My older daughter reached out to me in dire need of a decidedly old school office supply that is apparently not readily available in her college town: White Out. Do you remember using this in school? I do. Except it came with that little brush that got all dried up and goopy over time. Now it’s got a sponge applicator. I did find it for her, though.
My hunt for this item led me to the office supply aisle at Target. Man, how I love office supplies! My favorite part of every school year was the ritual of hunting and gathering my notebooks, pens, and pencils for the pending school work. And, ohhh… that Trapper Keeper! I still look forward to browsing the back to school displays and helping my own kids shop for supplies as summers end each year.
Growing up going to a church in downtown Hampton, VA, there were many little stores in which to kill time waiting for church activities, and I remember walking down to the office supply store nearby many times, just to browse. I recently watched Hidden Figures again, which is set in Hampton in the 1960’s. There’s a scene where Mary’s husband gifts her some mechanical pencils before her first night classes toward her engineering degree. It occurred to me that he could have purchased those from that very office supply store! I wonder if that little store still exists?
I love all the things in these stores: fancy pens and pencils, brightly colored markers, crisp resume paper, beautiful notebooks, sophisticated journals, pencil holders. I sincerely crave fresh starts and organization. As much as I strive for this, though, I often fall short of my personal expectations.
My love for paper and color fueled a fairly healthy obsession with scrapbooking in the early 2000’s. I even had several projects published in magazines. I still have stacks of Bazzil textured paper and designer patterned paper. I really miss browsing my local scrapbook store.
Last week, I partially satiated this love and actually purchased a planner. I know; how 2022 of me. I have a couple of roles I am helping with in my local running club, and along with my personal race calendar, weekend work requirements, and now obligations to the club, I need to have my thoughts on paper. Going old school, like the White Out.
I suppose I may have cursed this new year. I did not purchase a planner for 2021. It seemed futile, with so little besides surviving a global pandemic on the agenda. It did turn out better than expected, however. I’m still doubtful for a better year in 2022, but I have to have hope.
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For the record, that little store in Hampton is still in business. I looked it up!
Do you love office supplies as much as I do? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
As always, I hope you all are safe and healthy.
Anne the Vegan 
Yes to office supplies! At my first job out of college, I was handed the office supply catalogue and told to order whatever I wanted. I felt like I had been handed the keys to the kingdom! Maybe it’s a love of organization? The satisfying flow of a really nice pen? The promise of productivity or creativity to follow? Whatever it is, we are certainly not alone in this!
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That sounds absolutely amazing!!! I think you tapped into another perspective with the promise of productivity and creativity. That is certainly a part of the appeal of new supplies!
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Now you’re talking – office supplies, stationery.. mmmmmmmmmmm! My favourite thing. I live in France and we have a shop similar to the one you talk about, called Action. My bestie and I go there from time to time – she hangs out in the crafting aisle and I head straight for stationery! Pens and notebooks in particular!
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I love it all! Thanks for reading and commenting! 💚
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