Analogue system as a reflection of our life...

Analogue system as a reflection of our life...

The other day I was asked how my analogue system has evolved since I last shared about my hopes and dreams for archiving, planning and inspiring this year.

In some way... a lot have changed and I feel little bit wiser and more insightful about my system compared to 6 months ago when I was trying to figure out the overall dynamic of needs to archive vs. organize... the journaling vs. planning.  I have been using Roterfaden A5, Traveler's Notebook and extra A5 notebook to keep myself in line with my life and MIDORI MD Diary in A5 size to journal for my girls. Together they are closer to the reflection of who I am today..

Here is a big picture of how I am using each notebook!

Roterfaden (A5) with Hobonichi Cousin
Originally I thought I would use Hobonichi Cousin with Roterfaden as an overarching bucket for Baum-kuchen. Note taking, list, reminder, ideas, meeting notes...

After playing with this notebook for a while, I settled to think of this as a place to journal for Baum-kuchen and my personal growth along with it. The shift happened due to the size of the Roterfaden+Hobonichi combination. I still carry it back and fourth between home and studio but most of the time I don't open the notebook in the studio. Instead I sit down every night at home to capture thoughts, events and ideas for Baum-kuchen. Some words captured here is about my personal relationship with the shop/studio and how I would like to evolve and grow. Other things are more about logistics and operational like receiving new inventory. Some day I collage... another day I write. I really have no rule about how I put together the daily pages and that seems to be working for me. I use monthly page as an index to my daily page and weekly page to capture my work hours for Baum-kuchen.

Brass Index Clip keeps my current pages easy to find.

Traveler's Notebook in brown (my companion of 6+ years)
My Traveler's Notebook continues to be a true companion to my everyday journey. It's my wallet with 1.61 ESSENTIAL leather zipper case, my planner (monthly notebook like TN 017), my bullet journal (TN 005 Free Diary) and a place where I capture my inspiration (TN 014 Kraft). It's very functional and no frill which I feel is true to how I get through my day. I will have really difficult time navigating my life without my Traveler's Notebook!

A5 slim notebook (currently using Ogami quote notebook) 
This is a new addition to my system which came from the need to have a simple open spread to write down 3 important things to accomplish the day or at the moment. I have been tinkering to be more mindful with my relationship with work as well as digital devices. Prior to having this notebook I sometimes found myself getting lost in the world of email, Instagram, Facebook... and everything else that happens virtually. A part of it is research and is okay... but between Baum-kuchen and family.... I needed to be conscious with my time. I noticed if I had a clear idea of what I really wanted/needed to accomplish at the moment, the more efficient and meaningful my time was spent. So I keep all my mental notes with my Bullet Journal on Traveler's Notebook and this A5 notebook which is slim enough to be clipped under the Roterfaden elastic band is my productivity zen place. I love spending few minutes to comb through my Bullet Journal at the beginning of the day, organize my thoughts and write down 3 things I want to tackle with my DARUMA stamp. I think we are all very busy and nobody really has enough time to get "everything" on the list done. But we could feel empowered and in control of our time by having a clear priority in life. It takes an on-going practice just as our muscle needs training but it has been a good journey for me.

Below are detailed pictures and some captions along with them. I hope it will give some fuel of thoughts for your analogue system.

After having Inspiration Lab with Eunice, we kept the middle table clear of "shop" items. It's a space for playing with analogue tools and focusing on present moments. I have been loving this space to sit and think... and write down my "3 things" for the day.


Traveler's Notebook, Roterfaden and Ogami notebook along with assortments of pens and pencils I use throughout the day.
The open page of my Roterfaden. I like the gradual evolution of the Hobonichi cover with collection of stickers. I am hoping that the cover will be filled with the year worth of special stickers collected by the time we hit December.
The first page on Hobonichi where I keep quotes I resonated with.
Hobonichi Cousin monthly page where as an index page for my daily page... in case I need to re-visit some thoughts and ideas.

I use Brass Index Clip as a page marker. I clip multiple pages to make sure that the clip does not slide out.

Roterfaden Cousin weekly page to keep my Baum-kuchen hours documented.
This is one of my favorite Hobonichi page... for the day of our Inspiration Lab with Eunice. I collected bits and pieces of documents, memo and notes exchanged with Eunice for the day... Her writing really transform the page, doesn't it?


I have a very special stamp made by Frido with a meaning of "to learn" in Japanese. I love using it to highlight things I learned... or insights I want to share.
I use the last clip of Roterfaden to keep Roterfaden Protective Sheet. I have one of my favorite pic with the girls from last fall and little analogue materials and ingredients like scrap piece of papers, mt tapes loosely assorted... I often tape the plastic sheet with left over masking tape to reuse for later.

Roterfaden address book in case I send a snail mail to someone special
I am using 4 color ballpoint pen to color code my monthly planner page. The brass clip by HIGHTIDE to hold a pen is coming soon to the shop. Please stay tuned:)
 My first TN spread. Wallet with 1.61 Essential and the cover page for my monthly planner.
 My quick writing tends to be messy... so my monthly page... is "it is what it is".
 The first page of Diary refill notebook (TN 005) dedicated for my Bullet Journal.
I found out that index page on the TN Diary refill notebook is perfect to use for the Bullet Journal index page. I love how simple my bullet journal process became when I start using this refill notebook!

 My Bullet Journal to-do list with baby DARUMA stamp. (coming soon;)

My 3rd refill notebook for Traveler's Notebook is kraft (TN 014). This is a free space for me to capture and explore thoughts through process. I sometimes question myself if I need this extra refill notebook in Traveler's Notebook... but I always answer "yes" to myself. It works to have something that my right brain can go towards that is separate from my monthly calendar and bullet journal which is all about function and logical.

Here is my spread of the  Ogami notebook looks like. I told myself that it's not about filling every square inch of the page... and it's okay to have a lot of negative space. I will probably not archive this notebook after I finish using it... but maybe that's okay too.

Lastly I have been carrying all my notebooks using Origami Leather Basket. It is nice to have a place where I can just toss my notebooks in... and to know that I have everything I need when I pick up the basket.

7 comments

  • Annie: October 01, 2015
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    What a beautiful, useful system! Thank you for sharing. I’m having to stop myself from buying everything – do you guys had a “wishlist” function on your site? What nib and ink combo are you using on your Lamy, if you don’t mind me asking?

  • Sheiliea: July 27, 2015
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    I just purchased my 1st item from your store. Everything about the experience was beautiful. Your packaging provided great inspiritation ❤️

  • Eunice : April 18, 2015
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    I absolutely love this post about your analogue system. Your pages are beautiful and they inspire me!! Xo

  • Daniel: April 16, 2015
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    As always, Wakako, your blog posts are inspiring! Please don’t stop doing them!

    I loved the way you use the Ogami notebook. Top three priorities — BOOM! Simple! And right in front of you. Nothing else on the page to distract from them. Love it!

    I also couldn’t live without my Midori TN and the Midori Weekly and Monthly inserts. I got myself a Hobonichi Techo, but I still am not 100% sure what to do with it. :P

    Awesome, as always, Wakako!
    Daniel

  • Jenifer : April 15, 2015
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    This makes me smile every time you go through your thoughtful uses. I wish I was there to pop in and bring everything I have and have you help me create uses for my beautiful books that I get scared to write in lol

  • Jolana: April 15, 2015
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    Dear Wakako, your blog is very beautiful. Your job and your inspirations for us are wonderful!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful world with us :)
    Jolana

  • lynn: April 14, 2015
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    The whole notebook arrangement is really convenient. Mine is all over the place. But the Daruma to-do list stamp is brilliant!

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