I am a stationery nerd. I love paper and pens and office supplies of all kinds. I used to have a stationery set of my own when I was little and I would write letters to my friends and they would write me back – sometimes there would be a puffy sticker included if we were extra-good friends. I don’t remember exactly what my stationery looked like, but I have a feeling it was something sweet and girly – probably something with strawberries. Remember those boxed sets with the satin ribbon? Man, I loved those.
Why don’t we write letters anymore? Oh right…email. And texting.
That sucks. 
Anyway, my love of paper is now channeled into notebooks. Lined notebooks give me a thrill – something about a blank journal feels like it holds all the potential in the world. What could I use it for? What kinds of things could I write in it? What secrets will it hold??? COULD BE ANYTHING.
I carry these notebooks around with me everywhere. They live in a sturdy tote bag that stays in my car so that I can always access my notebooks if I need one whether I’m at work or at home. Two of the above notebooks are blank, but all of the others serve a specific purpose. One is used for my session with Emily Roberts, one is used for assignments from Emily, another is just for food journaling (which I don’t really do anymore, but I carry it around with me because…well I don’t know why, it just goes along with all the other notebooks), the pink one on the bottom is mainly a gratitude journal, and the red one I use to go along with this book. The black and teal are the blank ones – I’m saving them for a special purpose, which I don’t know yet, but I’m sure I’ll need them eventually. Those 4 in the bottom of the picture…I picked those up at Dollar General for $3 a piece. I LOVE THEM.
I’ve been using notebooks like this since my son was born 21 years ago. I used a hard backed, spiral bound notebook to write down questions I wanted to ask my OBGYN, and then later used it to record feeding times, questions for a new babysitter, then I just used it to make to do lists or grocery lists. It became the place I wrote down all the things I needed to remember. I still have that notebook and love looking back at it from time to time.
Oddly enough, I’ve never really used my notebooks as a day to day journal. Mainly my notebooks are filled with reminders or recipes, or blog post ideas. I will sometimes use my phone to remind me of appointments and such, but I think with my pen – I can remember things better when I physically write them down.
So even though we are living in a digital age, I will continue with my love of paper and pen. I may even bust out some stationery and write an actual letter sometime soon. Anyone need a penpal? 🙂
I feel ya! My coworker thinks I’m a paper nerd bc I know so much about weight, brightness and textures of available paper to print on. I will never give up my hands-on, list making, history keeping, success recording day planner (new fav is Me & my Big Ideas Create 365, can get at Micharls). I remember my shock of having my senior high youth group write themselves a letter on mission trip about 12 years ago…MAYBE 2 out of 15 knew how to self- address an envelope! I can only imagine that number would be zero today. Love ya let CE your blogs! Would love to see you!
Hey Shan!! What is it about paper and pens that is so satisfying??? 🙂 I would love to see you too! ❤
I love stationery and office supplies, too! Nothing excites me more than getting free pen samples at work! I still like to write letters but don’t do it nearly as often as I should.
Laughing because I LOVE getting those free pen samples!!! My boss always hands them off to me because he knows I can’t resist a free pen. 🙂
I remember those stationery sets! They came in good boxes, many times with lined envelopes and seals. Loved them. I don’t do notebooks, but I do love me a good 6×9 white lined notepad, which I buy by the dozen. And a rainbow of colors of felt-tipped pens. I makes lists, and that makes me happy. Your notebooks are pretty and for someone who loves them so much, I admire your restraint in only having that many, LOL!
I love felt tip pens! And I have to tell myself a firm NO every time I go to the store otherwise I would have a ton of note books. Doesn’t stop me from looking longingly though. 🙂
I just recently starting to write to my cousin once a week. We did this as kids but what started as sending a card now results in weekly letters. I love it. I get to pick cards from art shows, stores & especially the Dollar Store where you get 2 for dollars! It keeps us close even though we live in separate states.
That is such a great idea Paula. I love that!