Despite being very into technology, I cannot escape the usefulness of analog tools for note-taking. I use software for organization, and some of it is freaking amazing—but I find it best used with two other tools: sticky notes and notebooks.

The first, sticky notes, are for fleeting thoughts and short-term tasks. Notebooks are for long-term record keeping.

Like, if I need to handle some random thing, and I know I will forget it if I do not write it down somewhere, I use a sticky note. If it’s something pressing, then I can stick it directly on my monitor.

It’s also fun to then, once the problem is handled, crumple up the note and throw it away. In that moment, the task is completed, the mental space is clear, and I need not worry about it anymore.

And then there’re notebooks. I try hard to not be a notebook hoarder, or the type to not write in notebooks because it looks too nice to mar. Instead, I pick a reason for the notebook. Like, “this is the idea notebook” or “this is a notebook for phone numbers.” That way the notebook is not being wasted and has a purpose.

As I said, I am a big fan of technology, but there’s just something about the act of handwriting something down that makes it stick in the brain. Could not tell you why—but it seems to work.

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Special thanks to: Melissa Potter

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