Paperless: The One Notebook And Pen I’m Never Giving Up

An Apple user bridges the digital–analog divide

Two messy Moleskine Cahiers, with one Pilot Dr Grip 4+1 pen. Bliss. —Picture by Author.

Thanks to the paperless workflow I’ve been implementing between my MacBook Pro, iPad Pro and iPhone, nary a scraplet of paper is needed — or wanted — for 95% of the work I do. I’m a small business owner who used to go through forests of paper every year for decades, so that feels like quite an achievement!

As a paperless convert, digital evangelist and an aspiring minimalist, I’m here to tell you about the notebook and pen that stayed when everything else went to the shredder.

It all started with a pen

The BiC 4 colour pen was introduced to the world in 1970 by Marcel Bich. I used it continuously for about 40 years — it truly is a great, iconic product.

Four supremely useful colours in one package — c’est magnifique, n’est-ce que pas! Until the ink goes blotchy and blobby, that is. And then runs out. (Eh bien, Monseiur Bich; vous avez fait de votre mieux.)

Fortunately, someone has improved upon this paragon of convenience. Allow me to introduce… the Pilot Dr Grip 4+1.

Four familiar colours — black, blue, red, green — plus a 0.5 mm mechanical pencil, in one very comfortable to hold package that’ll see you…