11 Oct 2025 4 min read EDC

My Journaling EDC

I decided to share what I use on a daily basis outside of work. For a long time, I didn’t really believe in the concept of EDC (Everyday Carry). My setup used to be a random mix of items I happened to use at the time, without much thought about why I was carrying them or how they fit into my daily habits.

This year, I started paying more attention to what I carry and why. Over the last few months, I’ve refined my setup to reflect what I actually enjoy using, both around the house and when I’m out. It will probably evolve over time, but the general idea will stay the same. I might switch up a few items for aesthetic consistency, like color or material, but the system works for me.

I currently use four journals:

Two Field Notes notebooks tucked inside a passport cover I’ve modified to hold extra pens;
One A6 Leuchtturm1917 as my commonplace book;
And one A5 Leuchtturm1917 as my main journal

The Main Journal: Field Notes

My main journal is my Field Notes. Why main? Because it’s flexible and can be anything I need it to be. I don’t always feel like writing in a large A5 notebook, but I almost always have something small to jot down. The compact size and simplicity of Field Notes make it inviting and approachable.

I carry two Field Notes at all times. The first one is my general-purpose notebook for journaling, lists, random reflections, or ideas, basically anything that pops into my head. (You can read more about how I use it in my article: [How I Use My Field Notes].)

The second notebook is dedicated to blog ideas. It’s where I draft quick notes, potential titles, and short paragraphs for future articles. It’s my sandbox for creativity. Once I fill it up, I simply start a new one. The key here is not to treat them as precious. I don’t baby my Field Notes. They get messy, filled with doodles, cross-outs, and random scribbles, and that’s exactly how they should be. Once a notebook is full, I move any important material to either my main journal or my commonplace book.

The Commonplace Book

The commonplace book is still something I’m learning to use regularly, but I’ve grown to love it. Traditionally, a commonplace book is a personal repository of knowledge, a place to collect quotes, notes, observations, and lessons from books, podcasts, or life experiences. Think of it as your own curated library of insights. The idea dates back to the Renaissance, when scholars and writers used commonplace books to capture wisdom worth revisiting and connecting later.

In practice, mine holds summaries of books I’ve read, interesting quotes, journal prompts, and ideas worth remembering. A good way to use one is to dedicate each page or section to a single idea or source. Over time, it becomes an index of your thoughts, something you can browse when you need inspiration, reflection, or a reminder of what matters to you.

The Big Journal

My large A5 Leuchtturm1917 is reserved for deeper writing such as brain dumps, reflections, or morning pages. It’s a mix of everything: structured journaling, unfiltered thoughts, and self-reflection. I usually write in it twice a day, once in the morning and again before bed.

If I don’t feel like writing much, I skip the A5 and use my Field Notes instead. But I still journal every day, even if it’s just a single line. The act of showing up to the page matters more than how much I write.

Writing Tools

For writing, I use a Lamy Safari fountain pen with an EF nib in my Field Notes, my go-to pen for everyday writing. I also keep a Micron 03 or 05 as a backup. For the larger journal, I use a Caran d’Ache ballpoint, which glides beautifully across the paper. It’s by far my favorite ballpoint pen: smooth, consistent, and effortless.

Everyday Carry Essentials

Beyond notebooks and pens, I consider my Hamilton Murph 38mm my daily watch. It’s comfortable, understated, and elegant, perfect for everyday wear, even if the lume is practically nonexistent.

My secondary watch is a modded Casio AE1200WH (also known as Casio Royale), a thoughtful gift marking my work anniversary at Immunefi. It’s light, practical, and I love the world time feature, especially since I work remotely.

I also carry a Victorinox Swiss Army Knife and a compact flashlight, both more useful than I ever expected. Whether it’s searching for something under the bed or walking my dog at night, they’ve proven their worth many times.

When I’m writing or reading, I often use my AirPods Pro 2 and my Kindle (12th Gen). For drafting articles, I rely on my iPad Pro M2 (11-inch) with the keyboard, lightweight, powerful, and perfect for writing anywhere.