I have seen many references to using a paper notebook during the past few months. Both on YouTube and in blogs I see people who have taken up the use of writing in notebooks. This is not just for journaling which has become a popular way for people to record their thoughts. People are using notebooks for to-do lists, reminders, thought capture and much more.
I have been a big fan of electronic notes. In the past I have used Evernote and more recently the tools available from Apple. However, I have always had a love of handwriting. Wishing to improve my scrawl to something much more readable I wanted to write more by hand, and using electronic notes doesn’t help with that. So, I have been looking at methods of taking notes and realise that there are many benefits to using a paper notebook than we might realise.
There is plenty of advice on setting up notebooks in a systematic way. The beauty of notebooks is that you can set them up and use them in a way that suits you. It’s also possible to adapt and change the way you use them as many times as you like. The type of book, the size, and how many pages you need in a book are all down to you.
Some people will try and use one notebook for everything, others will have one to carry around for quick notes and then transfer anything required to other notebooks. I might cover some of these in more detail in a future story.
A note is a note. That is whether it is on paper or in an electronic form. The information can be identical. Why does writing in a notebook have benefits?
I mentioned earlier that I wanted to improve my handwriting, and since living in a digital world, it has gotten worse. Handwriting is a physical skill, and lack of practice can only lead to a loss of ability. There is benefit number one. Many will not worry about that if they don’t intend to write very much by hand. If that’s you, please, before you go — let’s dig deeper.
A notebook is the perfect place to jot down a quick thought before you forget it. While you may think in the moment that the memory will stick with you, chances are, that little tidbit of information or spark of an idea won’t stick. Not only is memory fleeting, but it’s incredibly fallible. Eyewitness testimony in court cases has been found to be highly unreliable, and researchers have found that even people with so-called Highly Superior Autobiographical Memories—super-memory skills that allow them to remember just about every detail from their lives—are susceptible to false memories. Even when we believe we remember events vividly, our recollections can be wrong. Is it any surprise, then, that we struggle to remember phone numbers and grocery lists?
Carrying pen and paper makes it easy to write down information on the fly, providing a more accurate snapshot of the day when you go back to your notebook. Writing down events and thoughts during the day is a good way to bolster your memory, but a notebook can be used for less lofty purposes, too, like writing down where you got that amazing slice of pizza.
Journaling is an established technique doctors recommend to combat mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Keeping some sort of diary helps people express inner thoughts and fears, identify negative thought patterns, and track symptoms. Even if you don’t have anxiety, keeping a journal can help clarify your feelings and get to know yourself. You may think you don’t have time to dedicate to writing every day, but if you carry around a notebook, your diary will always be on hand to write in while you’re killing time during your daily life.
Carrying a notebook has been an essential part of the creative process for centuries. Ludwig van Beethoven didn’t go anywhere without one, just in case inspiration struck while he was out. Benjamin Franklin carried a pocket notebook to chart his moral progress on his “13 virtues” character development plan. Mark Twain took notebooks with him wherever he traveled to write down observations and book ideas. The same goes for today. Modern authors and artists know that their best ideas probably won’t come to them when they’re sitting down at their desks, ready to work. They carry notebooks to make sure that they are always ready when a brilliant thought comes to mind. Even if you aren’t planning on becoming a famous writer or composer, you no doubt have flashes of brilliance during your everyday life, and a notebook will allow you to remember them.
Digital planners and apps are convenient and useful—until your phone goes dead. Paper and pen don’t require any charging and are always ready to use. Even if you use your phone or computer for most writing tasks, it’s great to keep a notebook on hand for when your digital devices run out of juice. Even if your phone isn’t yet dead, using a notebook can help you save that battery life for something more important, like getting directions or playing games.
A notebook may seem like a simple thing, but it can unlock a world of possibilities for you. Learn more about all the amazing things paper can do at howlifeunfolds.com/learn.