Stationery shopping seems like the perfect excuse to procrastinate, especially for a writer. But in reality, it’s an indispensable part of leading a creative life. As Jodi Wilson aptly puts it,
“Stationery shopping may be the finest form of procrastination – but who can resist the joy of a perfect pen?”
Growing up in the 90s, summers meant days filled with pool splashes and flipping through back-to-school stationery catalogs. The excitement of circling essential items, categorizing needs versus wants, and meticulously covering exercise books in chosen prints with my mom are memories I cherish.
As a writer and mother of four school-age children now, stationery holds a special place in my heart. I strive to pass on my love for pens and post-its to my kids as a way to divert their attention from screens towards the simple pleasure found in sharpened HB pencils and the endless possibilities of blank paper.
My writing desk serves as a hub for creativity amidst its occasional chaotic state. When words fail me on screen, nothing beats reaching for my favorite pen – the uniball gel impact – and letting thoughts flow onto paper. While fancy journals have their allure, there’s something uniquely comforting about classic spiral-bound notebooks that welcome unruly scribbles without judgment.
In those messy pages lie sparks of brilliance waiting to be discovered; fragmented ideas that lead to new narratives when least expected. Capturing these fleeting moments on paper is akin to preserving fragments of imagination before they vanish into thin air.
Handwriting not only slows down thoughts but also heightens sensory engagement, making it an invaluable tool for writers seeking clarity amidst mental clutter. Paper becomes a canvas where abstract musings take shape into coherent expressions – an irreplaceable medium that digital screens often fail to replicate.
During a recent visit to a Japanese lifestyle store brimming with stationery delights, I couldn’t help but indulge my children (and myself) in an array of pens, papers, and accessories despite luggage constraints. The sheer variety of writing instruments was invigorating; each item holding the promise of unlocking new realms of creativity through words.
Stationery isn’t just about collecting tools; it’s about embracing self-expression and unraveling complexities through written wordplay. Encouraging young minds to jot down thoughts, create lists, or tackle challenging concepts fosters self-discovery and introspection – invaluable skills nurtured by putting pen to paper.
So remember this mantra:
“Write your thoughts, embrace listicles, figure out the hard stuff.”
Each stroke of a pen on paper is an adventure waiting to unfold – a journey fueled by imagination guided by the timeless allure of stationery.
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