Bullet Journal in a Traveler’s Notebook

The Traveler’s Notebook (TN) is a customizable notebook system that has become a cult-favorite in the stationery world. It can be anything you want it to be whether a sketchbook, a diary, a planner, or a journal – yes, even a bullet journal.

The Bullet Journal and the Traveler’s Notebook are more than notebooks – they are both customizable systems. Marrying both these systems is possible and a lot of bullet journalists have successfully done it. It’s exciting but there are a few things that you need to know before you migrate your bullet journal to a Traveler’s Notebook.

NOTE: This article will focus specifically on the original Traveler’s Notebook (formerly known as Midori Traveler’s Notebook) by Travelers Company.

Buy a grid or dot grid refill (if you’re not okay with a blank notebook)

The Traveler’s Notebook Starter Kit comes with a free insert but it’s a blank one. If you intend on using the Traveler’s Notebook for bullet journaling and you do not want to use a blank notebook, I suggest you buy a grid or dot grid (or lined, if that’s your thing). There are a lot of choices for TN refills but if you want to try the Travelers Company accessories, then you can buy the 002 (Grid) or the 026 (Dot Grid) notebook refills.

Inserts are usually thin

Most refills are lightweight and thin. The Midori refills that are sold by Traveler’s Company are only 64 pages (32 sheets). When you use these for bullet journaling, expect to use up one every two months or every quarter.

One clear advantage is the weight. The main reason for doing the big switch is because the TN is light and more portable than a Leuchtturm1917.

Another is that you can try different types of notebooks and brands every time you need to switch to a new one.

You *might* need to use a separate insert for long-term collections

Maintaining collections in one insert might not be sustainable solution when using a TN. Since inserts typically only have a few pages, you might find yourself migrating collections at least once a month (depending on your usage).

You will have to number your pages

One trade-off of the TN is that most of the inserts are not numbered. If you’re accustomed to having numbered pages, you will have to number your pages when you use the TN for bullet journaling.

Of course, you can opt not to do that but that would mean that could mean giving up indexing.

• Read: Bujo Basics – Index
• Also read: Mastering the Bullet Journal – Index

If you have an extra insert, you will need to buy the rubber bands

A Traveler’s Notebook can hold more than one notebook. To keep them in the notebook, you need to use connecting bands.

You might need a binder clip

The Traveler’s Notebook is a leather softcover so it does not lay flat like a hardcover does. The notebook will close on its own while you’re not using it. If you prefer to keep your bullet journal open, you might want to make sure you have a binder clip with you – or something like the page anchor.

I had always planned on using a TN for my bullet journal but it took me a while, probably 4 years, to move out of the A5 notebook. Now that I have, it has been a lot of learning and going back to basics with the bullet journal system. I don’t have any regrets with moving to a TN but these are the things that I wish I knew before I migrated to the regular sized Traveler’s Notebook.