Here’s How I Spend Way Too Much Time Thinking About Which Notebook to Buy

I’ve written about my love for notebooks before. I always outline and draft my pieces on paper first. I simply can’t focus on writing without the seclusion of pen and paper. I also use my notebook to capture to-dos, meeting notes, and all the other things that make up daily life.

Today, I Had to Buy a New Notebook

Depending on the volume of writing and work I do, and if I’m a better or worse version of myself, a Moleskine notebook usually lasts me 4–6 months. I had to be in the area anyway, so as I only have a few pages left, I decided today is the day.

The other day I was in the supermarket stocking up and I saw standard run of the mill spiral bound notebooks on display for $3.99. I saw a middle aged guy look at the display, pick up a notebook and toss it in his shopping cart. This man will never understand the depths of my admiration. The time he saved, the money he didn’t spend, the ease with which he made his choice all boggled my mind. For me, a notebook is a relationship. Choosing one determines what the next few months of my life will be like.

The following will be my best attempt to take you through the mind of a crazy person as I try to decide which notebook to take home with me.

Welcome Home

Entering the kiosk-sized Moleskine store in Columbus Circle is like coming home again. The notebooks on the shelves, the muted lighting, the prominent displays. It’s cozy, like your favorite room at a friend’s house.

I savor the welcome feeling as I make my way inside. I’m alone, save the lovely young lady who works there. The notebooks are, of course, organized in logical order. I head over to the novelty/themed section first.

How sweet would it be to carry this bad boy around for the next 6 months?

What better way to signal my creative quirkiness than a notebook that has the dark knight? That would be so freaking cool, right? Put a pin in that one — definite contender.

I wander along the shelves. I don’t need a wallet or bag, skip. Hmm, pocket size volants. Definitely need a pack of these…wait! That’s right I have a pack on the dresser at home.

Now the professional and organization shelves. The professional line, so sophisticated. I should definitely think about this. Meh, it’s formatted weirdly for writing long form.

Would I use a paper address book? How is it in this day and age no piece of software is actually good at capturing and organizing contacts correctly? Why do I still crave a book that I can correct myself? Meh, I don’t have the time or the inclination to put a book like that together right now. Maybe over the holiday break…

Now this is a definite possibility. How about another Evernote notebook?

A sketch/notebook might be the perfect hybrid for work and writing! Plus I can back up the important stuff to Evernote. Pin in this one.

Then it was over to the classic shelves. The form factors you’re used to from moleskine. Should I just go with the classic?

In the end, the notebook that won out was a variation on the classic.

I went with the dotted because I wanted the guides for sketching, but the freedom to write with my messy handwriting.

The woman working there told me I made a good choice. She confided that she too was obsessed with her notebooks, one of the reasons she took the job.

It’s my new best friend, holding notes for a new work project. To-do lists and a few story ideas. I doubt it’ll last six months, I’m feeling like a better version of myself lately.