Rewriting my Stationery Blog: A New Chapter
Hi, my fellow stationery lovers! I am absolutely thrilled to return to this little stationery corner. And to start sharing my story once more on this stationery blog. After a data crash last year, I managed to lose the contents of my blog – and it was heartbreaking, to be honest. It was like my precious journal had been shredded. However, I have managed to find a very old backup and will slowly work to recover the old posts from the archive, where possible.
What better time to start the new journal than now, ready for my favourite week of the year – National Stationery Week – which starts on Monday!
Though unexpected, perhaps my break came at the best time. I was able to focus on journalling, practicing selfcare and the big changes that were happening in my life at the time. I also spent a lot of time enjoying other crafts, such as learning to crochet!
The biggest change that occurred during this time off was that I became a parent, and it truly changed so much for me. My pregnancy or birth story may not have been positive experiences, but journalling helped to improve my mental state during these hard times.
Why Stationery Matters
I truly believe that stationery matters. It is not about having the most expensive things but rather utilising these tools to help my mental health. During my hospital stay, I spent a lot of time either alone or sitting by my child’s incubator, watching him struggle. Whilst I had a phone to stay connected to people, I found that a journal and pen allowed me to slow down and work through my feelings and the noise in my mind.
Stationery has helped me to navigate my emotions and the difficult moments of parenthood, allowing me to have a little bit of ‘me time’ when I am otherwise exhausted and perhaps expected to ‘always be happy’ around my child.
Currently, I heavily rely on several things:
- My planner to help me remember the important appointments or to-dos when my ‘mummy brain’ makes me forget
- My watercolour paints when I want to add some colour into my life without having to think too deeply.
- Whenever I feel a strong emotion, I find myself reaching for my journal.
What does this mean for the Stationery Blog?
Ultimately, I am sure that I have less time now that I am also responsible for someone else. Nonetheless I absolutely loved being a blogger, I loved having this little space to share my thoughts. So, whilst there may be fewer posts, I did want to try and feature the things that matter to me. As I relaunch this blog, I am hoping to feature both the stationery-loving creative full of energy as well as the new, tired, overwhelmed mum who needs to create for her sanity.
During my break, friends have asked for recommendations on products or about my experience in pregnancy. I want to share those thoughts once more, though it may be in monthly blog posts.
The main focus of this chapter of my story will be sharing:
- How I use stationery in my life, my recommendations and tips
- The wellbeing and self-care activities that have helped me and are still helping me to fight postpartum depression
- Encouraging other tired creatives or mums to take a moment for themselves
The Next Chapter:
To anyone still reading this, thank you for your support. Whether you’re new here or you have been around for years, thank you. I would love to reconnect with my readers (if any of you are still around). Come say hi!
There is much planned for the next few weeks and I will be sharing printables for you. But to start with, I wanted to celebrate National Stationery Week this week. To do this, I am launching a concept that I wrote back in 2017 and have truly relied on in the past few years – Stationery Selfcare.
I am inviting you to join me in this challenge, even if you only have five minutes to spare. You can start by:
- Think of what selfcare means to you and do one thing on the list in the next week
- Write a letter to your future self
- Use your supplies to create something, anything
You can read all about the project tomorrow.
