The Love of Notepads

A homage to the blank page

The significance of notepads may elude many, but for some, it is an unmistakable truth. A notepad isn't merely a repository for shopping lists or mundane to-dos. It's the dawn of new projects, the genesis of fresh chapters, and occasionally, the inception of an entirely new life.

To those who find this notion perplexing, I ask for a bit of patience. Perhaps this little anecdote will shed some light.

Just a few days ago, I found myself in a familiar parental predicament. I had left my eldest at a birthday party, one of those exuberant play zones that reside on the outskirts of town. Faced with a span of 2.5 hours to kill, I opted for the nearby shopping mall. It was then that I realized my oversight: I had forgotten my notepad and pens. While others might have taken this as an opportunity to browse through stores, I craved the solace of a café, a cup of coffee, and the blank canvas of a notepad.

In pursuit of these essentials, I headed straight to a store, emerging moments later with a fresh notepad and a set of multicolored pens. (Colors, after all, add a certain vibrancy to the creative process.) Seated with my coffee, I found myself immersed in a flow state. Within half an hour, I had mapped out my upcoming workshop, drafted a presentation outline, and even devised new processes for the workshop. By the time my child’s party had ended, I had also sketched out plans for a new podcast.

What is it about notepads that makes them so transformative? For one, they provide a tangible space for thoughts to take form. In our digital age, the act of writing by hand can be a meditative process, anchoring abstract ideas into concrete plans. The physicality of a notepad offers a break from screens, allowing the mind to wander freely, unencumbered by digital distractions.

Notepads also serve as a blank slate, a fresh start. When life hands you lemons, as the saying goes, sometimes the best remedy is to scrap the old notepad and begin anew. The crisp, untouched pages are a promise of new beginnings and uncharted possibilities. They invite creativity and foster a sense of purpose, turning idle moments into opportunities for innovation.

In essence, a notepad is more than just paper bound together. It is an invitation to new thoughts, new ideas, and new plans. It is a humble companion that can quietly steer you toward your next great endeavor, one page at a time.