We read The Room by Jonas Karlsson for my works book club. I’m so glad it was only a 3-hour audiobook. I was done after the first hour. It was labeled as “magical realism” and a " dark comedy" but it was just some guy with mental issues trying to adjust and fail in an office setting. The main character is just an asshole so it makes it hard to relate to them, because of that you can’t take their side when people start to question his Room. It just ends with a whole lot of nothing and I thought it was a total waste of time.

Very interesting! I tried serching them up but there’s not a lot of information for that particular brand. From what I gather they are nibs for dip calligraphy pens. You may be able to find a nib holder and a bottle of ink to use them. If I recall, you go through calligraphy nibs over time due to the harsher chemicals in the ink corroding the steel, typically with India ink. But you can use regular fountain pen ink instead. Just don’t put India ink in a fountain pen!

100% the best off the shelf rollerball. I use one often.

Ya ballpoints are really the workhorse of the pen world. Even with all the advancements in writing tech, a standard ballpoint will always get the job done. I have Fisher space pen refills in a few of my work pens because I know they will always write whenever and wherever I need them.

These days there is a pretty good consensus around the Uni Jetstream as the “best writing” ballpoint ink. Its a hybrid oil-based ink formulation with lubricants that really flows. Other brands have started to get on the hybrid wagon too so it’s been great for budget pens all around.

Pens

Its such a common thing that we’ve all used and have opinions. And the rabbit hole goes as deep as you want.

You’re good with a Bic and shitty notebook paper? Cool. You have a $3,000 custom built fountain pen that’s been handcrafted to fit your grip and is based on a sketch you made from a dream with a 21k gold nib? Also cool.

The first one that comes to mind is Jared Leto. Can’t stand him in any role but I will tolerate him in Requiem for a Dream. And even then I’ve only seen that movie once which is more than enough.

On a second look it actually came with one of these cards. It just wasn’t connected. The cable setup unfortunately only let’s me hook up half the drives for now but that works for the time being.

I’m glad I asked! Thank you all, I’ll have to make some changes.

I’ve been journaling for the past few years and, like a lot of people will say, it’s not the magic bullet people want it to be. But it is a great tool for sorting thoughts, tracking events, and just a general brain dump. But we all slip every now and again but I will say my experience lines up with yours. I feel that journaling has helped to keep things in my life in control because it forces me to A) keep tabs on myself and B) keep track of the things going on around me.

Another thing is that there is some scientific research that shows writing by hand is better for journaling and memory. I think that by going back to the app after writing so much didn’t help your case. Part of the problem with digital journaling is that distractions are just a button press away. When I sit down to write at the end of the day: my computer is off, my phone is on the desk or charging, and it’s usually quiet or some music on. Being a daily ritual helps keep the train on track. If I dont get to it on the evening then it’s usually the first thing I do in the morning. Routine helps a lot.

Lastly, the tools you choose make a difference. There are a lot of journaling systems out there aside from a notebook/diary. The pens you use should be ones you enjoy using. I’m a fountain pen person and will use a different pen each day and can rotate pens and ink to suit what i feel like using. You could color coordinate entries depending on the mood, emotion, or day. There is a lot out there to make your journal unique instead of black ink in a notebook.

Lastly I will say sometimes life just gets too hectic. You can get so busy, tired, or burned out that you just default to survival mode. For me its ultimately a matter of discipline/ roitine to stay on track and keep up with it as much as possible.