of space for an entry, I’d pick it up again somewhere where there was space. Very very new for me. Liberating. Maybe I’ll do that again ….

  10. That’s (allowing notebook to be anything & everything) is exactly how I filled up my first & second moleskines within the past year! It really is so freeing; those were the first times I’ve filled up any notebook other than taking notes for college classes. It can be a prayer journal, a regular journal, a to-do list, a grocery list, a meeting-note receptacle, etc. I LOVE it. I’m buying the 18-month pocket-sized weekly planner to use starting in July, though, so that my to-do lists & grocery lists can have their own space on the right-hand side of the page and my notebook can be for more interesting/important things. Love the idea of the washi tape organizing; so colorful!

  11. I love this idea! I am always jotting my life in journals!I would like to invite you to our Random Journal Day over at Beneath The Surface: Breath of Faith…we share a glimpse into our past journals with pictures too!Would love for you to share there with us! In His Grace, Dawn

  12. I call them my Everything Books simply because they hold-everything. I journal, plan, vent, draw, glue, tape and more in each one.My current one has a simple Index in the back to help me find some things and a few moveable tab/labels on the side.Usually, I fill them from front to back so it is easier to find things, but this one has been filled simply by writing on whatever page had a picture I wanted to look at that day. It’s worked well for creativity and my moods, but has made finding past things more challenging! It is about filled and so I need to figure out how to approach the next one.Here’s a link I wrote awhile (and a few books) ago, but it explains them with pictures:http://kimberlys-cup.blogspot.com/2007/12/my-everything-books.html

  13. I use the cheapo composition books in a similar manner. I also note what I am reading or what podcast I listened to..on my headers. I like the tape idea. I am also visual and to know I can find that there, by color, is helpful. I am not going to the site. Will find a cheap way, post its in color perhaps. Thanks!

  14. Ink & paper.In a techno world, our senses needink & paper.

    This beautiful idea is likecoloring outside the lines.

    Inspired,{{* *}}

  15. Hi Kristy,

    At this point, I’m not really using enough different colors that it’s an issue. But as my “method” develops, I’m thinking that I’ll put a piece of each color inside the back cover with a note about what it corresponds to. I think that should work! I hope!

  16. I so agree, Laura. Despite all this organizational technology available to me, there are still some things that must be written down. Thank you for your kind words. 🙂

  17. Thanks, Jeanne! It took me quite awhile to figure this out, but once I did it was so freeing! I finally figured out what kind of journaller I am. Eclectic, I like to call it. 🙂

  18. Your journals are beautiful, Kimberly! What an amazing treasure to have. And I love your idea of an index in the back. I’m thinking I made need a “tape index” in the back of mine. 🙂

  19. Oh this tape is way cool. I have been journaling for long time but I love being creative so every one is never quite fit my niche so far but this could be the new niche for me. Thanks for sharing.

  20. I feel the same way. It’s funny how I would even hold back from using my journals in the past because I wasn’t using them for the “right” thing. It’s been so freeing to just forget all the rules and use them however I need to.

  21. I love composition books for journals – been using them for years. And through the years, my covers have gotten much more creative…started out covering them with scraps of wallpaper borders, now they’re painted/collaged/textured/stencilled…such fun! But I love moleskines too – use one for an art journal.

  22. Molly, we must be soul sisters… Lol… I have so many moleskins – just love them… But like you, I have never been able to decide what to do with them… Prayer journal, scripture journal, plain ‘ol journal…. They’ve all been switched around… Ha! Love this idea which I think I’ll use with one of them… Recently started Ann Voskamp’s joy dare in another 🙂 I must say you have quite freed me up on this issue… And introduced me to washi tape as well! Thanks!

  23. I use a small 3-ring binder for my everything journal. I buy a new note book, note paper, page page protectors, dividers, whatever catches my fancy at the New Year. The notebooks I like have a clear plastic cover that I can slide a personalized cover into. Notes, lists, ideas, cards, event programs, Lent, Advent, 1000 Gifts, mementos, whatever goes in there. I’ve tried all kinds of journals, this is the only thing that works consistently for me.

  24. Love this idea, my version is sticky notes folded over the edges of Vital, Earth Shattering Pages. At least for me they are…Will look into the washi tape, or one commenter mentioned smash tape. Love the look of it running all down the side of the page. Wonderful! Turns it into a beautiful book.

  25. Ditto that! I love the idea of journalling, but always felt paralyzed by the need to have something “important” to say. I’m so stuck “in the box.” Thanks for showing me the way out! 🙂

  26. I’ve been struggling forever with a planner, calendar, to do list, place for notes, thoughts, and ideas and earlier this year started using a Moleskine (although I’ve had plenty others) in a new way. I actually created weekly planner/calendar pages with room for notes and to do tasks, but there are still pages for all the randomness. I love the Washi Tape idea, though, for categorizing, highlighting, etc. I think I’ll be incorporating that quite soon into my book.

    I’ve taken some pictures and will be posting how I created my book on my blog soon, too. It’s the first thing I’ve come up with that has actually worked for me and I can carry in my purse (as long as it’s not a tiny purse!). I’ve bookmarked this so I can link to you when I do. Thanks for sharing!

  27. Oh I Love Moleskines! And I LOVE this idea! I have several ‘skines in use and reallllly need this creative touch. Ok, even if it weren’t gorgeous (which it IS) I need the organization.

    I keep my Bible study notes in one I call “Living Hope” and when I get something really life-applicable or life-altering or life-affirming out of the Word (which is quite often) I want to be able to find it again in my notebook. Washi tape? LOVE LOVE it!

    I’ve been wanting a really good excuse to buy Washi … now I have it! 🙂 Thank you!

  28. (oops, trying again … sorry ’bout that techno whoops)

    Oh I Love Moleskines! And I LOVE this idea! I have several ‘skines in use and reallllly need this creative touch. Ok, even if it weren’t gorgeous (which it IS) I need the organization.

    I keep my Bible study notes in one I call “Living Hope” and when I get something really life-applicable or life-altering or life-affirming out of the Word (which is quite often) I want to be able to find it again in my notebook. Washi tape? LOVE LOVE it!

    I’ve been wanting a really good excuse to buy Washi … now I have it! 🙂 Thank you!

  29. “Letting one book be your all” … oh, I love that! I realllly LOVE that!

    I do that for my summers – two years of medical travel with my daughter – but I always thought I had to compartmentalize the rest of my year. Maybeeee not?

    Hmmm … might just need to shop for a new Moleskine (and tape, tee hee) to try it out! 😉

  30. Found this via Ann Voskamp… never even HEARD of washi tape before!! I’m another one who starts journals on single subjects and doesn’t get very far with them… LOVE this idea!

    I guess you can find washi tape anywhere they sell scrapbooking supplies?

  31. Love this Molly! I am a serious list maker, goal writer, recipe planner, etc. I hope to start a journal soon. I definitely could become addicted to the tape. 🙂 So colorful and fun!

  32. I think everyone is saying we are just like you. I’ve got so many unfinished notebooks, including Moleskines, but I’m going to call myself eclectic and get on with my washi tape and one Moleskine. Thank you for the inspiration.

  33. There are no words to explain, how much this post speaks to me. I have so much trouble letting go and allowing my journal to be what it will be. Thank-you for this post. I am so glad I’m not the only one.

  34. This is wonderful. Ive had so much trouble trying to journal, and reading this post helped me figure out why. I get so wrapped up in having notebooks for specific tasks that it just becomes impractical. I think Ill adopt your system and embrace the way my brain goes in a thousand directions. Thanks!:)

  35. I love this idea! The washi tapes you have are also so darling! I tried to click through to the link you shared with an assortment of tapes but I could not find them on her site (I am thinking maybe because this post is older?). Would you mind sharing other places where you find your darling tapes? I am always looking to expand my collection. Thanks for an inspiring post!

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