I woke up on Saturday with a realization: I now live within driving distance of new pen shops. Actually, two realizations: that I also have money left in my DC Pen Show budget line. The possibilities …

Notetaking, bullet journaling, and commonplacing all reinforce the habit of recording clear, concise headings at the top of every spread. Accurate recollection relies on clear headings to find the jottings I need weeks or months after I took the note. Easy searching breathes an air of specific headings — so I choose the right page for the information I’m looking for in those future weeks.

I feel excited when a new notebook enters the game. This was a banner week as two new notebooks have entered the game: a new personal journal and a new teaching bullet journal. New notebooks are wonderful and intimidating prospects. Because empty notebooks begin the fun process of deciding.