Sure, your bujo has a water tracker, but like, are you even recording instances of everyday magic? I am, and I’m doing it in a traveler’s notebook.
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I mentioned before that this year, I need to slow down, and that last year, things got a little crazy with the Passion Planner. Well, part of slowing down this year is taking time to think about everyday magic.
So while this notebook I’m about to share isn’t an everyday carry, it is something that I will be using regularly. I plan to use this more in a journaling context, so that I can open it up and use it to record things. But I don’t think I’ll be opening it every single day either. Ideally, it will sit on my coffee table or nightstand, and I’ll reach for it when it’s time for me to reach for it.
And while I could’ve put all this stuff in my current planner, I chose not to for a couple of reasons. 1. My planner is huge and thick already. It’s hard to fit into some bags, and it gets pretty heavy. So, I don’t need extra stuff. And 2. I don’t want to keep my productivity life and my woo woo life in the same place. I like the idea of keeping them separate so I can use them in different contexts and mindsets.
GUY I HAVE TRAPPED MAGIC IN A TRAVELER'S NOTEBOOK AND I'M HOARDING IT ALL TO MYSELF Click To TweetSo, with all that in mind, I’m not using anything too terribly special or hard to find. Here’s the list of things I’m using:
- This traveler’s notebook. You may remember it from my post at the beginning of the month about my planner set up. Well, I’ve moved my planner into my Chic Sparrow I mention in this post, and I’m using the other traveler’s notebook for this journal.
- This pen. It’s a brush tip, and it’s pretty easy to use. But also, not like, the easiest to use. And in the video, you’ll see that I don’t use it well. But I’m learning. That’s what this notebook is all about — it’s just a place for me to experiment and learn and use art supplies.
- These markers. I got these for Christmas from Chris’s mom, Diana, and I cannot tell you how happy a big ol’ tub of markers has made me.
- These pens. My friend, Liz, got me a set of these for Christmas, and they are very nice fine liners. Liz said she’d been using them for journaling, and she thought I would like them. And I totally do.
- This sticker from Cheyenne Barton. If you follow Cheyenne Barton on YouTube or Instagram, then you’re already familiar with her art style. I love how cute her characters are, and knew this cozy witch sticker was perfect for this notebook.
Now, that’s what I’ll be using for my everyday magic notebook. But what actually goes into an everyday magic notebook? Below I’ll list what I’ll be using the inserts for, but make sure to check out the video to see how I set it all up!
Everyday Magic
Art
I used to really love drawing, and I was pretty good at it. Unfortunately, I quit caring about it because I thought I had to in order to be a writer. (If I had a time machine, I would just go back in time and rough up people who gave me bad advice.) So, I haven’t done any formal art classes since senior year of high school, but I’m planning to change that. Recently, I’ve taken up watercolors, and though I’m not what anyone would call good, I’m going to keep going.
So why am I including art in the magic category? Well, because anyone who has ever just spontaneously created something knows that it feels like magic. You have a pile of supplies at your finger tips, and you use them to create something completely new. So, my art insert will be full of watercolors and sketches and collages. I’m really excited about getting back into the art practice, and using that as a way to slow down at the end of the day.
Manifesting
I have a love/hate with the idea of manifesting. Like, I know it’s a real thing, but I hate how people who come from immense amounts of privilege talk about how they manifest stuff for themselves and you’re basically just like “Nah, dude. That’s generational wealth.” But even so, I will press on, mostly because I’m not trying to manifest yachts or McMansions. Not that there is anything wrong with those things. I just feel like if you can tap into some legit power, you should be using it to have the most impact on your life, not just for conspicuous consumption.
So in this notebook, I’ll be journaling what I want out of my writing. Sure, some of it will be money-related. But mostly, I’ll be using it to build a writing routine, finish drafts, and find publishers for my work. I’ll probably have a few pages dedicated to manifesting some really badass group writing retreats, and some solo ones too. I was just thinking this week how I don’t have any spring break plans, and that would be a great time to do some writing out in the woods.
(If you’re interested in writing out in the woods, here’s a post about the time I did a solo writing retreat at St. Francis of the Woods. If you aren’t down with that level of nature, I’ve also gone to a writing retreat at the Writer’s Colony in Eureka Springs.)
General Witchery
By now, everyone pretty much knows I’m down with tarot and crystals and such. I’m also getting pretty into the zodiac. (Do not roll your eyes at me about the zodiac, especially if you’ve ever shared your Myers-Briggs type or Enneagram number.) I’ve been digging into my natal chart, and I’ve really gotten into a more intuitive approach when it comes to reading tarot cards.
So this insert will focus mostly on keeping track of the things I learn in that sphere. I plan on taking some tarot courses in the future, and I’ve been reading up on the topic, and can use this notebook for little notes and reminders. I may even analyze some dreams in this one because I’ve had some pretty prophetic dreams lately. (Except for last night, I dreamed I was traveling through time with Christian Bale and The Rock, and we were attacked prehistoric creatures the way people in the dream world attack non-dreamers in Inception. That dream is probably meaningless.)
Would you use an everyday magic notebook? Click To TweetHow Do You Celebrate Everyday Magic?
How do you record magic as you see it? Do you like to keep an art journal? Do you need a general witchery notebook in your life? Let me know in the comments!
I haven’t been celebrating every day magic unfortunately. No wonder I’m cranky and restless. Haha. I temporarily tried a TN about a year or so ago and it didn’t seem to work for me. Starting to think I should consider giving it another go. Much as I love my current planner, too often I get bogged down by the to-dos that are in it and don’t stop to enjoy the woo woo and magic of life. I need balance.
What size TN do you use and recommend? I’m looking at either A5 or B6.
I’ve used A5 in the past and loved it, but now I’m down to the standard size. And I find having a notebook where I can be woo woo and one where I can be regimented works best for me. It keeps me feeling balanced.
Sweeeeet. I love this. I have one, although I’ve never called it anything formally. It’s my purple moleskine and it’s one of my favorite things.
I love that it’s purple! And isn’t it so nice to have a place to keep all your magic and magic-related things?