On Being A Note Keeper…
Recording moments in time
Yes, I'm a prolific note keeper.
Short blurbs that record a moment in time.
It struck me the other day when cleaning out a closet. I’ve kept way too much stuff. Three boxes full of note pads and “day planners”(calendars) that covered over 23 years, dating back to the early 80's.(A very small sample in the photo above.)
They must have been useful at that moment in time as reminders for appointments, events in work or family life, or something that was on my mind that caused me to write something down. The stack grew from a handful of note pads to three full boxes over those 23 years. They moved as I moved, with thoughts that I may need them someday.
Turns out, in recent years, I began to resent having to deal with the consumption of space these boxes took up.
Always thinking I may need all these notes…for something. I've kept them and moved them. Too many times.
My thought had been that I could pinpoint where I was and what I was doing at any point in time if I really needed to.
Today, those boxes are at the curb side, about to go in the trash truck with bags full of shredded financial and personal records that go back even further in time.
When moving them around once again while cleaning that closet, I realized and accepted that I have not had the need to go back to them and likely never will at this point. They’re gone.
With the introduction of the Ipad, my note keeping transitioned to electronic.
That was 12 years ago.
When I started this article I went back to my first note on my first new(at the time) iPad. Yep, I wrote a note about where I was and what I was doing.
I’m still a prolific note keeper…just without the boxes of paper.
And this is just a sample of my current calendar. Just like my paper notes. Where I was, and what I was doing at any point in time.
As we know, the iPad has numerous apps for writing and note taking. I use several of them. In fact, most all of my writing is now done on an iPad. Even some photo editing. With a mouse and keyboard it becomes a full power writing and editing device with exceptional mobility.
When I upgraded to a newer device I repurposed the next older one as a second screen for file search and movement. Not a real dual screen, but not too far off.
It comes in pretty handy when looking for a photo and not having to click out of one app and into another when you are looking for something.
Anyway, I am hopeful I won’t have the need for additional new iPads just for the purpose of note keeping.
Hmmm, however, now that I think of it, I am on my third one. I seem to keep running out of storage space.
I know what that sounds like, but I am sure it’s not from my notekeeping.
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