There’s something powerful about having one notebook system that goes everywhere with you. When we think about writing, it’s often because we recognize the strong connection between thinking and writing—and the opportunity to get our thoughts down on the page. The real power of a notebook that travels with you throughout your day is that it creates opportunity: a space to jot down thoughts, capture inspiration, plan your day, and reflect on life as it happens.

That’s the beauty of an EDC—or Every Day Carry—especially when it becomes a tool that’s not performative, but genuinely useful.

For me, that everyday notebook is a Traveler’s Notebook in the classic Traveler’s size. It’s compact enough to toss in a bag, flexible enough to meet multiple needs, and—best of all—completely customizable.

If you’re looking to create your own EDC notebook system, here’s a reference guide to help you figure out what works best for you.

You might choose the Traveler’s size, or you might gravitate toward another format. (The running joke is that everyone always ends up back at A5!) What really matters is choosing something you’ll actually use and simplifying your routine so you can consistently get your ideas down on the page.

I love all things paper. A new notebook, journal, or planner is enough to get me to feel motivated about my goals. Fresh pages that are blank are sometimes all you need on a rough day to feel like a fresh start is in order. However, maybe like me, you have also had a notebook or office supply obsession get out of hand over the years. While I love a fresh notebook or journal, I will be the first to admit that I am one of the first people to not finish a notebook or journal and move on to something new. I don’t think there is anything wrong with that because of the inspiration that a new notebook brings, but I also know many of us are on the hunt for notebook, planner, or journal peace where we find a system that works for us in all ways.

If you check out examples in the planner and journaling communities, you can see a variety of journal types, writing and typography, designs, layouts and spreads, and ideas for organization. New notebooks make us feel good. Half of the fun in this journaling journey is the trying out of new ideas and systems to see what will work for us. If you are like me, you know what definitely doesn’t work for you. This post proposes different styles, types, and considerations when trying to find a journal or planner peace. The goal of this post is not to present you with a correct option, but show you the options that I have encountered along the way so that you find what works best for you.