Following on from my tweet yesterday about asking for someone to start a notebook therapy group I have decided to do a notebook based post which I hope some of you might relate to.
Here are 10 things NOT to say to someone with a notebook obsession. These things will irritate us. We know we have a problem with buying pretty looking notebooks and not being able to write in them. We know our eyes glaze over when we see a notebook of beauty and we know our half filled note book collection is vast.
This is not something we can just stop doing – we need therapy! π
Based on my own experiences I have tried to recreate our reaction to these inflammatory comments about our notebook obsession.
I have also shown how a loved one might react after making the silly mistake of saying one of the 10 below.
- “Do you really need ANOTHER notebook?” *emphasis on the word ANOTHER and coupled with an annoying finger point to the shelf / crate / room filled with notebooks* Our answer will always be yes.
- “Why don’t you start writing in one of your old notebooks which are half-filled?” *Judging look from loved one* A true notebook addict knows that once a notebook has been spoilt there can be no going back.
- “I need some scrap paper – can I tear a page out of one of your notebooks?” *Loved oneβs look of horror at your death stare and scurries away sensing imminent danger* There are no words to this question. I can feel my neck and shoulders stiffening.
- “Why are you saying your new notebook is…dead to you…when you have only written in the first few pages?” *Confused look from loved one as they listen to you explain about the mistake you made on page 3 and the ink smudge on page 4.*
- “We don’t have time to go in your favourite stationery shop…” *Loved one stares in horror as you yank off wedding ring, stuff it in their hand and march into stationery shop* There is always time for a browse in a stationery shop.
- “Can we have a clear out of all those notebooks in boxes under our bed?” *Loved one listens to you explain the importance of keeping every half filled notebook until the end of time.*
- “I was reading one of your notebooks the other day and….” *Stops mid-sentence realising they’ve made a terrible error* Never ever read someoneβs notebook.
- “I’m sorry I rested my cup of tea on top of your notebook and now there is a stain on it.” *Grabs coat and leaves.* I make sure all my notebooks are kept well away from tea drinking loved ones.
- “Why are you making strange cooing noises over a notebook?” *Odd look from loved one.* Some notebooks are so beautiful all you can do is make weird noises.
- “Why has the framed photo of me on the mantlepiece been replaced by the expensive notebook you bought yesterday?” *Shakes head in despair* Some notebooks need to be on show.
Can’t wait to meet some of you at the new notebook therapy session.
I am nipping off to write a romcom about two lost souls who meet at a notebook addict therapy session and find love over a pair of A5, hardcover notebooks with intricate and eye catching designs. The crunch moment will be when one of them shouts, βitβs me or your notebooks!β *Ponders new book idea while lovingly stroking latest notebook purchase*

Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog.
Thank you for this post, Lucy. Now you need to excuse me while I go and check my notebooks for tea stains. Some of mine are full btw.
Someone actually admired my favourite notebook yesterday, well, it is gorgeous. Which reminds me, I haven’t been to WH Smith in ages…
Oh I hear you, Lucy!!
Actually, I did one of the hardest things this week.
We are having a HUGE sort out, prior to looking for a new house.
I’ve had to cull books πππ
Then I got my new notebook collection out, and had to decide which to keep and which to donate to other notebook enthusiasts.
Notebooks to Ritu seem to be a failsafe gift option, so I went through the gifted ones that were a bit meh…
The charity shop will be so happy, as my heart breaks a little… But it’s got to be done π
I feel your pain π
Thanks… π₯°π₯°
Funny how this shows up just days after I was looking at pretty notebooks in the drugstore. I made myself leave without any.
I’ve just finished reading your first book and thoroughly enjoyed it, Lucy! It reminded me so much of the characters in the blog posts, that I loved. Great job!!!
I will recommend it to my friends.
Judy
Reblogged this on Jeanne Owens, author.
Thank you π
Brilliant. Very me! Except for one thing. I. DO. NOT. NEED. THERAPY.
(I’m happy to be obsessed. Can you set up a gallery so we can post pics of our fave notebooks please. People have seen my kids’ baby photos. Now I need to show off the real loves in my life.
You always make me smile β€οΈ Thank you