Journaling a Life in Balance, One Page at a Time

Meet Michael Lampard, more commonly known as Mick on his socials: an opera singer, creative professional, and passionate stationery enthusiast who has seamlessly woven his love for fountain pens, bullet journaling, and high-quality gear into his busy life.

From his early fascination with pens to becoming a voice in the stationery community, he shares his journey, insights, and tips for anyone looking to embark on their own creative endeavors. 

Are you ready to start your own journey? This is a great place to start teeming with inspiration and advice! 

What inspired you to get into fountain pens, bujo, and stationery?

From a young age, I’ve always had a fascination with high-quality pens and notebooks. I remember spending what seemed like hours in third grade, carefully selecting the perfect pen with my father after earning my 'pen license.' This early interest stayed with me as I grew older, and with more than just pocket money at my disposal, I was able to indulge in even nicer stationery. Today, I’m surrounded by an array of beautiful pens and notebooks that I love.

Bullet journaling, or BuJo, was something I stumbled upon, and it quickly became a perfect fit for my life. As someone deeply invested in multiple creative and professional projects within the arts world, I needed a system that was both customizable and efficient—yet still clean and simple. Bullet journaling offered exactly that, providing the ideal solution to keep my thoughts organized and my goals on track.

What did your first setup look like? What was your first fountain pen?

My first fountain pen was a Parker Sonnet, a prize I won in a writing competition. At the time, however, I was a teenager and didn't fully appreciate what an awesome pen it was. In many ways, it was wasted on my youthful inexperience.

It wasn’t until a few years later, following an opera tour to China, that I fell back into fountain pens by chance, when I accidentally bought one while traveling. From there, my collection grew: I picked up a Lamy Al-Star, a Pilot Metropolitan, a Twsbi or four, and a few Jinhaos. But it wasn’t until I took the plunge with a Pilot Custom 74 that everything clicked.

Michael's story shows how a childhood fascination can grow into a lifelong passion, fueled by curiosity and a commitment to quality. It’s also often the rediscovery of something we once took for granted, most of the time also from our youth, that sparks the deepest appreciation. 

Was there a turning point that made you realize this was something you wanted to "pursue" in life? As in actively post on social media and share your passion to people online? 

When I first entered the world of fountain pens, I noticed there wasn’t much content from Australian pen enthusiasts or left-handed users, so I decided to create a few straightforward videos to provide beginners like myself with easy-to-access information.

I was really encouraged to keep making these videos by people like Robert Oster, the Australian ink maker, and local retailers who recognized the value in what I was doing. Their support motivated me, and before I knew it, I was connecting with people worldwide and reviewing products I’d never imagined I'd have the chance to explore.

Sometimes, the encouragement of others becomes the nudge we need to transform a personal interest into a shared passion. We're glad Michael was surrounded by people who pushed him towards what he does now! 

Do you have a day job, and if so, what is it? 

I do have a day job—I'm an opera singer, a principal artist with Opera Australia, the national company here. Over the years, I've had the privilege of performing in venues across Asia, Europe, the UK, and the USA. Opera is far more than just singing, though; it keeps me incredibly busy. In addition to performing, I'm also a singing teacher and arts administrator, collaborating with and supporting various arts organizations across Australia. So, between performing, teaching, and managing, my schedule is definitely full!

How has your journey with fountain pens and journaling evolved over time? 

Oh, I absolutely love this question—I think about it all the time! Journaling, in its many forms, has always been an essential part of my daily routine. Whether it’s bullet journaling for organization and planning, or long-form journaling for decompression and processing the stresses of the opera world, writing has been a way for me to both manage and reflect.

The beauty of it, especially with something like bullet journaling, is how it evolves to meet your needs. I like to reassess my BuJo setups every few months to make sure they’re working for me, not the other way around. The flexibility of the system is what makes it so powerful—it can be exactly what you need it to be, whenever you need it.

As for fountain pens, every week seems to bring a new favorite. My preferences are constantly shifting, and even my desires for what to add to my collection evolve. There's a concept in the pen community known as the “Grail Pen”—the one elusive pen you're always chasing, like a holy relic. My Grail Pen changes over time, based on my tastes, my needs, and sometimes just because I spot something truly amazing. It’s all part of the fun!

This journey is a testament to the harmony between creativity and discipline. Balancing multiple roles with grace, Michael has cultivated a dynamic career where evolution is at the heart of their practices.

From journaling to their love of fountain pens, his approach highlights how meaningful growth stems from embracing both change and passion.

Can you share a memorable story or experience related to your journey?

One of the most memorable moments for me might seem incredibly mundane to many, but it was a turning point in my journey with this hobby. People often talk about that magical moment when they first write with a high-quality gold nib, and everything slows down, birds start singing, and the world just feels different. For me, it wasn’t the nib—it was the ink. I’d purchased a bottle of Robert Oster’s Tranquility, and the moment it touched the page, I was absolutely blown away.

The shading, the vibrancy, the sheen—it was like nothing I had ever experienced before, even with all the other wonderful inks in my collection. That ink opened my eyes to the true potential of pen and ink, and it revealed a whole new world that you can only fully experience in the fountain pen community. Tranquility remains in my top three favorite and most used inks to this day.

When it comes to journaling, I love switching up my ink and pens regularly. Each journaling session always begins with writing the name of the pen and ink at the top of the page. But for me, journaling in all its forms is about surrounding myself with things that bring me joy—whether it's a beautiful pen, great ink, or high-quality paper.

I also appreciate the little touches that elevate the experience, like a great notebook cover or thoughtful accessories. One item I’ve loved since the first time I got my hands on it is the Lochby Field Journal. It’s a product that just makes so much sense to me—it’s functional, and allows me to keep everything I need in one neat, accessible spot. It’s one of those tools that just works.

What has been the most rewarding part of sharing your journey on social media?

This is an easy one to answer. The absolute best part of this hobby is connecting with the incredible people who share the same passion from all around the world. Sure, the products I get to review are fantastic, but it’s the relationships that make all the effort truly worthwhile. Through this hobby, I’ve met some amazing people who have become real life friends. One such person is Michael Lew, the talented pen maker behind Platypus Pens here in Australia.

Sometimes, a small, unexpected discovery—like a special ink—can open doors to entirely new perspectives in a hobby.

Fortunately for Michael, this has also led to a great reward: the community he’s built that shows shared passions can foster genuine connections between people across the world.

What's a fun fact about you that your followers might not know?

It’s funny, because I usually keep my opera and stationery worlds a bit separate, but it’s often the other that people find surprising. I love nerding out about fountain pens in front of my opera colleagues—it’s always fun to see their reactions. If someone’s idea of an "expensive" pen is something like a $20 pen, it can really blow their mind when you mention pens like the Tutankhamun fountain pen, which can go for over $10,000! And then, at pen meets, it’s a pleasant surprise when people find out about my opera career. It’s like I get to keep a little mystery on both sides!

How do you balance collecting fountain pens, bullet journaling, and posting about them on social media, with other aspects of your life?

It takes a lot of organization to juggle everything I have going on. Between maintaining my pen collection, creating art, singing, studying, making videos, hosting a podcast, posting photos, spending time with family, and trying to stay somewhat fit and healthy, I often feel like I’m fitting 30 hours into every day!

But in reality, tools like bullet journaling make it all possible. Having a clear direction for the day or a solid "plan of attack" for a project pays huge dividends. Being somewhat neurodivergent, I also find that having everything laid out on paper really helps me process and stay on track. Digital planning just doesn’t work the same for me. Writing everything out by hand gives it a tangible, manageable context that makes all the difference.

What is your favorite technique for staying consistent so you can keep up with your bujo? 

Routine—without a doubt. Every morning, while enjoying a cup of home-brewed specialty coffee, I take the time to sit down and put everything on paper. By making this time a priority and using it productively, I’m able to stay organized and on track.

I also have a few key pages and spreads in my BuJo that I check daily as part of my routine. This might not work for everyone, but for me, having this structure and blocking out dedicated time to do exactly this ensures that nothing gets missed or left behind. It’s all about consistency and setting up a system that works for you.

How do you stay motivated to continue what you’re doing?

It’s not always easy. There are times when I find myself on the edge of burnout, where the temptation to throw it all aside and just lie in the sun feels overwhelming—just to escape the weight of being a responsible adult. And honestly, sometimes that’s exactly what you need to do. You can’t achieve anything if you don’t love what you’re doing.

I recently read Feel Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal, and so much of it resonated with me. He talks about the importance of recharging, whether it’s mindlessly soaking up the sun or engaging in something more mindful, like painting or playing the piano. These activities help me reset. It might take a few days, but when you have a system that works for you, you always find your way back to it.

The key is balance—knowing when to push and when to pause.

What are your future plans or goals related to your passion? 

I’m always looking for ways to improve and grow what I do—whether it’s connecting with new brands, expanding my audience, or finding creative ways to engage with the community.

But one thing I’m especially excited about is collaborating with a few brands on some exclusive products. The idea would be to create something unique, like a special ink, pen, or writing accessory, with a portion of the proceeds going to a diabetes charity here in Australia.

As a Type 1 diabetic myself, I feel incredibly lucky (if you can call it that) that I was already familiar with the condition through family history, so I had a head start in terms of treatment and education. But I know many families are navigating this for the first time, and it’s an overwhelming learning curve. That’s why I’m so passionate about supporting a charity that helps these families here in Australia.

The idea of developing cool products—maybe in a unique colour or design—along with some custom swag to raise funds and awareness for the cause through my network would truly mean the world to me. It’s a way to combine my love for this hobby with something meaningful, and hopefully make a positive impact.

This is a great goal to have and shows how passion can inspire purposeful action! 

How did you discover Lochby?

I discovered Lochby before it was even Lochby, and when the brand evolved into what it is today, it felt like a natural fit to connect with and feature on my platforms. I genuinely love the products—they’re well-designed, functional, and built to last. I believe in what the brand stands for, and it’s always a pleasure to share these amazing products with my audience. It’s one of those collaborations that just feels right.

How does Lochby help you with your creative or productive pursuits?

As I've mentioned in other answers, I thrive when things have a designated 'place.' I’m drawn to high-quality products, and I find that having the right tools around me makes it easier to tackle any task. That’s why the Lochby Field Journal and Quattro have been such long-term companions—they provide that perfect balance of functionality and durability.

In fact, as I sit here at an airport in Australia, I’ve got my Field Journal and Quattro right next to me. They’re my constant go-tos. I’ve also been finding the Mini Field Journal incredibly useful lately. Its compact size makes it ideal for rehearsal and quick note-taking on the go—it’s just the right fit when I need something portable but reliable.

Always happy to know our gear helps in various ways, whether creative or productive. 

What advice would you give to someone just starting to collect fountain pens or are only getting into stationery/bullet journaling? 

I would give both fountain pen and BuJo newbies the same advice: keep it simple. You don’t need everything (a bit hypocritical coming from me perhaps, but I have good excuses).

There’s no need to dive straight into a 400-pen collection before you even know what you like or what you want to achieve with them. The same goes for BuJo—don’t get swept up in the flashy world of YouTube and Instagram trends. Start with something closer to the original concept: efficient and effective. As I’ve said before, make sure the system works for you, not the other way around. Start small, find what resonates, and build from there.

Simplicity is often the key to long-term success.

Are there any common mistakes beginners should avoid?

With fountain pens, one of the biggest mistakes I see new users make is expecting every pen to flex or produce calligraphic effects. It’s a trend you often see on Instagram and TikTok, where people show off pens performing fancy flex writing. But not every fountain pen is designed for that. If you’re specifically looking for a pen that can flex, choose one that’s built with that in mind.

For most beginners, though, I recommend starting with a simple fine or medium nib. Get comfortable with the basics first, and only after that, explore specialty nibs or nib grinds to achieve the effects you're after.

Also, be mindful of the paper you're writing on. The quality of the paper can make a huge difference in your fountain pen experience. I highly recommend getting your hands on some Lochby notebooks with Tomoe River paper. It’s a game-changer. When both the ink and the paper are on point, it really elevates the entire writing experience. Trust me, you’ll notice the difference.

When it comes to BuJo, a common mistake is thinking that it has to be everything—that you need to fill it with every page and spread out there. But you really don’t. Experiment with different layouts—if they work for you, great! If they don’t, adapt and find what fits your style. BuJo is all about customization. My personal BuJo style is super minimalist… I rarely use colour, and I rarely include artistic elements, even though I am a hobby artist. And you know what? It works.

Do you have a favorite quote or mantra that inspires your creative process?

Not exactly, but I do try to keep a certain mindset in mind, especially given how much I juggle across different fields. It’s simply impossible to do everything at once or stretch yourself beyond what you can realistically achieve.

I often think of it like moving a pile of firewood. If you try to lift it all at once, you’re not going to get very far—it’s too heavy, unbalanced, and you’ll likely end up hurting yourself. But if you take smaller, manageable loads, being intentional, prioritizing what’s most urgent first, it might take a bit longer, but you’ll make steady progress and get there safely and without overwhelm.

It’s all about pacing yourself and knowing that consistent, mindful effort will get you to the finish line.

Michael's journey reminds us that even the smallest tools, like pens and paper, can have a profound impact on our lives. By sharing his passion with the world, he has created a space for creativity, connection, and inspiration.

Whether you're new to the world of stationery or a seasoned collector, his story offers encouragement to embrace your interests and make them your own. 

Don't forget to give him a follow on Instagram and Youtube!