How to Use the Hobonichi Cousin Daily Layout

The Hobonichi Cousin’s layout offers limitless possibility; although, that possibility can be overwhelming when you face a blank page.

Keep reading to see practical ideas for each section in your Hobonichi planner.

Section A

Section A is that slim square right next to the date. It does come with five to-do boxes that make it a diverse area.

• How I use it: Most important events and tasks of the day
• A 5-line habit tracker
• A miracle morning tracker
• Health information: water consumption, sleep, steps
• Gratitude log
• A fancy or artistic header for the day

Section B

Section B is the most defined area of the daily layout. The hours are faintly outlined on the left-hand side.

• How I use it: My pre-planned commitments, events, and appointments
• A time log of how your day actually went
• An outline for how you want to use the time

Section C

Section C is the main body of the page, and it’s full of possibility.

• How I use it: rapid logging of tasks, bullet journal style
• Space to journal
• Daily art or drawing
• To-do list
• A blank notebook page for your next list, collection, or brainstorm

Section D

Section D is the narrow space below the outlined schedule.

• How I use it: a food diary
• Exercise log
• Gratitude log
• In-depth notes on the day’s events
• Meeting/appointment notes
• A daily writing or art challenge, such as Boho Berry’s monthly prompts

Section E

• How I use it: Long-form journaling and project management
• Shopping or errand lists
• Notes for the coming day
• Ideas, inspiration, and important notes
• Project notes and planning, personally or professionally
• Work or school to-do lists

Finding a way to make the Hobonichi Cousin work for you is a personal process that might take some time. But don’t be disheartened – the Internet is full of resources on how to optimize this space for productivity, organization, and even beauty.

The Hobonichi Cousin is typically called the “workhorse” of the Hobonichi line for the reason, and it can work for you!

The Daily Layout for Writers:

The E section is my catch-all place for writing notes. I outline what scenes or blog posts I need to write for that day, and also log actual progress on these goals.

Designating one box of the daily layout for all inspiration, goals, progress logs, social media notes, follow-ups needed, and tasks is essential to keeping the many threads of a writers’ life in order.

The Daily Layout for Students:

The C section is where I list all my homework and school-related notes and tasks. I keep all homework right at the top, under the A section.

Make a habit of outlining your school priorities either the night before or first thing in the morning. Having a concise, specific space for your tasks ensures that you’re accomplishing them.

How do you make your Hobonichi Cousin daily layout work for you? Comment below or email me at greyzonepages@gmail.com.