https://lestallion.com/collections/journal-notebook-for-personal-organization
Feeling overwhelmed by the constant flood of tasks, deadlines, and information? You're not alone. Many of us struggle with that sensation of swimming upstream against a relentless tide of responsibilities, desperately searching for an organizational system that actually works.
In this deep dive, we explore why the classic journal notebook is making a powerful comeback as the ultimate organizational tool. Beyond nostalgia, physical journals offer unique neurological benefits that digital apps simply can't replicate. When you write by hand, your brain engages differently – activating the "generation effect" that enhances memory and clarity. As one listener shared, "It's like closing 50 mental browser tabs at once."
We examine how thoughtfully designed journals with features like numbered pages, built-in tables of contents, and premium 120 GSM paper create a comprehensive system for capturing and connecting your thoughts. Through real-world examples, we demonstrate how these seemingly simple characteristics transform a notebook into a searchable, cross-referenced command center for your life. The numbered pages become your personal wiki, linking related ideas across weeks or months. The thick, smooth paper reduces distractions and encourages consistent use.
The most profound benefit? Mental decluttering. By offloading your thoughts onto paper, you free your mind from the exhausting job of remembering everything. Your journal becomes your trusted external hard drive, allowing your brain to focus on actual thinking and problem-solving rather than constant juggling. What small step could you take today to start experiencing this mental clarity? Join us to discover how this analog solution might be the perfect antidote to digital overwhelm.
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LeStallion offers premium PU leather journal notebooks for writing, dedicated to all those who are pursuing their dreams and goals, or nurturing their personal development and mental health.
For More Info on LeStallion, check out:
https://lestallion.com/
Episode Transcript
Welcome back to the Deep Dive, so you know how it is
.
You're trying like reallytrying to stay on top of
everything.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Oh yeah, it feels like a constant battle sometimes
.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
Right, like you're swimming against this relentless
tide of tasks, ideas,appointments, all of it.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
You want to get organized, properly organized,
but maybe without getting lostin you know a million different
apps Exactly, and that's whytoday we're revisiting something
classic but well, it's making ahuge comeback for exactly that
reason.
Speaker 1 (00:29):
The journal notebook and specifically, how can be
like a real powerhouse forpersonal organization?
Speaker 2 (00:35):
That's the one.
We've all been there, haven'twe?
Great ideas, just vanishingdeadlines, sneaking up that
general feeling of being swampedTotally.
So we're digging into theprinciples again, looking at
effective journal use and we'redrawing some specific examples
from Lestallion.
Their journals have some reallyquite thoughtful features
designed just for this.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
Right, We've talked about them before.
They really focus on how thatdedicated physical space can
bring well a surprising amountof clarity and control.
Maybe, Definitely control, andyeah, anyone who's used a
Lestallion journal probablyknows they really think about
the details, the things thatactually like make a difference
in practice.
We're talking numbered pages,that built-in table of contents,
(01:16):
the really thick 120 GSM paper.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
Yeah, those aren't just fancy extras.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
No, they're elements that can genuinely change how
you organize things.
So our goal today really is tounderstand how a well-structured
journal, especially one withthese kinds of thoughtful design
choices like Lestallion's, canbecome your main strategy for
cutting through the chaos.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
Boosting productivity , sharpening focus.
Speaker 1 (01:41):
Exactly In ways maybe you hadn't fully considered
before.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
Okay, so let's dive right in the big challenge just
staying organized in this superfast-paced world Too relentless.
The sources we looked at reallyhammer home how easily tasks
just pile up.
Deadlines get fuzzy.
It's like having, I don't know,a mental web browser with 50
tabs open.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
Oh, that's a perfect analogy.
It totally is.
I remember my friend Mark.
He's in project management.
He was drowning, jugglingmultiple projects, different
apps, spreadsheets, alwaysfeeling like he was dropping the
ball somewhere Double bookedmeetings, missed follow ups,
just constantly playing catch up.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
And the sources touch on that right how relying only
on scattered digital tools canactually make things worse
sometimes.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
More fragmented, more mental clutter.
Speaker 1 (02:30):
Yeah, it feeds the chaos instead of calming it.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
Precisely.
Digital tools are amazing,obviously, but that
fragmentation.
The information lives inseparate little boxes and you
have to actively work to connectit all.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
Right.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
Which is where the power of a single tangible space
comes in the journal notebook.
It's like a central point foreverything, a home base, exactly
.
Compare that, like the sourcematerial does to sticky notes
everywhere or a mess of randomvoice memos you can never find.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
Oh the voice.
Memo graveyard.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
Right.
A structured journal is theantidote to that.
Speaker 1 (03:05):
And Mark, my friend.
He actually switched to using adedicated journal, specifically
chose one with numbered pageshe said oh interesting.
He swears it transformed things.
He'd set up sections for eachclient and being able to say in
a meeting like OK, refer to page32 for the revised budget, and
know he could flip right to it.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
That's control right there.
Instant access.
Speaker 1 (03:22):
He said it made him feel so much more on top of
things.
So okay, how does this simpleact, just writing in a notebook,
actually boost productivity andfocus?
It seems almost too basic.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
Well, it's not just basic, it's fundamental,
neurologically speaking.
The physical act of writingengages your brain differently
than typing.
You're creating the letters,engaging fine motor skills.
Different neural pathways lightup.
It helps solidify informationin your memory.
It's linked to something calledthe generation effect.
Information you generateyourself is easier to recall.
Speaker 1 (03:56):
Right, I think I heard of that.
Speaker 2 (03:58):
And crucially, by getting tasks and thoughts out
of your head and onto paper, youreduce the cognitive load, you
stop trying to mentally juggleeverything.
Speaker 1 (04:06):
Ah, so it frees up brain space, like closing some
of those 50 browser tabs.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
Exactly, your journal becomes your external hard
drive, freeing up your mentalRAM for you know actual thinking
and problem solving, not justremembering.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
That makes so much sense.
It's giving your brainpermission to stop holding on to
everything, and the sourcesalso point out how an organized
notebook helps you prioritizeand actually execute tasks
better.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Yeah, moving from vague ideas floating around to a
concrete list you can tackle.
Speaker 1 (04:35):
Which feels much more manageable.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
And even the notebook's format helps.
The sources mention wide-linenotebooks being good for clear
to-do lists, trackingappointments.
Legibility matters forefficiency, little details big
impact.
And when we talk aboutLestallion again that 120 GSM
paper it's not just aboutfeeling nice, there are real
organizational pluses.
Speaker 1 (04:56):
Okay, I love good paper, but tell me more about
the organizational angle of a120 GSM like specifically.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Sure.
So GSM is grams per squaremeter, basically paper weight
and thickness 120.
Gsm is noticeably thicker than,say, standard copy paper.
Speaker 1 (05:10):
Right, which is usually like 80 GSM.
Speaker 2 (05:13):
Exactly, and that extra thickness means ink is way
less likely to bleed through.
It doesn't matter if you use afountain pen, gel, pen marker.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
Ah, no ghosting or bleed through messing up the
other side of the page.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
Precisely, yeah.
Think about someone like myAunt Carol.
She's an artist, but also usesher journal for planning
everything.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
She loves using felt tips, even light watercolor
washes, sometimes With thatthicker listallion paper.
She doesn't have to worry aboutruining the notes on the back.
It keeps everything visuallyclean and well organized.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
Yeah, that messy look can be really distracting when
you're trying to focus on yournotes.
Makes sense.
The sources also talk about thehabit dedicating just a few
minutes daily.
How does that build structure?
Speaker 2 (05:56):
Consistency is everything here.
That daily check-in.
It's like syncing up with yourown system.
Right, you review, you plan,you refocus.
It builds that habit ofstructured thinking, proactive
planning.
It smooths out the workflow,makes you feel more in control
day to day.
Speaker 1 (06:11):
Less reacting, more directing.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
Perfectly put.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
Now, one thing I love about notebooks is how
adaptable they are.
It's not like software, whereyou're stuck with one interface.
The sources highlight this tooright Tailoring it to your style
.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
Exactly, it's incredibly versatile.
Maybe you love the detailedstructure of bullet journaling,
the symbols, the rapid logging.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
Maybe something more traditional.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
Yeah, like straightforward daily or monthly
logs for appointments and maybesome reflection.
Or maybe you're more freeform.
The notebook handles it all.
And for longer-term stuff thesources mention using dashed
lines, like some listallionjournals offer for goal-setting
or habit-tracking.
Gives a nice visual guide.
Speaker 1 (06:49):
A bit of structure, without being rigid.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
Exactly, and that adaptability is key.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
And this seems like a good spot to bring up that
built-in table of contents again, like in the Lestallion
journals.
Seems simple but potentiallyreally powerful for organization
.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Oh, hugely powerful.
Think about the time wastedflipping through pages trying to
find that one note from weeksago.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
Ugh, yes, so frustrating.
Speaker 2 (07:13):
A table of contents is your instant index.
You jot down the page numberand a quick topic meeting notes
10, 15, project alpha ideas andbam, you can find it.
It turns your notebook intothis searchable archive of your
own thinking, much moreefficient.
Speaker 1 (07:29):
Like a personal analog search engine.
Okay, I like that.
The sources then talk abouttransforming daily planning,
making the journal more thanjust notes but a real planner.
Speaker 2 (07:39):
Absolutely, because juggling everything deadlines,
appointments, long-term goalswithout a central system is well
, it's tough.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
Yeah, things fall through the cracks.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
So the sources stress how a structured journal, maybe
one with that clear 7.5millimeter wide ruling you see
in some Lestallion books, givesyou that framework Daily, weekly
, monthly plans all in one place.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
That consistency in line spacing probably helps
create visual order too.
It makes it easier to scan, itdoes.
Speaker 2 (08:05):
And just the act again of writing down your tasks
each morning.
The sources say it reallyboosts clarity and focus, helps
you decide what's actuallyimportant for today.
Speaker 1 (08:13):
Being intentional about your time.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
Yes, you're making conscious choices and you know
the fact that quality journalslike Lestallion's often use
durable covers like that premiumfaux leather it's portable
right.
Exactly, you can chuck it inyour bag, pull it out for quick
updates or reference anywhere ittravels with you.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
Okay, let's really zoom in on those Lestallion
features again.
We've mentioned them, but let'suse those stories Numbered
pages.
How does that play out forsomeone?
Speaker 2 (08:39):
Okay, so numbered pages more than just counting.
Imagine Emily, a freelancewriter.
Okay, she uses her listallionjournal for brainstorming
articles.
Maybe the main idea starts onpage 15, but then, like a week
later, a related thought pops up.
She puts it on page 68.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
Happens all the time.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
Because the pages are numbered On page 15, she can
just write Also page 68, relatedangle Boom, she's instantly
created a link connecting ideaswithin the notebook itself.
No more hunting for that.
Speaker 1 (09:08):
Other relevant thought it becomes like a
personal wiki almost Very cool,okay, and the built-in table of
contents give me another story.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
All right.
Think of David, softwaredeveloper.
Takes loads of notes intechnical meetings, sketches out
solutions.
Speaker 1 (09:23):
Oh, it's a detail.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
It's Friday afternoon .
He needs to remember a specificdecision made about a critical
bug fix from a meeting onTuesday, instead of frantically
scanning pages of code snippetsand diagrams.
Speaker 1 (09:35):
Which would take forever.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
He just flips to his table of contents at the front,
he'd likely have noted bug fixmeeting page 42.
Clicks, metaphorically speaking, right to page 42.
Finds the decision instantly.
Saves time, saves stress.
Speaker 1 (09:49):
Yeah, I can absolutely see the value there.
That immediate recall is hugeand the 120 GSM paper beyond the
bleed through any otherorganizational perks.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
Definitely, it's also about the writing experience
itself which encourages you tothink about, say, Liam, a
university student.
Speaker 1 (10:04):
OK, taking tons of notes.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
Copious notes, lectures, readings.
The smooth surface of thatthicker 120 GSM paper just feels
better to write on, lessscratchy, less tiring over long
sessions.
Speaker 1 (10:15):
So he's more likely to actually take good, thorough
notes.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
Exactly.
It encourages better journalinghabits.
Plus, the paper is more durable, less likely to tear when he's
flipping back and forth studying, his whole organizational
system stays intact longer.
It's about making the toolitself reliable and pleasant to
use.
Speaker 1 (10:32):
Makes sense.
If it feels good to use, you'lluse it more consistently.
These examples really show howfeatures aren't just specs they
have real-world impact.
Okay, shifting slightly mentalclutter, a huge barrier for so
many of us all massive.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
It's not just about a messy desk, it's that noisy
mind right yeah, the constantbuzz and that mental overload
just kills productivity andfocus.
Your brain is too busy tryingto remember everything.
Yeah, the sources describe thejournal notebook beautifully
here as a tool for mentaldecluttering how so?
By giving you that dedicatedphysical space to like, offload
(11:06):
everything tasks, worries, ideasget them out of your head and
onto the page, you instantlyfree up mental bandwidth.
Speaker 1 (11:12):
It's like hitting save and closing the mental file
.
The sources mentioned it helpswith prioritization structure,
even mindfulness.
Speaker 2 (11:18):
Yeah, all connected.
When you journal regularly, youhave to prioritize what you
write down.
You create structure by listing, scheduling, breaking things
down and that reflective part,taking a moment to process your
day, your feelings, your goals.
That is mindfulness.
Calms the noise, reduces thatfeeling of overwhelm.
Speaker 1 (11:35):
And interesting that the sources link even the paper
quality in listallion journalsto this, that 120 GSM ivory
paper making it smoother, lessdistracting.
Speaker 2 (11:45):
Exactly, the ivory tint is often seen as easier on
the eyes than bright white,calmer, and the smooth paper
makes writing more pleasurable,encouraging that mindful
engagement.
It's about creating a calm,physical space within the
journal that helps foster mentalclarity, reduces friction,
basically.
Speaker 1 (12:02):
Reducing friction to encourage flow.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
Right.
Speaker 1 (12:04):
Got it.
The sources also loop back tothose specific journaling
methods bullet journaling, dailylogs reinforcing their
effectiveness for organization.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
Yes, it's a good point.
The notebook is the foundation,but the method is how you build
on it.
Bullet journaling's efficiency,the clear planning of daily
logs, project tracking, evengratitude journaling for
perspective, perspective or justbrainstorming pages there's a
technique for almost any need.
Speaker 1 (12:29):
And features like Lestallion's line spacing
options, the 7.5 millimeter wideor the dashed lines.
They offer that framework thatcan support lots of different
styles right.
Speaker 2 (12:38):
Precisely.
They offer a balance ofstructure and flexibility.
Speaker 1 (12:41):
Okay, finally, the sources really stress buying a
quality journal.
It matters, it's not just aboutgrabbing the cheapest thing off
the shelf.
Speaker 2 (12:48):
No, definitely not.
A premium notebook like theexamples from Lestallion offers
real functional benefits,durability, a binding that won't
fall apart.
Speaker 1 (12:57):
Yeah, nothing worse than pages falling out.
Speaker 2 (12:59):
That smooth, ink-resistant 120 GSM paper we
keep mentioning and thosebuilt-in organizational features
, the table of contents, thenumbered pages.
Investing a bit more ensuresyou have a tool that's reliable,
enjoyable and actually helpsyou stay organized long term.
Speaker 1 (13:14):
It sounds like the quality really supports the
whole practice, making itsustainable not just for
productivity but maybecreativity and stress reduction
too.
Speaker 2 (13:22):
Absolutely.
A well-made journal becomeslike a trusted partner in
getting organized, something youactually want to pick up and
use every day.
Speaker 1 (13:30):
So, wrapping up this deep dive, it feels really clear
A journal notebook, especiallyone that's been thoughtfully
designed, like we see, withLestallion's focus on numbered
pages, the TOC, that qualitypaper, it can be this incredibly
powerful ally, yeah.
Speaker 2 (13:46):
A real asset in that quest for better personal
organization.
Speaker 1 (13:49):
It gives you that crucial dedicated space, that
structure to manage the constantflow of everything, leading to,
hopefully, more productivity,better focus.
Speaker 2 (13:59):
Yeah, less of that overwhelming mental clutter.
Speaker 1 (14:01):
Exactly.
It's more than just notes,isn't it?
It's a tangible system forbringing intention and clarity
to your days.
Speaker 2 (14:07):
Well said Consistent engagement with what actually
matters.
Speaker 1 (14:10):
Which brings us to our final thought.
For everyone listening, mullthis over how might
intentionally bringing just oneof these journaling methods into
your daily routine, maybe usinga journal with features
designed for organization?
How might that fundamentallyshift how you manage your time
and priorities?
What's methods into your dailyroutine, maybe using a journal
with features designed fororganization?
How might that fundamentallyshift how you manage your time
and priorities?
What's one small step you couldtake, maybe even today, to
start getting some of thatmental clutter onto paper and
(14:32):
see what happens?
Thanks for joining us for thisdeep dive.
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