Running any time between the beginning of December and the following February, my end of year “process” is largely defined by when the mood strikes. Well, that and how easy it is to come up with a theme of sorts for the coming year. Late to the party yes, however, time and energy are mostly spent elsewhere in the lead up to Christmas.

Given I use pen and paper (and I’m sure if you’re reading this, you do too), I feel this process can be a little easier, dictated partially by what I need to set up for the year to come. The final quarter of the calendar year inevitably brings planner season, both a blessing and a curse, given the paradox of choice inevitably confronting us. Ideally, contentment probably reigns supreme if you can find it. A system that works year in, year out. Too many “plan with me” YouTube videos being the very antithesis of a trusted system and a contented mind.

Those of 2024

For the past year, it has been my Traveler’s Notebook (regular size), housing a very minimal Bullet Journal setup, and aside from a few stickers, ruled boxes, and headings, remains decidedly non-decorative.

I enjoyed using my Hobonichi Weeks as a health tracker of sorts, containing daily step count, deep sleep hours, work hours, and workout tracking for the year. Loved it, however I’m not sure an additional standalone journal is really needed, and I’ll be recording the same data this year in a Traveler’s Monthly insert.

A Field Notes is always kicking around for random notes, and in the latter part of the year I finally managed to pick up the Everyday Inspiration cover (a Field Notes x Bellroy collaboration). I had been on a restock waiting list for a good while, given it was the only way of obtaining the grey and orange colour-way (Bellroy do have some other colours in their regular lineup if this combo isn’t your thing).

My Montblanc 146 Notebook took on the 100-Day Writing Challenge while also fulfilling the “desk book” role as required. Finally, a Moleskine Harvard edition has for the past two years been my yearly review and yearly theme working and development journal.

These in 2025

What really is the goal here? Long term, it’s probably to have things settled in well enough to simply say: “refer to the previous year above” and be done with it. Will that ever really happen? Unlikely, though we can all have our aspirational goals, I guess.

Constants

The Traveler’s Notebook will again be hosting bullet journal duties, this time with a monthly insert to allow for any health tracking I may do over the course of the year. The Field Notes will remain in the mix for any ad hoc note-taking, and is generally with me when the Traveler’s isn’t.

I’m mostly finished with the Moleskine for the moment; however, it will definitely be called into play in 12 months time for year-end review duties. Who knows, if I can somehow trick myself into undertaking a better quarterly review system, perhaps a couple more times before that.

Variables

The desk book. In my mind, a good desk book is significant. Actually no, I think substantial is a better term. It lays flat; handles all types of inks and writing instruments; and come the end of its life should be something like this one. It won’t be quite like that one of course, but as I say: significant.

I’m yet to both finish the Montblanc notebook, nor come across something inspirational to replace it with. I’d also add, the Montblanc curiously does not handle all sorts of inks, or lay overly flat. Okay if you don’t mind a bit of feathering or are mindful of what you use with it.

Plotter. There, I said it. Sure, it seems to be a system surrounded by a bit of interest currently, though probably with good reason. I’m not 100% sure where I’m headed with this, however an upcoming trip to Japan in March will provide a little more in the way of a first-hand look. Who knows what might return in my luggage after that trip.

By process of elimination, the Hobonichi Weeks will not be back in the line-up this coming year. I’ve loved using it, and you never know what the future will bring, though it hasn’t quite made the squad for 2025.

Wrapping up

It doesn’t really have to be that complicated, does it?

No — yet posts like these invariably end up like those step-by-step flow charts, the more you explain, the longer they get. While things don’t need to change each year, the inevitable pull of something a little different always tugs at your thinking.

I think I’ve settled into being mostly content, with a few variations to try along the way. If that’s how things run into the future, then I’m more than happy with that.

I do hope yours is in place, working well, and contentment reigns supreme.