8 months of Hobonichi cousin vs a fresh book

2024/8/23 Edited to

... Read moreIt's so fun to see how our planners evolve over time, getting that lovely 'chonk' from all our memories and plans! Speaking of planners, I know many of us are always trying to find that perfect fit, and size definitely plays a huge role. I often get asked about the different Hobonichi sizes, especially the Hobonichi Weeks, which is a real fan favorite for its unique portability. When you're looking at a Hobonichi Weeks, the first thing you notice is how slim and compact it is. It’s designed to be incredibly portable, fitting easily into most bags, purses, and even some larger pockets. Unlike the Hobonichi Cousin, which is an A5 size and gives you a full page per day, the Weeks is a smaller, slim A6-ish size (it's actually more like a "tall" A6, often specifically referred to as 'wallet size' or 'bunsenshi size'). This makes it ideal for planning on the go, quick notes, and keeping your schedule organized without adding bulk to your everyday carry. Let's really compare the Weeks to some other popular Hobonichi options. The Hobonichi Weeks measures about 18.7cm x 9.4cm (or 7.36" x 3.7"), while the Hobonichi Cousin is significantly larger at 21cm x 14.8cm (or 8.27" x 5.83"). You can immediately see the difference in width and height. This means the Cousin offers ample space for daily journaling, extensive note-taking, and even art, whereas the Weeks excels at providing a weekly spread alongside a memo section, perfect for condensed planning. For those who enjoy an even smaller format, there's also the Hobonichi Techo Original (A6), which is smaller in height and width than the Weeks, offering a true pocket-sized daily option. The Weeks really carves out its own niche between the A6 Techo and the A5 Cousin. Personally, I've found that choosing between them really comes down to your planning style. If you're someone who needs a lot of space for detailed daily entries, journaling, or creative layouts, the Cousin is likely your best bet, as you can see how wonderfully full it gets after months of use! But if you need something that's always with you, for appointments, quick to-do lists, and a weekly overview, the Weeks is unbeatable. I've used my Weeks for work tasks, keeping track of deadlines, and jotting down small ideas throughout the day when I don't have my larger planner with me. It’s light, it’s thin, and it’s surprisingly robust, even with a few months of daily carries. The paper might be thin, but it holds up beautifully to inks and stickers, just like its Cousin counterpart. Many users choose a Hobonichi Weeks as a companion planner to a larger one, or as their sole planner if they prefer a minimalist approach. Its compact size doesn't mean it lacks functionality; it still provides the beloved Tomoe River paper, a yearly calendar, monthly pages, a weekly spread, and plenty of memo pages at the back for all your extra notes. So, if you're deliberating on which Hobonichi to try, consider your daily routine and how much space you genuinely need. For ultimate portability and efficient weekly planning, the Hobonichi Weeks truly stands out in the lineup!