My 2026 Planner/Journal Setup

It's that time again! January is always new planner time for me. Over the last several years I have settled into using a Hobonichi Techo for work but this year my work situation has changed dramatically and that will no longer be my primary format.  I will continue to do some consulting so I am using a Hobonichi A6 for my consulting work. I don't expect to use it a lot but I am used to the format and have liked it so it's an easy choice for me this year. 

I am adding in two new planners for the pen shop. My every day planner is a Plotter Bible size. I used this planner for a few months last year and really like that I can easily change the location of the "modules" I am using depending on what my primary focus is at that time. Right now it start with note pages for quick brain dump, then weekly lay out pages with appointments and to do lists. I use Project folders to separate sections and to hold any special project information I am working on. After the weekly I have Monthly pages so I can get an overview of what a month or the year looks like as we move along. I keep this planner with me all the time.

I also have the EricxKleid ring planner on my desk at the shop. I think this format will work well for me as I record data from the retail location so I can make changes as needed while I learn this first year. I like the undated pages after the monthlies to use as lists for items I want or need to restock for the shop. This is a new format for me so I am sure I will end up tweaking it a bit as I move through the year. 

My personal mainstays are my Hobonichi 5 Year which I use as a daily log book with weather and activities. I also keep a meditation type journal in a Montblanc 149 notebook that I started last year and I have a travel journal in an A5 notebook.  I use this not just when I may go on vacation but what I leave home for a night or two for work or a pen show or to see my granddaughter. I like having one book at the end of the year that I can look at and see when I wasn't home. I have a medical notebook I use as well but not frequently, luckily!. I have started a pen show book now and I will continue to use that and I intend to start using a field notes set up to record my reading this year. I read a lot but have never been good at maintaining a reading log for the year so wish me luck!

I also know myself well enough to know that I will start and stop at least one more notebook for a specific purpose this year. I am always trying out something new but that's one of the things I love about planners and notebooks, there are just so many opportunities!