Stationery and self-care
The world is busy. Well, it certainly is for me! I think many of us need to slow down; to think; to settle ourselves. Stu has certainly talked about journaling in the past, as have I, but perhaps there are more ways in which some beautiful stationery can help with self-care.
There is something soothing about using a good pen to write on nice paper. It's incredibly tactile, and it feeds the senses in more ways than tapping at a computer does. Paper has a texture to it that might make writing easier, or harder. A fountain pen will glide across Clairefontaine paper, but get snarled up with some laid papers. A pen has weight and temperature to it in the hand. Ink comes in lots of funky colours. You can play with calligraphy and turn simple quotes into things of beauty. Spending a block of time trying to perfect a particular style of calligraphy can be a way to stop your brain chewing over other stresses, with a sense of achievement at the end when you get one of the flourishes just right.
Of course, you could combine all of that into a handwritten letter. I know, I know... postage (at least in the UK) is a ridiculous price... but surely at least one of your friends is worth it? A letter is a lovely, thoughtful gift. It shows the person that you think enough about them to spend time on them. Nero sells some kit you could use!
Nero also sells plenty of things you could use to organise your day/week/month/year. Getting your thoughts in order and having a plan for the day can be extremely therapeutic, especially if you get to tick off lots of things at the end.
Or maybe you just want to set aside a little time each day to learn how to draw. Again, this can be both a very mindful act, plus there is a sense of achievement at the end. No huge surprise here... Nero can help with sketchbooks and pencils, should you need them. There are a lot of pencils in the range, from a single pencil with two different leads (the Viking verso) to a full pack of drawing pencils and much in between.
Whether you decide to journal, practise calligraphy, write to friends, draw, or anything else, just taking a little bit of time out from the busyness and stresses of the day to use some glorious stationery could have a huge effect.
Go on. Treat yourself. You're worth it.
