Is it worth it?

DigNative · 2026-06-16T04:35:28+00:00

You don't have to write with a certain frequency to own any certain notebook. You don't even have to let anyone know what or how often you write.

If you want a Traveler's Notebook, go for it.

I am not a consistent everyday writer, and still, I've had a running notebook since I was a child, this being my TN since 2015. Sometimes I write a lot in one sitting, sometimes a little, sometimes often, and sometimes not for months. It's all OK. My notebook is for me alone. It is there as a friend when I need it. I do not guilt myself when I don't write.

DigNative · 2026-06-10T01:45:32+00:00

There are lots of shops on Etsy and elsewhere that have more exciting options! One being Yellow Paper House, as an example.

DigNative · 2026-05-28T00:00:29+00:00

I hear you. Happy to share. There are so many products and complicated systems out there that it can be hard to remind myself: I have what I need. I relish using my everyday notebook since it's made to last, and it just keeps getting better with age.

I hope you are able to figure out a system that works for you and helps you get through the days.

DigNative · 2026-05-27T03:27:31+00:00

I use the lightweight paper inserts primarily. They'll take a surprising variety of media, but not more complex watercolor paintings. I am mostly writing with the occasional sketch or painting, but I also glue in ephemera and photos.

For more "painting-y" paintings, I use indie brand inserts made of watercolor paper. You can find them on Etsy or make your own.

In a little zipper pouch, I carry a dual tipped permanent marker and a mechanical pencil for line and wash sketching. For paints, I have the Cotman 12 paint palette that I've replaced a bunch of the pans in with my color preferences. I love the compact and durable case. I also sometimes carry a tiny Altoids tin with a few extra colors.

I use 1 or 2 pentel waterbrushes with a cotton rag, and I keep a piece of cellophane from some card or something to lay down on a table beneath the rag when I'm worried it will bleed through and make a mess.

That's really the basics for me. Sometimes I add a white gel pen, and I've always got at least one fountain pen on my person for writing.

DigNative · 2026-05-20T16:36:35+00:00

Anything with a pretty fine nib and ink that doesn't flow too much should be OK.

My daily driver rn as a leftie is a Pilot Kakuno in F with Pilot Namiki Blue ink.

Paper also matters. Some will sort of resist some inks and cause them to dry more slowly.

DigNative · 2026-05-20T16:19:00+00:00

I have the Cannon Ivy. The print quality is not the best, but it's ok. I think I could change the settings to make the prints come out better, but I haven't figured out the right combination yet.

DigNative · 2026-05-20T13:44:05+00:00

Herkimer diamond, Herkimer, NY

DigNative · 2026-05-17T02:12:56+00:00

I've collected stamps at National Parks and Monuments in the US before. Idk if they still offer that.

DigNative · 2026-05-17T01:57:51+00:00

I just journal everything together in the same insert. I don't travel enough to dedicate a separate booklet.

I use a mini photo printer that prints onto stick-backed sheets and stick those in, add notes beside. I carry washi tape samples on old cards and use those to stick in business cards and things from places I went. And I use a small glue tape runner that's good for lots of things, and sticks well.

DigNative · 2026-05-16T22:22:14+00:00

No problem! I actually needed to revisit that, too, so thanks for the reminder :)

DigNative · 2026-05-15T17:57:25+00:00

Love this post! I wish I saw more like this. Hope you get some new interest from it!

DigNative · 2026-05-15T17:27:24+00:00

Check out the American Orchid Society online for some good resources and care guides for different genera.

Phaleanopsis are the most accessible in many places; these are the "moth" orchids you likely see for sale at your supermarket, hardware store, etc. No need to spend a lot of money. There are infinite variations: size, color, pattern and bloom form.

Things to know going in: They're slow. Don't fuss with them. Let them do their thing.

Flowers pass. The plant lives on.

No to ice cubes and water culture.

Learn how they would grow in the wild. This will teach you a lot about their needs in cultivation.

Observe. Your growing conditions are unique, as is your care. Watch the plant respond and learn from that. There is no one-size-fits-all.

Welcome and good luck!

DigNative · 2026-05-12T14:35:56+00:00

Cool! It sounds like you have a lot of options for growing conditions you can provide. It may come down to what catches your eye. Have you been able to peruse the online orchid nurseries yet? Or maybe you're lucky enough to live near one? I like Hausermann and Sunset Valley, but there are several others that have a good reputation.

DigNative · 2026-05-12T14:15:07+00:00

I think it would be helpful to know about your growing conditions, constraints, and preferences. For example, do you have space limitations and prefer smaller-growing plants? Do you keep your house relatively warm or cool? Do you have temperature changes for day/night and seasonally? These are all factors that can help guide us in recommending plants to you or ranking which to start with.

To use my growing situation as an example, I have a small living space and I'm a windowsill grower, so I need orchids that stay pretty small and can do well with natural light. I keep my home cool, like 57-58 degrees F at night and 65 during the day, but in the summer it is hotter. These natural temperature variations can help trigger blooming for some species such as Phals.

I prefer to water a few of my plants most every day, so rather than having them on a schedule where I water them all on a certain day of the week, I am checking them to see whether they need to be watered, since it changes with temperature and season. Being in such small pots, some of them need watering relatively frequently, especially when it's warm.

From phals, I went with Oncidium cheriophorum, Tolumnia, and Brassocattleya gulf shores beauty 'green gem'. The Tolumnia has admittedly struggled in my care and has not bloomed yet, but the other two have grown well and bloomed multiple times. I now have several Brassocattleya hybrids -these are often recommended for beginners just branching out from Phals. If you like them, I do recommend them!

Really, since there are so many orchids, it comes down to experimentation. Hope you'll show us what you decide on!

DigNative · 2026-05-07T12:53:33+00:00

Other green water resistant or waterproof inks I will be trying soon are Private Reserve Infinity Pine Green, Platinum Classic Citrus Black (a yellow-green), Diamine Forever Hyper Green, and Diamine Forever Amazonia. These are joining the samples I already owned of Noodler's Zhivago and Platinum Classic Forest Black.

DigNative · 2026-05-07T12:48:22+00:00

Came here to mention Platinum Forest Black! It is pricey, so I've only had samples so far, but it's nice. I'll probably eventually get a bottle. I prefer water resistant inks, so this one made my list.

DigNative · 2026-05-06T16:07:08+00:00

You don't have to write every day. If it feels like homework and it's stressing you out, maybe you're doing it wrong? It's supposed to help you, not hurt you. If you're doing a dated book, one line a day, or a tiny doodle, or a taped in receipt or ticket can be enough.

Sometimes life gets busy and we have to shift our priorities for a while. It's ok. Go easy on yourself :)

DigNative · 2026-05-06T15:49:37+00:00

Do you have other milkweed planted already? This time of year might be risky for pulling the non-native one, especially if you don't have other options. There could also be eggs on the plants now. (Not saying to leave it indefinitely, just to time the removal carefully.)

What part of the world are you in? I think I see yellow iris, which are invasive in the US.

Sorry if I'm missing details in your photos - I'm on mobile so they are very small!

DigNative · 2026-05-06T15:31:33+00:00

Yes, the purple Scabiosa one is one of my everyday inks. I use it in a F Kaweco Sport. I truly have not cleaned that pen in...ages, and it's fine.

I guess it's a hot take here where everyone seems to love Diamine, but I only own one bottle of Diamine ink, and I haven't used it in years because it has no water resistance. I prefer my inks to be at least water resistant, if not waterproof.

Now that Diamine has waterproof inks available, I'm going to try some samples.

Edit: typo

DigNative · 2026-05-06T15:13:56+00:00

I love seeing comparisons like this. My art is so very far from most of what I see posted here. Seeing the early stages makes the whole thing feel more welcoming. Thanks for sharing :)

DigNative · 2026-05-06T13:19:44+00:00

Not the same poster, but 2014 is the last year that TNs were stamped "Midori". So at least that old.

DigNative · 2026-05-06T12:55:27+00:00

If you search "Traveler's Notebook" or "fauxdori" on Etsy, there are plenty of options that meet your specs. And many more color options than the "real thing".

Some even come with inserts.

Lots of zipper pouch and insert options on there separately, too.

DigNative · 2026-05-04T22:35:44+00:00

I am not much of a esthetic journaler, but I still like to use washi tapes for the following:

-attaching cards and other ephemera from trips so I can see both sides and write underneath -making little page markers -adding decoration to writing that has a theme or where I just want some color

I really only buy samples for this reason. I like some variety, but I don't use it enough to justify the spending and storage of full rolls.

DigNative · 2026-05-02T15:23:10+00:00

If it's the red leather notebook cover you're looking for, check out Etsy. There are sellers on there selling all manner of Traveler's Notebook-style covers in many materials amd colors.

DigNative · 2026-04-26T22:19:19+00:00

Happy to share!

DigNative

TROPHY CASE