I love lists–To Do Lists, Wish Lists, Goal Lists. But then somewhere along the way, the notes section in my iPhone has taken place of the ritual of writing things down on paper. Somehow I don’t think it’s working well; I mean, it’s fine for my Whole Foods’ list, but not for being strategic, or middle-of-the-night ideas (I do not look at my phone at night), planning out in advance, or basically anything that requires thought. Who sits down with their phone in their hand, staring off into space and letting their mind wander, to then type something furiously down before you forget it?!
Back when I was an editor, a status accessory many of us had was an Hermes agenda, which you would get a calendar refill for every year where you would write down your appointments, interview dates, addresses, info etc. There were blank pages in the back which I would fill with lists at home, at work, on airplanes, because I would carry it with me everywhere. You could choose from a myriad of leather covers in beautiful shades (I still have my Hermes orange and a deep eggplant). It felt like an elegant way to put thoughts to paper. Then being sleek and not needing pens or paper replaced being elegant. I’m over it.
This year, in an attempt to be better organized, more strategic with my time and more thoughtful about my intentions and goals, I have ordered a book that is part calendar, part goal-oriented keeper (it even has budget pages), to hopefully get me on track. It is from an Australian brand, The Organised Life (Aussie spelling) and I discovered it because a friend gave me a monogrammed notebook from them for a holiday gift. They are affordable ($40), but shipping costs to U.S. are $30. After looking at other agendas/organization notebooks it might be my favorite. There are others–for the super classic, no frills but very luxurious calendar there is Smython’s Soho agenda ($220), or the Hermes for which you must order the leather cover (starting at $350) and calendar (starting at $65) separately. Then there are the serious goal oriented ones which have very little to do with dentist appointments and to read lists–the Best Self Planner–that covers either 13 weeks ($40) or 6 months per journal (it is date nonspecific–you circle/fill in the correct numbers) for which you write down goals, revisit them, make statement commitments etc., and the Full Focus Planner ($50) which is a 3 month goal-oriented agenda for those who really love getting granular with weekly agenda, ideal week agenda, quarterly preview and ritual pages.
The last two are both favored by self-self and branding gurus, but since I haven’t written anything down in so long they almost terrifying to me. Perhaps once I start getting something down on a regular basis, I will be ready to progress. I am curious to see if going back to making lists will make my life better on some level. I’ll keep you posted.
top photo courtesy An Organized Life
I totally agree – I love the iPhone notes for storing quotes but I don’t edit or refer to the lists I have written there . I switched to contacts and add my various packing lists there . It also seems more polite to be writing in public in an actual notebook – on my iPhone it just looks like I am texting or replying to a text or horror of horrors checking Instagram . I used to rely on Oxford 8×5 Spiral Notebook but recently tried Muji 4X6 that seems to be working . . .
Beautifully said, and so true. The act of writing is much more transformative on paper than an iPhone, at least for me. Love the new company you found. I’m also a fan if Jenni Bick’s bound leather journals. x
I have happily and productively used a Filofax for more than 30 years. I’ve actually worn out two leather covers and when I recently bought my third (all three have been red), I downsized but but still include blank note pages along with each year’s fresh calendar and I keep an old and much loved silver pen in the loop so I can always capture a list or a thought. I love how keeping written diaries and notes can become precious records of our lives and musings. I didn’t know that when I bought my first Filofax, but all these years later, I am grateful for my habit.