You’re most likely to hear that you only need a pen and a notebook to start journaling. It may be true, but I do not buy that advice.
The reason is that where is the fun in this activity if you’re only going to use boring things?
Let’s say that you pick up a notebook and pick up a pen without checking their quality or designs. It’s going to look something like this:-
Can you see the blots of ink that appear on this page? This happens because the tip of this pen is not stable, and the paper quality is very thin.
One second of extra pressure on the page and it will tear away. Also, would you like to even read through this whole paragraph written like this?
The pen I used for this paragraph was a ₹5 Goldex Klear ball point pen available in the Indian markets, and a regular Navneet notebook.
If you use a Jiffy gel pen, it would look like this:-
Same question: did you find anything interesting in this?
I want to highlight that while ‘just a pen and just a notebook’ advice seems pretty practical and seems to serve the purpose of jotting down things, it removes the fun and attractiveness out of creative/bullet journaling.
If ‘just a pen and just a notebook’ is not your choice, does it mean you have to purchase expensive stuff? Seriously, no. It does not directly mean that.
What it does mean is that you have to check for the quality of the items in your list. Also, your own taste in aesthetics.
Basic Journaling Supplies that I keep and recommend for journaling:-
- Black pens: gel (Linc Pentonic or Rorito Trimax) and ballpoint (Linc Pentatonic) ;
- Blue pen (same as above);
- Red pen: gel (Linc Pentonic or Rorito Trimax);
- A set of pastel highlighters (Flair, Faber Castle or Luxor);
- A set of quality stickers like this-
or this:-
And NOT this:-
- a couple/bunch of washi tapes;
- an A5 size notebook– you can have single-ruled, dotted, or plain- whichever you like. I have used all three in my journey:-
- A set of sticky notes, for example:
- A set of flags, like this:
Alternatively, you can go for a product called “Morandi Sticky Notes” available online.
With these tools, you’re all set to begin. I suggest that you make a conscious effort to plan a shopping day, keep a budget aside and purchase these items from retail stores.
First, check out your local or any known stationery shops to see how many of these items you can get from there. For the remaining items, you can check out branded retail stores like Miniso and Mr.DIY stores. If you choose to make your purchases online (website or Instagram, here are my suggestions:
- Adriti’s Home (I made my first purchase of journaling supplies from here)
- Purpulp Stationery
- Inkarto
- Doodle
- Odd Giraffe
- Paperkraft
Go through these websites and their Instagram pages, and make your purchases according to your taste and budget.
How much time and money you’re willing to invest in collecting your journaling supplies is completely your choice.
I, for instance, made a collective purchase of the supplies from Adriti’s Home except the journal and the basic pens, which I bought from a stationery shop at Karol Bagh.
If you want to know from me how much it’s all going to cost, drop an email at admin@historywithdivya.in
Additionally, I recommend getting a pouch to hold your supplies in your desk drawer, a couple of bookmarks, and a whole set of color pens like this:-
Artline pens are my favourite. Their tip is stable and so is the ink! Indian retail markets have this available today.
If you’re in Delhi-NCR, you can find this in Karol Bagh, Nai Sadak at Chandini Chowk, or even in Daryaganj.
Note: You can also purchase journals from wholesale markets like Daryaganj in Delhi.
As we advance in our journaling journey, we can keep adding fancy or unique items to our stack of supplies- by then, you would have developed a taste of journaling supplies that you like.
Conclusion
Collect your journaling supplies before you sit down to write. Quality of the items is important.
Shopping List for Journaling Supplies
- Black pen: gel (Linc Pentonic or Rorito Trimax) ;
- Blue pen (same as above);
- Red pen: gel (Linc Pentonic or Rorito Trimax);
- Pastel highlighters (Flair, Faber Castle or Luxor);
- Stickers
- Washi tapes;
- B5 size notebook
- Sticky notes
- Flags
Doing this activity of mindfully collecting your journaling supplies will give you a sense of organization. You’re about to start something that you want to enjoy.