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As much as I love this online world – the writing, the connections, the inspiration – I’m still a pen + paper girl. I love to write – as in handwrite on paper. Beautiful journals and colorful pens make me smile. I enjoy writing in a real life planner. I love digital and I love paper. Yes, you can do both.
I’ve posted some pictures on Instagram from my morning quiet time and had people ask about the journals and pens I’m using, so why not write a post about it, right?!
Here are my current favorites in the pen + paper categories…
Paper
The Day Designer by Whitney English – I’m going to try to not be overdramatic, but this planner has CHANGED MY LIFE. I’m great at dreaming up big ideas and making long-term plans, but I get stuck in the day-to-day details. I need major help planning out my days and tackling to-do lists. The Day Designer has seriously revolutionized the way I think about my days and the efficiency with which I tackle all the different responsibilities in my life! I probably need to do a whole post on the Day Designer alone, but I just needed to tell you how much I adore it.
Prayer Journal by Val Marie Paper – Prayer is immensely important to me, but I have a hard time remembering all the prayer requests I want to pray. Val’s beautiful journal is laid out perfectly to jot down prayers for all the important people and areas in my life. I carry it with me in my purse at all times so I can pray or write down a prayer at a moment’s notice. I love that it is organized by month and includes sections for prayers for our world, nation, loved ones, friends, and personal requests, as well as Scriptures to pray and a place to record answered prayers!
Abide Journal by Naptime Diaries – Our Bible study went through this bible study/journal over the summer and we all just adored it. It is an invitation to rest in Him and Jessi included Scripture and devotions right alongside space to process your own needs to really abide in the Lord. If your life feels hurried, stressful, or disconnected, I highly recommend the Abide Journal to help bring you closer to Him.
She Reads Truth study packs – I want them all. There is just something about having a beautiful journal to write your Bible study notes in and She Reads Truth had done this SO well. The artwork is always gorgeous, the study sections for each day help me focus on the passage and write through my thoughts, and I can’t recommend them highly enough. I’m particularly excited about the Hospitality study starting October 27th!
Journals from DaySpring – I can’t even count how many DaySpring journals, but there are full ones all over my house. DaySpring has journals of all sizes and designs – literally something for everyone, including the guys! The All of Me journal is awesome for recording spiritual and physical health, and I always carry a spiral journal of some kind with me to take notes at church!
Anything Moleskine – I was late to the game on Moleskine, but I’m a full believer now. I’ve used the little ones to count my blessings or record exercise. I’ve used something a little bigger as a prayer journal or a doodle book. They just feel special, you know?! I even used one to make a “restaurant passport” book for The Hubby so we could remember all the great places to eat in our city and check them off as we go! We haven’t kept up on it so well, but it looks cute!
Pen
Pilot G2 Retractable Premium Gel Ink Roller Ball Pens – Great variety of colors, don’t bleed through the pages of any of the paper products listed above, and I love how smoothly they write!
Pilot FriXion Erasable Gel Pens – Oh my word. Where have these been all my lives?! Pens, available in many colors, that can be erased just with friction by using the rubber end of the pen! I use these ALL the time in my Day Designer in case I need to rearrange plans.
Sharpie Stainless Steel Fine Point Black Ink Pen – This pen feels amazing to hold in my hand and I love how it writes. And it looks super fancy, which is always fun! The Hubby also loves this pen. For the record, he had one first, so I’m just copying him.
Yes, I just wrote over 700 words about PENS AND PAPER. My love is deep, friends. And I hope you found some new loves to try!
I'm Erin, a wife, boy mom x 3, writer, and runner in Nebraska! I'm excited to share all my favorites relating to faith, family, fashion, and fitness in this space! Enjoy! 
I love paper and pens too! So the G2 and the frixion pens don’t bleed through the pages of the Day Designer?
Nope, Nadine! I haven’t had any problems with bleed-through!
Buy some Pentel needle tip EnerGel pens. They. Will. Change. Your. Life. Plain and simple. They are smooth and so fine it feels like writing with a quill. I use it for my pretty writing 🙂
Oh man, I LOVE Frixion pens! I will willingly tackle anyone that tries to use them 😀 They’re MINE!
And I hear you on the day to day – I may need to look into this planner! I love the prayer journals from Val, they’re on my list! I also really like the journals from Dayspring, or even our dollar store. Pretty journals make me want to write more :0)
I love pen and paper, too. I have a Franklin-Covey planner that works well for me. I’ve switched around trying various things, and that’s the one that’s been the best for me. I have Sharpie fine point pens in 6 colors that I mostly use. I have some of the same Frixon Gel pens, too. They are great. I use them for journaling and grading school work mostly. And I’ve just heard about the FriXion erasable pens and colored pencils. Too bad I’m away from on-line shopping. One day…