Pocket Journal (Pre-order)

As a teenager, I tried in vain to carry pocket journals. I could never keep them straight. They'd rip and tear, or the pages would fall out. Top/side spiral notebooks would get hung up in my pockets. Or (worst of all) the pens would leak. I eventually gave up.

I found the Lochby Pocket Journal right before my church began a corporate fast. I chose to fast from social media. For 21 days, I leaned on this journal to help my ever-chattering mind. It gave me a place to put schedules and helped me organize random thoughts into clear, cohesive plans. As the days went by, I noticed that it was much easier to pay attention to people when they talked to me. I could remember even the most minute details. I slept better. All because I was able to exercise my mind instead of letting it consume whatever it wanted. The utility of this journal isn't just its convenience. It's the mental obstacles that it removes.

My experience with this journal led me to invest in the Field Journal as well, but more on that later.

I have been looking for a replacement for my leather Field Notes pocket notebook holder. This one from Lochby caught my eye. The waxed canvas is amazing in feel and appearance. I have no doubt over the years the "patina" the waxed canvas will develop will be beautiful. The exterior layout is well thought out with a pocked on the back to hold an additional notebook. On the front there is a pen pocket with an additional double sized pen pocket. The inside is laid out just as well with card pocket and a shorter pen pocket. The zipper is off great quality and coated in a color that accents the pocket journal well. this is an heirloom quality item I expect to get many years of use out of it.

I posted my initial review over three years ago in June 2021. It is probably time for an update.

I am beyond impressed with this little pocket journal. I have used it daily for three years and for the last year I have been in West Africa on a construction project. This notebook is fantastic. I thought it might show serious signs of wear by now, but it just keeps going and going. I have definitely got my value for the money I paid.

Here are some comments on how I use it and what I did to it.

- The first thing I did was unpick and remove the Velcro that held the back pocket closed. To me, it is a waste of good Velcro. I have the smallest iPhone available and sometimes I like to slide it in that pocket. The Velcro was in the way. Other than that I don't use that pocket much. Maybe the only use case I have right now is if someone gives me a business card or a small piece of paper that I don't want to lose I'll slip it in there temporarily.

- If you are like me you probably want to make sure you have a backup pen refill. I found that I could slide one down the spine of the notebook in the outside pocket and it fit securely and won't fall out. Unless you know it is there, it is hardly noticeable.

- In the front pockets I usually keep a thin EDC knife in the left pocket and a gel pen and mechanical pencil in the smaller pocket.

- Inside I keep two notebooks. On the left I keep a dot grid notebook and on the right I keep a mini journal that I created. I print it, cut it, sew…