My journal after using it for around 8 months. It's fat and it's getting fatter.

I started journaling again to accompany me in my journey to building a new life. Like finally choosing something because I actually love it, and not only because I saw it from good people I admire. Like revisiting a dream I let go of because a friend once told me I am really good at something else.

I figured whatever shit I do in the office, maybe I can also do those things in my personal life. Anyone who knows me outside of work.. like those who hang out with me or travel with me.. they know how much different my work self is from my everyday ordinary self. Watched Brooklyn99? Jake doesn't know anything about Rosa but they're cool friends?? He complained about it. Happened to me in real life. Took my friend maybe 5 years to realize. 😆

So yeaa, I'm working on being organized JK HAHA More like, doing a proper retrospective. Remembering the things that went well, things I need to work on, and what I'm going to do about them. This journal is filled with those.

Sometimes, I am too stressed out to even write something. But after getting some rest and saying my prayers, I write again. This time with a new perspective on things. Instead of focusing on the bad stuff, I write with a grateful heart, like remembering I was given family and friends who stuck with me on those tough days. Gratefulness changes everything.

I have rules for my codex, to keep me from buying a new one when I visit Scribe. 😆

Rules

1. Everything in one place — memories, thoughts, learnings, library tracker, water intake tracker. Anything that I want to write about.
2. It doesn't have to be chronological.
3. No format
4. Write for yourself.

These rules feel more like actually removing the hard rules 😆 There's a lot less pressure to keep things a certain way, and be more in tune to how I feel or what I think at the moment.

So there's that. Let's talk about the journal, the printer, and everything I stick onto the papers.

Midori Codex 1 Day 1 Page

Scribe Midori Codex • Scribe Midori Cover • Amazon Midori Codex

I'm a big fan of Midori MD. I am an even bigger fan of buying notebooks and journals, and not finishing them. Like only a few pages will be used, and either they get stashed away, donated, or become scratch papers. 😂 This time, that's not gonna happen. No. No way. 🤞

• MD paper. The paper is smooth and can hold watercolor. It doesn't get a lot of ghosting with the pens that I use. For context, I use mostly pigment pens from Sakura, Faber-Castell and Mitsubishi. It's also ok with Zig's midliner pens and Stabilo.
• Dot grid. dots are subtle light gray; gentle on my eyes
• Corner can be teared off. I don't do this though
• Naked spine. Looks classsyyy
• Plastic cover. I purchased the cover separately. The cover helps me keep it clean, especially when I'm working with stamps. It can get messy sometimes.

Canon Selphy CP1500

Canon Flagship on Lazada • Amazon

My Midori is fat primarily because of the photos. I use the Selphy CP1500, and it's been great so far! I like the convenience of being able to print photos anytime I want. I used to format my photos into grids, and go to Fujifilm's Wondershop to have my pictures printed. It was tedious and tiring. Our new home is also far from the shop. 😅

So why the Selphy? Why not Instax or Polaroid or Kodak? I guess let's go back to why I wanted a printer.

• I need the photos for the journal — meaning, they should not fade in just a few years like those printed on thermal paper and the paper should not be too thick.
• I want to print standalone pictures for the walls and for the picture frames.
• I need something that is reasonable in price (e.g. ink, paper)

Spent a lot of time checking reviews. Many professional photographers use the Selphy. Interestingly, the most cost-effective solution for me is also the Selphy. I bought mine directly from Canon. The printer comes with:

• Two ink cartridges
• 108 sheets of photo paper

The printer can use a special cassette for printing on sticker papers. But sourcing the sticker paper locally is a challenge. So instead of the sticker paper, I use the standard photo paper. It's not that thick, compared to what I used to get from Fujifilm. Works for me.

The Canon guy said the ink is enough for the papers. When I finished the first cartridge, I also spent half of the papers. So yea, pretty accurate. OR OR OR. I don't know. Does the printer count the number of sheets I already usedddd or something? Does that even matter? 🤣

ZIG Kuretake Memory System - 2 way Glue Pen

ZIG Flagship on Lazada • Amazon

Yes, after printing the photos, we need glue. This one's water-based, photo-safe, acid-free and xylene-free. Sometimes, it can be hard to use though (the glue does not flow easily). But overall, it's cheap and helps me keep things neat.

It's 2-way because you can do a permanent bond or a temporary bond (repositionable). I don't intend on repositioning things, so this is not my main reason for buying this.

Stickers and Washi Tapes

Most of the stickers that I have come from artists I follow on Instagram. Their works are available in stores like Common Room PH, or art events like Komiket.

It's been a while since I have gone to craft stores and to art events. I'm just so happppy. Super cute stuff. ☺️ Their cash registers are also very happy. 💸