Journaling My Ideas and Staying Organised
by Amanda on February 22, 2010
How do you keep track of your thoughts and ideas? Ever since I was a little girl I have written notes in journals and diaries, kept lists and jotted down little pieces of prose on pretty papers. Being a stationery junkie, I have long hoarded notepads and sticky notes.
I blame my forgetful mind for endless post it notes and reminders in my handbag and on the front page of my diary. I’ve tried so hard to keep myself organised with my Blackberry and iPod touch but I find paper still works better. I often will come up with ideas for photography shoots at 2am whilst lying in bed or while out doing the grocery shopping, so it’s important to me that I write these ideas down. Photography is often more planned than I’d like it to be but it’s a great way to keep track of your thoughts and “scathingly brilliant ideas”.
I have a mini Moleskine journal for my photography shoot ideas and I also have this fun little notepad called “Great Ideas” which I keep all my harebrained, totally big picture ideas in. I love it because it lists the idea number, the date you came up with it and has a section for notes.
I’m constantly searching for iPhone and Blackberry apps to fill this paper list void but am yet to find one I like.
Some of my favourite stationery stores are Kikki K in Australia, Paper Ya in Vancouver and Il Papiro in Italy. There are also some awesome Japanese and Korean stationery sellers on etsy. Kinokuniya has a nice selection of Japanese stationery in its stores too.
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i envy people who can write these things down … i try but it never works on a regular basis. saying all this when my husband was deployed last or when i have all kinds of emotions built up inside writing them down generally helps.
It took me years to fine tune my organisation, but now everything goes asap in a Moleskine notebook and I feel both focused and grounded ! I’m a paper person ;o)
I like paper better too. I’ve tried various iphone apps, but I don’t really get them. Pen and paper works so much better for me.
I’m also a stationary junkie! Right now, I’m addicted to the sticky notes from Cavallini!
Laura, most of my written is notes and reminders now. The bulk of my writing is here on my blog!
Catherine, writing in a moleskine feels so good too, don’t you think? The paper is yummy.
Mausumi, there is one with sticky notes which looks good but it’s expensive.
Thanks for the link, I will check that one out.
Oh Mausumi, I have the Parisian sticky notes! You can see them in a couple of recent pics I took hehe
I love them.
Oh I am such a stationary junkie! Journals are my favourite – I can’t count how many journals I’ve gone through since girlhood. There’s nothing better than a pretty notebook for unexpected ideas or to-do lists.
i’m a paper person too! there are many little moleskins on my shelves. i have found teuxdeux.com a helpful online list application – you might find it useful!
Hannah… or just to have ;)
Ooh thanks for the link, Alissa. I’ll check it out!
Oh, I so know what you mean. I have to write the ideas down too. And yes, a Moleskine is my notebook of choice, but I use the back of envelopes, journo notepads, anything I have handy.
ahhh i love paper!
i bought a darling little notebook on the weekend so i shall start using that, i love to be organised. everyone has moleskins, are they that good? i shall have to try one out :)
Pearl xo
Pearl, I don’t know about everyone else but the paper is so beautiful to write on…it’s so supple and smooth. I was given my first Moleskine only about 3 yrs ago for a birthday but I’ve been using them ever since.
i followed the photo link from flickr to here as i love the photo. i have just cleared out a large assortment of notebooks to try and contain myself to one! i still haven’t worked out how to collect everything in one place.
i really enjoy your blog – wonderful photographs.
Amanda, have you checked out Regional Assembly of Text on Main street?
Beautiful stationery and notebooks. Nothing really beats a moleskin, but for the other times they have some gorgeous books and cards!
I am such a paper person. I love paper and pens and pencils… total school girl nerd. But I wish I was more organized. I always start journals, switch to a new one, then usually end up switching again. It’s not pretty.
Thanks Leonie and Tiffany. :)
Leeanne, I haven’t been to visit it yet but I’ve looked over their website quite a few times. I’m intrigued by their reading room. I’ll have to check it out soon!
For me, all things paper and pen work best. Although I’ve been using “Evernote” on my iPhone to keep track of on the spot things I’ve remembered or need to remember, it’s not until I transfer them to paper, post-it, or notebook later that it actually feels important. That sounds so horrible doesn’t it, haha. And I love Cavallini. I’ve been using their Clipiola paper clips but may have to pick up a set or two of their gorgeous post-its!
thank u for sharing. loving and inspiring!
greetings from south africa, i simply love ur site and look forward to your breakfast delight you plan to make for the week!
stay golden!
xx
bianca miles jordaan
johannesburg
I have a home scattered with all sorts of journals. They are filled in every page of memories, quotes, lines of poetry, song lyrics, etc. I’ve done this most of my life. And I’m so, so thankful for doing so.
My absolute favorite journals I found are from Borders bookstore. They are solid black and are by PICCADILLY. There are two really great journaling sizes. I have stockpiled both like a crazy woman. {they carry lined & blank} I make sure I get the lined. They are in the “bargain” sections marked $4.99 or $6.99.
favorite. favorite. favorite.
{here they are online… but remember they are discounted at Borders}
http://piccadillyinc.com/products/notebooks
amanda.
i think i’ve said this before, i must have, but i LOVE your blog. i’m eyeing film cameras and i can come here. i’m wanting to check out some new blogs, i can come here. i’m looking for some company in the i-heart-stationary dept., i can come here!
i love it.
and LOVE the paper ya shout-out. i’ve just recently had my card line picked up to be carried there! so exciting! check it out:
danipress.bigcartel.com
thanks, again and again, for your blog.
xo.
ok, i KNEW we had had a conversation at one point, i couldn’t get it out of my head.
http://danikreeft.wordpress.com/about-me/
i’d still love to know how to become a super-blogger, and since you have such a stellar blog, you might have a tip or two!!
xo.
lol Dani, hardly.
Thanks so much.:)
That’s awesome about Paper Ya! I LOVE that store.
i prefer paper, too. i love my mac, but i find that it’s easier to get the whole picture with a notebook. plus you don’t have to remember charging it… i like the fact that you can both write and draw your ideas if you’re using paper!
“Awesome Note” is my favorite FAAVORITE iPhone app to keep all my ideas, lists, goals, etc organized!
The layout is so cute, and so clean, you can’t help but LOVE it!
Check it out!
http://www.bridworks.com/
Sometimes I try to make up new lists just so I can play with the App =)
I love to cross things off a list – on paper, with my pen!