Getting Happy On The Inside Starts Now!!

Welcome 2017!  

My planner and I 

have been 

eagerly awaiting 

your arrival!! 

You may be wondering just how we will be starting our year long Happy On The Inside challenge.

The answer to that is short and sweet:  Slowly.  

This first week of the year will be a busy one.  In fact, most of you will probably be sleeping in today...Good Morning and Happy New Year!  Welcome to our year of getting and staying Happy on The Inside!  Since I expect things to be a bit hectic I want to break up our first week into two different assignments, with each having one or two parts.  You'll see what I mean as you keep reading.  

So let's get started!  JOURNAL SELECTION

Before we get into all the different journals, let me show you my set up. This is what I am currently using.  This is not what I've always used.  I am constantly trying new planners, journals, notebooks.  This is my hobby.  This makes me happy.  Buying the new stuff, trying the new stuff, trying some old stuff...it all makes me happy on the inside!! :) 

 This is a Traveler's Notebook that I bought in December from an Artisan on Etsy. 

 You can visit her store HERE if you are interested.

(As a side note, taking these pictures made me realize my craft desk needs a little refreshing).  Moving on!

 It holds 4 Journals inside it.  Each are approximately 8x5 in size (A5).  The picture above shows it opened to the middle of my books with my small insert on the left (which I decorated myself) and my Leuchttrum 1917 Slim on the right (my 2017 planner).

Here are a couple sample spreads, basically 

the kind of stuff I do inside my planner.  

The freedom to throw in some random list that I feel like making, 

or a page for coloring throughout the week 

(a great mindless de-stressor I might add) is liberating! 

 The plain notebook is actually my favorite kind of planner.  

I get to make of it whatever I want, so it always makes me happy.  

Always functions how I want it to...if it's not working I can change it without having to switch into a different planner.  

I like to treat my planner as a keeper of all the memories...I will write in little notes, put my recently acquired washi collection, add photos, celebrity deaths is new addition.

This weekly spread below is one of the things that motivated me to start this blog!  I started gathering all the little things that were about me, or my family.  For me.  Not a list of tasks I needed to accomplish for the day, not errands to run, or bills to pay, or appointments to keep.  But, things I wanted to do during the week to make my soul happy. (Happy On The Inside).  

And I thought, maybe others are looking for that too?

Now that I let you look at my planner (that's generally what I call it though it's much, much, MUCH more than that), we will move on to the big question...what are you going to use?

The general requirement for the journal you choose will be: freedom.  It must allow you the freedom to do whatever you want in it!  There will be projects, journal work, assignments and just so much variety going on all year long.  You will want to record, preserve and remember this year because it's going to be awesome!  You may already know what you like and don't like and can probably run out and grab one right now...great! 

But, if you're unsure, read on my friend.  The right journal can increase your happiness.  The wrong journal can increase your frustration and UNhappiness. We don't want that!  So, I recommend you go to Target (they're pretty much everywhere right?).  They have really cute journals to choose from. They also carry the higher end Moleskine (which I LOVE!).  

This is a Moleskine, in the Extra Large size. (approx $20)

 I bought this to take notes on how to start a blog.  (hahaha) 

 Hope to fill it soon!!! 

I saw this budget notebook too! (of course I bought it) Isn't it cute? 

 It is standard size and lined.  I bought it for future note taking.  

 Really it was just too cute to leave behind and cost $2.99.

Once you're at Target you can touch all the journals, smell them, hug them, rub your cheek on the paper....okay, maybe not that last part.  But, you get my drift.  You can also go nuts and try a Barnes & Noble.  I will not be held responsible for what happens there (Journal Heaven!).  They also carry Moleskines!!!! But, they don't carry composition notebooks.  Note: Moleskines come shrink wrapped, you cannot open them...but trust me, once you do you'll love that paper.  Creamy, soft, light lines...oh my.  

You'll just have to choose the right pen for the Moleskine or the Leuchttrum notebooks. There will be ghosting and bleedthrough with some pens, the planner community will generally do a "pen test" page at the back of the book so you can see how much ink transfers to the other side of the page. That way you'll know which pen NOT to use in your brand new, beautiful journal.   Whooops, that's almost like two assignments this week!!  You can do this!!!  

For my planning/journaling/doodling/list making I prefer grid or dots to lined pages or even blank pages.  I also prefer the A5 size.  It's not too big and not too small, it's just right! Too big can feel overwhelming to fill in and too small just isn't enough room.  If your budget is tight, I suggest going for a regular composition notebook (lined). I don't recommend spiral.  They are just a pain in the you know what!  But, in the end, your journal choice will be a personal one and you should choose whatever YOU like!

If you 'd like a suggestion, I highly recommend the large Moleskine (A5 size) or the Leuchttrum 1917 Medium (A5).  Links can be found below.  (Please note these are Affiliate Links and I do get a commission when a purchase is made.  I love these notebooks and only recommend products I use and love).

I am passionate about my journals!  I hope you become passionate about yours too.  

So, that's it.  

That's your FIRST ASSIGNMENT. 

This first week, 

you must choose your journal 
(uh, and pens). 

If you have any questions please drop a comment below or head over to the Facebook Group and ask away! The Happy On The Inside Club Group

Talk soon!

C