In recent years I realized that journals or notebooks with spiral binding were the ones that I gravitated toward. I think it goes back to school. Every class needed spiral notebooks, folders, binders, pens, pencils, etc.
So, I guess that training is ingrained in how I work today. I have so many journals that are book bound and those stay blank. The ones that have a spiral binding are the ones that get used most for work.
We all have our preferences and have to go with what works better for us. The sooner you recognize that, the better.
Spiral is not my first choice as writing in them is a bit difficult, but I'm glad it works for you. I got used to individual paper sheets during University and masters as it was easier to just grab a bunch of paper, write on them and then put them in the appropriate folders. Way easier than carrying a bunch of notebooks each day.
That makes sense. What happens to me with loose sheets of paper is that they get shuffled around and then I wind up missing one page or find different projects mixed together. I noticed that you were very diligent in how you used loose paper. You put them in their appropriate folders. And I think that has been the crucial step I have been missing.