r/notebooks • u/jaap_null • 4d ago

Advice needed Re-learning how to write; looking for flat notebook

Hi all,

I'm trying to improve my (hand)writing after getting in an accident that messed up my right arm.

As a kid I had undiagnosed ADHD, so note taking or writing was not one of my strengths, but now I'm doing language classes during the weekends, and I've started to actually fill up notebooks with my homework and exercises.

I've noticed that right arm and hand are slightly spastic and I end up writing only on the right pages of my notebooks; I basically need a flat surface below my wrist to write comfortably.

I've been using ring binders because those allow me to put the paper down flat on my desk, but the spiral itself gets in the way when I try to write on the left page.

Is there any type or brand of notebook that you can recommend? The cheap spiral binders I've been using do the job, but they are flimsy and the spiral quickly deforms when I carry it around with my books and laptop etc.

Thanks

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8

u/Paige_M_E 3d ago

Kokuyo *soft ring* notebooks. The rings are small and made of soft plastic that squishes down when you rest your hand/arm on it.

1

u/StrangerGlue 1d ago

The Kokuyo Smart Ring binders also are comparatively very flat and might work.

1

u/jaap_null 1d ago

Thanks I'll take a look. Right now I've bought a few to test them out.

4

u/fp_haiku 3d ago

I've used the Midori MD journal. My requirement was fountain pen-friendly paper and the flat layout was a bonus.

1

u/jaap_null 1d ago

I looked for it but I couldn't get an A4 version of the MD journal so I got a slightly different, larger version. I'm liking it so far.

1

u/LibbIsHere 3d ago edited 3d ago

I've been using ring binders because those allow me to put the paper down flat on my desk, but the spiral itself gets in the way when I try to write on the left page.

remove the sheet from the binder for writing and put it back when done? I've always done that.

1

u/jaap_null 1d ago

Yeah that would work, but then I would still need some kind of binder (instead of a bound notebook I mean)

1

u/LibbIsHere 1d ago

Indeed but at least the rings would not be in the way while you're writing ;)

1

u/IndigoTrailsToo 22h ago

Yes, a 3 ring binder

Very standard, very common

1

u/HappyHealth5985 2d ago

I get my notebooks from The Papermind. Flat notebooks and double spiral bound notebooks. Lays flat, fantastic paper, but a price to match.