Like the primary pen and the work notebook (yet to be discussed, but important), the Purse Notebook is another constant in my life. Its existence underscores the fundamental notion that electronic to-do lists — no matter how flashy the device — just stink. Lists should always be kept and crossed-off on paper.
The Moleskine is a standard, if obvious, choice for the Purse Notebook. I find people tend to give me these small books as gifts, knowing my stationery passion and happening upon them in gift stores, and I have an endless supply. Its best if it has a sturdy cover, for they tend to last about a year, and get beat up a bit.
Above are my two most recent. The Moleskine was from my days of commuting down the 101 to Yahoo!, thoughts of various undone tasks that would amount to nothing swirling in my head, and is thus labeled “anxiety”. The pink one is from the era of my more recent job at the Media Lab, and is filled with less frantic and more thoughtful lists.
Both have lots of lists of things to pick up at the drug store.
Therapistmumbles said
The title of your notebook causes me some distress, but otherwise I agree totally.
The use of purse ( or pocket ) notebooks goes back generations.