Do you ever find yourself lost in the aisles of a stationery store, drawn to the array of pens, notebooks, and colorful sticky notes? For many writers and creatives, stationery shopping is not just a mere act of procrastination; it’s an essential ritual that fuels their creativity and sparks joy in their daily lives.
As we delve into the world of stationery enthusiasts, let’s embark on a journey filled with nostalgia, creativity, and the art of putting pen to paper. Imagine being a child in the 90s, eagerly anticipating the back-to-school season – a time when covering books in contact paper and selecting the perfect stationery items were top priorities. The excitement of circling essential items in a catalogue, categorizing needs versus wants, and preparing for a new academic year was unparalleled.
“I marked ‘stationery shopping’ on my calendar – an annual highlight – and counted down the days,”
recalls Jodi Wilson, an avid writer who cherishes her childhood memories associated with stationery. Despite the sweltering heat and humidity that accompanied this task, Wilson’s mother meticulously covered each exercise book with sticky contact paper while ensuring no unsightly bubbles or folds disrupted the perfection sought by her meticulous daughter.
Stationery isn’t just about practicality; it holds sentimental value and serves as a gateway to creativity. Wilson reflects on how her passion for pens and post-it notes has shaped her life as both a writer and a mother of four school-age children. Introducing her kids to the world of stationery is not merely about providing tools for school but instilling an appreciation for handwritten expression over digital communication.
“My desk is adorned with various stationery items – from HB pencils to spiral-bound notebooks,”
shares Wilson. There’s something inherently magical about picking up a favorite pen or flipping through well-worn pages that captures fleeting thoughts and sparks inspiration during moments of creative blockage. While fancy journals have their allure, there’s an unmatched charm in simple spirax notebooks that serve as vessels for raw ideas waiting to be unleashed onto paper.
In today’s digitized world where screens dominate our daily interactions, there’s solace in embracing traditional pen-and-paper methods for jotting down thoughts.
“Paper doesn’t track your word count; handwriting slows down the brain and engages all senses,”
explains Wilson. This physical connection to writing allows ideas to flow freely without constraints imposed by technology or distractions present in digital devices.
A trip to a Japanese lifestyle store becomes a whimsical adventure as Wilson navigates through aisles brimming with an assortment of pens, papers, and accessories. The allure of vibrant colors, smooth gel pens, grid papers, and precision mechanical sharpeners evokes pure delight akin to discovering hidden treasures waiting to be explored.
“Stationery shopping may be the finest form of procrastination but it’s also an essential part of a creative life,”
affirms Wilson. Beyond its practical utility lies a deeper significance – it symbolizes self-expression, introspection through journaling, and unleashing one’s imagination onto blank pages waiting to be filled with stories untold.
As we conclude our exploration into the enchanting realm of stationery aficionados like Jodi Wilson,…