In this episode Helen shares how she’s getting on with her Hobonichi system, a year after making the switch from Bullet Journaling. 

We did an episode on this switch in early 2024 - you can listen to that episode here, where Helen shared why switching over the New Year was a bad idea. 

And so, a year later, we revisited this topic to hear how Helen is getting on, what’s adapted and whether she still needs a suitcase to carry around her growing sticker collection. 

I ask Helen about the Hobonichi system, how it differs from Bullet Journaling, how she organises her stickers, whether Helen then keeps each notebook and how her system works. 

Helen shares more about the Hobonichi eco-system, bulldog clips & paper clips and how she’s had to retire her massive collection of Washi tape.

We also talk about or mention:

• Mark and Fold stationers & our chat on the show with founder Amy.
• Atoms to Astronauts notebooks
• Lamy Fountain Pens (aff link)
• Our interview with Fountain Pen legend, Urban Hafner
• And lovely kind comments left on Rob’s video from fellow stationery freaks

(Some images of Helen's planner are shared in the newsletter).

In this episode we chat about why we've been missing for a few months, our stationery purchases and how we're always in pursuit of the perfect structure.

You can find images, links and other insights that accompany this podcast on our newsletter - https://stationeryfreaks.substack.com/

We cover, amongst other topics:

1. A YouTube video comment that led Rob to a new pencil purchase
2. Helen talks about her Hobonichi and how she's still loving it - although struggling to find time for buying stickers
3. Rob talks about keeping a ledger as a life audit
4. Helen talks about her writing habit and how she uses digital and analogue in combination
5. Rob talks about his shipping forecasts and how this was supposed to be the perfect structure
6. Helen goes down a Rabbit Hole of creating the perfect podcast structure

And more. Products and links mentioned in this episode:

• Toad in the hole is a British dish made with sausages and batter - Toad in the Hole
• Rob's Collins Ledger
• Our previous episode about Hobonichi Planners
• Rob buys a rOtring 600 mechanical pencil
• Helens studying creative writing
• Martha Brook's advent calendar
• Business cards as stickers
• Episode 1 of our previous advent calendar of stationery freaks goodness

In this episode Rob introduces his new productivity system of coloured military-style print out. Rob and Helen ponder why it's hard to find a system that works. And that maybe, they've (well, Rob) has been searching in the wrong place.

Maybe, when we try to find a streamlined, slick, frictionless productivity system we're not actually getting much reward. And maybe, just maybe, higher friction system (bullet journaling, Rob's new method, Hobonichi etc) give a more meaningful reward. And maybe even, the reward is in the friction itself.

Much to ponder.

Find our newsletter that accompanies this here.

In this episode we chat about the magic of whiteboards.

We cover:

How we used them at work
How Helen's daughter uses them for learning and revision
How Rob's son uses them for doodling
The ephemeral nature of whiteboard content
Long running whiteboard content - and why "do not wipe" is important

If you'd like to see the images we talk about in this session, head to the newsletter.

In this episode Helen and Rob chat about buying stationery hauls from Vinted (other platforms and services are available).

We cover:

1. Our surprise at the variety of stationery on vinted
2. The bargains to be had
3. Helen's stationery haul for an upcoming workshop
4. Rob's stationery haul for no reason other than some bargain Moleskines and a notepad with Yorkshire written on the front
5. How Rob makes offers and Helen pays full price
6. What stuff they found on Vinted. 

Note: We have no affiliation with Vinted - we just thought you'd like to hear about the stationery goodness. 
Note: We believe Vinted is available in many countries - but double check and if not, no doubt there is an alternative - let us know!

Thanks
Rob and Helen

In this episode Rob and Helen explore the world of Domestika, an online learning platform for creatives.

Note: We are not affiliated with Domestika, but Rob is addicted to it.

* Rob explains what Domestika is and how it works
* Helen is addicted to stickers - and may jump in to Domestika to learn more about calligraphy
* Rob explains how he sometimes just watches the "materials" video on each Domestika course to geek out on stationery
* Rob is building a list of Domestika tutors to interview for the Stationery Freaks podcast
* Helen is intrigued by what's on Rob's watch list (see the full list on the newsletter)
* Rob explains that Domestika is addictive so go carefully

Find out more about Domestika here.

Subscribe to the Stationery Freaks newsletter here. 

Thanks
Rob and Helen

In this episode Rob shares his goal setting process using paper and digital tools. Rob explains what makes a good goal, Helen asks lots of questions and Rob shares how to track goals.

We cover:

1. Goals should be measurable and timebound
2. An annual review is a positive process
3. Painting a picture of the future and aligning goals is important
4. The why is important
5. Precious little red notebooks
6. Tracking in ToDoist
7. The power of journaling

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In this episode we explore the world of Hobonichi Planners. Helen decided that January was a good time to switch productivity, journaling and note-taking systems (it may not have been a wise decision).

She chats us through the world of Hobonichi Planners and how she is using them to "force" her to develop the habit of journaling. She also needed mountains of stickers. All the stickers.

We also cover Midori notebooks (Helen raves about these), Etsy Hobonichi sticker providers and why productivity systems must be hacked to make them work for you.

Rob explores "containers with rules" and explain how he's impressed with a new calendar view in Todoist.

We hope you enjoy this episode.

Why not subscribe to the Stationery Freaks newsletter also - https://stationeryfreaks.substack.com/

Thanks 
Helen and Rob

It's that time of the year again - time for something festive.

In this special edition, episode 4 of 4, we offer up some advice and insights into things we would buy if money were no object.

Rob breaks the rules on this one, Helen less so.

Listen to the end for a magical and amazing idea we'd love to do, but alas, money IS an object.

We cover:
- Helen - Smythson Soho Luxury Notebooks. About £170 - £250
- Rob - Parker Bumble Bee - ebay link so may expire. £5000 for a pen!
- Helen - Diamine Inkvent Calendar - this is SO cool. £89.95
- Rob - Antique Writing Desk - link may expire if sold. £3650
- Helen - Helen would like a pen made from the Apple Tree made famous by Isaac Newton. We believe you can only get them in the store at Woolsthorpe Manor, not online. Alternatively, Helen would like a pen made of wood from the actual York Minster.
- Rob - My more reasonable choice (although still expensive) would be this amazing pencil sharpener by Labour And Wait. Epic. But is around £200.

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It's that time of the year again - time for something festive.

In this special edition, episode 3 of 4, we offer up some advice and insights into stationery accessories that are on our gift list.

Helen shares three and Rob shares three.

We cover:
- Helen - TipEx Mouse
- Rob - Firbon A4 paper cutter
- Helen - Bookaroo Sticky Tabs
- Rob - Rapesco desktop Pencil Sharpener
- Helen - Hobonichi Deco Rush Stickers
- Rob - Vretti thermal printer (here's the Vretti one I bought but it looks like it's been discontinued) Here's a "memoking" that receives high praise.
- Helen also shares her disappointment about Dove Grey ink

We make use of affiliate links which means you don't pay any more but we earn a tiny commission that goes to keeping the servers running.

• This Christmas Gift Guide newsletter is out now - subscribe here : https://stationeryfreaks.substack.com/
• Check out the website : https://www.stationeryfreaks.com/
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