A New Notebook Will Solve Everything, Right? 

Let’s Be Real…

How Many Notebooks Have You Actually Got?

Yes, including those that are empty, waiting for the perfect occasion to be used, or you bought it because of the dopamine hit you got from the pattern on the front or thinking about all the wonderful things you could achieve, if you just buy the notebook. The notebooks that have a random page filled, and then the rest have been left deserted.

Feeling Seen? Me Too! 

I don’t know about you, but my brain has so many tabs open at once, it never stops making noise. It’s exhausting. However, a new notebook will solve everything, right? I can use it to get all the information circulating in my mind out and onto paper. Making room for new noise to take centre stage in my mind. But at least it helps me make sense of the information I now have on paper, instead of constantly getting sidetracked by the other thoughts in my mind and the random music.

What is that about, by the way? Why is there music playing in the background of my mind? I’m not a radio station. My current on-repeat song is ‘Unstoppable’ by Sia, and to be fair, it’s a good song to have in my mind while trying to create Wired Beyond labels. 

Anywayyyyyy… I’ll Get Back on Track…

As a military family, we experience numerous relocations. With each move, I get a new notebook, or three. I find that it helps me prioritise between the different stages that come with a relocation move, to minimise my overwhelm and try to prevent burnout. 

I tend to have separate notebooks for different parts of a move. Because, why not? I will have one that focuses on my thoughts and feelings to help me reflect and be present. During a big transition like a relocation move, the overwhelming thoughts can take over and heighten anxiety. That is never good. Reflecting on how I am feeling helps me stay in the moment and challenge any negativity or potential issues that could quickly spiral out of control. By catching the thought before it has time to grow bigger, it really helps me keep it in perspective and not let it take over. I will note down the thought I am having, then explore it further. 

• Why am I feeling like this?
• What is happening at the moment that could have triggered this thought or feeling?
• What evidence do I have that supports this? 
• If there isn’t any evidence, I need to challenge my thought process and regain control. 
• If there is evidence to support my thought, I will critically evaluate it to determine its credibility.

This process my therapist taught me, and it does help me to not spiral into negative self-thinking. 

Putting Jobs onto Paper

My second notebook will be focused on making lists. I LOVE LISTS. I will make lists of:

All things related to a move can be broken down into a list. I sometimes create it as a mind map or spider diagram to make it look prettier and more visually appealing. Additionally, breaking down the main task of a move into manageable sections and then further subdividing them into specific tasks helps my neurodivergent brain process the steps needed to take without feeling overwhelmed. Some people might relate to me here, but as soon as a task seems too big and uninteresting, I shut down. There is zero chance of me gaining the motivation to complete that task, so I will avoid it. Which doesn’t help when the move is coming, regardless of whether you’re ready or not. 

My third notebook will be based on things to look forward to. Yes, the move is a lot, yes, a new environment is scary, but finding things to look forward to throughout the move process and in the new location helps improve my mood and feelings towards all the change. Noting down places and things to look forward to within the current posting before leaving helps me with the transition of moving on and closing that chapter of my life. Then, already having places and things to look forward to in the new location, helps ease me into the new environment by knowing there are positives to this location and places of my interest to explore. 

Paper vs. Technology

Also, it’s visually there for me. I have tried using apps before, and even though I can understand why other people like them, I struggled to stick with it. I am confident this is because I couldn’t physically see the separate pages. I like the feel of turning the page, physically ticking off something on my list. It brings a sense of achievement – and a lovely hit of dopamine. 

Does a Notebook Solve Everything?

So maybe a notebook won’t solve everything (how rude, ay!), but in a chaotic, ever-changing lifestyle, as a neurodivergent military family, it gives some form of consistency and control. Something I can hold, scribble in, pour my thoughts into, and flip through when I need to feel control of my life again. And sometimes, that’s more than enough. 

What about you? Do you use notebooks to make sense of your thoughts, too? Or have you found other tools that work for your brain? I’d love to hear what helps you stay grounded in the chaos. Feel free to share in the comments or send me an email. 

Just remember, whatever you’re going through right now, you’ve got this!

Chloe x