I understand the irony of writing this blog when most of my day is spent selling these very products to you… but I think we can all be a bit more mindful of our environmental impact in our crafty hobbies.
If you love starting fresh notebooks but never seem to finish them, you’re not alone. I’ve spent my entire life surrounded by stationery, and up until recently, I had stacks of unfinished notebooks. But over the years, I’ve learned a few tips to finally get to the last page. Here are my top four tips to help you make the most of your notebooks, planners, and journals.
1. Use a bulldog clip
Finding your place is often the biggest hurdle. Use a bulldog clip to keep your current page open, so you don’t waste time hunting for where you left off. It’s a simple hack that makes using your notebook feel effortless. Plus, it works way better than those pesky ribbon bookmarks that never stay in place.
Action: Search through your drawers for a bulldog clip (or even a hair clip) to keep your notebook or journal open to the current page. It’s a simple trick that makes using it so much easier!
2. Make the goal to fill the pages
Stop worrying about using your notebook for one specific purpose. The reality is, you probably won’t have it on hand when the mood for that specific task strikes. Instead, make it your everything book. Fill the pages with whatever you want - whether that be notes, doodles, collages, ideas, or collecting shiny paper junk!
Got empty days in your planner? No problem! Treat those as opportunities to get creative. Collage over them with photos, sketches, or even random scraps you collect throughout the year.
Remember: the goal is to use up the pages, not to stick to rigid rules about what belongs where.
Action: Write this down in your notebook / journal right this very second: THE ONLY GOAL IS TO FILL THE PAGES.
3. Stop stressing about perfection
It’s easy to fall into the trap of wanting your notebook or journal to look Instagram-worthy. But here’s the truth: you most likely bought it for yourself. It doesn’t need to impress anyone else.
If you mess up a page and it bothers you, don’t let that stop you. Glue something over it - a photo, a sticker, or a picture of your cat. Stickers and washi tape are great for covering up mistakes. Your notebook is a tool for your wellbeing and creativity, not a showcase of perfection. Let it evolve as your needs change through the hours, week, month, or year.
Perfection is the thief of joy!
4. Start small
If you’re still struggling to finish a notebook, try starting with a tiny one. A 24-sheet pocket notebook is less intimidating and easier to fill. You could probably make one using your partially used notebooks. Set a goal to fill the pages within a week, and let yourself fill it with truly anything - random thoughts, lists, sketches, or even doodles of your grocery list. Completing a small notebook can give you the confidence and momentum to tackle bigger ones.
Action: If all of this is giving you the sudden itch to pull out all of your half used notebooks - GREAT! Get them out and turn them into something new.
Bonus tip: If the cover of the notebook isn't your style anymore - cover it in stickers or your favourite paper. I love covering my cheap stash of pocket notebooks in simple kraft paper.
Don’t let the pressure of perfection or ‘tainted’ pages stop you from enjoying your notebooks, planners, or journals. They’re meant to be tools for expression and productivity, not sources of stress. So go grab that old notebook you’ve been avoiding, use these tips, and give it another shot.
Which tip are you excited to try first? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let's make 2025 the year where we finish our notebooks and journals before starting another one!