Posted on by Karen Castro

Mental Health Wasn’t the Excuse

Hey guys, I haven’t yet figured out how to change my URL so for now it will say ‘thejournalingtype” instead of “Kayastation”. Also excuse me in advance for my grammar, although I been speaking English for years and my writing have changed, I still make many grammar errors.

This post for me is very hard to write because I really didn’t thought any of this would be happening, not to me and not again. Years ago I wrote a story in my Tumblr that was title “Leaving my Home for a Hole”, is just story of what I did for someone I loved. I don’t read it at all because it brings back memories and this story that I am writing today will be one of those, it will be here but I will not be here to read it.

I was in a relationship for 5 years, 5 years is a lot for me because is the longest I have ever been in a relationship. It meant a lot to me and I thought I was building something that was worth every minute of my life. For the past year we have been fighting, majority the past 9 months, everything started to go to hell (excuse my language) when November came. In September 2024 I started College, I was excited and also scared but I wanted to give it my all, Alan (I will call my ex-partner Alan because I think it will be better than saying “Ex”) stopped working in November, his job was seasonal and because of the snow, the cold weather, the park would let go of them until Spring (basically). His job also allowed him to apply for unemployment during that time until the place opens up again, so after a month he started receiving unemployment and decided to take a little break and not find a job. I finished my classes in December, with great grades and in time, so we decide to stay in a Hotel for a few days (and by we I mean me, I plan and pay most of the thing) and also had Christmas there too. A little detail that you might not know, I live in my van and so going from my van to a Hotel can be a huge help in many occasions. Through out all this months that I been taking online classes in college his grandma start to feel bad, not like herself, she would forget things and even the people she grow old with in the house. Well he felt forced to stay inside the house and help out by being there and taking care of her when the family would go out to do things or hang out with their friends and because we in that moment didn’t have a car and we are homebodies we would never go out, not even on dates so everyone knew “Kaya and Alan stays at home every day, they will not be leaving, they can watch over her” and is true, I really didn’t mind helping out, actually in many occasion his dad would leave to do things or pick up his girlfriend while Alan was asleep and because I was staying inside either studying or on my tablet he would tell me that he would be back later and to call him if something happens (this was something Alan hated, his dad asking me for help or depending on me). But through out all this months I have been staying in, helping and also spending a lot of time with Alan, being there physically and emotional while also studying for my classes. We had a lot of fights, sometimes about him no appreciating what I do and me asking for more of his support and help. What would bother me is that I was doing so much and he was inside “taking care of his grandma” but when I would go inside a lot of the time he was sitting in the sofa playing video games, in his laptop watching anime or in his phone eternally scrolling through facebook videos or sleeping. I was there for him, for his family, I would make sure he was okay since he dealt with a lot of mental health problems, depression, I tried my best. He couldn’t either handle payments and doing the bare minimum so I felt forced to pick up on that work, he would say “Why you feel force? Why if I can’t you have to do it? You don’t have to Kaya, no one is saying you need to do this” but I would tell him that if I wouldn’t do it, than who? And he would respond with something like we can both not do it, we can both be depressed together and just because one is depressed doesn’t mean the other can’t be, but I didn’t believed in that. I was so overwhelmed with payments, bills, debt, I had to count every penny while he was going through whatever he needed to go through. My financial aid became the income of the household because whatever he was making from unemployment wasn’t enough and he wasn’t also sharing with me, forcing me to keep paying everything myself. So when I finished college I needed a break, I wanted to stay in a Hotel for a little bit because I was tired of surviving.

I was a bit scared to be here because a couple of months back we stay in this same hotel, one thing Alan always had a problem with was not getting trigger, not screaming and taking things to heart, so while we where both fighting outside the hotel (which I hate, I always say, no one have to hear what we are fighting about or have to hear us), this guy comes out of nowhere, he looked mad, in a seconds he blow up in front of Alan, he told him that he been listing for a while to us fighting, that he been listing to him screaming at me, that he didn’t have to scream at me, that I was a woman and the yelling and disrespect towards me was something he couldn’t listing to anymore. That’s when I smelled it, he was drunk, he have been drinking. This guy was mad and drunk and all I could do is step in front of Alan and tell this person that we are all fine, we where just having a discussion and thank you, but I was scared, I though, something bad is going to happen here and I don’t know how I am going to redirect this.

This guy still continues to yell at Alan, he even insinuated to start a fight with him and I told him to please don’t, that we are sorry for being too loud and that I apologize for the problem. Alan of course he was mad, I could see the look in his face but also scared because I bet this is not something that ever happens. This guy was ready and he was pissed. He said something along the lines like “you better not scream at her anymore and if I hear something I will be coming back”, but during the rest of that trip, I didn’t wanted to go out, because I was afraid this guy would see us and start something again. All this happened late at night, I wonder if he was inside the hotel and could hear us or outside, either way we went back in, Alan was mad, after talking for a couple minutes about what happened he asked me if I liked that, that another guy came to us to tell him that he didn’t like that Alan was screaming at me and I was a little mad at the question. Did I like that a drunk guy or even just a random guy in the middle of the night comes in mad and almost running towards us and starts to yell at him making me feel unsafe? Because I didn’t see him coming at all, if it wasn’t because Alan made a gesture of this guy coming behind me I wouldn’t have known. No, I didn’t like that but deep down I was slightly glad someone heard us and told him about him screaming, because this is how all of our fights end up in, him screaming and not caring where we at, not caring about the people around him, if he is being too loud, if people are trying to sleep, he never cares because in his mind this is normal and couples always fight.

But this didn’t stop him, it didn’t changed him because even to the last day of us being together he continue to be the same.

A couple of month pass, I started my second semester of college, there where good times in our relationship but he did something again, and this time it was the start of the end of our relationship.

He was still surviving from his unemployment, taking care of his grandma and not really making any plans, me having to remind him of payments and most time paying it myself or getting myself in more debt. About a couple weeks to almost of month of me being in college, he says to me that he have not been feeling good, mentally, that our relationship have also add up to it and that he been depressed. Talking about having suicidal thoughts and not being able to stop his mind from having this thoughts, obviously I was worried, I tried to be there for him, I checked in on him every day, made him food, brought it inside his home and gave him space, this is what happened.

I took the time to write this, to draw this to show you what happened, there is three images, one in his dinning room where he told me about his mental health, the phone image and his living room, while in the sofa, the moment when he actually told me the truth.

Even after everything I had done for him, I felt like a knife, like my heart was being torn apart, making me believe that I was the problem, our relationship, his mental health, but it was because he was scared to come clean about it, everyone making me feel like I was overreacting. Yes, she doesn’t live in this country but they have been intimate in a way, they both have seen themself unclothe, shared images, he even told her “I missed you”, while being with another person? While being with me? That broke the thrust I had towards him, before I used to have doubts of just little lies that wasn’t that big of a deal but this? This was no little lie, I was surviving out there alone while he was in his comfy house texting his ex, talking about us and quote “helping her with her abusive boyfriend”.

He couldn’t drop what happened, didn’t gave me space, no emotional support, he wanted to continue talking about it and making excuse, so, a day or two after that, him and his dad drops me off at the train station to go to college and I didn’t kiss him goodbye, I didn’t even look at him on my way out, I was so hurt. I am not sure if he started the text or if I did but I told him everything, how hurt I was, how much I hated him and along those line I told him that my phones battery was about to die soon and that I didn’t brought my charger and that he wasn’t worth me spending my last charge of battery on him. Apparently that hit him hard, because he told me everything that happened, that he was crying so bad, that his dad had to come in and asked what happened, that he showed him the text and was saying “She want you to keep supporting her? What she means, we just drop her off at the station?” I was furious and he knew it, I thought, yeah because what you did, lie, cheat and betray me that whole week does not top that? Because instead of you supporting me and just being there for me wasn’t something you where doing except continue giving excuses to what you did. And now showing your dad my text of me being angry at you to make you seem like I was the one being mean towards you, no one is there when you do the things you do but everyone sees everything I do? Always the victim, but you know what I did? I apologize, I had to be there for him for days because he was mad and sad about what I said, what I did, I had to be there for him. And this always happens, I feel bad and he is there for a day to make me feel better and the next day he is sad, depressed, mad and now I have to be there for him, my problems can’t last more than a day, two days top but his last a week and if not weeks.

I had to move past it, we fight a lot, disagree on many things and him still no job and no support and me trying to continue to survive, give my all, forgive and forget.

We had two big fight which is when our relationship finally came to an end. The first one, I was with him in the living room watching tv, we had a fight, so I got up and I told him that I am leaving to the van, we fight some more and I leave. From my van I can hear him scream, throwing things, being mad, I well got worried and I go inside, I tell him, “Alan I can hear you from outside screaming and throwing things” and he says he doesn’t care, this is his house. I tell him, your grandma is in the other room trying to sleep, this will scare her or even wake her up if she is sleeping and he continues to say “I don’t care, she is not your grandma, why you care” and honestly I cared, because one it really wasn‘t his house, it was hers and two I could never do something like that, this screaming and throwing things happened because of us fighting and if his brother and dad come back home to this, they will be super worried but he really didn’t cared. In this moment he is mad that I am there so he walks towards me with a face that I never want to see again, and he tells me that he doesn’t care and to leave, I got scared and took my phone out and started recording him, he got more mad and I told him that he is getting aggressive and for my own safety I was recording, and he starts to walk towards me again, making a mimicking voice, I couldn’t really member what he was saying but basically making fun or acting crazy, like as if saying oh you afraid Kaya?. He says you came in to my house and started recording me, I told him I came in because I was worried about this grandma and that he wouldn’t do anything stupid like hurt himself in the process because is a pattern for him, he hurts himself and blames it on the anger and our fights, giving a reason why it was acceptable. Either way, days have passed, we talk about it and I told him that I can delete the video if he wants, I record the video because in Massachussets I don’t have friends or family I am all alone and if something happens they will not believe me because his family will defend him to their last breath and who will defend me? Who will be on my side? And so he said yes, I delete it the video and he was there while I was doing it.

Although, this wasn’t the last time I needed to record our fight, while fighting he started lying about what he did and was just happened and so I took my phone out, this fight took place outside my van while I was in the driver seat, when I told him I was going to leave, he hold my door and told me not to and a few minutes later he said I hit him with the door and so I was like I am not going through this without proof, and even on the video he said that I hit him but you can see that every time I am trying to close the door he is holding it, stopping me from closing the door, saying “Kaya if you love me, hold my hand Kaya, hold my hand” and I couldn’t believe what he said, I told him you don’t need me to hold your hand for you to know I love you and I do anything for you, so no, I am not going to hold it, you should know how I feel about you because if I didn’t I wouldn’t be here with you.

This fight made me think about our relationship a lot, a couple days after I left for a trip with a friend, Alan and I had one fight/discussion through the phone but beside that, we had a good communication and I was happy, I finally could talk to him about everything, he was there for me while going through some hard times in the trip, he would text or call me, I loved it, I couldn’t wait to go home and hug and kiss, but that didn’t last long, 3 whole days, on the 4th day, a Friday, May 23, 2025 to be exact we had a discussion, a fright, me being mad, he not understanding, me explaining, him thinking that it didn’t made sense why I was mad, he than start talking about that day I took a video of him, and again, not talking about what he did or how we end up fighting but mad about me taking the video, is never about what happened or how we got there or if he was wrong, he would look at the small things and say although I was wrong about this but I was mad you took a video so, basically I am right and no matter what I did, this tops that. Again, bringing his dad in this saying that he also agreed that what I did, recording him, was wrong and that I was wrong. And I told him, so you really mad about that? You think I was wrong? I was seeing that as protecting my truth and you though I was wrong even so you behave poorly and also lied? And he said yes, so I told him, get out of the van I am leaving. So he did and that was the last time I saw him.

He called me like 13 times and I didn’t pick up the phone, I was driving and I don’t like to be on the phone while driving and more when I am mad. After he stops calling I sent him a nasty text, I was mad, so mad. And days passed and he didn’t said anything, I keep texting and nothing, I called him and no answer, I left voicemails and nothing and so I thought, what did I do? Why I left? I missed him, I love him, I gave 5 years of this relationship, it must mean something? I called, I was worried he would self harm, I was worried for his well being, I apologize and asked him to take me back but he didn’t answer, I left voicemails crying, in pain, asking for help and he did not cared. So I texted his dad, and I asked him “Is Alan safe? I know you probably don’t want to hear from me but all I want to know is that he is safe.” And he reply later with “Yes, he is safe” and so I stopped. I later though I would wait for him, I will wait until he wants to talk to me, I would text him randomly, but he never reply. I am ashamed to say this but, for two weeks I was not healthy, I was not alright, in two weeks I managed to smoke 5 packs of cigarettes, something I have never done. I have smoke before but no more than a pack every 3 weeks or a month but 5 packs in two weeks? That’s about 7 to 8 cig in a day but I was not doing well, moving from place to place, hotel to hotel finding places to park my van and sleep for the night.

My mom, thankfully for her connection, she knew a friend who helped me, she runs a fast food restaurant and offered me a place to park, whenever, and so I took it, I would sleep there, met some people, they even offered me free food.

I would on and off stay there and at the hotel. One night, I am in bed and I though, I am going to New York, no preparation, not thinking, I get out of bed, get dressed and start driving. I drove about 5 hours, I get to New Jersey, stopped by a Burger King to get breakfast and make my way to a Walmart in NJ, best place I have stayed in, quiet and close to a bus that takes you to New York. That day, after I took a nap, got ready and went to the bus stop, the bus drove straight to NY, I wonder around , went to a couple places I been meaning to go, I start to feel tired and mostly emotionally tired. So I decide to leave and come back tomorrow to do more things, when I sit in the bus I think, man this is something Alan would enjoy, so sad he is not here. When I get out of the bus I start to make my way to my van and I start to cry, I was holding back my tears so no one could see me crying while walking in a parking lot, when I finally got to my van I couldn’t hold it anymore, I start to cry, I couldn’t believe it, traveling alone, doing this alone, eating alone, sleeping alone, for 5 years I have not been alone in that sense and now I am here, doing all this by myself again.

One of the people I met in that fast food told me that if I was feeling sad and lonely that I should come back and stay there with them. I though about it and the next day I decided that I wanted to leave early instead of at night like I planned. On my way back to Massachussets I call Alan one more time but this time to leave him a voicemail but he picked up, after 2+ weeks he picked up, I was surprised, I didn’t expect him to ever talk to me since he ghosted me for days. His excuse was that he didn’t have anything to say, because his dad told him “If you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all” and I guess he took that advise, I wanted to talk about what happened but he didn’t, he said he was not ready to talk about it, long story short, after I get to Massachussets and I apologize again by text and also offer to drop off some food at his driveway or in front of the house he said “Thanks, also, I need space”. I did told him days ago to at least text me that if needed space or something, I just didn’t expect him to take weeks off the relationship and space for him to just talk to me for a couple minutes just to tell me “I need space”.

So I didn’t reply, my parents invited me to stay in Puerto Rico until I start my 3rd semester of college and I took the invitation. I packed all my things, cleaned the van and I left my van in that place. I though I am running from my problems but in reality, what problems? Is not like he wanted me here? I felt unsafe in places and I told him about it and is not like he cared if I was safe or not! Is not like we are talking, so what am I running from? My emotions will follow me to PR so is not like I can run from that.

I arrived to PR, my family was here, the love and support I been getting was needed, my grandma, my mom, my dad, my brother, I wanted all this. Although my family and I have a different way of seeing the world and the people in it, they never left me alone, they never not worried, they showed cared and I needed that! Three weeks being here I decide to reply to him, and told him he could take all the time he wanted and I understand. But almost two weeks later I started to really understand, when I left, I left for a reason, I left because this was the best thing for me, I regret it and asked for forgiveness and cried and beg but it was me, going through all that pain, in denial, thinking he is the best thing that happened to me but maybe he was in a certain moment, I made good memories with him and did many things I have never done and laughed hard but this wasn’t meant to last forever, is hard to say that because I still love and care but while being here and taking the time for myself I noticed how creative I start to be, how active I been, how I became this cheerful person that I used to me, I have created more content that I have ever done in months, I have started drawing and connecting with people again, that’s when I noticed that no, I wont wait for him, I am letting him go. So I sent him a last text, I told him that making me wait and the fact that for almost a month he have not reached out to see how I am doing, to check up on me, to at least say “hey I know I haven’t text, I just don’t feel okay to talk about it still but I hope you are okay” not even that, so many times he have been in the wrong and I been the one to check up on him, make sure he is okay, make sure he is eating or to offer him food, help out on things so that he wont get overwhelm, there is no excuse for why you haven’t because if you wanted to you would have.

It was never his mental health, it was his laziness, not caring enough to keep the relationship up because I was already doing that, why even try?

Does it hurts? Do I get sad some nights? Definitely, is hard, hard not to think about it, is hard to think that he once said that he could not be with no one else but me but to literally ignored me and not show an ounce of care, is heart breaking, and what hurts more is me thinking about everything that happened in our relationship and seeing how I was being manipulated the whole time while being together and me not noticing because when I love, I loved deeply and you could have said something mean to me and I would forgive, try and move passed it, I will show up for you no matter what even when I am mad. But I am starting to love myself, to put boundaries, to understand what is acceptable and what is not.

I know this was a very long story, sorry for my grammar or if you didn’t agree with this story. My mind plays this story on repeat and I just needed to let it out, I need it to write it down and while I do like journaling, I can’t write this story in my journal, my hands would be on fire after the first couple paragraphs haha

I been creating a lot of art, I now have a Patreon which you can follow me there for free or you can support my creative journey: patreon.com/Kayastation

I am posting a lot on YouTube which been great, I hope you think about subscribing: https://www.youtube.com/@Kayastation/

And also following me on my social media which I am trying to be more active: https://www.instagram.com/kayastation/

Thank you for being here, thank you for reading and I hope to see you all later. I wish you all good luck and many blessings :3

Posted on by Karen Castro

From “The Journaling Type” to Kayastation!

Hey guys, I am so excited to be back here! It’s been so long and I have changed so many things! First tI no longer will be names “The Journaling Type”, I will still keep my channel and instagram public but I made a new YouTube Channel and Instagram (check them out, is free).

This is the new design I have created for my new channel, I had a logo with the name in cursive done in procreate but currently I am at my parents home and the iPad I am carrying does not have any of my new designs.

Either way, the next good news, I been going to college! I started studying Visual Art, I will be entering my second year and my last of my degree, or at least here in Massachusetts. I have learn so much and I been having an amazing experience, thank you to all my professors and all my school friends that have made it an awesome experience. I don’t want to sound like I am bragging but I have been working so hard to get all A’s in my classes. To see this, me succeeding in my classes makes me happy because I had many bad thoughts of my self for years, not being able to get good grades after I started 8 grade and having so much problems understanding my classes but I been working hard and also been doing great, so I want to thank everyone who believed in me.

I think this year of college will be hard because I will be taking more classes. Also I am not sure if you remembered, I live in a camper van, almost 5 years soon in December. I will no longer park my vehicle in my friend’s house and that now adds a new stress that I will have to be paying, finding new places to park every day or week. I also have to admit that because of my pass relationship everything was and still is in my name so now I am paying for a debt that is pushing me back a little which forces me to find a job during college. For the past year I have been able to survive with my leftover funds from college, having a secure place to park have helped me focus on my classes and my art but now that I need to constantly move my van meaning spending more gas and also no longer have the financial help from my ex-partner which paid for his share of the bills now everything fall into me, because like I mentioned, everything is under my name freeing him from any financial responsibility.

Things happened and I have come to be okay with the my current situation but I can’t lie, it have been very hard and many mental health problems along the way but I am trying my best and I know things will get better! Currently I am in Puerto Rico, my family found me a place to station my vehicle during the summer in massachusetts and I been surrounding my self around good people, which was needed since back home I don’t know a lot or any people and have no family there.

Stopped at Ruben’s Café with my mom and her friends after an activity around 11:30pm, food was decent! Missed PR food 💕

But my art has been good, I have been more creative since I started college. I have created more art and I started journaling again. For 2024 I stopped journaling, I wasn’t doing great mentally and I felt that I needed to spend money to try any new stationery product to be up to date with the stationery community to the point that I would use my paycheck just for that. I had to stop, I couldn’t anymore and I needed a break. I came back with a different way of seeing things and a more creative Karen (Hi, that’s me, I am Karen).

Last night drawing section!

I always wanted to have my own stationery store or to be able to make art and sell it but I was never that great in drawing or making my own art. After one year in college I have learned so much and have gave me the confidence to try again and make my own art. I have been creating for a few months now and it’s been such a learning process, I been loving every minute of it.

I even made some art and gave them for free at the Chicago Stationery Fest (which I made vlogs of it, up in my YT Channel, here is the playlist). This was such a fun fest, best fest I have ever been to, I can’t wait for next year fest with Yoseka, I literally can’t wait!

If you never been to a Stationery Fest you should, is actually a great experience, maybe I should do a post talking about it and showing some pictures. I am so happy I took the chance, best trip I had this year so far!

My mom hired me to take videos for her in a activity that she had, this is me in the bathroom, bathr. picture! lol

Well guys, that’s all I wanted to share here. I wanted to give an update and also let know I am still alive. I always hope that I continue posting weekly but I end up doing something else and leave the blog for some other time and end up forgetting about it!

The logo and the name of this blog will change, currently I am in my moms/grandmas house and the iPad I am using is not letting me edit some things but when I get home I will fix this.

Thank you for being here, thank you for your support and understanding and thanks for being a follower here. I hope to continue posting and keeping this blog more up to date. There should be a lot of stationery related post and once in a while some life updates.

See you soon, thank you for stopping by! 👋🏼

Posted on by Karen Castro

Daily Journal – September 7, 2023

(Hey guys, hope you are having a wonderful day! Is currently 12:47AM September 8, 2023. Forgot post this.)

I wanted to share my ‘drawing’ for today’s daily journal and basically life update. I currently am using a Hobonichi HON A6 2023, I got this journal in early April. I really didn’t have any plans on buying a Hobonichi A6 this year but while ‘surfing’ through their website I noticed there was one in stock and I snatched it and added to my order that I had on hold (sadly that’s no longer an option, but is okay, I will manage), but since I started using it I have not stopped. I missed a couple days but nothing like a whole week which i am proud off since I used to not touch my past Hobonichi Techo original in weeks and later feel bad about it haha

I always journal and if I miss a day I go back to fill it up with what happened or write about something that I was doing or thinking that day. I am not a person who have specific things they journal in their journals. I am a messy journaler* sometime but I am fine with that, each page have it’s own unique story.

I wrote an extra ‘r’ on very, I am verrry sorry!

This was todays drawing. It’s been hot the past few days and today it was in the 90*s. We live in a camper van and my van sometimes get’s more hot than it is outside.

I also received my Hobonichi 2024 order on Wednesday 6 and finished editing the unboxing today, did the voice over as well and as soon as I could I uploaded the video.

I might stop recording videos soon, I feel like I force myself sometimes to make a video, it used to just be relaxing and fun, now I am not sure. I do feel that I have done a good job this year keeping my channel flowing with at least one video a month, either way, I haven’t made my decision yet, we will see.

I always wanted to use my fountain pens as my “watercolor” pens but I really didn’t knew where to start and how should I do it. I have tried many ways and learned what works best or best for me.

This is the first time I make something that is supposed to be fluffy or hairy and it ends up looking exactly how I wanted! Haha
This is the microphone I use in my phone to record the voice over for the Hobonichi Unboxing. It have a dead cat on, I really did liked how this end up looking.

I think they call this technique “Ink wash” but I am not sure because there is a lot of art that looks more like they added the ink and end up making something out of it. I draw mine and used a brush to activate the “watercolor” style. Does this count as a Ink Wash? I am new to all of this, I don’t really know the proper words, I try.

I am using Diamine Graphite, this color works so well with water. I don’t noticed odd colors when is wet, is easy to use and the ink activates quickly when using my water brush. It blends very well, I have a couple other Diamine inks and their inks is so good for drawing/watercoloring.

I am also using Sailor Fountain Pen Pro Gear – Fika II Christmas Spice Tea – Special Edition (2022) in a M nib. (STORY TIME) Since I laid my eyes on this pen I couldn’t forget about it, unfortunately it was pretty expensive and I just didn’t have $300 laying around so I let go of the idea of buying one. A few of months ago this was around $200 in a website but I still couldn’t afford it. A month or 2 ago, EndlessPens have this pen in Pre-Order and with a sale going on and another extra discount, I paid $124 for this pen including shipping. Best buy ever, I just couldn’t believe it, there it was, in my favorite, unhealthy, website!

Sailor Pro Gear – Fika II Christmas Spice Tea, (M) 21k gold nib.
(2022 Special Edition)

The theme of Tea Time Around the World #2 is ‘Christmas Tea’. Tea is enjoyed in England and other European countries during the Christmas season. As winter approaches, tea blends are released by various tea manufacturers, and many of them contain spices such as cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg, etc. and mixed with dried peels. Sailor celebrates such a concept with the introduction of three new models
Christmas Spice Tea, Christmas Pudding, and Christmas Tea.

The Regular Pro Gear Christmas Spice Tea fountain pen is a limited production regular sized that comes with same cut-away cap and inlaid Sailor anchor logo on the top. It features a bright translucent red orange barrel and cap, with cut away cap in caramel color. Accented with gold plated trims.

I love the color of this Fountain Pen, I am a fan of tea (although I haven’t tried that many of them) and a lover of Christmas, this pen was basically release for me! Haha
The fact that I was able to find this for less than $130 is crazy and I just couldn’t believe my luck!

I think I would be the last person to review this 21k gold nib since I don’t have much knowledge in gold nibs. All I can say is that the nib does write pretty smooth, not scratchy or anything. Ink flow is great and I loved using this pen for drawing, pretty comfortable.

I own a, Sailor Manyo Fountain Pen Set II – Special Edition – Overseas Exclusive (2023) – Grass / Medium. (I copy this from my order).

Sailor Manyo II, Grass, (M) 14K gold nib

I enjoy this pen, is a pretty pen too, I love the color combination. My experiance when I received this pen was different. I first inked it up with a Ferris Wheel Press Down the Don Valley and I am not sure if it was the shimmery ink or what but the nib didn’t feel as smooth as the Fika II Christmas Spice Tea.

I also felt that the 21K nib was a bit more “flexible”, this (M) nib actually write like a (M) nib which I enjoy. The (M) nib of the Sailor Manyo II writes more fine than medium.

Currently using a Diamine ink and it seems like the Ferris Wheel Press ink I initially used was not the problem is just this nib makes finer lines.

But either way, this are my current sailor pens with gold nib that I own, and I have been enjoying this journey. I want to say that I have no interest in any sailor pens but that would be a lie. I still hope I can buy a Sailor Habanero but they are pretty expensive and I don’t think I can afford expensive pens right now, it have been a pretty expensive month already and is only the start haha!

This was a crazy update but I been trying to be more artistic and learn how to draw and watercolor and just try things out.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and enjoy your day! Hopefully is not too hot out there for you guys!

You can follow me on:
IG & TikTok @TheJournalingType

Posted on by Karen Castro

Ferris Wheel Press Cabernet on the Lake & Brilliant Beanstalk Ink and Fountain Pen 🖋️

Hey guys, I hope you all having a great start of the week! I just received the new Ferris Wheel Press Inks and Fountain Pen and I wanted to make a quick unboxing, thoughts post on this new release!

I get excited for every release and this one is another one of my favorite, the packaging design is very nice, creative! When I saw this release I was very happy and everything just looks so much better in person.

I will first leave a little information about our first ink, Brilliant Beanstalk and some ink samples. I will also leave a little video unboxing/swatch video below. Let know what you think.

Brilliant Beanstalk

FWP Brilliant Beanstalk Ink Inspiration:
In an enchanted realm, where giants roam and mystical beanstalks reach for the heavens, join Princess Patch as she embarks on a perilous journey to procure the shimmering golden champagne egg from the clutches of a slumbering giant. Whether weaving tales of daring escapades or exploring the boundless realms of imagination, let Brilliant Beanstalk sprout the tone for your enchanting odyssey into a world where dreams take flight.

This packaging is so pretty. That chicken in the vines is so cute, is one of my favorite little creature in this design. All around the box there is so many cute creatures and vines, is very pretty! (There is a video below, where I do the unboxing, check it out)

This is a gorgeous green ink with champagne shimmer. It also have high shading,

Brilliant Beanstalk reminds me of ‘The Princess and the Frog’ which is funny because in the description it says about joining Princess Patch embark on a journey 💚

I will leave you here a little Unboxing of the new inks and pen, some swatches and writing samples. I hope you guys enjoy it.

Used Glass pen, watercolor brush & the Carousel FWP FP

Cabernet On The Lake

FWP Cabernet On The Lake Ink Inspiration:
Pack your favourite hand-knit blanket and accompany Bearnice the Bear on a delightful frolic through the picturesque vineyards of the Niagara wine region, where rolling hills and lush vineyards beckon. Embark on a journey of discovery through scenic greenscapes while exploring internationally recognized vineyards of this region. Indulge in the nectar of Niagara with this burgundy ink that captures the feeling of joyous laughter, shared stories, and cherished memories.

I am in awe with this Cabernet on the Lake ink, I did enjoy this ink a lot more than I though.

First this box is very pretty, I am a fan of crochet and knit products but mostly crochet and I love the crochet touches in this art and the crochet hook, very nice!

I wasn’t sure about this ink. I get pretty bored with red inks but Song of Scarlet and this one (Cabernet on the Lake) are pretty fun inks to write with. The characteristic for this ink are Warming, velvety, romantic, cosy.

I feel that velvety is a good way to describe this ink, this ink checks all that and we are getting into the Autumn and Winter season soon, this ink is a great color if you like to match your inks with your months/season. I do enjoy matching my inks with my months, seasons or holidays but is not like I do this constantly. Sometimes when I like an ink so much I don’t care what month or season it is, or how many times I have used them already!

I am so lucky to have received a Carousel fountain pen, my experience with them have been great. I had/have shimmery inks for a month and would write perfectly when you uncap it.

Sometimes I wish it had a clip or a removable one but is not something I care that much about since most times I carry a pencil case or a stationery bag.

I am very excited with my new inks, they remind me of christmas, they are great inks for this holidays. Specially the Cabernet On The Lake, with that gorgeous shimmer! Thanksgiving and Christmas are two of my favorite holidays, there is cheer and joy and this ink will fit in perfectly.

Also I want to add that Brilliant Beanstalk doesn’t take a long time to dry. Pretty impressive for Tomoe River Paper and for a person like me that is a lefty I tend to brush my hand on wet ink a lot haha!

Thank you kindly Ferris Wheel Press for sending this inks and fountain pen for me to try!

I hope you guys enjoyed this little “Unboxing” video and just some comments and thoughts about this ink.

Ink will be available for purchase in September 1st. I am happy that this post is up before the release so that you guys have the chance to get your hands on one of this inks and/or fountain pen or all of it haha

Like always, if you guys are interested I have an affiliate link for a free ink charger set on your next order or you can use my code ‘TJT at check out!

Also I been posting more often in my social media so you can follow me on my TikTok(will take you to a video, couldn’t find the profile link) or Instagram, which I like to post new inks and filling up new fountain pens.

Thank you so much for being here, I hope I manage to show you some good pictures and/or video of the new inks. Have a wonderful day, God bless you all!

Posted on by Karen Castro

Hobonichi Weeks/Standard Travelers Notebook

Okay, this tittle seems a bit confusing and honestly I am too! Haha

I hope you guys had a wonderful 4th of July and are doing amazing, enjoying every minute. I know it can be hard but is sad to see time past and noticed how time was wasted in nonsense, believe me it happens to me all the time but I am trying to change that!

Either way, let’s get on with this confusing tittle. Since 2019 I been using Hobonichi Weeks, it have been my favorite size and planner. For a person like me who really don’t have much going on and have a very simple life this planner worked so well for me.

2022 Planner @TheJournalingType IG

Although I noticed that one thing I enjoyed the most was planning in the form of journaling. Basically by the end of the day I will write what I did, little things of my days. Last year I divided an area for writing little reminders and I would also use the right page for Task/tracking for the week.

It worked out well for a few months, I really liked this setup but I am a simple girl and not every week I feel up to use this setup, sometimes I just wanted to write and that’s it. No planning, writing task or reminders.

December 2022 Planner @thejournalingtype

I have used many Hobonichi weeks just for journaling in the past but after a while I felt that the setup that Hobonichi Weeks have was getting in the way of my creativity, BUT no one makes such well made pretty covers with delicate paper like Hobonichi 🥰.

I came across a video of people cutting their Hobonichi Plain A5 notebooks into Weeks size and I WAS intrigued. I needed to buy one and try it out. Of course, the cover is nothing like my Weeks but I wanted to try something similar.

Unfortunately I was broke and buying a $22 notebook from JetPens wasn’t an option at that moment. So I remember I had a DayFree A5 from Hobonichi and I only used a couple pages, so I looked for my notebook and on my way I went to Fed-Ex!

I have to let you know that, I bought a Hobonichi Weeks size notebook a couple of years ago but haven’t used the notebook because of the paper quality. And at that time there wasn’t a lot of options where I could have bought a Hobo Weeks size notebook, not like this year, where there is a lot of shops making their own notebooks with Tomoe River Paper which can’t complain.

I wasn’t going to say this but I went to UPS to do the cutting and well they were confused lol! But it was okay because there was a FedEx a few steps away so I was glad, embarrassed but glad!

The lady in the counter didn’t seemed happy, I tried my best to help by nicely asking her if she could cut the notebook 7.4in x 3.7in but she said that she could cut the width but not the hight, I was sad but I already drove there and well honestly didn’t mind.

This notebook is the hight of a standard notebook and the width of a weeks. AND is the most amazing thing everr!

@thejournalingtype

I made this ‘cover’ because I love covers and I felt crafty! I have some scrapbook paper that I been hoping to utilize. I used some distress ink, stencils and I finished it up with a stamp! Pretty nice not going to lie ❤️!

After holding it and just flipping through the pages I felt that this size might be a new size for me, I would like to do again but with a Plain notebook. I do enjoy Hobonichi products, their paper and how well is put together. Plus I think I like the idea of creating my own cover.

First journal page @thejournalingtype

Here is my first page in this notebook, nothing but great time using it. I have enough space to craft around my spread and space to writing as well! I have felt so creative using this notebook and it was worth it, I am actually happy she couldn’t cut the hight of it because I wouldn’t have ever discover this “size”.

I feel that the Travelers Notebook Standard Size is a good size but not for me, I find it a bit too wide for me and I like the idea of a narrow notebook. Another size I enjoy quite a bit is a Personal size, I own an insert from PaperPenguinCo and is super good but I keep going back to weeks!

So this experience have been fun and I love that this new notebook helped me be more creative. I had many days where I felt like journaling in it multiple times a day while still using my weeks and standard planner all at the same time.

I have some decorated pages that I haven’t done any writing to it but this video was uploaded a couple of months ago so I have journal in it some more.

I probably would have finished this notebook by now but I started to journal in my new Hobonichi Techo and since I bough a January start planner on April I been trying to journal from January to April while still journaling in my daily and weeks. I had to let go of the Standard Planner, it was too big and too much for me.

Okay guys, I know I been rambling about this journal for a while now and honestly is 2:46am for me right now and I think I should end this post here.

I wanted to share this notebook/journal that I had no plan of it and it end up being the best notebook for me. If you guys would liked an updated journal flip through let me know. I can post the video here or you can go follow me on TikTok @TheJournalingType!
Thanks for reading and being here, have a wonderful week, God bless you all!

Posted on by Karen Castro

Ferris Wheel Press | Sweetbriar Rose

Before we talk about how I feel about this ink I want to go through some information.

I am very happy to be here and share another release from Ferris Wheel Press, it have become a favorite brand of mine and I am happy I was able to be part of the team and share this awesome inks with you all!

I recently received this new Calligraphy ink (that is not meant for Fountain Pens) to use with dip pens or brushes. There is 4 colors in this collection.

Left to right: Sage Advice, Bride to Be, Borrowed Blue and Sweetbriar Rose.

With their soon to be release Carousel Inkwell and the Gumdrop glass dip pen, this inks came in at a perfect timing. I do like the choice of color they selected for this release.

By the way guys, the Carousel Inkwell and Gumdrop Glass dip pen will be available to purchase through Kickstart, I will be making a post soon with pictures and videos before May 9, which is the date this will be available for purchase. More details here

Notable design details:
Capture the delicate essence of love in full bloom. Embrace the beauty of our vintage-inspired dusty rose calligraphy ink.

Pattern inspired by vintage 1930s floral wallpaper This nostalgic ink colour pays homage to one of our most popular inks ever, Lady Rose, a familiar hue in a new medium!

This bashful crocodile dons a stylish ensemble from the 1930s; a statement slinky dress punctuated by a classic fascinator hat.

It can be compare to Lady Rose Ink, I don’t own this ink so I am not able to give you any information on this but you can look it up online and might even be available for purchase.

I do own The Fluttering Heart, a limited edition by Ferris Wheel Press and here is a side by side comparison.

The Fluttering Heart | Sweetbriar Rose

Sweetbriar Rose is a more opaque ink, like a vintage pink while the Fluttering Heart is more light pink with gold shimmer!

This is the thickest calligraphy ink that I own and I do like that with one dip I can write quiet a lot before running out of ink.

I am not an expert but I can only tell you my experience and I feel that this ink have a thick consistency, which online it says is a waterproof acrylic ink. I made a little water test, I prayed some water, I dab a paper towel and in the third picture I rubbed the same paper towel.

Definitely waterproof and smudge resistant. Looks no different, I honestly am a little sad I didn’t picked up the other colors in the collection haha!

Is an opaque ink, in their website it says that is formulated for legibility on black stock, I haven’t tried that but I can’t wait to see how it comes out!

Here is a picture showing the silicon stopper, excused the messy look, but I think this is an awesome idea, I haven’t seen any dryness in the bottle or around, consistency is always the same.

The only problem I experience was cleaning the nib, the ink dried quickly and it took a while to remove. It could have been my nib, I am not sure, I did used my glass dip pen and it was easy write with and clean. I would have to do some research on that.

I will leave you with a video here with writing samples.

Sweetbriar Rose by Ferris Wheel Press

I hope you enjoyed this first impression/review, I am excited to see what is next with Ferris Wheel Press and their new Kickstarted Carousel Inkwell.

Like always, if you guys are interested I have an affiliate link for a free ink charger set on your next order or you can use my code ‘TJT at check out!

Also don’t forget to follow me on my Instagram @thejournalingtype.

Posted on by Karen Castro

Passport Traveler’s Notebook

Hello, fellow journalers! How is this Tuesday treating you? Is it snowing where you are?

It was crazy raining all morning, and it will be snowing until 2am of the next morning, let’s see how it goes!

I wanted to talk about passport traveler’s notebooks! This is a size I have been using since I started journaling, actually, I don’t know if I already talked about this but my first notebook for journaling was a Moleskin cashier that I used to buy in T.J. Max back in PR. It was a journal and a place to keep track of my students and their progress. Later I learned more about journaling, stickers, and washi tape and so I went into a rabbit hole haha

After using an A5 as my journal for a few months I got my first passport on AliExpress and it has been the size that I fall back on all the time. Is also the size I use when traveling, is so convenient.

Chic Sparrow classic passport in the Outlander collection, the color Fergus.

Since I started journaling in a passport traveler’s notebook I haven’t loved any size like I do for the passport. One of my other most used sizes/notebooks is a Hobonichi Weeks size and I love this notebook the reason why I keep using it is because I like the Hobonichi Weeks and I love the different covers they come out with every year, I just wish I could buy a Hobonichi Weeks without the planner part because this size is perfect for me, and like I said, I love the covers but either way, I got a little side track.

Another thing I love about Passport TN’s is that I can fill out one entire insert on a trip. I love having different inserts for each trip, it brings me joy when I take them out, is like every insert is a little memory and there are many memories I would like to keep.

This here are all my passport I have finished since 2019, around 6 inserts. I currently am in the process of finishing one and I am about 6 pages away. It’s funny because I could definitely see myself finishing 2 to 3 inserts a year but I have around 3 to 4 different journals every year, so some years I can finish 2 inserts, and if I am lucky 3 but most time at least 1 a year.

Look how chunky this is!!

This is a Chic Sparrow Passport Plus, a discontinued leather. Is a TN with 6 elastic, 1.5″ inches wider than the original passport that’s why they called it a “Plus”. I don’t really use this size, I used to when I had a passport planner but now it houses my finished Passport Inserts!

And this is also a Passport Plus, where I house my recent TNs from last year. The cover is Chic Sparrow from the Austen collection, color Emma which is available in their website! I have a link here for 10% off, I get 25 points if you use my link (you don’t have to but it would also help me.) The Austen collection is very much loved by almost every Chic Sparrow lover, is a pretty leather.

A passport is a pretty small size, sometimes you have to be a bit creative to get the most out of your pages. I like to use two pages or more for journaling but never just one. I journal in even numbers, for example, If I want to journal more after my 2 pages I would do 2 more, so 4 pages but I wouldn’t do 3. Is that weird? I don’t know…
I like when both pages are related, okay, I don’t know what I am saying at this point or if I am making any sense, sorry.

But because I do one spread, I have a larger canvas to work with and have more space to glue ephemera and add writing as well. There is so much you can do if you get creative.

For example, you can also add another page to your spread, you can either glue it in the middle of the two pages or use a washi tape or a stapler. A paper clip is removable and I like its aesthetic of it.

If you look at this slideshow, I used two pages, one for writing a quick entry and the second one I glued in a menu, I had to cut down the menu, and I didn’t like how it looked folded. I added some Distress Ink to my menu, I like the look it gives, and is buildable. It is a great mixed media and I love using it in my journals.

You can also just glue in one big ephemera, I do this all the time. Sometimes I really like saving packaging, I like the nostalgic feel of it.

I remember where I got this because it was at Downtown Disney, 2022. My boyfriend and I went to Downtown Disney with my family and we bought some drinks and Pretzels from the cart in front of the Disney store. They might not look that much but for me, there is a story of that day and the place.

The good thing about having a journal is that it is yours and you can add and do whatever you want if you want a simple journal just for writing then perfect. You journal however you feel like it, these are a few of the many ways I like to journal and for me, the passport is such a great size, I feel like I can do so much in this small size.

Well guys I think this has been a great little post, showing you guys a few of my journaling spreads and the way I enjoy journaling. It’s fun and it helps, it definitely has helped me during the years, creatively and mentally.

So start journaling, you don’t need a “fancy” notebook to start. I had many notebooks from Walmart and T.J. Maxx before I found out about Traveler’s Notebook.

I will try to make a video this week about my passport and more tips on ways to journal. I will also include flip-throughs of past passports from trips. So go ahead and SUBSCRIBE to the channel to know when I upload a new video.

Thank you so much for being here and I hope this post was useful and fun.

Have a wonderful day and God bless you all!

Posted on by Karen Castro

Ferris Wheel Press The Fluttering Heart

Hey guys, today I have a little review/first impression of Ferris Wheel Press new ink The Fluttering Heart.

“Celebrate the return of extraordinary love with our 2023 Limited Edition ink.”
“Visually inspired by iconic high jewellery collections; motifs from the Strathmore Rose Tiara, Fife Tiara, Princess Grace’s Engagement ring, and cues from vintage Van Cleef & Arpels pieces are beautifully woven into the ornate pattern.”

Ferris Wheel Press The Fluttering Heart 38ml

Here in the packaging shows more of what this ink is about. I like the details in the background, the diamonds, the butterflies, it give me tiara vibe. I wasn’t a fan of pink until last year where I found myself using pink in my journals and planners. I have come to appreciate certain pink shades and this soft muted pink is very pretty.

Ferris Wheel Press The Fluttering Heart 38ml


Very nice details, like always, Ferris Wheel Press and their product presentation always on point.

Ferris Wheel Press The Fluttering Heart 38ml
“…we’ve created an endearing blush toned ink with a scintillating metallic champagne sparkle to represent the return of gathering, community, events, and the celebration of love.”
Ferris Wheel Press The Fluttering Heart (brush ink swatch)

This ink is definitely beautiful, I find myself looking at my writing samples of this ink. I would like to mention that for this ink swatch I did pass my brush two times. It turns into a beautiful mauvy pink on the second swatch . The metallic in this ink is perfect, I wouldn’t want more than that, in some angles it looks like a pearlescent mauve, I like that..

Swatching Video

Took about 18 to 20 minute for this to try. When using a brush with the amount of ink I used, is understandable it will take more time than using a fountain pen.

I love the process of drying, I was watching a show while waiting for this to dry naturally. As you can see there is a different in the ink bottle and the swatch underneath.

Ferris Wheel Press The Fluttering Heart (ink swatch)

I felt that for me when using this ink, it came out light but after it dries it looks slightly darker-ish.

The ink swatch in the bottle (^) is a more accurate color of what you are going to get when using a fountain pen or maybe even a bit brighter.

Ferris Wheel Press The Fluttering Heart (ink sample with 1.1 stub nib)

Tools Used:
Brush
Glass dip pen
1.1 stub nib
on a Tomoe River Paper.

So final thoughts! This ink is a nice medium bright tone of pink, drying time with a fountain pen stub nib is around 2 to 3 min, it really depends. I never had a drying problem with Ferris Wheel Press Inks.
I am a lefty, I take a bit of time before going back into my writing if I feel that my hands will be in the way and it will smear on the page.

With the description giving to this ink and the performance of this ink, it gives a luxurious look to it.
I can’t really afford a luxurious ring, necklace or tiara but this ink is all the jewelry I need haha

So thank you Ferris Wheel Press for this gorgeous ink, can’t wait to see what else you guys got in storege for us.

This ink will be available for purchase on March 3rd, 2023.

Use TJT at checkout to support my creative journey and receive a free Ink Charger Set. Click the link and your code will be applied automatically! http://bit.ly/3RqT1zF

You can get any Ink Charger Set your heart desires, just remember to add it to your cart before checking out. I hope you liked this little review/thoughts of this ink. I been using my FWP shimmery inks on a stub nib and they end up looking gorgeous!

I will be posting more pictures of this ink soon on my Instagram and more writing samples if you are interested. Follow me here @TheJournaligType on IG for more pictures and updates!

Thank you so much for being here and I hope this post was useful.

Have a wonderful day and God bless you all!

Posted on by Karen Castro

Multiple Journals

Hi guys I hope you all having an awesome start of the week. Is labor day and well as much as I want to be one of those people who earn money from home and living the life, that is not me!!! I am not much of a people person and is funny because all my jobs have been either working as customer service, being a teacher or my first job that was teaching violin. I prefer working alone but seems like all my jobs tells a different story. Right now I work as a support advocate, at least that’s how they call it here. I work helping people with brain injuries, hoping that in some future they can be independent and go back to the community. It can be a very rewarding job but some weeks are harder than others.

So let’s talk about journals. When I first started journaling I bought an A5 notebook from AliExpress, I didn’t know about different type of papers and pens I just knew I wanted to journal. I am not saying I never journal as a kid, I did I just can’t remember much and I don’t even know where they are. I knew I had one and I left it in my grandmas house and my brother took it to write his stuff, I was mad haha

I used to do a lot of drawings, I miss doing that. This was the third page of my first A5 journal.

So I think after a week or two I got interested in a Passport, that was an eye opening. My first passport was from AliExpress too, at first I was just using it for planing, it looked like a nice size for that, quality of the cover and insert was very good for the price. So I used my passport none stop, I would show it to my parents all the time even if they didn’t found it that interesting haha

I would a lot of drawings and be like “hey dad look at this” and he would ask me if I draw it myself, was it hard to believe that I could draw decent things? haha

The cover that this passport haves is from Chic Sparrow, after I received the TN from AliExpress I liked it so much and started getting into TN’s.

It was still 2018, I got interesting in journaling around end of October, start of November. I always been a paper/notebook type of person, I LOVE notebooks.
I stop by Walmart and found a pocket size notebook and well being the person that I am I bought it for $3 I think, it was made for painting I believe.

That’s when I was like “well I am not going back to A5”, pocket felt like such a comfortable size that I just didn’t want any other size.

NLP

From that day until July 2019 I used the pocket for everything, at first I wanted to journal about Criminology terms, different type of sick people that will bring them to kill someone, type of sickness and all that. I love it, I wanted to also study criminology and forensic science. I watched a lot of Criminal Minds and NCIS and that’s how I learned about all that and I wanted to journal about it, do my research and keep it in a notebook. Whatever I found interesting in the series I would write it down and do more research later.

Unfortunately that didn’t last long because after doing that for 2 to 3 weeks I started using it for everything, that was my main journal.
After I used that journal for a couple of month and was reaching the end, I started looking into journals for the other haft of the year. I have seen hobonichi before and I really wanted one, I think before I got the A5, that AliExpress notebook was a test before I actually bought a Hobonichi one.

So that haft of the year I decided to get a Hobonichi A6 avec, Weeks and an A6 week planner. I did not utilize this notebook like I though I would. Having the dates on top made me feel like I need it to journal everyday, that I couldn’t miss a day and I didn’t like that feeling.
So I start using the passport as my journal, it was great, I took it to my Cruise trip and I journal everyday, I even took my camera in the library and recorded a journaling section. Passport was the best size I could have ever discover haha

This here is the Hobonichi A6 weekly, I end up taking it with me when I would go to work. I was a cashier, when I was in the register I would document my day with time stamp. It was on of those journal that I didn’t care much for stickers and extras. Some day it was a bit slow, journaling helped.

I did a flip through of that traveling journal if you guys are interested in see it. Here

So after testing so many journals, writing in them and traveling with them this is what I am using today.

Hobonichi Weeks

Tim Holtz washi tape is so awesome!!! I also love the distress ink, I use it all the time 🙂
Went crazy with Tim Holtz distress ink.

After using this for daily journaling for the first time last year October, I liked the idea so much that I end up doing it for a couple of months. I stoped and a few months after 2020 started I decided to use it as a regular journal and not as a daily journal. I mean come on, who can write in that tiny rectangular, one daily? Nope. I also liked the idea of writing in a 2019 planner in 2020 haha

I finished the 2019 planner and I started a new one in August. I know is a planner but something about using this planner for another purpose feels good, I should go to jail for not following the rules for this planner haha

Police: Why you here?
Me: I used a planner as a journal
Police: Excuse me?
Me: I should be punish but I will let you know that the moment my pen touched that paper there was no going back and I will do it all over again.

Okay, let’s stop joking around, so my next journal is:

A6/Pocket Notebook:

Lady Catherine, Chic Sparrow. Love this color, matches with my weeks. Is this month TN color (and I also have it in a passport size :O)
simple journaling
(seems like every time I journal and I come back to read it I misspelled a word or used the wrong word)

Using Leuchtturm1917 A6 Graph

So pocket is the easy journal for me. Is graph paper, sometimes I just journal which is the purpose of it. Sometimes I want to document so I add paper, labels or receipts. I journal but I also document, it can be more personal sometimes.
I like it, I am not haft way through but by the end of this year I probably will. Any traveling that I do or will do is going into this journal, so is basically my travel journal.

There are a couple projects that I am doing and I like to write about it here. When it comes to daily journaling, the pocket is the best option.

Passport:

Now passport I have said this before, I think, is my favorite size (just in case I didn’t). I finished an inserts 3 months ago I believe and I decided to give it a rest since I am using Weeks and Pocket for journaling.

Like I was saying earlier, the first pocket I own, I wanted to make it into a little book. Just information of things I find interesting and there I was sitting, thinking, “well I have new inserts, maybe I can start doing that again but in a passport” and that’s what I did. I called it “The Book of Knowledge”, I came up with this name when I was using my pocket. I always though it was an awesome name, hopefully there will be multiple volumes of this, for example, 2 to 3 inserts (little notebooks) you know, I think is a great idea.

Dream Analysis and well my theory. Is just a though but it would be cool if it was like that.

So I am currently using 3 journals and each of them haves a purpose in my stationery life.
Lately I been kind of neglecting my journals, some weeks I work 56 to 60 hours. I been a bit tired and just a little drain, I am saving money for a project that I am doing which I will tell more later although it does not have to do with journaling or stationery. My family is traveling again from PR to help me with this project, this will be the second time they will be here for this. They are so supportive, so I am working hard to save money for that.

So yeah guys, this are my little babies for now, I love my journals, I treat them with care haha
I am happy I did this, I been meaning to talk more about my journals and how I started journaling.

If you want to share how did you started journaling that would be great. Actually I am very interested to know what TN size you use and if you have a notebook/paper you prefer. Also your prefer fountain pen if you use one or gel/ballpoint/rollerball, I WANT TO KNOW!

If you have gotten this far, thank you, you get a gold star! I hoped you liked it and follow for more.

Have a wonderful day, take care and God bless you all.

Posted on by Karen Castro · 2 Comments

Welcome Writers

Hello, I am Karen. I been in this writing community for years, I decided to make another blog for my stationery passion.

For the people that don’t know me I am “The Journaling Type” on YouTube and Instagram and any other social media haha
Sometimes I feel like talking about some products, notebooks, pens or whatever it is and well Instagram is not the best place, YouTube well you know so I felt like a blog will be the right choice.

I will be honest with you guys, my English was never good. I try to improve my writing every day but I keep making so many mistake in my writing. So if you see me write the wrong word or something I am always open for any help. Also my first language is Spanish (not that I am 90% good at that too. Spanish is very hard LOL)

Well I just wanted to do an Intro to this blog and hopefully you guys like what I have to talk about. If you are following me from my YT or IG, “Hi!”, thank you for being here and supporting me.

I am hoping that here I can share all my love for stationery, share my creations since I am planning on opening my sticker shop on Etsy by the end of the year and maybe have at least one clothing item for sale with the logo of my YT Channel!

Well that is it for this, I will share more in many others blog post.
Have a nice week, take care and God bless you all!