Members of the Traveler's Notebook Forum helped to develop this list of items to consider before purchasing your first notebook.  This is just a guideline. I will edit when more ideas are shared.

The Midori brand comes in black and brown in the passport and regular size only.  If you want a different color or size, you are going to have to look into a traveler's notebook crafted by one of the many notebook artisans.

What do you want to use it for? Planning? Journaling? Wallet? Something else?

What size are you looking for? Some inserts are harder to come by based on where you live. Do you want to carry it with you and does size and weight matter?
          Some suggest buying/printing notebooks in various sizes to try them out. Is the regular size too narrow? Is the passport size too small? Will the a5 be too heavy? This can save a lot of pain and expense upfront. You can get a cover to fit later.

Bifold? Trifold? Quadfold? Many like trifold and quadfold as they protect the inserts better than bifold.

Make sure you are ready to commit: Do you really want that pen loop attached? Do you really want your notebook personalized with your name? These are harder for resale.

What type of material? Leather or Vegan? Do you want a smooth or textured leather? Stiff? Floppy? Thick? Textured? Smooth?

How many inserts do you want to use in the TN? Some types of inserts: Notebooks (various styles and uses), zipper pouches, pocketed folders. If you are a stuffer, will overhang of the notebooks (notebooks sticking out) bother you?

Some notebooks show character (wear) faster and more than other notebooks. Is that character going to be okay with you?

We recommend speaking with the seller and getting a comfortable relationship with them. Make sure you are both on the same page in regards to all aspects of the notebook (size, color, etc) Many sellers will make notebooks wider to accommodate stuffing. Just let them know what you are looking for.

About Me

I realized I never did tell you about me, Sandy, the person with the notebook obsession.  I have had this obsession for many years.  I have used various types of planners, journals etc.  However, I often do not follow through.  I just seemed to stop writing and using them for various reasons.  It was not until Christmas 2013 when my mother bought me a Paris themed journal that I really stuck with the journaling.  I completed than book and other since that time.  In March 2014 I became aware of Midori Traveler's Notebooks (MTN).  I purchased my first Midori in March 2014.  I joined the Midori Traveler's Resources group on Facebook and the addiction grew.  Not too long after I met my dear friend Glenda who with her assistance we started the Traveler's Notebook Forum.  I have since started an Instagram dedicated to ZenKraft notebooks @myzenkraft .  I am also now loading videos to YouTube under the name "MyNotebookObsession."

The First Week (Not Really) of My Notebook Obsession

I have had a notebook, paper, pen, pencil, sticker, etc.. obsession for most of my life.  However, it was not until about a year ago when I found the Midori Traveler's notebook system.  The obsession has grown so much that I am a member in various Facebook groups dedicated to traveler's notebooks, Field Notes brand notebook, fountain pens and so on.  I am one of the administrators of the Traveler's Notebook Forum on Facebook.  I have more notebooks than I can possibly use, but that will not stop me from purchasing more.  There is more to this obsession than just the materialistic aspect.  I have gained many friends over this past year.  Friends which I will probably never meet in person, but we all understand each other's love of all things stationary.  None of my family or friends understand this notebook obsession.  Therefore, I feel truly honored and grateful to have my forum family. I have various ring bound planners, but for the past year it has pretty much been all about the Traveler's notebook system.  Let me briefly explain the traveler's notebook in case you are not familiar with the idea.  It is basically a lovely piece of leather with elastics.  These elastics hold in various inserts. These inserts range from a simple lined notepad to a plastic zipper pouch to a very detailed date planning system.  I originally purchased "regular" size Midori Traveler's Notebook (MTN), but I soon learned it was not the correct size for me.  I also tried the Midori passport size, which was also not the right size for me.  Both we too small in different ways.  I now have an eclectic selection of traveler's notebooks ranging from a Field Notes size to an X-treme quadfold.  They all serve different functions.  Some are for planning while some are for journaling and other are for meetings I attend monthly.  I have inserts which log the food I eat, inserts that keep track of appointments my family and I have to attend.  Just this past week I created a YouTube channel for the videos I have been making.  I have been honored to receive some lovely gifts from other members of the forum for which I have created videos.  It is my way of giving back. We not only love our notebooks, we also love to see pictures and watch videos of other's notebooks.  This may seem odd to you, as it does to my family, but my forum family totally understand and encourages me to create more videos. I was thinking "Now that I have a YouTube channel, maybe a blog is the next step."  And look... here I am typing up this blog post.  So while this is not really my "first week" of my notebook obsession, this is the first week I am sharing, with you, my notebook obsession.

This blog developed from my recently created YouTube Channel.  If you are looking for videos related to Traveler's Notebooks, their accessories, and set ups please stop over.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqjdI65sY_1S7p5zdKtY0aw