Techo Kaigi - 7 systems to navigate 2024

It’s that time of the year

It’s 2024, and nothing feels better than starting a fresh page in a new journal or a planner and embarking on exciting stationery adventures. 

I realize the wilting plant doesn’t paint this to be a good picture.

I just spent the first two days of the year relaxing and setting up my journals and planners, writing down my “word of the year”, and cleaning up my stationery desk and workstation. These activities have been the best self-care practice I’ve done this year so far. Now, I’m ready to do my Techo Kaigi. 

To be honest, I’ve already completed my Techo Kaigi in November 2023, but I wanted to put my plans to a few test days starting into the new year before sharing it with you all. So far, I’m happy to report that everything is going swimmingly. 

What is Techo Kaigi?

What is Techo Kaigi, or 手帳会議? “Techo Kaigi” comes from Japan, where analog and stationer items are prevalent enough to result in this practice that falls on planner and journal users every year. It’s a review meeting (Kaigi) you hold with yourself (or friends) to talk about planners and journals (Techo) that you’ve used and what you plan to use for the next year.

The annual renewal of new books and dated planners is a big deal for stationery enthusiasts. After all, we don’t want to start a new system and end up abandoning it midway (or worse, only a month in) after we find that some factor isn’t compatible. Holding a Techo Kaigi before the year ends also allows you to decide what system to purchase or utilize for the next year. 

Note that I emphasize the word “system” instead of any specific type of book. The system could be a planner for personal or work productivity, or it could be a fun daily journal or a notebook for random hobbies. All that matters is that you are picking something that is analog (or even digital) for you to document things throughout the year to your liking. Keep in mind, there’s no right or wrong way to document anything, as long as you are having fun and enjoying the process -- that’s all that matters. 

The great thing about Techo Kaigi is that you can hold this meeting at any time of the year. After all, our lives are not on a straight trajectory and could have unique seasons. That is why you can pause and re-evaluate what works for you in those moments and what new systems will be more enjoyable to use. 

Now, let me share the seven systems that I plan to incorporate into my analog life for 2024. 

7 systems to help me navigate 2024

After being around the community for over 10 years, I’ve matured as a stationery enthusiast and have pared down my journals and planners to the tried-and-true systems. I have written several planner and journal line-ups over the years and you’ll find that some systems have been with me throughout the past few years, and some have been switched up, or swapped in or out. 

My intention for choosing planners and journals has always been “This is the way I want to live - an analog life that allows me to savor every moment”. I don’t believe in my planners helping me improve my productivity, or my journals finetuning me into a well-rounded person in terms of my mental health. I just want to document the exciting and dull moments of my life with my favorite hobby of stationery, it’s as simple as that. I may also have goals or things I’d like to achieve in different phases of my life, and these analog systems just happen to be the best way to help me do that. I encourage you to think about “why” you are using the systems when you do your own Techo Kaigi. 

My systems serve as a tool to enhance my interaction with friends and family, and as reminders for myself to seize the day and cherish each spark. This is also why I don’t beat myself down, ever, when a notebook/journal/planner is under-utilized, abandoned, or switches its purpose. Our daily experiences and lifestyles change as we age, and why would we expect our systems to be idle and stay the same?

TL;DR version, here is a quick list of my 7 systems for 2024:

1. Hobonichi (Cousin Avec) as a daily creative journal

2. TRAVELER’S notebook (Regular Size) as an experience journal

3. PLOTTER (Bible Size) as a personal planner

4. PLOTTER (A5 Size) as a work planner

5. Hobonichi (Weeks) as a pet diary

6. Thinking of You Book (A5 Size) as a health diary

7. PLOTTER (Narrow Size) as a finance tracker

Immediately, you might ask, how did you find time to write in all of these every day? The answer is easy: I don’t write in them every day. As I break down each system and how they incorporate seamlessly into my life and daily routine, you’ll find that perhaps you can take a page and apply it to your system. You might even combine multiple purposes into one or two books. I’m a stationery addict, I love pens, notebooks, and all kinds of creative accessories. These 7 systems allow me to enjoy my hobby to the fullest AND live my life in *meaningful ways.

*meaningful - each person may have their version of meaningful, there is no standard way to live life. 

Hobonichi Cousin Avec - A treasure chest that captures every moment

I have been using the Hobonichi system since 2014, and it has been my ride-or-die system since then because of the perfect way it was designed to consolidate an entire year into one book. What sets it apart from a blank notebook is that the Hobonichi Techo has a daily page layout, an incredible binding structure that holds it together even with an entire year’s worth of memory (and ephemera tip-ins), as well as thin and ink-friendly paper. Furthermore, it adds a flair of fun with interesting daily quotes and yearly cover releases. There’s something about keeping at something consistently for a length of time, and finishing up a Hobonichi Techo at the end of the year gives you a great sense of accomplishment. My Hobonichi Cousin Avec is always bursting at the spine by the end of each half-year, and extremely satisfying to archive. 

I love the Hobonichi system because of its philosophy, which a lot of people tend to misinterpret. Its name ほぼ日 means “Almost Daily” in Japanese. Just the name already allows for some forgiveness in your ability to complete every page. Furthermore, a message from its creator Shigetsato Itoi back in 2017 stuck with me to this day:

“Hobonichi Techo is a large fishing net for pulling in your nameless moments. There will be days when you couldn’t catch a fish, and there will be days you won’t fish. But with 365 days in a year, over time your net will fill with plenty of minnows. Such is the wealth of our thoughts.”

Unlike glamorous notebook spreads that take over the social media algorithm these days, the Hobonichi gave me permission to address each page with honesty. Not every spread has to be pretty, and not every day has interesting things to make the spread a masterpiece. However, those nameless moments are what make me, me. I started using the Hobonichi in 2014 because I wanted to appreciate the gap year I took before graduate school, and this system allowed me to document the fun and the ugly in between. Finding and documenting even the most mundane things such as my dog’s sleeping position also allows me to sharpen my observation skills and how I perceive life. Since 2014, I have moved across several cities, made different friends in different circles, and encountered all kinds of hurdles and success, and I am proud to have documented every single moment in my Hobonichi for the past 9 years. 

In my Hobnochi Cousin Avec, I journal on the daily pages consistently. I don’t force myself to journal every day like it’s a chore I have to complete. Some days I play catch-up, and that’s totally okay. Some days, I just slap in a postcard I received from a friend or an ephemera such as a movie ticket. I like to print out photos on label paper and do some scrapbooking. Some pages, I tackle with watercolor or doodle with fountain pen ink. Anything goes into this creative daily journal. 

The second most utilized section in my Hobonichi Cousin Avec is the vertical weekly pages. I write in this section diligently every day, which is not hard if you think about the limited space. The vertical weekly is where I log my daily activities, and it serves as a reference when I want to fill in some blank pages for fun. I log (1) meals and food, which is my favorite thing, (2) things I did, like showering or walking my dog, (3) places I visit, (4) people I meet…etc. 

I have had a hard time using the Monthly section in the past years, and they often stay blank. However, this year, I want to use it as a space to jot down movies and K-dramas that I consume. I think it would be interesting to look back at the media I enjoy at a glance in the calendar view. Another new section I would like to utilize is the Yearly Index page. Previously, I’ve used it as a “Currently Inked” reference page, but I would like to try to use this section to document large milestones and big events, this way when I flip through this journal in the future, I can use the Yearly Index as a reference page. 

TRAVELER’S notebook Regular Size - An experience journal that captures trips near and far

The slogan of TRAVELER’S COMPANY is notebooks for travelers with a free spirit. The theme of travel and trips is big and forefront in the brand messaging. However, its intention is a bit more nuanced than just taking a physical trip to a new destination. In fact, TRAVELER’S COMPANY wants you to embrace the “spirit of traveling”, which is the fresh perspective and open-mindedness that you feel when you are visiting a new place. With that mentality, you will take more time to observe your surroundings or to try new things. Apply that spirit to your everyday adventures not just in a foreign country, but in your own city, your own neighborhood, or your community. This is what I’m using the TRAVELER’S notebook for, a journal to document experiences. 

Okay, the alternative trashy name I have for my TRAVELER’S notebook is the “overflow journal”. Basically, the undated nature of the TRAVELER’S notebook system (free refills that can be replaced) allows me to journal with photos/ephemera/ and other stationery overflows for experiences that don’t fit in the singular page of my Hobonichi. The freedom of space allows me to take my liberties in the ways I want to document a weekend outing, a short trip, or just a simple gathering with friends over the holidays. I may do full-page sketches, or write liberally about a specific conversation I had with friends.

Last year, I completed a total of 9 standard refills, packed with memories from trips to Asia, pen show weekends, anniversaries, and weekend outings in my own city. 

As a side note, I own several TRAVELER’S notebook covers (an understatement), but I don’t designate a purpose for each of them. However, I pick and choose covers for different trips like I’m picking out the outfit of the day. This allows me to cycle through my collection and enjoy each of them thoroughly. Just like the feeling of placing the right sticker on a certain journal entry, there’s something satisfying about bringing the “Tokyo Station” cover to Tokyo, and using the “Diner” cover on an all-American road trip. 

PLOTTER Bible Size - My personal assistant in analog form

I use a PLOTTER Bible Size as a personal plan, even though I don’t really plan much in it. Planning sounds daunting as if you are trying to plot a positive outcome or organize an event. However, my planner serves a much simpler purpose - a reference point for to-dos and upcoming appointments. 

The most utilized part of my planner is the Monthly section. At the end of the day, I’m just a person who wants to know what’s going on and would like to be in control of the situation. Although I share a Google calendar with my husband, I find myself referencing a physical calendar much more quickly. The PLOTTER Monthly Schedule refills in my PLOTTER hold dates for my dental appointments, Cookie’s grooming visits, days I’ll be traveling, anniversaries…etc. Throughout the year, it will be filled up with restaurant reservations, meetup dates with journaling friends, special events, and more. 

I love the PLOTTER in Bible Size because of its compact and slim form. I can throw it into my backpack or a small tote. The additional Fastener Case accessory refill allows me to carry items like a passport, cards, or pen. The ring mechanism is perfect for adding pages as I see fit, and removing and recycling when I no longer need them.

The PLOTTER system lays flat easily and I can access what I need incredibly fast. Some people enjoy lugging around a thick and filled planner, but I just want a system that is as light as possible. I don’t see a need to preserve or keep pages of my planner, so something disposable like ring-bound pages is awesome. The beautiful leather options are just a bonus!

This year, I already have a few additional note pages that cover: (1) a list of chores or tasks to complete (such as getting my Real ID or renewing my driver’s license) (2) a list of shows and movies I want to watch (3) art projects and commissions I need to complete. I also use the PLOTTER Weekly Schedule refills to keep track of weekly reminders and random notes. Finally, I love that I can customize and add fun tidbits into my PLOTTER, such as adding postcards as dashboards or rearranging the order of my Project Managers (folders that can hold multiple sheets of pages together). 

Just like my TRAVELER’S notebook, I also enjoy switching the leather binder cover in and out based on my whim. For 2024, I’m using a new PLOTTER I purchased from Itoya during my recent Japan trip. While I’m at this point, I’m just going to own up to the fact that I have many cover options for my various systems. However, I only own 4-5 pairs of shoes, so to each their own, right?

PLOTTER A5 Size - My everyday workhorse,...for work

Work takes up a huge part of our days, and to be quite frank, it’s mostly digital these days. However, since I work for a stationery company, how can I NOT use a physical notebook/planner for work? The A5 Size PLOTTER is the perfect tool for me because it allows me the freedom to move between an organized system and free-standing notepads for notes and tasks. 

My role at work is a cross between content creation and project management. There is an incredible amount of things that go on at the same time that I need to keep track of and follow up daily. With my colleague’s help, we set up an effective notion calendar to manage the chaos. However, I still found that I need to personally list out prioritized to-dos weekly in my physical planner to stay organized. 

My A5 PLOTTER is a mash-up of Monthly calendar pages and a thick deck of weekly notes and general note pages (not unlike my personal planner, actually). Different projects get their dedicated pages, and the freedom of the ring system allows me to move between projects in versatile ways. The PLOTTER’s compact form factor also makes it easy for me to carry important notes and reference pages when I’m on the go. I’m also not burdened by pages that are outdated or no longer needed. It’s a flexible notebook system that accommodates my needs throughout the year. Again, the amazing leather is a bonus. My current favorite cover is the Shiranami Leather which was just released in fall 2023 from plotterusa.com. I like how the waxy exterior feels sturdy and the whole thing could take a beating when I put it in my work backpack when traveling to pen shows and events. 

Hobonichi Weeks - A pet diary for my Goldendoodle, Cookie

I’m running out of steam, but we have three more systems to go. Thankfully, they have short and sweet purposes. Using Hobonichi Weeks is NOT new to me, but this is the first time I found a purpose for it that I’m excited to continue for years to come. In 2023, I used a Hobonichi Weeks as a random commonplace notebook for swatches, journaling in Chinese, and meet-up shenanigans. However, I didn’t use it consistently at all, but I’m excited to try again this year to use a Weeks as a pet diary. 

I got this idea from myself when I suggested to a friend with a newborn to use the Hobonichi Weeks as a diary so that she could document memorable moments of her baby. Each year, she can get a new Weeks, and by the time her baby can read, bam, she’ll have an adorable collection of albums with written anecdotes of all the previous years. 

Since I don’t have any children, I thought, why not do this for my dog? I take thousands of photos of Cookie daily, and this system would be the perfect place to journal about him. I could also use the dated feature to track his appointments, irregular schedules, or anything worthy to report to the vet at his annual check-ins. One of my goals this year is to continue training with Cookie so he becomes more socialized post-pandemic, so I figure this system can be useful to jot down trainer notes and things to try. 

I started my new Kanahei Weeks in December 2023, and so far I’m not stressed about filling up the pages completely. Some weeks, it may just be a single photo, and that’s more than enough. 

THINKING OF YOU BOOK - Gamifying habits relating to my physical and mental health

As an adult, I found myself exercising less and less. Since the pandemic, I have let myself go in many ways than one, and getting my body into a healthier state is a big goal of mine. Thankfully, last year, the motivation to have a stress-free shopping/walking experience for my Japan trip enabled me to finally sign up for a gym membership. My husband became my accountability buddy, and I finally figured out what would get me to the treadmill three times a week -- a literal stamp of approval.

 I’ve discovered the secret to sustaining my exercise habit is to gamify it. Each time I go to the gym, I get to stamp a stamp in my calendar to mark the progress. The more stamps I accumulate, the more accomplished I feel. It’s very silly and childish, but oh man it worked. I’ve been going to the gym consistently since September 2023 and I am determined to continue it this year. The Thinking of You Book fell onto my radar last year -- it’s a dated journal designed by Taiwanese creator Mr. Eggplants. It’s an A5 Size journal bound with Tomoe River Paper and structured with her elegant illustrative style. For 2023, she chose a Y2K new-retro theme and I’ve been enamored with it since it was released. 

I hate tracking, and I’m never consistent when I’m just resorted to ticking off boxes. Therefore, to make documenting my workouts more fun, I also write about the podcast I listened to while on the treadmill or the earworm song that kept along my strides. Now I look forward to exercising because I am rewarded with some stationery playtime afterwards. I hope to incorporate some sort of yoga and mindfulness practice into my daily habits, and this journal has ample room for that too. 

PLOTTER Narrow Size - A slim ledger for all things $$$

Finally, I really want to revisit budgeting and spending more intentionally in 2024, inspired by my friend Toasty’s Stationery No Buy strategies. This system serves a simple purpose - note down the cost of my purchases and compare monthly credit card bills. I’m also inspired by my mother, who kept a lifelong habit of tracking her expenses by hand. 

Last year, life got busy, and tracking my spending fell off, even if it was just marking the bigger stationery purchases. However, I’m back into my PLOTTER Narrow in Liscio wine this year, armed with fresh refill pages from KNOX. I put some thought into why last year didn’t work out well for me, and I realized I was discouraged from using it because I didn’t like how my hands felt when writing on the left page. It was inevitable because I was using a vertical weekly layout and I needed to utilize the left page. 

Well, this year, I’m going to be a “write only on one side of the planner” type of person. With the new refill layout, I will only use the right side of my PLOTTER in Narrow Size to jot down spending. I also categorized my spending so reviewing my spending makes more sense. I’m not sure what I’m trying to achieve here, but writing down things I care about makes the process more intentional. I may end up abandoning it again, but I won’t know if it works if I don’t try.

A summary of usage rate

7 systems sound like a lot, but I’m not burdened by them or feel obliged to fill every page. I allocate approximately 30 minutes a day to journaling or writing in my systems. The bulk of stationery play time and creative journaling falls on weekends or outings where I can enjoy the activity alongside friends or alone at a cafe. 

Daily - Hobonichi journal, PLOTTER A5 work planner

Weekly - PLOTTER (Narrow) finance tracker, Thinking of You Book Health journal

As needed - Hobonichi Weeks Pet Diary, TRAVELER’S notebook journal

Occasional reference - PLOTTER (Bible) personal planner

There you go, I find 7 systems to be completely manageable and each system integrates seamlessly into my routines and habits as a child-free, employed adult in my 30s who enjoys stationery as a hobby. I also have 9 years of consistent journaling habits to stand behind this lineup. I don’t know how long this passion will last, but I’ll enjoy the moment and not worry about the future. 

Thank you for bearing with me through this long post. I found that each year, my Techo Kaigi gives me more clarity on what I value in life, what I prioritize, and what makes each day meaningful. I hope you find joy in doing your own Techo Kagi! 

Happy journaling!

P.S. The music video I want to recommend this time is a song that I copied into my “Turning the Page into the New Year” page in my Hobonichi. “Blue” is an awesome song by the Japanese band duo YOASOBI which sings about pursuing what you love, alongside fear and discomfort that you’ll continue to feel throughout the journey. A few lines struck me:

“You drew pages and pages of art pieces, even though they are tinged with uncertainty and insecurity. Nevertheless, you do it again, and again, and eventually, these experiences accrue into your weapon”.

Maybe it’ll relate to your struggles with journaling. Despite the imperfection of each page, do it anyway, and you will be rewarded in the end.