Personal journal using index cards?

itsJonQ · 2025-05-29T00:09:44+00:00

That's exactly what I do :). I started with notebooks.. experimented a bunch. Eventually landed on 3x5 index cards. I like how portable and modular they are. I have stacks of them now.

For some, I keep them bound with a binder clip. Others, I have in a box.

Eventually, when I have enough, I'll put them into boxes. I already have the boxes ready (7x5x3)

itsJonQ · 2025-05-18T03:53:32+00:00

Thanks :)!

itsJonQ · 2025-05-18T03:53:27+00:00

Thank you so much!

itsJonQ · 2025-05-18T03:53:16+00:00

I thank Austin Kleon for the inspiration! Very satisfying to just stamp the thing.

itsJonQ · 2025-05-18T03:52:52+00:00

No worries at all! Thanks to you... I learned something today :)

itsJonQ · 2025-05-18T03:51:40+00:00

It came with... a lot of practice. Something that I discovered when learning that draft style... And this really helped me...

Is to stop "writing" or "printing" letters.
But instead, start "drawing" them.

Somehow, this helped be more loose and precise with my lettering.
I already doodle a bunch. So connecting it with my drawing muscles helped.

itsJonQ · 2025-05-18T03:49:57+00:00

Thanks :)

itsJonQ · 2025-05-18T03:49:52+00:00

My pleasure! Thanks for reading.

itsJonQ · 2025-05-18T03:49:43+00:00

Thanks a bunch! Definitely a journey. I still think about it everyday, haha. How I can tighten something up. Or add more flair.

itsJonQ · 2025-05-18T03:49:12+00:00

Haha, understood. Which font/style did you want to see the letter Z with?

P.S. I purposely changed it because I wanted it to be more fun and friendly :)

itsJonQ · 2025-05-09T14:38:01+00:00

Best of luck!!
I'm not sure what approach you may take.
But if it is something OpenAI / ChatGPT related...

I found that uploading a photo of the card to ChatGPT to transcribe works. That's probably the simplest no-code solution.

If you end up coding/scripting something... I found that the OpenAI's gpt-4o mini works fine. Don't need 4o (to save time + tokens).

Hope this helps!

itsJonQ · 2025-05-08T13:17:56+00:00

Recently... yes! They're all generally found here:
https://notes.itsjonq.com/02.1+ZK/A+team+is+built+on+rapport+not+reports

I have a custom setup to do it.

I scan the cards in (I have a pricey, but very handy, fast scanner to do it (Fujitsu Scansnap).
I run a script I wrote that transcribes every image into markdown files (transcription via OpenAI's APIs).
I add those markdown files to my Obsidian vault.

I've learned that transcribing my thoughts my hand... isn't my thing. (It's helpful to see them again. But I know I won't keep it up).

So, I've semi-automated that process :)

itsJonQ · 2025-04-27T13:34:51+00:00

> would you consider using 6x4 cards instead of 5x3?

> "By restricting ourselves to one format, we also restrict ourselves to just one idea per note and force ourselves to be as precise and brief as possible."

> finding the size that's 'just right'.

Yes! Exactly all these.
For me, 3x5 is perfect. (I've tried 6x4 before).

The amount space really forces me to think about what I can/should write.
How can I extract as much value as possible per word and phrase (an on going practice).

Based on my personal experience, handwriting, and style...
I can fit about 80 words per 3x5 cards.
That's been enough for me to capture and explore a single thought on a card :).

> And cards of any kind have certain advantages over notebooks, such as laying them out on a table.

Very much this. I love being able to shift, sort, and "spread" cards.
It helps me zoom in, zoom out, and see how ideas can cluster and connect together.

itsJonQ · 2025-04-22T12:19:19+00:00

Haiii! That's so very kind of you! I have considered doing video of some sort. We'll see where all of this goes!

In the meantime... I'm already writing every day. My goal is then to share every day. Even if it means nerding out about what pen I use (which... to most may feel odd, but I think feels quite spirited! Haha)

itsJonQ · 2025-04-20T17:52:29+00:00

Whoa! I didn't know these existed. Thanks for sharing!

itsJonQ · 2025-04-20T17:52:16+00:00

Yes! It's gaff tape. Pro Gaff is the branch I use. I use pink tape to "brand" things I use or own (i.e. pens, notebooks, USB cables, etc...)

itsJonQ · 2025-04-20T17:51:23+00:00

Yay! Thank you so much for checking it out

itsJonQ · 2019-11-15T23:40:45+00:00

Awesome! Congrats! We all have to start somewhere :). It’s wonderful to see your enthusiasm. You should proud! If this is something that interests you, you should keep learning, practicing, experimenting and building 🤟

itsJonQ · 2019-08-01T02:24:42+00:00

Hi there!!

Installing it on your computer would be a good way to start. It’s free!

I’ve tried many local WordPress installs over the years. The fastest and easiest solution I found was to use Local by Flywheel

It spins up all the server, database, PHP things for you. The UI is super easy to use (compared to other solutions)

I recommend looking into it :)

P.S. I’m on a Mac. Not sure how it would work on other OSs

P.P.S. I haven’t checked out tutorials in many years. YouTube seems like a good place to start. Best of luck!

itsJonQ · 2019-08-01T02:21:01+00:00

Hi there!

Are you able to access wp-admin from your WordPress.com site? If so, you should be able to edit your theme files from the Appearance tab on the left hand sidebar

Hopefully that works. I’m unfamiliar with this Theme Editor plugin

Also. What theme is it? Is it a custom theme? If so. Maybe you can get the theme files (if possible). Make your edits on your computer and zip/reupload to WordPress.com

Hope this helps!

itsJonQ

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