Summer is upon us and that means hot days, warm evenings and cool dips. Members of the paper republic team share their favourite places to draw, sketch and write in their journals over the summer months. Find inspiration on where to get your pens and paper out this summer, with these great ideas…
1. On the Riverbank
In summer evenings after work, you can catch me cycling to Donauinsel, jumping into the Danube for a swim and then sitting by the river with my journal to either write some reflections or do a quick doodle. Time comes to a halt here. I can unwind and focus on the little things in life and take a break from the screens. Paul Anderson, Social Media Manager
2. In the Garden
During summer I often write in my journal outside. My favourite spot is a bench I made from an old wooden railway sleeper, in the garden. On warm evenings, I sit with my back resting on the wall which has been heated by the sun all day and radiates a pleasant heat. Listening to the wind in the trees, the crickets, or the birds, is a calming background and helps me focus on my thoughts and write my notes. Sam Baldwin, Chief Editor
3. In the Forest
I often escape to the nearby park or forest, where I can simply be — barefoot, breathing deeply, and fully immersed in nature. In those quiet moments, ideas often come to me, and I jot them down in my pocket grand voyageur so nothing gets lost. Ani Dyankova, Guiding Bespoke Projects at l'atelier
4. In the Park
I go to the park, just sit there and enjoy the sun, under the shade of a tree, of course. I love people-watching and the sounds of people talking around me. That’s the ideal setting for me to focus. I bring my journal, jot down thoughts, plans, and little ideas for things I can do with friends and family in the weeks ahead, or a list of movies I want to watch that week. Lea Le, Freelance Content Editor
5. In the shade
In the summer I'm always on the hunt for a shady spot to journal. Sometimes it's a café where I sit under a parasol and listen to the people and the city. Sometimes it's a park where I sit under a tree and try to escape the people and the city, to put some distance between myself and the distractions of everyday life. I sit there and write down what's going on in my head or read something that feeds my thoughts. Felix, Customer Service Specialist (and The Man with 50 Notebooks)
6. On the Grass
In summer, I love journalling in Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace, in the Burggarten, or in the Lainzer Tiergarten. Burggarten is perfect when I want to feel the city's energy while still enjoying some calm – I usually find a quiet spot on the grass with a view of the palm house. But when I want to be completely alone with my thoughts, I head to the Lainzer Tiergarten. It's incredibly peaceful there – no traffic noise, just me, my leather journal, and nature. Khatia Nadiradze, Leather Designer
7. By the Water
There’s something about being near water that just resets me. In the summer, I always find myself at the Danube canal. It’s the one place where my thoughts slow down and start to make sense. I usually sit on a shaded bench with my journal; no pressure to write anything special, just whatever comes. It’s where I feel most like myself. Szofi Tóth, Social Media Content Creator Specialist
8. By the Window
I like to journal at home, even during the summer. My home is a safe place and a happy space. My favourite sitting corner is my Danish sofa bench; it's placed in a bow window and offers a wide view of the sky and clouds. It's where I relax, read, write and do collaging.
Often my partner sits there too for his own creative activities; either we chat or we stay silent, both in our own worlds, listening to music on the record player, and enjoying the soft wind coming in through the open windows and the sun shining on our colourful walls. Ranee Lachaize, Head of Strategic Partnerships
Get your summer journalling going with one of our leather journals or portfolios.