On My Mind: The Pens and Planners That Helped Me Stop Doomscrolling

I’ve been using the passport-size version of this notebook for a while, but I’m reaching for the larger version more lately as it gives me more space for long-form notes. Rather than carrying three separate notebooks for writing down things as I read, jotting down tasks, and mapping out my ideas, I have one for each all stored inside theTraveler’s Notebook. Now any time I need to write something down for later — a story idea, a good book quote, something funny my niece says — I simply pull out my notebook and get to writing. I hardly miss my Notes app at all.

The funky size of the Traveler’s Notebook makes it hard to find a planner that can fit inside, but many stationery creators on TikTok have said that the slimHobonichi Weeksdoes the trick. I’ve tried the Techo in the past and found that I didn’t need all that space for every day of the week, so I’m excited to try out this more minimalist planner that still has all the charm of Hobonichi’s planners.

For years, I’ve relied onSharpie S-Gelpens for drawing and journaling, but after my stationery-passionate friend showed me the Pilot Kakuno, I was sold on fountain pens. It’s lightweight, comes in a bunch of playful colors, and has a soft tip that glides across the page. It’s the pen that convinced me pens don’t have to be expensive to feel classy.

While the Kakuno does the job, I’m already eyeing fancier, more pocketable pens. Top of the list is this one from Tom’s Studio, which offers a polished, minimalist design that fits in even the tiniest pockets. While that’s not a necessity, I prefer a tiny pen, as I never have to worry about having enough space in my pocket or bag.

I haven’t pulled the trigger and ordered it yet, but this rich-brown ink is going to be the first I put in my new fountain pens. It’s dark enough to be visible from a distance but has enough pop to bring some new character to the pages of my previously all-black notes. I do, however, worry that in a few months’ time, I’ll yearn for a more vibrant ink and my hunt will start again until I find a shiny blue or green to jot my notes with.

I also like this lighter-brown ink, which brings to mind a cup of coffee. Perhaps not ideal for all my notes, but I imagine my to-do list would look less daunting in such a soothing color.

While I long for the day when I find the singular, perfect pen for all my writing needs, I’m enjoying the chaos of carrying a bundle of pens with me everywhere I go — at least for the time being. That said, the cheap pen case I got off Amazon is already starting to tear, and I’m eyeing this fancier option that’s made of cotton, comes in a variety of fun colors, and can even be worn cross-body if you really want to tout your love for stationery.

While I wait for my 2027 Weeks planner to become relevant, I’m going to use this stamp to put dates above the list of to-dos I write every morning in the back of my notebook. It’s faster than writing it out by hand, and it looks nicer, so it’ll be easier to sort through my notes at a later date than if I’d scribbled the dates by hand.

I knew that by becoming a notebook person, I risked becoming obsessed with pens. But I didn’t anticipate becoming a devout printer person in 2026. This portable printer has been handy for everything from printing stickers to decorate my Traveler’s Notebook inserts to creating a physical personal Letterboxd by printing movie posters and adding a rating plus a review after I’ve watched them. I’ve also used it to print photos of my dog, Behr — who recently passed away — and placing copies inside all my notebooks so he’s still with me.

To commit to carrying my notebook and pens everywhere, I needed a compact bag that could hold it all while looking stylish. Tom Bihn — afavorite brandat the Strategist — makes this small messenger bag that has just enough room for my notebook and pen case, aCamp Snap camerafor taking pictures, and my essentials like earbuds and a wallet. It’s been my daily carry bag for over a year, and I’m about to order another in a different colorway just to change things up a bit.

Tiny e-readersare all the rage on TikTok right now — they’re a perfect alternative to doomscrolling, as they’re small enough to keep in the same pocket as your phone and reach for when you’re itching for a distraction. Xteink was the first company to release an e-reader that can fit inside your palm, but the cutely named Boox Picco has a more polished look plus the backing of a company with a track record for creatingsolid e-readers. I’m certain it’s going to become my new go-to reader.

Nothing is quickly becoming one of my favorite tech companies. Its minimalist phones, headphones, and earbuds celebrate their gadgety nature with things like transparent cases that show off the device’s innards and pixelated glyph displays that look like a Tamagotchi. The company’s latest headphones — conveniently announced today — have the refined yet retro look that Nothing has come to be known for, plus sound that rivals that of our Best in Classnoise-canceling headphones.

I’ve been mourning the death of my belovedJBL Pulse 5— a stunning lava-lamp-like Bluetooth speaker — since it got discontinued earlier this year. Thankfully, the company announced this revamped version that’s easier to carry, has more prominent bass, and can still put on a light show all by itself.

I always carry a portable charger with me and often get asked if I can spare some juice for a friend. The answer is always yes, I’m happy to give their phone a boost, but in the past it’s been difficult when both of us need to charge our phones. This handy little charger from Nimble can separate into two smaller power banks (one with a built-in cable, the other with a fold-out connector), so two people can recharge without having to stick together.

I recently adopted a puppy, and he’s still in his “chewing everything in sight” phase. I try to keep most of my cables hidden from him but have left this Beats cord out several times while charging my phone. Despite his surprisingly strong gnawing (he weighs only ten pounds), the cable hasn’t shown any signs of fraying.