Simple Vivacity

It started innocently enough. Even though I use my PDA for most things because my memory is horrible and I need the search function it provides, my obsession with pen and paper is legendary. One day my husband brought home a "sweetheart" gift that he most likely regrets now - a pocket moleskine notebook.

I would never have bought the thing for myself. I love to browse the notebooks at the store, but my frugal side wouldn't let me actually purchase one. I pondered over possible uses for it for over a week before I decided to stick it in my purse with a nice Pilot G2 pen and use it for inspiration.

I never imagined how it would help my ideas take off. I love writing in that book as much today as I did a year ago, even though it's now battered and stained, and nearly full. I usually write in a book for a few pages and toss it when it loses it's appeal, but for some reason this cute, sexy little book has kept my interest to the end.

I still don't buy them often. In fact, I've never paid full price for one because my frugal side still screams at me. But when I found a bunch on sale a few months back for 60% off I stocked up. The smallest moleskines are portable and durable, and the larger ones are perfect for use at your desk. I love mine, and although I could write in a cheap spiral bound book just as easily, moleskines just have a special wow factor that nurtures my spirit.

Great Uses In No Particular Order
These uses are some of the things I considered for that first little moleskine.

1. Diary. These little books are perfect for keeping a daily journal. They hold up well under tears and frustrated jabs at the paper, come in unlined and lined so you can write freely in the style you prefer. They are so durable you could even use it for a memoir.
   
2. GTD Notebook. If you're a fan of David Allen's Getting Things Done system, you have probably already heard this one. I didn't use my moleskine for this because I'm a PDA type gal, but 43folders has a good article on this, as does hyalineskies.
   
3. Writing Inspiration Journal. This is my personal favorite use of moleskine notebooks. Snippets of conversation you overhear, interesting people you see, the color of the sky on a hot summer day, these are all things you can add to your inspiration journal. I have everything from quotes by Stephen King to the wanderings of an ant across my shoe in mine. I carry it with me everywhere
   
4. Travel Scrapbook. The traditional travel journal, but add photos & ticket stubs for a fully rounded scrapbook. Have the people you meet sign the book, draw an illustration, or add to your journal in some way. Keep notes about places you've been, impressions of other cultures, or notes about the best place to eat the next time you go back.
   
5. Dream Journal. Keep track of your dreams for study, reflection, or just for the fun of it. I use a cahier for mine, but in hindsight I wish I had chosen a traditional molekine. The cahiers are too soft to write on in bed when I just wake up and I don't use it as much as I might otherwise because of it. I put the most often used keywords in my dreams in the back with possible meanings for them for a quick reference tool. You can also put a small reference pamphlet in the back pocket if you choose a moleskine that has one.
   
6. Sketchbook. Moleskines are perfect for nature journals and other illustrated notebooks. For writers and other artists, a moleskine can function as a visual idea generator.
   
7. Guest Book. What better way to commemorate a special event than with a book that highlights the event with illustrations, notes, and signatures from the people that were there? This would be especially useful for bachelor parties, holidays, and graduations. I'm thinking of getting a plain one and using it for the annual Christmas party this year. I'll include recipes, gifts bought & received, guests, favorite songs, and anything else I can think of.
   
8. Hobby Journal. Dedicate one just to your favorite hobby. Write down musings, happenings, and things of interest. Record details of that eclipse, draw a sketch of the bird you saw flutter past a few moments ago. It's a great way to relax and enjoy your hobby while still keeping track of all the details that make it so much fun.
   
9. Health Management. A moleskine could be your one stop place to record your medical information, medications needed and taken, and any special diet you might be on. For those trying to lose weight, you can also keep track of your weight loss progress, fitness exercises, charts, and milestones, and daily food entries.
   
10. Lists! You can use your moleskine for all kinds of lists. Some ideas include shopping lists, goals, books to read, movies to watch, things to do, and on it goes!
11. Recordbook. Use it as an address book, to store favorite recipes, restaurant reviews, household warranties and appliance information. If you keep the information in a small portable one, you won't forget what kind of bag your vacuum uses while you're at the store. I use mine to keep track of online passwords that I can't remember but I don't want to store in my computer.
    
12. Notebook. Yep, it works great as a general note-recording book for university classes or church meetings. You have all the condensed information in one book that is durable and easily transported. When you're done with the class or have filled the book, the information is neatly wrapped up in an archive quality notebook that you can store for reference.
13. Illustrated Picture Book. Write your own story, transfer it to the moleskine, and illustrate around the pictures. With a little creativity, you can create a fantastic and beautifully decorated book that your children will treasure.
    

Of course, you could buy your moleskine notebook online, but I've found that you can find great bargains at the local bookstore. If you don't care about the name brand, there is even a very good knockoff at Walmart. There isn't a whole lot of difference in price, but I've taken to getting my pocket sized ones there because of the convenience.

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