Not too long ago, I won an Ecosystem Journal on Michael Hyatt’s website. After receiving it in the mail this week, I thought I would post a few thoughts about what I like about it so far.

I’ve journaled all my life, but it’s only been the past few years that I’ve stepped that habit up to a whole new level. I’ve found journaling to be a great spiritual growth tool. Here are a few of the reasons I find this discipline so important. I plan to take this list and write more fully about it in the near future, but briefly:

1. It helps me to grow spiritually. I can track my growth over the past few years, and see where I have changed and where I have yet to change.
2. It helps me to write more clearly. Writing everyday helps me to articulate my thoughts better and better.
3. It leaves a legacy for my kids. One day, when I’m gone, they will be able to take my stack of journals and say, “This is who Dad was…” That’s important to me.

But about the Ecosystem Journal. So far, I really like it. I haven’t done much more than examine it a bit, but so far, I like what I see.

My journal of choice over the past few years has been the Moleskine. It’s been exactly what I need for my writing, but it doesn’t lend itself as well to other tasks I would like to use it for, such as meeting notes. I’ve also found a pocket-sized journal called Field Notes, that I carry for jotting down thoughts and lists. More on that in a future post as well.

But the Ecosystem journal has a few features that I really like, and a few that I’m not so impressed with.

1. I love that fact that every page is micro-perforated. I plan on using this notebook for youth ministry meetings. As I make notes concerning summer camp, retreats, and other activities, the perforation will come in handy. I’ll be able to tear out the pages and scan them into Evernote where they will become easily searchable. Moleskine only perforates the last few pages of each journal.
2. I love the fact that the Ecosystem journal is completely made from post-recycled materials. I’m not a fanatic green type of person, but I do believe that stewardship of our planet is necessary if we are to pass on to the next generation an environment that they can use.
3. The construction of the Ecosystem is very similar to the style of journal that I’m used to using by Moleskine. The size and shape are the same. They both have the sewn-in bookmark, a pocket in the back and an elastic band that holds the cover shut when not in use.
4. Each Ecosystem has a unique identification number assigned to it. This can be used to discover the origin of the various materials used in its construction, or even to track it if I lose it and someone reports it.

However, there are a few things that I’m not so impressed with so far.

1. The cover is different than a Moleskine. While not a big deal, the Ecosystem cover picks up finger prints easily and smears and smudges show up clearly. The Moleskine doesn’t show these as easily.
2. The elastic band on the cover feels a bit weaker than the one that Moleskine uses. I haven’t used this journal long enough yet to see how it holds up, but so far, it feels cheaper.
3. The Ecosystem journal that I received has lined pages. I know, I can get other journals that are blank, but this is the one I was given. This isn’t necessarily a negative point; but I wanted to mention it, and it didn’t really fit under the list of positive things.

Overall, I am impressed with this journal. I like it about as much as the Moleskine I currently am using, and the perforation throughout the entire book is a major selling point for me. I will probably start using these regularly for many different things.

If you are interested in finding out more information about these journals, check out their website. There you’ll find a lot of information about them, much more than I can give here. Check it out.

And, if you are interested in grabbing one and giving it a try, you can order it from Amazon. If you are currently using a Moleskine, I would recommend that you give one of these a shot. You might be pleasantly surprised.

Do you journal? What notebook do you use? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links”. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.“