⧉ The Notebook Approval Matrix
Welcome to the second issue of OVERLAP ⧉
The Notebook Approval Matrix
The most interesting people in the world keep notebooks, and the best ideas often start on paper. If you care about the quality of your thoughts, you probably carry the tools to write things down.
I’ll be the first to admit I have a notebook obsession, and I’ve accumulated a sizable collection over the years. The most beautiful notebooks often go unused; my scribbles and checklists don’t feel worthy of the fancy pages. But cheap, crappy notebooks aren’t the answer, either. Thin, dull paper is uninspiring, and flimsy covers can’t withstand the wear and tear of daily use.
Hoarding a wide variety of notebooks has helped me arrive at a framework I like to call the Notebook Approval Matrix:
(Clearly, I’ve been spending way too much time with consultants.)
Everyone’s ideal notebook experience is somewhere on this grid. If you pay careful attention to your habits, you’ll be able to pinpoint your own magical middle ground.
For me, the ideal notebook is not too big to carry in a handbag, but not too small for an ambitious to-do list. I should feel happy to look at it all day, every day … but not feel bad about ripping out a page or jotting down less-than-profound thoughts.
I finally found my “forever notebook” in the basement shelves of Kinokuniya, a Japanese bookstore not far from my apartment here in New York. The Kyokuto Expedient has smooth pages, a sturdy cover, and tough double rings. The 7mm lines are the right size for my handwriting. It feels worthy of smart ideas but not at all precious.
Discovering the perfect fit, notebook-wise, has been surprisingly liberating. I no longer feel like I have to live up to the artsy pedigree of a Moleskine or crunch a big idea into the tiny pages of a Field Notes memo book. And now that I’ve been filling a fresh Kyokuto Expedient on a quarterly-ish basis, I’m starting to see the beginning of a tidy archive of notebooks.
What will become of the box of notebooks I’ve been collecting for the past few years? It turns out my nieces and nephew are big fans of pocket-size notebooks. They quickly fill the pages with uninhibited doodles and games of tic-tac-toe. Maybe when they get older, the hardcover journals will be home to their innermost thoughts. There’s nothing like giving the gift of a blank page.
⧉
The first issue of this newsletter struck a chord ... Many people responded (via text message, email, Slack, Twitter, and Instagram) to express their own frustrations with Instagram and social media in general. I think we're going to see some big shifts in the next few years, but it will take a while.
I’d love to hear what you think — reply to this email or send a note through my website. (Bonus points if you attach a photo of your favorite notebook.) You can also forward this to a friend or two and invite them to subscribe.
⧉
Auntie Jess recommends:
Washi tape. I’m not really a whiteboard person, but I love tacking index cards and printouts on the wall. This colorful paper masking tape makes it easy to move them around.
When I Get Home. The new album by Solange is already my March 2019 soundtrack.
Sitting Together in the Dark. Writer and photographer Teju Cole is extraordinarily thoughtful and generous in a recent episode of On Being. Savor it.
⧉
Thanks for reading. I’d love to hear from you — hit reply to share your favorite craft supplies, late winter grooves, podcast episodes, or anything else that’s on your mind.
Until next time,
Jessica
⧉