A paper diary can seem irrelevant nowadays. But in this blog post I explain that there are benefits to having an old fashioned paper diary. You will be more able to access your own creativity by writing by hand rather than using a keyboard or screen. This is especially important if you are a creative or visual entrepreneur.
Of course online events are quickly clicked through to an online diary. But making a note by hand reminds you that you are in charge of your life, rather that delegating all to a machine. The variety of marks on the page add to visual variety which makes life more memorable.
Read more to see whether you are an inner stationery addict,too.
The touch of paper and pen is good for you
The touch of paper is good for your brain! Research shows that the physical sensations of touching a pen and feeling the paper gets you in touch with a more creative part of your brain. The act of taking your hand across the page helps to slow your mind a little and gives you a more satisfying sensation than the touch of keys.
Paper has a specific feeling. Depending on the quality or thickness (measured in gsm) the feel of the paper can be pleasing. Customers of mine also talk about how the choice of pen is important too. Whether you use pencil and can erase changes easily, biro or – my favourite – a rollerball type of pen, you are making choices which satisfy you. Typing and looking at a screen does not have the same immediacy. For sustained writing most people type faster than hand-write but when you fill in notes for a diary you are not writing a long form article.
If you are creative
You like bringing your personal touch to what you do. Whether your hand-writing is lovely to look at or illegible scrawl is not the point. So when you fill out your ideas and appointments each page will have a distinctive appearance. Even the coffee stain or ink smudge add character and give you the feeling of leaving your personal marks.
You are not fitting into predefined fields which have been defined by a computer. This is highly satisfying if you have a rebellious streak. An individual viewpoint of the hall mark of entrepreneurs, artists and all kinds of creatives.
The right diary gives you space but with some structure. You don’t have to invent the week each time. There are often pockets at the back where you can have a small pull out notebook if you want more space.
A different colour for each new diary means variety
Some people like to use black diaries year after year. Personally I like to have a different colour or design for each diary, whether it is for the year or each quarter.
The colour is a pleasure to look at and brings a distinct vibrant quality to each year. There are of course a wonderful selection of exciting covers images you can choose too. I tend to have plain colour for my small yearly diary.
Choose your diary with care
Does the diary feel good in your hand? What size do you prefer? The best diary is one that you use rather than lose. Does it fit into a handbag, case or pocket?
The quality of paper affects whether writing will bleed through the page. Sustainability is another factor, which is prioritised by some providers such as Papier.. It should be a pleasure to use. and help you to feel good too.
If the layout matters to you it matters! Some people like the space of a page a day diary with lots of space, and the freedom to write in large handwriting without feeling constrained. Others I know like to write the very minimum in scrawly initials which only they can understand.
I personally like a diary with the days of the week down one side and a page of notes on the other. In fact once I joined a networking organisation because they gave away a very pleasing diary! This leaves me enough space to feel free but gives more structure than, say a bullet journal. I have no wish to write out the days and months myself!
Choose your diary with care so it can be a real support. Life as a business owner can be tough and everything that makes everyday activities more enjoyable contributes to our well-being. Even the quality of the book mark can help…
Your paper diary or notebook can travel anywhere with you
A paper diary can become like a trusted friend. It accompanies you and makes few demands – it does not need batteries or be in reach of wifi. Pens or pencils are easy to source and cost little. There is also the surprising fact that too much choice often means no choice. When you have a constraint it can free up your ideas.
I do have a larger notebook as well but my small diary helps me stay on top of life and business.
Online diaries and appointment schedulers are the easy way to fill your diary, and they are invaluable. But a paper diary adds that spark of individual expression. I know there are quite a few of us stationery addicts!
Are you a paper diary user? Let me know in the comments!