So I recently had a massive overhaul of my wardrobe and it
spurred me on to sort through everything on the shelf under the coffee table.
That shelf is like the ‘bottom drawer’ people talk about where you find random
things and they just all go in that one place. Anyway! There was a ton of
notebooks and organizers under there that weren’t being used and – I believed –
weren’t going to be used. So of course, I threw out the lot and promptly
started an online course with Future Learn! Going notebook shopping for taking
notes on this new course inspired this post… I thought I’d take the opportunity
to talk about my favourite five notebooks, and the writing inspiration they
bring:
‘MAKE TODAY GREAT’
I recently co-facilitated a workshop at the Working Together
Forum that was named ‘Great Days Always’ where we talked about how one person’s
definition of a ‘great day’ can be completely different to another person’s. And
so, we each need to do something different to ensure we have that great
day and we each have things that we should avoid doing to ensure a great
day. How about writing what those things are? What about featuring guest posts for
the opportunity for others to share their own. For me, a great day means no
hallucinations, a phone call with my Mum, and time with my pets. To achieve
this I have to take my medication, use my DBT skills, and put in the effort to
speak with my Mum and to have quality time with my pets. I have to avoid
alcohol, not enough sleep, and the triggers to my hallucinations.
‘MY BRAIN HAS TOO MANY TABS OPEN’
Notebooks can be great organizers with the space to write to-do
lists but also, to have one notebook for each different project you have going
on. I usually have one for my current Future Learn course, another for all
things blog-related like ideas for posts, people I need to speak to, posts I need
to schedule, notes from meetings and events… and a final one for to-do lists
and lists for the weekly food shop! I find it helpful to know which notebook I
need and when. Especially when there’s so much going on in my life!
‘TAKE NOTE’
I often attend meetings and events that will provide for good
blog content so it’s important that I take notes at them to ensure I write a
good quality post and do justice to the importance of the meeting or event. Because
if I didn’t, I’d not be invited to another and there’d be no ‘job satisfaction’!
I think that no matter what the topic you blog about, you get a satisfaction
from it because you get to write about something you’re passionate about.
‘DREAM BIG, WORK HARD & MAKE IT HAPPEN’
Finding a motto in life can be a huge inspiration for a blog
post. Writing about how you apply it to your life and why it’s important to
you. For me, the quote above kind of sums things up! I believe that you should
have your big dreams of absolutely anything and everything you’d like to see,
do, be. And I know from experience that you have to work your ass off to make
those dreams happen.
‘IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS IN LIFE’
How about writing what those little things are? Or looking
into what they are and writing about each one separately? Talk about how much these
things mean to you, why they mean so much, and what you do to show your
appreciation for them. For me, the small things in life are what make life what
it is.
Looking for something else to fill a notebook with?
15% off a Future Learn course (T&Cs apply)
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