I don’t remember the exact year that I met Kaitlin. It was very long ago when instagram was just starting out and the analogue community was just at the cusp of forming. I do however very clearly recall the way her presence gave me a feeling of calm. The same emotion is consistent throughout her analog systems whether she is sharing them through her beautiful photos or on her Youtube channel. I am so thrilled to have here here with us today! - Eunice
Bk: Thank you for being here Kaitlin! Beyond your passion for the analog community, could you please share your background and where your story begins?
Kaitlin: For sure! First off, thank you so much for having me. I’m incredibly excited to have this conversation with you about all things analog and journalling. If we want to go way back to the beginning, I was first introduced to analog tools when I was 11 years old. I went to a primary school where they gave their students planners starting in the 5th grade and ever since then I’ve had some type of paper notebook to help keep my life in order. It’s evolved a lot since of course, especially now that I’m not a student and work as a product designer, but I guess you could say that since I was 11 I’ve always had some sort of analog companion and that’s where my passion for journalling and stationery came from originally.
Bk: Have you always been a paper and pen person? Do you remember the moment or time it became a passion of yours?
Kaitlin: Definitely! I’ve hands down always been a paper and pen person.
I think part of it comes from growing up using a paper agenda but also the older I’ve gotten the more I’ve realized that the tangibility of paper works really well for my mind. If I had to think of a time when analog tools became more of a passion though, I’d say it was during my first year of University when I got the opportunity to buy my own paper planner. Previously my planner was something my school provided so it was an exciting new experience to learn about different stationery brands and have the freedom choose a system that worked best for my needs. That was definitely the turning point when my notebook became so much more than a tool and kickstarted my love for writing things down and stationery.
Bk: As creatives, we all experience burnout in one way or another. Do you have a ritual that helps you to keep going?
Kaitlin: Absolutely! Burnout is a feeling I’m quite familiar with, not only through my creative hobbies but also it’s something I’ve experienced when I’m designing for work. For me, I’ve come to realize that burnout is just a stage in my creative process and it’s an indicator that I need to take a break and step back from whatever I’m doing to recharge.
Usually I do this by putting some distance between myself and whatever I’m working on. Either physically putting it away or closing the application if it’s a digital project. Most importantly though, I choose a time when I want to come back to it so that I don’t procrastinate or forget about it completely. During the time I’m not working on my creative project I usually like to try new things, or do new activities to help spark inspiration from other places. Then when I come back to my project I can bring a different perspective that might help me find a way forward.
Bk: Changing gears a bit, we are so curious to know what you have picked for your 2025 analog systems. Can you please share how you will use them?
Kaitlin: Ah yes, this is a question that I too have been asking myself lately!
For 2025 I’ve put together the following ‘casual’ analog system. I want to leave space for iteration and evolution based on what happens in my life during the following year but for now I’m thinking of using the 3 book system below.
First I’ll be using an A6 Stalogy editors series notebook as my bullet journal, which is the main planner in my system. Although I’ve been bullet journalling for a long time, this year I’m excited to add the 2025 pre-dated calendar stickers from Midori to my notebook to help reduce the setup time each month and streamline my planning process. Also, I don’t know about you but I’ve always disliked drawing mini calendars so it’s a win win!
Next is my passport travelers notebook, which I’ll be using as a date book to track future events and appointments. I like to use the travelers company undated weekly insert so that I have space to write down multiple events per day if I need to. I also use the icon stickers which are part of the yearly sticker pack from travelers company to mark days I go into the office which I find helpful.
Finally I’ll be using my regular travelers notebook with the undated daily insert from travelers company as my daily journal and memory keeper. This insert is new to me but I really like how it has a nice mix of structure and flexibility with the day per page layout being undated. I also really love the MD cream paper and light grey grid!
Finally I’ll be using my regular travelers notebook with the undated daily insert from travelers company as my daily journal and memory keeper. This insert is new to me but I really like how it has a nice mix of structure and flexibility with the day per page layout being undated. I also really love the MD cream paper and light grey grid!
Bk: Would you say you are more a creature of habit when planning or journaling, or do you love to be adventurous and try new things?
Kaitlin: I’m very much a creature of habit when it comes to planning and journalling. Sometimes I’ll change things up when I find a new stationery item that inspires me but for the most part I tend to stick to the same supplies and journal spreads. I am definitely that person who has their favourites when it comes to my stationery!
Bk: Out of all your analog artifacts (including pens and notebooks), which 4 would you pick if you had to go on a year-long journey away from home?
Kaitlin: That’s a great question! The first thing I would bring is my Zebra sarasa vintage gel pen in brown grey which has been my go to pen for the past 3 years.
Next I would bring a notebook or a journal to write it depending on if I needed to stay organized on the trip. If I needed to plan I would bring a Stalogy notebook and if I wanted to journal I would bring my Travelers notebook in regular size.
Then, the final two items would have to be a photo printer, my favourite is the Instax square link printer because the photos are a bit bigger than the traditional ones, along with a roll of Yohaku washi tape to attach my photos into my notebook.
Bk: Speaking of journey, what is your top favorite destination on your travel wish list? Why?
Kaitlin: It would have to be a toss up between Japan and Iceland!
Japan because I’ve never visited and it seems like such an interesting place with so much to discover, along with of course all the fantastic stationery stores.
And then Iceland, I’ve been to before a little over 10 years ago but I’ve been really wanting to go back and revisit it. I just loved all the nature when I went there last time, and I only traveled around the southern part of the island so I would love to see some of the north if I went back.
Bk: We all have humans in our lives who have contributed positively to our path in one way or another. Who is that person(s) to you, and what have they taught you?
Kaitlin: This is a hard one because I’ve been fortunate enough to have met a lot of fantastic people over the years. I would say my family, who taught me the importance of having people you can always depend on and having that support system in your life. Also by two best friends who always remind me to never be afraid to express and show your authentic self to the world.
Bk: What quality or trait would you consider to be most valuable to you as you navigate life?
Kaitlin: I’m sure they’re many but the one that comes to my mind right now is curiosity. I think having an eagerness to learn, explore, understand and uncover has not only been valuable to me professionally also in my own personal life. Acting on that curiosity has often lead me to exciting new experiences that I wouldn’t have anticipated and kept life much more interesting!
Where to find Kaitlin:
instagram: @itskaitlingrey
Youtube: kaitlingrey
Where to find Kaitlin:
instagram: @itskaitlingrey
Youtube: kaitlingrey
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