An Ode To Office Supplies

I’ve always believed that office supplies were an extension of myself. A pen, much like a paint brush, creates art by leading the user. To me, it’s never been the other way around. A notebook, a canvas. An eraser, a ball of rubber in your hand to edit what you’ve created. Though, I’ve always enjoyed a more permanent approach: pens.

Whenever I find a new one, a special one, I can’t help myself. I need to take it home with me. Many are over the financial sweet spot, but every single one I’ve found that’s under, is an extension of my hand and an extension of my mind.

It’s like drumsticks. You sit and you play.

It’s like a piano. You sit and allow yourself to glide over each key, whether you know what you’re playing or not.

I’ve always loved improv. It’s why there’s a section on this website devoted to the improvisations of my piano playing. 

What you collect doesn’t only symbolize who you are, but also inspires whatever you create. Every time you look at the pen in your hand, or the mechanical pencil or traditional pencil you’re holding onto, you’ll remind yourself of the project you’re working on, how much you love what you do, and why you love what you do. It’ll be a reminder of wanting your work to exist, persist, and breathe new life into your own lungs.

Every time you pick up a notebook, a pen, or any other type of office supplies, make sure it brings a smile to your face, or at least a smile to your mind. That smile will let you know if that’s the extension of yourself you should use that day. It’ll also help you understand what type of story, novel, poem, essay, or any other genre of writing you need to write. It’s the first clue into what you’ll be creating, that pen or pencil. When you learn how to listen, the physical act of scratching words onto a page will connect your mind more to your hand, simply because of the extensions of yourself you are choosing and using.

Your choices guide your work because they are reminders of who you are, and, in turn, what your work is.

The more you have objects that describe who you are, the closer to yourself what you do, and how you do what you do, will become.

An object is not just an object, nor is it a mere signifier. 

It is a partial prompt to inspire a story, a poem, an article.

And, if you’re like me, you’re further inspired by the applications you use on your computer. Many browsers, writing apps, and others, have ways to change colors of windows, change the layout, and change how it looks. When you know how to turn what you’re working on into a workspace that keeps you going, inspires you, and becomes your happy place, the more you’ll want to work. As soon as you pick out a pen, or the application you’re working in, you’ll feel that spark of energy every time your work is surrounded by a layout you love, a color you love, etcetera.

The act of creating a workspace will help you pour out your creativity because you’re surrounded by creativity.

That’s why changing colors on a browser as you do research, or change colors on a word processor, such as Scrivener, is so important.

It’s like your computer is a room you’re working inside of as you work inside of a room in the real world — a room within a room. Those colors are like the wall color of your office. That layout is like how your furniture is arranged in your living room. Everywhere you can find inspiration, allow yourself to discover yourself and inspiration.

A pen, a room, a desk chair — they all have the same purpose, but different functions.

Allow your collection of office supplies to have personality. The closer your supplies are to your own personality, and the more you like them, the more inspired your work will be. You’ll know what you have mirrors your personality based on how happy certain ones make you. 

Happiness is inspiration, no matter what genre or medium you are. 

The more you collect, the more choices you will have.

As I’ve said, I’m obsessed with pens.

I also believe that decorating my office space is a must.

The more inspired your collection of supplies, the more inspired your work will become.

Please, never forget that.