They explore the real question beneath the stationery: what’s the process for turning a quick note into something useful — and what happens when your capture system becomes a pile of open loops.

We cover:

• Why scrap notes exist: capturing ideas without breaking the moment
• Desk pads as “work in progress” surfaces (and why that’s a feature, not a bug)
• The threshold problem: forgetting what you went to write down the moment you change rooms
• Analog vs digital: how Rob and Helen bounce between both
• The discipline of finishing: why ideas aren’t valuable until they become something
• A practical “funnel” approach: backlog → sprouts → now (commitment increases as you narrow)
• The emotional side: cluttered desks = cluttered minds, and why clearing down helps you think
• Listener shout-outs and the surprisingly global reach of Stationery Freaks

Listener request:
Share your stationery “in the wild” or your desk setup on Instagram (doesn’t have to be pretty!) and tag @stationeryfreaksuk.

We mention:

• Mark+Fold “Glow” notebook
• Noted (Substack) by Jillian Hess
• “Analog Attorney” series (Attorney at Work) by Bull Garlington

Rob and Helen compare two different approaches to planning the year: outcomes vs lifestyle, goals vs systems, and why the “right” method depends on what helps you keep going (not what looks good on paper).

Helen shares her shift toward building routines that protect what matters - writing time, movement, mental bandwidth - plus a surprisingly brilliant charity-shop find: a Rocketbook reusable notebook for 50p.

Rob reflects on his year using a Collins ledger, talks “painted picture” thinking, and explains why reducing friction is the only way his creative work (and business) stays sustainable - including a post-mortem on the infamous Wallpaper Method.

Along the way we talk Obsidian vs Apple Notes, Todoist, habit tracking (and why it can backfire), buying stationery locally vs Amazon, and the uncomfortable truth:
between us, we’re entering 2026 with 172 unused notebooks (yes, really).
And how this year we've set ourselves the target of ending the year with fewer notebooks.

If you’re planning your year - or rebuilding your systems after they collapsed in January - this one’s for you.

 Find the newsletter (with Rocketbook photos) and past episodes at stationeryfreaks.com
Instagram: @stationeryfreaksuk

Helen reviews two very premium stationery advent calendars — Martha Brook(s) and Tom’s Studio — including what you actually get, which one feels more “decorative vs functional,” and the one item she absolutely refuses to touch (again).

Rob shares his new structured SmartPlanner time-blocking experiment (and why he’s moved from pen to pencil), an everyday-carry bag confession featuring nine notebooks, and an early idea he’s calling The Wallpaper Method: learning notes on a giant scroll.

We also chat about “analog wellbeing,” why January is peak notebook season, end-of-year reflection (hello, Collins ledger), and what we’ll be tackling in the first episode of 2026.

Recorded between a noisy East London bar and the beautifully minimalist Mark+Fold shop, this episode is a blend of celebration, nostalgia, and stationery-fueled creativity.

Apologies for some of the audio quality - London doesn't have many quiet bars and restuarants!

You’ll hear:

• The Stationery Freaks origin story — how a shared love of pens and notebooks sparked a 7-year podcast
• Why Mark+Fold’s aesthetic hits so deeply for creatives
• How notebooks help ideas become real — from novels to meetings to films
• What Helen did and didn’t buy (and what Rob tried to encourage…)

Plus two brilliant spontaneous mini-interviews:

• Terri, a writer whose tiny handwriting and Bangkok-sourced micro-nib pens inspired us both
• Vicky, a second-generation bookbinder behind the stitching of Mark+Fold’s planners and notebooks

It’s a celebration of longevity — Mark+Fold’s 10 years, Stationery Freaks’ 7 years — and the creative habits, tools, and people that keep us all moving from idea → creation.

Links & Mentions

• Mark+Fold Pop-Up Shop – Open until 25th November 2025 - Find the store at 228 Brick Lane, London, E2 7EE
• Mark+Fold Monthly Planners & Notebooks
• Choosing Keeping (London stationery shop)
• Blackwing Pencils
• Hobonichi Techo & A6 notebooks
• Oxford Notebooks & Yellow Legal Pads

Key Moments

00:00 — Meeting in person for the first time in years
03:10 — Why Mark+Fold’s design philosophy resonates
07:40 — How the Stationery Freaks podcast began
14:00 — Why we record even when the audio is imperfect
18:30 — What we learned from early listeners & global analytics
22:50 — Interview with Terry (writer + micro-nib pen enthusiast)
30:40 — Interview with Vicky (bookbinder who sews Mark+Fold’s planners)
38:00 — Live from the shop floor — Helen “lightly shopping”
46:00 — Reflections on creativity, tools, and 10 years of making things

Plus: Magic Click (a colour-pen system we need help decoding), why shrink-wrap on notebooks should be illegal, and the enduring magic of handwritten notes in old recipe books.

What We Cover

• Labelling the real world: freezer labels that don’t fall off, pens that actually write on them, and why chalk pens disappointed.
• Whiteboards at home: revision, “blurting” study technique, and why office whiteboards triple in size the moment they enter a house.
• Family calendars: wall planners vs Google Calendar; how to stop answering “What’s for tea?” 47 times.
• The junk drawer: string, Sellotape ends, last 3 Post-its, elastic bands—and occasionally £40.
• Cable wrangling: elastic bands vs Velcro ties (and cats stealing the Velcro).
• Kitchen Kanban: a visual, Post-it based board for a builder’s workload (columns from “mentioned” to “invoiced”).
• Notes on doors: Berlin-style paper rolls to leave messages (and why phones killed the habit).
• Measuring kids’ growth: doorframe ticks vs logging in Apple Notes.
• Sticky label removal: we’ve tried dishwasher runs, washing-up liquid, alcohol… still tacky! (Your hacks welcome.)
• Brands behaving oddly: a Moleskine “travel case” too small for a Cahier; shrink-wrapped notebooks you can’t test.
• Why we love marginalia: old cookbooks and Reader’s Digest repair manuals with handwritten tweaks.
• Content recommendations: Andrew Huberman’s interview with Steven Pressfield (resistance, turning pro, doing the work).
• Event tease: Rob & Helen at a November stationery event (with a shop… send help).

Listener Shout-Outs

• Lisa (In Berlin, in a kitchen): topic idea + brilliant list — thank you Lisa!
• Nat: for sending Magic Click (and introducing us to Barbara Thames’ creativity/play angle).
• Anonymous newsletter supporter: your generosity genuinely helps keep this ad-free. Thank you!

Resources & Mentions

• Magic Click colour-pen system — creator Barbara Tammes (if you’ve used it, tell us how!).
• Label makers: DYMO.
• Notebooks & shops: Moleskine, Waterstones, Dingbats (reporter), Tom’s Studio (pens & inks).
• Other: Vinted (finds), Nokia notebooks at a conference, Reader’s Digest Repair Manuals, The Newt (Somerset).
• Podcasts: Steven Pressfield — The War of Art, Turning Pro; Dr Andrew Huberman interview with Steven Pressfield.

Where to Find Us

• Newsletter & archive: stationeryfreaks.com → Substack
• Instagram: @stationeryfreaksuk
• Say hello / ideas: via the website or Insta DMs

Helen discovers other writers are now using Blackwing pencils in her writing class. Rob spent so little time choosing which notebook to use for a business book he's writing (the Rhodia A4 notebook) - that he wonders what is wrong.

Rob and Helen also receive a very awesome poem in Zine format from previous guest, Richard. Very cool - check out the newsletter to see photos of it. Check out the interview with Richard about all things Commonplacing. 

Rob and Helen discuss the difference between routines (habitual efficiency) and rituals (intentional, mindful practices), and share tips for using stationery to create focused, productive, and inspiring workflows.

Also covered :

• Hobonichi planners and the art of intentional notebook selection + staggering shipping costs!
• Mark + Fold notebooks for capturing learning and ideas
• Typewriters for slow writing
• How music - from Helen's Gregorian chants and heavy metal, and Rob's HipHop and EDM - can trigger creative flow and rituals (some playlists in the newsletter!)
• The ideas, thoughts and psychology behind ritual, habit-stacking, and productivity

If you love the feel of ink on paper, the smell of fresh notebooks, the way the pages turn and the joy of creating meaningful routines and rituals with stationery, give this episode a listen. There is also ramble chat about tea and coffee, secret hidden rooms and tunnels, and books about squirrels.

Why not check out the newsletter too - https://stationeryfreaks.substack.com/

Plus: writing contest success, notebooks you’ll never dare write in (that are ridiculously expensive), and a new digital note-taking tool that’s winning Rob over.

Helen refuses to talk about her sticker addiction and Etsy is properly off the table for conversation.

Helen is already buying advent calendars....in September. Rob is trying not to buy anything else, he's changed.

We chat about digital tools, more notebooks, pen hauls and share a story about a random stranger in Home Sense providing Helen with the perfect notebook.

Take a look at the notebooks and pens and read Helen's story submission for the writing competition over in the newsletter - https://stationeryfreaks.substack.com/

We mention the advent calendar series we did a few years back, here's the first of those episodes if you fancy getting into the Christmas spirit.
https://stationeryfreaks.com/17

Resources, Products & Brands Mentioned

• Sailor Pens – Japanese fountain and calligraphy pens
• Tom’s Studio – Wren fountain pen, Mulberry ink, Advent Calendar
• Martha Brooks – Stationery Advent Calendar
• Diamine Inks – Sparkling inks with shimmer effects
• HomeSense / TK Maxx – Bargain stationery finds
• Moleskine – Classic planners and notebooks
• ChoosingKeeping (London shop) – Unique notebooks, some handmade
• Zebra Pens – Limited edition retractable felt pens & ball pens
• Sharpie – Fine liners and markers (classic red learning notes)
• Capacities.io – Digital knowledge management and journaling app
• Zotero – Digital reference management tool

Until next time.
Rob & Helen

Have you ever wondered what a Commonplace book is, and what it's used for? 

Well, in this episode we explore the origins of the Commonplace book, how Richard uses his, the stationery he uses for it and how he searches through the wealth of insights, observations, quotes and thoughts.

Richard Barnard, an avid commonplacer and passionate collage artist, explains that it's a way of "creating the best book you've ever owned."

He shares his analog-first, but still digital-friendly, system for capturing moments that resonate with him (like the sound of trumpets!!), including an excellent book recommendation: The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper by Roland Allen.

We chat about:

• The different ways to use commonplace books, from Rob's use of digital tools to Richard's dedicated analog notebooks.

• The unexpected history of these books, which started as "waste books" for merchants in the 14th century.

• The lasting value of commonplacing, which becomes a personal archive of one's life.

• Richard’s passion for collage art, which is inspired by vintage stationery and street photography.

• Desert Island Stationery, where Richard shares five of his essential stationery items he would have on a desert island!

Join us as we explore the joy of collecting, the challenge of filling a blank page, and the lasting legacy that a commonplace book can create.

See Richard's artwork and more about the products and books mentioned in the accompanying Stationery Freaks newsletter at : https://stationeryfreaks.substack.com/

Enjoy!
Rob & Helen

Frank shares a mini masterclass on exactly what traveler's journals are, how they differ from the typical notebook, and various ways to use them for everything from bullet journaling to light scrapbooking on the go.

Frank, who found himself crafting his own high-quality, leather journals, shares his unique philosophy behind creating companions that "love you back," exploring the Japanese concept of Mottainai (regret over waste) and a deep respect for resources.

Learn why these versatile, customisable, and durable notebooks are truly more than just a notebook or journal, and why you might be missing out on a whole subculture of charms and inserts! Helen's already online buying charms.

Frank also shares a whopping 20% off his Traveler's Journals for our listeners:
Simply use code stationeryfreak20 at checkout: https://yokogaki.be/

Key Takeaways:

• What Makes a Traveler's Journal Unique: Discover how these sturdy, customisable covers with rubber bands/ribbons allow you to mix and match any refills (dotted, sketching, calendar, etc.) and inserts (pouches, envelopes) to suit your needs, consolidating multiple notebooks into one portable system.
• The "Why" Behind the Craft: Learn about Frank's philosophy rooted in "Mottainai" – a deep respect for resources and a passion for creating high-quality, timeless designs that are built to last a lifetime, challenging the idea of disposable stationery. And pen loops designed for pens like Tom's Studio Lumos.
• Beyond the Page: Explore creative uses for traveler's journals, from combining them with Hobonichi inserts and Instax photos for daily mindfulness, to sketching scenes and collecting travel mementos.
• Choosing Wisely: Gain insights into what makes a good traveler's journal, with a look at materials like leather and even cork, and the importance of durability.
• A Growing Ecosystem: Hear about the vast community surrounding traveler's journals, from specific brands like Midori to subcultures dedicated to charms.

We also kind of spring our usual Desert Island stationery on Frank (we forgot to mention we'd do it!) but Frank comes back with some solid items of stationery to accompany him on a desert island.

Enjoy!
Rob & Helen

You can find Frank on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yokogaki_shop
Use code stationeryfreak20 at checkout for 20% of Traveler's notebooks / journals : https://yokogaki.be/

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Discover the Stationery Freaks newsletter at : https://stationeryfreaks.substack.com/

In this very special episode Rob and Helen are joined by our very special guest, the incredibly prolific author Jenny Kane. 

We have briefly mentioned Jenny in the past as she is Helen's writing mentor. 

In this episode we chat about the astonishing breadth of Jenny's literary career, spanning over two decades and encompassing more than 200 short stories and over 70 books across various genres and pen names – from her novels as Jenny Kane, and historical fiction as Jennifer Ash, to her "X-rated" works under KJB (for which she's won awards!).

Honestly, the part about Jenny's dedication, routine and writing habits is pure Gold. 

• Jenny shares with us the reasons behind her "emotional support pencil case" and her meticulous colour-coding system for pens. 
• Learn about her superstitious approach to choosing themed notebooks for each novel, and how these notebooks become the "little Bible" for every story, meticulously documenting plot, characters, and even overused words.
• We also chat about Jenny's remote teaching courses, connecting with students globally.
• Jenny chats about the reason behind the "Jenny Kane corner" in a coffee shop and the surprisingly early starts to her working day.
• Plus, don't miss Jenny's ingenious and hilariously practical "Desert Island Stationery" survival kit – complete with a ruler for swatting and drawing pins for mapping!

Whether you're a fellow stationery enthusiast, an aspiring writer, or simply curious about the life of a highly successful author, this episode offers a fun and delightful glimpse into Jenny Kane's world of words, routine, and, of course, beloved stationery.

And also why searching for Jenny Kane Mars Bar Scones is deffo worth doing.

Find out more in the Stationery Freaks newsletter.
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Jenny's writing courses - https://www.imaginecreativewriting.co.uk/
Jenny's website - https://jennykane.co.uk/

In this episode, Helen and Rob reveal their individual paths, uncovering the shared foundation of paper-based ideation – the noodling, expanding, and connecting that begins on the page with their beloved notebooks.

Explore their transition to digital tools (Rob's a touch more intricate!), their editing journeys, and their distinct publishing routes – Helen to her website, Rob primarily through self-publishing.

Expect delightful detours into UK National Stationery Week, Rob's exciting new project requiring more notebooks, and Helen's potential planner evolution.

Want to see their cool process diagrams and more? The newsletter is your visual companion. But for the nuanced details and personal insights, tune in to this engaging conversation.

Newsletter is here.

They start with Stationery Stories:

• Helen has an occasion to break out a new notebook - an Atoms and Astronauts one from Vinted. 
• Rob's been watching too much Parisian Agency on Netflix - so is trying to adopt a Parisian style and coolness with a new Folio packed with a Yellow Legal Pad and a couple of Moleskine Cahiers. 
• Helen introduces the (potentially) new segment of the show called "Stationery Freaks in the Wild", in which she shares a story of a fellow writing retreat stationery freak who rocked up with a yellow legal and a BlackWing pen
• Helen introduces a new concept for fellow Stationery Freaks to try - shop at home!

Becoming a freak

• Helen remembers scented pens and rubbers/erasers as a child
• Helen recalls calligraphy class at school and learning to write using an italic ink pen
• Rob remembers his Chemistry teacher, Dungeon Master, who ensured students had extremely, dangerously, sharp pencils
• Rob remembers Christmas Eve gifts of notebooks and pens
• Both recall gift shops at museums
• Helen explains that she's always needed stationery to control her life, otherwise it would be a catastrophe
• Helen also reveals that she uses stickers to denote which type of bin to put out. Rob just goes on what everyone else is doing. 
• Rob recalls putting tunes on and writing film scripts - and how that positive feeling dwindled when he tried to do it on computers.
• Rob mentions that Domestika has some great tutorials on creating infographics!

Helen speaks about how simply the act of thinking back to early stationery memories was a really positive experience.

Is there a time when you knew you were a stationery freak? What memories do you have about early stationery use?
Let us know - we're on Instagram @stationeryfreaksuk

Thanks for listening!

Subscribe to the newsletter and find all of our casts at:
https://stationeryfreaks.com/

You can find videos, photos and a deeper dive into this topic in the newsletter.

In this episode:

• Helen is still searching for her full collection of mechanical pencils. 
• The Penac Protti goes down well at work, but Rob ends up with pencil all over him at work, and refuses to share his doodles with his work colleagues.  
• Rob describes Helen’s notebook storage unit with remarkable accuracy.
• Helen defines her key purpose for using a new notebook.
• Rob goes down the emotional route for deciding on using a new notebook (Clarity, Excitement, Despair).
• Rob and Helen both commit to doing a video of their notebook stash
• Rob has 12 notebooks on the go, all originally started with a purpose, but they get morphed as he never has the right notebook, in the right place, at the right time. 
• Helen’s least transient work is creative writing - hence her notebook has a clear purpose long term.
• Rob thinks pairing down to one notebook is the answer, but then the stack of spare notebooks taunt him
• Rob finds a fellow freak who loves pens and pencils but has no time for notebooks or paper. 
• Helen realises she will never have enough projects for all of her notebooks
• Rob sees a business opportunity to sell his half-used notebooks
• Helen is off to London with her daughter and visiting a well-known stationery store. 

We mention these other Stationery Freaks casts:

1. Vinted and Stationery
2. Little red notebook mentioned in this cast on goal setting.
3. The dichotomy of minimalism and stationery freakness.
4. Maria Le Van notebooks and London stationery shops.
5. The perfect mechanical pencil.

Find out more in the newsletter. 

Thanks for listening.
Rob & Helen

We cover:

• Why Rob has so many notebooks he cannot move his writing desk
• Helen's latest Vinted stationery haul - and a surprise pen
• The lovely folks at Penac sent us some free samples - and they are brilliant
• How we use pencils and paper for getting unstuck, or in Rob's case, for 99% of his writing
• Why the non-permanent nature of pencils lends itself to creative thinking
• Why Rob bought the Rotring 600 pencil but hasn't used it much
• And much more

Get images and links to everything we discuss in the Stationery Freaks newsletter.

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).

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

Why not subscribe to the newsletter too!

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

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.

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.

Subscribe to the newsletter to never miss an episode : https://stationeryfreaks.substack.com/

Follow us on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/stationeryfreaksuk/

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/
• Follow us on Insta : https://www.instagram.com/stationeryfreaksuk/

In this special edition, episode 2 of 4, we offer up some advice and insights into notebooks that are on our gift list.

Helen shares three and Rob shares three.

We cover:
- Helen - Zen Art B5 Dotted Notebook
- Rob - Ottergami A5 notebook
- Helen - Atoms to Astronauts notebooks
- Rob - A4 Yellow Legal Pads
- Helen - Midori Notebook
- Rob - Plotter Japan Notebook

And an honourable mention (we both assumed the other had it on their list) to the very excellent Mark and Fold Everyday Notebook (And no, we are not sponsored or affiliated with Mark and Fold :) )

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.

After the first three episodes have aired we'll send out a Christmas Gift Guide newsletter - subscribe here : https://stationeryfreaks.substack.com/

Check out the website : https://www.stationeryfreaks.com/

Follow us on Insta : https://www.instagram.com/stationeryfreaksuk/

In this special edition, episode 1 of 4, we offer up some advice and insights into 6 pens/pencils/inks that are on our gift list.

Helen shares three and Rob shares three.

We cover:
Helen - The Stalogy Gel Pen
Rob - Sharpie Ultra Fine
Helen - Glow in the dark ink (Etsy)
Rob - Staedtler Norris School Pencils
Helen - Waterman Carene Ink Pen (Fountain Pen)
Rob - Waterman Deluxe Ink Pen (Fountain Pen)

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.

After the first three episodes have aired we'll send out a Christmas Gift Guide newsletter - subscribe here : https://stationeryfreaks.substack.com/
Check out the website : https://www.stationeryfreaks.com/
Follow us on Insta : https://www.instagram.com/stationeryfreaksuk/

We chat about:

• Why start a stationery company
• Why Amy was influenced when she was younger by making her own books and running a toy post office
• Why Amy sought out to make the notebook better, not cheaper - and held to her high bar of quality 
• Why Amy was tired of not being able to find decent notebooks to buy
• Logistics, designs, challenges
• Pens, notebooks and the love of stationery
• Why you need to gather your stationery supplies ready to unleash your potential
• Why it's important to build your own system - and why Mark and Fold don't prescribe the system
• Sustainability and waste in the stationery industry
• Desert Island stationery - find out which 5 products Amy would take with her

Special Offer
Our Stationery Freaks newsletter includes some images of our Mark and Fold products and details of the special offer - https://stationeryfreaks.substack.com

We mention the Mark and Fold products that we use:
- The Everyday notebook
- The planner Pad

Amy mentions Kenya Hara and his excellent book 100 whites (affiliate link) all about the colour white and paper.
And here is the notebook Amy couldn't remember the name of: https://www.labobratori.com/
And here is Amy's new adventure in branding and comms - https://www.ames-and.co/

Thanks
Rob and Helen

We cover:
* The Netherlands, bikes, canals and wonderful old libraries that sell stationery
* What Zentangle and Mandala Art is, and why Sanne does it
* The notebooks, pens and pencils used
* Table cloth colouring
* Stoic wisdom books
* Cellotape, staples and Hobonichi planners
* And Sanne shares the 5 items of stationery she would take with her to a desert island
* We also muse whether water bottles and handcream are considered stationery

You can find Sanne here:
https://www.youtube.com/@9outof10testers

https://www.linkedin.com/in/techsannetized/

Products Mentioned:
Posca pens

Sakura Pigma Micron (non-bleed fineliners)

Woodley Dual Brush

Big coloring tablecloth

Mandala coloring book

Find pictures of Sanne's artwork on our website : https://www.stationeryfreaks.com/

• Helen explains what Gladstone Library is and the environment
• Helen talks about her experience at the retreat
• Helen explains how everyone had laptops, and very few stationery freaks were there
• Rob talks a little about his retreat 2 years ago
• Rob remarks that his was like a lads holiday, without the lads
• Helen explains why she's rebooked already
• Plus some hints and tips on doing your own retreat

Gladstone Library - https://www.gladstoneslibrary.org/
Previous episode where Helen Callaghan mentioned Gladstone Library - https://www.stationeryfreaks.com/episodes/helen-callaghan
Our Stationery Freaks newsletter where we shared a picture of Helen at the retreat - https://stationeryfreaks.substack.com/p/travel-chaos-and-laziness-stationery

So, given it summed up how we work, or at least how Rob works (that was why Helen sent him the link to the video), we thought we'd deconstruct the video and share stories about how we operate. And of course, although light on stationery talk, how we use stationery to control our own chaos.

In the episode we talk about:

• Stationery Stories:
  • Helen has bought some single use ink pens
  • Rob's been boring and bought some coloured paper 
  • Helen's daughter is mapping out the entire history of the Roman Empire on a giant sheet of paper. 
  • We chat about white boards
  • Helen is retreating to a library
• And of course, we deconstruct the messages in Elizabeth's videos and how they resonated so much with us.
  • Fall behind, catch up, move ahead
  • Seven year itch - become 1000% better quickly
  • Optimise for passion
  • Adult brat - talk to yourself properly

Elizabeths video is here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2sS00egAzg&t=639s
Her channel is here : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUFFHXvzAMRSD8Bq4bJppxQ
We mention Van Neistat : https://creatorhub.patreon.com/articles/digital-spaghetti-van-neistat
We mention Mark Forster : http://markforster.squarespace.com/

Check out the newsletter and website at stationeryfreaks.com

Thanks

We cover:

• Bookaroo notebook carry cases are Helen's new thing. (affiliate Amazon link)
• Van Neistat's inspiring Rob again - this time to create ToDo lists and organise himself
• Helen waxes lyrical about some new exercise books
• Rob turned up to a Mastermind meeting with the worst stationery
• We then chat about what we take with us to conferences and when travelling with work.

- Notebooks
- Pens
- Pencil cases

And we also share two examples of Stationery Freaks we've spotted in the wild - and how we might approach them to talk stationery.
You can find more on https://www.stationeryfreaks.com/

Stationery Stories

1. The man who stuck post-it notes to his tie - Helen recalls the story of a man who used this process to get things done.
2. Rob's using Helen's post-it notes
3. Teachers using iPads to stick post-it notes to
4. Rob has sent the Remarkable2 back - and bought a typewriter

Main Topic - Lists when overwhelmed

• We chat about lists, what we use them for and why we revert to them when things get overwhelming
• Not all of our lists are analogue
• Rob talks about his bucket list as the master list
• We chat about how digital tools can store endless lists - and that's why analogue can be helpful - there is limited space
• Helen talks about using a list to write stories
• Helen talks about workflowy and how she uses it

We mention:

• Van Neistat's ToDo list video
• Remarkable2
• Workflowy

You can find our newsletter and other episodes on https://www.stationeryfreaks.com/

We cover:

1. Woolsthorpe manor, where Isaac Newton saw the apple fall - and the fact you can buy pens made from the very tree that Newton saw the apple fall from
2. Rob's bought a Remarkable - will he send it back?
3. Rob's doing a workshop in Romania - and has bought hundreds of stickers for an immersive workshop
4. Helen's been using the Moleskine Balance app to track habits, mood etc. The interface is calming and clean - she is enjoying
5. Helen is using Bullet Journaling more for work than personal - due to working from home more often and "closing down the day"
6. Rob's been researching tooling for a Personal Knowledge Management System - and was spending more time fiddling with the system than learning. Helen is using Obsidian, Rob uninstalled it after 10 minutes.
7. Rob talks about The Brain as a PKMS. It's an awesome tool - but pricey, and would require a big on-going financial investment.
8. Helen has been sticker journaling about her mood and energy levels, and tracking this using stickers. What did she learn about herself? Absolutely nothing by all accounts. Zero insights. Nothing. Nada
9. Rob talks about using Zotero and the Remarkable as his new PKMS
10. Rob talks through why he's bought the Remarkable 2, and how it fits into his ecosystem of learning and note taking. At the moment, he's keeping it, but there is a 100 day returns promise
11. Helen's not convinced about the Remarkable. Truth be told, Rob isn't either.

Find more episodes and subscribe to the newsletter at www.stationeryfreaks.com

* Helen has bought all of the stickers in the whole world (possibly)
* Rob is trying to build the habit of not buying anymore notebooks for a while - and instead, using up the mountain of notepads he has
* Rob has regained the love of Yellow Legal Pads
* Helen spends her life trying to make herself better using structures and systems to try and take away the thinking around habits
* Helen is trying to stop eating chocolate
* We reference Atomic Habits by James Clear as an awesome book about habits (affiliate link)
* Rob talks about how routines and habits that he used to work with in business
* Charles Duhigg's book on habits is also pretty special (The Power of Habit) (affiliate link)
* Helen is tracking how she feels using stickers in a notebook
* Rob used to track habits in ToDoist and simply didn't keep it up to date
* Helen is using Moleskine Balance digital app to track her habits. And reminisces about "Sunrise" app by Dan Ariely - since closed down
* Rob used to do quantified self, then went on to use the fridge of accountability
* Rob is changing his environment to force the habit of weightlifting - and will become the strongest man in Winchester within a month
* Rob references The Diary of a CEO podcast with Tim Spector
* Helen has moved to measuring the impact habits is having on her life, rather than the thing itself

Why not subscribe to the newsletter!

Thanks
Rob and Helen

Maria makes her own beautiful notebooks - of which Helen has purchased a few. They are exquisite, hand made and use some top notch material.

In this episode:

• Helen talks about her 6 ink pens - and decides she needs more (or not).
• Maria talks about her passion for glass ink pens, water colour painting and using her own books
• Maria explains how she started making books for her daughter and her friends, before making them for other people
• Maria is self taught and a perfectionist - always ensuring her books meet her own high standards - therefore delighting the customer
• Maria mentions Shepherds book binding (bookbinding.co.uk) - a cool store where she gets many of her materials from.
• Rob realises Shepherds is not too far from his office….credit card ready
• Maria explains how long books take to make and how precise she needs to be
• We discuss GSM paper thickness and their different uses. 
• Maria also shares the 5 things she would take to a desert island
• Maria also shares why she set up the Etsy store and how you can get your own custom notebook

Useful Links

You can find Maria on Etsy at LeVan Books - https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/LeVanBooks?ref=usf_2020

Fancy having a go at making your own notebook? Here’s a kit (affiliate link).

• Helen has a new LeVan notebooks
• Helen Callaghan Writing Challenges - check out this previous podcast featuring Helen Callaghan
• Stationery Care Packages - Helen sends some beautiful gifts, perfectly wrapped. Rob sends a package with a terrible index card in it. 
• Rob uses his Bella Beso planners.
• Helen explains to a new team member that she doesn’t use digital tools. Rob uses analogue note taking methods whilst others smirk. 
• Helen explains how she ruined a notebook
• Rob explains how he lost his entire digital Personal Knowledge Management System (we’ve done a cast on this)
• Helen is now going to come up with creative ways to ruin more notebooks so she can justify starting new ones.

https://www.stationeryfreaks.com/episodes/stationery-disasters

Hope you enjoy.

Rob and Helen

1. Helen geeks out with a colleague who loves Fountain Pens - and is an expert on paper quality.
   1. They head to Gilbert House Pens to spend money. 
   2. Helen buys a feather resin pen. 
   3. Brad Herrington from Gilbert House Pens is helpful and guides Helen to the right pen. 
2. Helen is now obsessed with inks, especially after we had Urban Hafner on the show. 
   1. Helen is now using shimmer inks of various colours. 
3. Rob is taking out extra loans to cover his addiction to Domestika courses. 
   1. Rob is now finishing a small lettering course by Little Hannah (amongst other courses!)
   2. Rob has therefore bought some Pentel Brush pens for the course - sorry, Rob referred to them as ink pens in the podcast - they are not. They are brush pens. 
   3. Rob apologises if you head to Domestika and up remortgaging your house. Their courses are brilliant. 
4. Helen has convinced friend of the show, Helen Callaghan (Guest on Episode 20), to set some constraints and coach / mentor Stationery Freak Helen on writing. 
5. Helen has finally found a use for her "top of the class" Mark and Fold notebook - you know, that notebook that is super special. 
   1. And now Helen has replaced it with another "top of the class" notebook from LeVan notebooks. 
   2. A beautiful hand stitched notebook, that lays flat, and is covered in Japanese silk/linen. 
6. It turns out Helen keeps her unused notebooks (of which most Stationery Freaks have hundreds) on display. 
   1. Rob finds this unsettling as it would remind him of all of the potential he has yet to release. 
   2. Rob keeps his hidden away in his writing desk
7. Rob is following the wonderfully talented Play Attention Now on Instagram - he has inspired Rob to keep learning to draw.
   1. Which is why Rob has purchased another Ottergami notebook.
8. Helen has signed up for a writing workshop that takes place over 30 weeks with Alison and Jenny who run "A Novel in a year"
9. Rob mentions his upcoming book "Take a day off" over on Cultivated Management 
10. Rob has bought an old school Rapesco pencil sharpener.
    1.  Helen has bought an ergonomically challenged pencil sharpener of her own - that slices fingers in the process of sharpening pencils. 
11. Rob has bought a book called "Japanese Colour Matching" from the wonderful CounterPrint books.
12. Stationery Freak Helen and author Helen Callaghan are taking their "creative constraints" workshop to conferences this year! How exciting.

Until next time.
Rob and Helen

In this episode we chat about:

• Fountain pens, inks and why Urban created The Fountain Pen Companion tool
• Japanese pencils
• Learning handwriting and calligraphy
• Why Urban throws away his journals once he's finished with them
• Urban's paired down Bullet Journal practice
• Desert Island stationery - the five things Urban mentioned are below
•  Urban flips the rules and turns his desert island into a paradise
• Why paper is so important when you're using Fountain Pens
• A3 paper
• Helen joins the A3 paper movement and tries, weakly to justify buying a beautiful notebook. She did justify the second notebook as a way to practice learning Arabic.
• Rob share his use of the daily planner from LoveBellaBeso and also makes no attempt to explain why he bought some notebooks from All Things Analogue.
• Urban's bought some more postcards to send to his subscribers

Urban's Desert Island stationery. Urban flips the rules and turns his desert island into a paradise. We didn't

• Endless Recorder notebook: https://www.madebyendless.com/collections/endless-recorder-notebook
• Giants' Pens custom pen: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg0-HEdjiKB/
• Diamine Green/Black: https://www.fountainpencompanion.com/brands/13-diamine/inks/967-diamine-green-black
• Uni Penmanship pencil: https://pencilsandotherthings.wordpress.com/2015/08/24/mitsubishi-penmanship-pencils/
• KUM Masterpiece: https://www.kum.net/en/the-masterpiece/

Products and Links mentioned in this episode

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urbanhafner/

2 Guys 0 Planners Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2-guys-0-planners/id1436673888

Expanding Beyond Podcast: https://www.expandingbeyond.it/

Fountain Pen Companion: https://fpc.ink

Endless Recorder notebook: https://www.madebyendless.com/collections/endless-recorder-notebook

Giants' Pens custom pen: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg0-HEdjiKB/

Diamine Green/Black: https://www.fountainpencompanion.com/brands/13-diamine/inks/967-diamine-green-black

Uni Penmanship pencil: https://pencilsandotherthings.wordpress.com/2015/08/24/mitsubishi-penmanship-pencils/

KUM Masterpiece: https://www.kum.net/en/the-masterpiece/

Moo Luxe postcards: https://www.moo.com/uk/postcards/luxe

FPC logo: https://www.fountainpencompanion.com/blog/4-introducing-fpc-the-fountain-pen-capybara

LoveBellaBeso on IG : https://www.instagram.com/lovebellabeso/

All Things Analogue on IG : https://www.instagram.com/allthingsanalogue/

These are the notebooks Rob bought : https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck2318OIO3y/
Scribble and Dot notebooks - https://amzn.to/3VNn6dy

What would you take? Let us know on Instagram - @stationeryfreaksuk

In this episode:

1. Helen is obsessed with Rob’s A3 learning management system - a video of the system is here on Rob’s YouTube channel.
2. Rob talks about his new (old) Waterman Fountain Pen
3. Rob bends the rules of the game
4. Helen forgets a pencil sharpener

Helen’s 5 items:

• A Mark and Fold desktop scratchpad (part of the stationery pack)
• A Mark and Fold blackwing pencil (and no, we' have no affiliation with Mark and Fold - other than we love their stationery!)
• A Perfectly Penned notebook (aff link)
• TomBow brush pens (aff link)
• A Paperweight her daughter painted

Rob’s 5 items:

• Yellow legal pads (aff link)
• Staedtler school pencils (aff link)
• Craft knife
• The Daily Stoic journal
• A sketchpad

What would you take?

We also encourage you to try last year's stationery advent calendar challenge - here's the first episode of that!

Don’t miss out on joining the community with our newsletter or join us over on Instagram (@stationeryfreaksuk)

Thanks

Rob and Helen

Helen is a stationery freak, so we dug into her process of writing, typewriters, book soundtracks, choosing colours for books, Moleskines, writing retreats and more. 

It was a real joy and we’re sure you’ll be inspired and motivated and learn a lot about the world of writing books.

Some quotes from the show:

• “Self-consciousness is the enemy of creativity”
• On Fountain Pens - “There’s something wonderfully technical about them”
• On writing retreats - “This is what I’m doing now and I’m concentrating on this”
• “You create a plan for the chapter, and then you don’t follow it.”
• “Work on it every day, be engaged in it and a synthesis happens between things in your head.”
• “Inspiration has to be summoned”

Here’s what we covered:

1. NaNoWriMo - and Helen’s engagement in it
2. How stationery still has an important role in Helen’s life and book writing process
3. Why seeing what you crossed out on paper is important
4. Why choosing a colour scheme for a book being written is important - and how Helen does this
5. Mood boards and music playlists
6. The importance, joy and process of writing retreats. Helen mentions Gladstones writing retreats.
7. How Helen plans and plots out a book - and why sometimes she often doesn’t stick to the plan
8. Why writing plots and twists in a book often surprises herself with where it goes!

You can find out more about Helen, including her social media and published books here on her website. 

Thanks

Rob and Helen

• We jump into the topic of career development with a three dimensional approach created by Rob, which consists of:
  • DISC
  • Strengths
  • Happiness
• Rob explains why he prints out loads of selfies using his new Thermal Printer from Vretti
• Helen is obsessed with stickers from Spooky Yeti
• If you’re interested in the Trinity here are some recommended surveys (Stationery Freaks has no responsibility for your data from these sites - nor has an affiliation with them. But we use them often).
• It’s also worth doing an internet search for free versions of the strengths finder - we’ve never used any alternatives so cannot comment on how helpful they are.
  • For DISC use Tony Robbin’s free online survey.
  • For strengths use Strengths Finder 2.0.
  • For happiness, (choose VIA Survey of Character Strengths) from Authentic Happiness.
  • Rob has a more in-depth write up on his Cultivated Management website here.

Don’t miss out on joining the community with our newsletter or join us over on Instagram (@stationeryfreaksuk)

Thanks

Rob and Helen

• We explain what mind maps are, how they work and what we use them for.
  • For more details on different mind maps we recommend this post.
• We also introduce our new newsletter!
• Helen introduces her new learning of choice - Arabic. And how she is using brush pens and a new notebook for it.
• Rob steals Helen stationery. Video of that here.
• Rob talks about his new Academic planner that makes him look all sophisticated.
• Helen talks about NaNoWriMo and how she’s only ever made it to day 3.
• Helen talks about fine liners
• Rob buys some stationery from Sainsbury’s but is less than impressed with their shop display.
• And Helen adds that TKMaxx isn’t much better for their displays.

https://www.stationeryfreaks.com/episodes/mindmaps

• We explain, with poorly formed excuses, why we've been absent for 6 months
• We talk about consistency, notebooks, etsy and Helen's addiction to stickers
• We talk about notebook usage, whiteboards for bi-annual planning, bulletjournaling and A5 mind mapping
• Rob talks about his countryside productivity retreat
• Helen talks about colours, pens, mood
• Helen's cat makes an appearance
• And Rob talks about the endless nature on digital todo lists like ToDoist (and how it's not always a good thing)

We mention:
Zen Art Supplies
Moleskine
Etsy
Mark and Fold
Todoist

https://www.stationeryfreaks.com/episodes/whats-been-keeping-us-busy-for-6-months

* How to pre-empt failure
* How Helen thinks through what could go wrong
* Why Rob looks at everything as an experiment - and therefore failures are data for moving forward
* Why resilience is essential
* The old stoic approach of setting a target but not being wedded to the outcome

The challenge -> Subscribe to the podcast as next year we have some cracking content coming your way

* Habit stacking and what it is
* Chaining habits together
* Forcing your environment to support your habits
* Picking one existing habit and building on it
* Avoiding leaving gaps between habits
* Doing just 15 minutes of habits
* How Helen did a PHD is procrastination
* Talking to your inner 8 year old
* How Helen uses her Bullet Journal to track habits

The challenge -> Choose a habit you wish to develop and decide when would be best to do that habit. Then find an existing habit in or close to that time. Then try to add your new habit together with the existing one!

* How we track goals once they are in progress
* Rob shares how he tracks his videos using a Mark and Fold notebook
* Helen shares how she relies on the enthusiasm at the beginning of starting a goal to drive habits
* Rob talks about his Fridge of Accountability
* Helen shares how she uses her Bullet Journal for tracking goals

The challenge -> We forgot to set one today!

* How we got interested in minimalism
* Courtney Carver's project 333
* The Minimalists - Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus
* Stationery Freak -> Someone who tells themselves they can walk past a stationery shop without going in, but they cannot
* How lockdowns have stopped impulse buying from stationery stores
* Helen's Etsy habit
* Maria Kondo
* Sort your life out with Stacey Solomon (and why visualising everything in a warehouse is so clever)
* Why emptying a cupboard and throwing stuff away is so cathartic
* Two recommendations
- Courtney Carver's project 333
- Fumio Sasaki's "Goodbye Things" book (affiliate link)

The challenge -> Pick one cupboard or drawer, empty it and discard that which doesn't spark joy

* How to turn goals into action
* Triggers that trip your brain into breaking it's subconscious routines
* Habits are awesome as you don't have to think about them
* Can you replace a bad habit with a good one?
* Can a certain place trigger habits?
* Is the theory of 21 days habit building correct? 
* Traumatic moments help with building habits (anyone ever forget their gym kit at school?)

The challenge -> Pick one goal and think about what routines and habits you'll need to develop to bring it to life

* How to break a goal out into smaller parts, such as milestones or mini sub-goals
* Start small - what's the first step or next step
* Copy and learn from someone else
* Rob shares how he writes a book!
* Is there a period of preparation before starting a goal?
* And is this preparation a form of procrastination
* Make the most of the initial enthusiasm to make progress - before it gets challenging

The challenge -> Pick one of your goals and break it down into tiny next steps.

* Why Helen is learning how to make Japanese food - and how this is a personal learning goal
* Why Rob did a two year HR learning goal for his career - and how painful this was
* How Rob uses Meso-cycles of learning and implementing
* The difference between Task Acquisition and Information Acquisition
* How Rob uses Domestika for personal learning
* The "Two Whys" of learning - career and personal

The challenge -> Identify a simple learning goal you could commit to in either your personal and business life

How to use your journal to reflect on goals, life and behaviours
Rob butchers Seneca's journal questions (accidentally)
We talk about Benjamin Franklin's two questions to book-end the day
And whether Helen really will continue this habit into 2022

The challenge -> Continue journaling - and maybe use the "what good did I do today" prompt

Benjamin Franklin's Daily Schedule For Success (addicted2success.com)

How to start journaling — Stationery Freaks

• How Helen uses one notebook and typically has 3 - 6 goals
• Why too many can be overwhelming
• Why Helen works to a 9 month goal setting period
• Why breaking the rules of goal setting can be good
• Why scratching off goals that don’t resonate anymore is good
• But also why sometimes persevering is the right thing to do
• How Rob sets goals by breaking the 10 year painted picture down to 5 years - and then yearly goal within
• Why Rob has around 15 - 20 goals each year, but some are big and some are small

The challenge -> Whatever your method for goal setting, try setting a single goal and writing it in your notebook. And don’t forget to keep trying the gratitude journal

We have a cast on goal setting --> How to set goals (using stationery of course) — Stationery Freaks

In today's episode we cover:

• The basics of goal setting
• How Helen uses values to test her yearly goals.
• Why Helen only sets yearly goals
• How Rob paints a bright picture of the future 10 years out, then sets 5 year goals and then yearly goals

We have a cast on goal setting --> How to set goals (using stationery of course) — Stationery Freaks

Journaling and how to get started

Why it is therapy. 

Seneca’s daily reflections, a brief science of journaling, tracking goals, working through problem and the difference between a journal and a diary

The challenge -> Write down three things you are grateful for

The Art of Journaling: How To Start Journaling, Benefits of Journaling, and More (dailystoic.com)

Morning Pages | Julia Cameron Live

How to start journaling — Stationery Freaks

The first challenge -> Find yourself some stationery for the next week or so (notebook, pens etc). Write the date on a page and consider journaling. Or leave it blank :)
The basics of journaling and an introduction to our prize.

If you want to be in with a chance of winning one of Helen's very own Dan Ariely's "Perfect Notebook" then simply use the hashtag #stationeryfreaksadvent on Instagram. Feel free to connect with us over there also @stationeryfreaksuk

A new episode every day from 13th December 2021 - 24th December 2021

How to start journaling — Stationery Freaks

Helen explains what the notebook looks like, how she made it, why she made it and what it contains. 

Rob and Helen explore a little more about stoicism and how translating some of the key ideas for kids is a good idea.

Rob and Helen ramble chat about a variety of ideas such as:

• Why saying No is important
• How to control how you respond
• Book recommendations for those interested in stoicism
• Why analogue notebooks can be passed down through generations
• And why we feel compelled to create notebooks full of wisdom for our kids. 

Episode 16 - The little book of stoicism (for kids) — Stationery Freaks

Our heroes are those people and companies making useful, beautiful or unique stationery. From big manufacturers created amazing pens that work, to artisan craftspeople making one-off notebooks. We’ve got them covered. 

• Helen talks about Zen Art Supplies. Again :) - https://www.zenartsupplies.co
  
  
• Rob talks about Lescargot Papier - https://lescargot-papier.com
  
  
• Helen talks about Papermate Inkjoy pens - https://inkjoy.papermate.com
  
  
• Rob talks about Mark and Fold - https://markandfold.com
  
  
• Helen talks about ETSY. Yes - the whole of Etsy :) But more specifically:
  • Gretel Creates - https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/GretelCreates
    
    
  • Unhappy Planner - https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/UnhappyplannerStore
    
    
  • Bones and Blankets - https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/BonesAndBlankets
    
    
• Rob talks about Escape to the Chateau - and their notebooks - https://thechateau.tv/shop/personalised-gifts/stationery/personalised-notebooks.html
  
  

We also nod to Sainsburys (yes, the supermarket), moleskine and field notes.

Join us as we ramble chat through our favourite heroes and why we like to champion small business, why switching off from screens is important and why our stationery buys have shifted towards little moments of joy.

Regular listeners will know it’s been over two months since the last podcast - and that’s because life (and our emotional reaction to it) has got in the way.

In this episode we share how we’re trying to get a grip on life, and cover, amongst other things:

• The difference between overwork and overwhelm
• To Do lists that look like world domination (too much to do)
• Bullet journaling, bucketing by themes and organising the chaos
• Moving to analogue to slow down, disconnect and deal with the constant video calls
• Rob talks about defaulting to learning new skills, crafts and hobbies
• Helen talks about capturing ideas, notes and tasks in the moment
• They ramble on about nature, gardening and finding time for YOU
• Rob talks about buying yet more new notebooks
• Helen talks about the joy of stationery gift boxes
• And both of them share ideas on how they are getting a grip on life

They share what lists they use and how they create and store them.

Lists such as:

• Moving House and House Extension lists
• To Do lis
• Editorial Calendar lists
• Travel lists
• Work induction checklists
• Stoic wisdom lists
• And more

They ramble chat about recurring lists in ToDoist, bullet journal, old Filofax systems and how lists can save lives.

Brands and tools mentioned in this post

ToDoist
Paperchase
Moleskine
Filofax
Oxford - Red and Black Notebooks
Trello
Really Moving house move checklist
CJ Hole House extension checklist
Rob’s induction and onboarding checklist in Trello

Whether that is a new brand, a book, an idea or simply the potential to organise the chaos that can be our lives - stationery offers potential. 

That new notebook - what magic may it release?

That new organisation system - what order can it bring?

Rob and Helen talk about:

• The potential of new notebooks
• Why squandering those first few pages can ruin a new notebook
• Fountain pens and why you shouldn’t let your kids use them
• The dangers of ink bottles and clumsy people
• Why we shouldn’t merely copy other people’s habits and routines and expect to achieve great results
• Why some notebooks just call for Fountian Pens

We mention or talk about:

• Stationery Island
• Mark and Fold
• Paperchase
• Moleskine notebooks

Helen talks about her:

• Process improvement notes
• Interview spiel and questions
• Team Lisowski notes 
• and more

Rob talks about his:

• Travel packing lists
• Keynote talks
• Editorial calendar drafts

We do hope you enjoy this episode - why not let us know what's in your notebooks.

Brands mentioned:

• Paperchase UK
• Filofax

Visit the blog - https://www.stationeryfreaks.com/episodes/whats-inside-our-notebooks

Helen introduces her drawer full of randomness whilst Rob talks about how this drawer is actually some sort of system. 

Rob then introduces how we use analogue and digital methods to create his PKMS as well as explaining how we offered the "Free Style Rap” over some loud drumming. 

He then explains the two styles of learning using learning to play the drums as an example, hence the rapping.

Rob introduces the two styles of learning

1. Information Acquisition
2. Task Acquisition

Before going on to introduce the 4 steps to his PKMS

1. Capture
2. Curate
3. Crunch
4. Contribute

Rob explains how notes can be digital and analogue, how he uses Evernote as his digital storage system but a fab Ted Baker notebook as his real learning journal.

But none of this is important unless you put that information into action and learn from it.

Rob and Helen then close out by talking about Bullet Journaling, Washi Tape and UPPERCASE magazine. 

Lots of deep learning and useful ideas in this episode - let us know if they resonate. 

Products Mentioned :

• Ted Baker notebooks
• Evernote
• UPPERCASE MAGAZINE

Please note we use affiliate links to products mentioned on this page. It helps us to feed our addiction to stationery - you pay nothing more, but we earn a slight commission if you purchase during an active session created by the link. Check out our privacy policy for more.

Rob and Helen share reasons why note taking is so hard, how to make better notes and which stationery Rob and Helen use. 

They cover, amongst other things:

1. Why note taking is important
2. Why some people may avoid making notes such as not being able to find them or transcribing rather than listening because it’s deemed faster.
3. Why note taking by analogue methods works for Rob and Helen
4. Why note taking by hand helps to remember in the now
5. How Helen and Rob take notes in different contexts
6. The legend / key that Helen and Rob use
7. The stationery used (Bullet Journaling, Notepads, Learning note books)
8. How slowing down helps to understand, rather than simply transcribing what has been said
9. Why laptops in meetings and at conferences is annoying

Products Mentioned :

• Field Notes
• Paperchase
• Black and Red notebook
• Elements of Style book - Strunk and White
• Papermate ink joys
• Pentel Energel 0.7
• Montblanc Ink Pen 
• Schaeffer Fountain Pen
• 30x40 design workshop - great architecture YouTube channel. His instagram account is great too. 
• Sharpie Ultra Fine
• Papermate Flair
• UPPERCASE MAGAZINE

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Rob talks about how we uses a Painted Picture to derive goals, and then uses goals to build routines and habits. 
Helen talks about how she sets goals using her values and then builds routines to deliver on them.

They discuss:

• How to use stationery during goal setting
• How to set goals
• How to find the right goals
• How to track goals
• How many goals make sense
• How to build routines and habits
• And how Helen goal of writing a book will eventually, at last, hopefully, maybe be a reality
• Rob also talks about his fridge of accountability and his trusty pencil of choice - the classic Staedtler School pencil

They mention or reference:

• James Clear - Atomic Habits
• David Goggins - You can’t hurt me
• Staedtler Pencils
• Google Calendar
• Todoist

Please note we use affiliate links to products mentioned on this page. It helps us to feed our addiction to stationery - you pay nothing more, but we earn a slight commission if you purchase during an active session created by the link. Check out our privacy policy for more. 

They cover:

How to get started
What to write about
Morning Pages, Prompts and Stoic Thinking
When to journal
The benefits of journaling
Then they ramble on for a little....

Products, supplies and inspiration we mention

1. Moleskine A6 notebook
2. TKMax notebooks
3. Papermate Flair
4. Morning Pages
5. The Daily Stoic book - it's on a bargain basement price on Kindle. 
6. Pentel Energel pens
7. Chase Jarvis - super inspiring

We cover:

• Basic stationery stuff like journals, yellow legal pads and the humble paperclip.
• Training your brain for brainstorming
• Fountain pens and how they slow your brain down to think clearer
• Mechanical pencils and how Rob's forbidden from using them
• The legacy of old journals or maybe it's just fire fodder for Rob's kids
• And more

We mention or talk about :

• The 1980's called and they want Helen back - she's into these Filofax clipbooks
• Paipur notebooks- and how Helen LOVES these, but alas, they don't seem to be trading anymore.
• Zen Art Supplies - Our new favourite place for stationery.
• Rob's journal of choice is a Moleskine A6
• Rob loves Field Notes, but they are damn expensive here in the UK.
• Moleskine cahiers are Rob's preferred choice of little jotters for ideas, notes and tasks.
• Retractable pencils - be careful as pressing on hard like Rob does could take someone's eye out. These are the less dangerous of them all.
• Paperchase Products Ltd - the shop we often can't walk past.
• We mention how Jerry Seinfeld uses Yellow Legal pads to write jokes.
• Robs Yellow Legal Pads of choice.
• Cheap and cheerful fountain pens and how they slow you down.
• James Clear's article Rob references.
• Uniball Jet Stream Pens.
• Papermate Inkjoy pens that Helen loves.
• Papermate Flair Pens that Helen doodles with.
• Tombow Brush pens that Helen uses.
• Rob typically buys an annual wall planner.

Enjoy

Rob and Helen

We cover Helen's fitness goals and how she uses a "nice little notebook" to track her progress.
We cover Rob's fitness goals and how he uses a simple Paper Chase notebook - but spices it up for Instagram by adding silly comments. And how he's trying not to become a robust version of Ryder from Paw Patrol.

We cover Personal Trainers, plant based diets, Jerry Seinfeld's "don't break the chain", Kettlebells, Concept2 Ski Ergs, making good food choices, habit tracking, scheduling fitness and how tracking progress is a useful technique.

We mention:

* Wyldsson Protein Shakes - https://wyldsson.com/product/nutritional-vegan-protein-powder/
* Paperchase notebooks - The one's Rob uses are here - https://www.paperchase.com/en_gb/a6-kraft-cream-plain-notebook.html
* Strong App - https://www.strong.app/
* Mike Matthews and Legion Athletic (https://www.instagram.com/muscleforlifefitness) and https://legionathletics.com/michael-matthews/
* Concept 2 SkiErg - https://www.concept2.co.uk/skierg/concept2-skierg

Hope you enjoy the show. 

Rob and Helen

I'm not a fan of Bullet Journaling, but Helen is.

I explain why I'm not a fan, and Helen explains why it works so well for her.

We chat about Calendar / Time Blocking, my chosen productivity management, and why that works for me.

Note: There is a tiny bit of bad language in this episode.

We cover:

* Why Rob couldn't get Bullet Journaling to work
* How Helen uses Bullet Journaling
* Why all productivity systems are simply Containers with Rules
* Why Rob uses Time / Calendar Blocking and how it works - mostly because it forces prioritisation
* And why all approaches actually solve the same problem
* We talk about pondering, reflecting and how Bullet Journaling helps with this
* Why Rob separates out "productivity" and "reflection" into two separate systems
* Zoom fatigue - and saying no by filling in your calendar with your work
* How Rob journals - and what steers that journaling
* SAD lamps and journaling
* How to measure productivity using behaviours - rather than just tasks done

We mention:

* Zen Art Supplies - Our new favourite place for stationery - https://www.zenartsupplies.co/
* Todoist - https://todoist.com/
* Leuchtturm notebooks and how Helen found the pages to bleed - https://www.leuchtturm1917.us/notebooks/
* Paipur notebooks- and how Helen LOVES these, but alas, they don't seem to be trading anymore - https://www.paipur.com/welcome
* Google Calendar

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Enjoy.
Rob & Helen

We cover:

• Bullet Journaling
• Journaling
• Zine making
• The compulsion to re-organise unused notebooks
• Buying stationery from supermarkets
• Studying and more. 

We mention or talk about :

Todoist for getting things done

Monthly date stickers on Etsie

PAIPUR notebooks - Helen's a BIG fan of these. 

Chameleon whiteboards - looks good for all of those agile/creative teams

Journaling and communication 

Moleskine notebooks - my journal of choice.

Paperchase Products Ltd - the shop we often can't walk past.

Sainsbury's and Tesco upping their game in stationery supplies.

ZenART Supplies notebooks - 

Evernote for studying.

3M Post-it notes for studying

MindMeister for learning mind maps

Follow us on our brand new LinkedIn page : https://www.linkedin.com/company/stationeryfreaks
Join us on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/stationeryfreaksuk/

Enjoy.
Rob & Helen

We cover:

1. Outlining the talk using a combination of digital and analogue tools such as Workflowy and Mindmeister
2. Mapping out the talk using index cards or sticky notes. 
3. Visualising the talk in arcs and flows
4. Rehearsing and preparing using Powerpoint speaker notes, or, as Rob does it, writing it out long hand in an A4 notebook
5. Using pointers and guides during the talk

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Enjoy.
Rob & Helen

So what is an appreciative inquiry?
- a meeting focused on just the good, the awesome
- not for negative problems - shouldn’t avoid these, but this meeting not place
- it’s about understanding what is working - shine a light on it and keep doing it
- it’s also about designing a brighter future
- as a meeting run with your team also a way to build trust and get people engaged in designing their own work

Step 1 - Invite the right people

Send an invite to only the people needed in the meeting. The more people you have, the harder the meeting as there are more voices, ideas and communication

Step 2 - Plan Ahead

Plan ahead and make sure you have the right kit.
- the stationery list is as follows:
Basic sticky-notes
- large sticky pads
- whiteboard pens
- pens for writing on sticky notes - our recommendation
- A3 paper
- index cards
- sticky tack

On the whiteboard you’ll need four columns for Discovery. Dream. Design. Plan and a boxed area for Offline - where you’re parking all of the negative comments, problems and challenges that people will inevitably bring up.

Step 3 - Create A Safe Place

At the start of the meeting I make sure I do something to create a safe place for people to share ideas.

You'll have your own style but I tend to tell some jokes, play a silly game or do something to stimulate the creative juices.

Step 4 - Start with Discovery
Discovery is all about what’s going well. What are the team doing that is awesome.

• What is working?
• What is excellent about your chosen area of discussion?
• What makes working there so awesome?

Step 5 - Dream

Next step is to dream. This is where I ask the people in the room to start listing how much better we could be.

Here are some sample questions.

• What could we do to improve on what is already working?
• How can we get even better?
• If we had no limitations at all what would our future look like?
• What kind of future would mean we would be unstoppable?

Step 6 - Design The Future

Now it's time to start working through the ideas in the next stage - the design stage.

The design stage is where we put in place steps to make the best ideas a reality.

• What would it take to deliver it?
• If we're doing this work what else has to drop?
• What would be the outcome of doing this work?
• Can we measure it?
• How will we know when we finish?
• Who benefits from this work?
• Do we have all the people we need to achieve this?
• Do we have the skills?
  -Does this resonate with the business goals?
• dig deep enough to be able to visualise what would it takes to deliver it.

Step 7 - Plan

Now we need to put in place a plan.

We're looking to put in place these things:

• Who is leading this work (and it should not be the manager, unless it is a management initiative).
• Who is on the team.
• Who is doing what.
• When is the next milestone? (Not too far out - a week at most)
• What reporting mechanisms are we using?
• The deploy stage is all about putting things in to motion and building a team around it.

Consider though, that there still won't be a huge amount of detail around the plan. So the next milestone is usually to flesh out the plan and report back to the wider team.

Step 8 - Ensure Clear Outcomes

Close the meeting and set the next steps. Reiterate back to the group what we're doing, why and by when. Fix the next meetings and make sure people are clear. Field any questions. Keep positive.

Step 9 - Follow Up

Follow up with good communications, regular meetings and iterative planning.

Ensure your team are talking to each other and reporting back progress.

Are they stuck with anything?
How is the plan going?
What actions are happening?
In my experience every time I run an appreciative inquiry the team are energised and focused.

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Enjoy.
Rob & Helen