Let’s face it, as with all relationships one needs to consider many factors before deciding whether or not to commit - time, effort, passion…and how deep they’re willing to dig into their pockets! But stationery, I choose you. I always have. Because I’m a stationery addict. Are you? Take this home-made (and very legitimate) test to find out.
Novice, Budding Enthusiast or Addict?
Full disclaimer, I am no expert in psychology. My last relationship with science ended in the summer of 2015. However, I can identify a fellow stationery addict when I see one. So go ahead and take my test to see if, in my humble opinion, you are a stationery novice, budding enthusiast or addict.
Assign 1 point for every statement you agree with.
- Buying stationery (whether or not you need them) takes you to a happy place.
- You spend a lot on stationery.
- You immediately get excited when talking about your stationery with a fellow stationery enthusiast/addict.
- You have several if not all the colours of your favourite pens.
- You have a desk tidy for your pens.
- You organise your pens by colour, brand or type.
- You have a separate set of pens (always cheapy ones) that you lend to people (or lie to their face about not having a spare one).
- You have previously learnt to write, are currently writing AND will continue to write in calligraphy for as long as you shall live.
- You own a journal/notebook (or 10).
- You have a preference for the type of grids and/or paper quality and thickness for your journals/notebooks.
- You plan your content before making a start in your journal/notebook because getting it right is paramount.
- You like lists and may or may not have a notebook just for them.
- You own washi tape.
- You have a designated spot for each of your stationery.
- You always keep your stationery desk tidy and organised - no one (or thing) deserves to live in squalor.
So, where do we stand?
Your score:
0 - 4 points: Novice
Your contact with stationery is for practical reasons only. The range of colours you have for your pens is blue, black and red, but probably just blue. You might have other stationery bits such as sticky notes, erasers and highlighters but you couldn’t care less if they’re limited edition or not. If they do the trick, they’re good enough. Even if you do own anything special like washi tape, it’s because they were gifted to you by your stationery addict friend/family who couldn’t hold back their eagerness to share the awesome stationery they found. However, while you are a stationery novice, it doesn’t mean that you don’t appreciate being given good quality stationery. You’re not that ungrateful.
5 - 11 points: Budding Enthusiast
Okay, so you’re aware there are options for stationery, quite a lot in fact. And you can understand why an addict might get excited when there is so much out there and so many possibilities with what one can do with them. Heck, you might even feel a little exhilarated yourself when you discover that the pen you like to write with now has a whole set of colours, ooh or that a matching journal is now available. So you turn the box of pens over to see what you’re looking at in terms of price and gasp in disbelief that anyone would charge that much for a set of pens. You turn the journal over and just laugh before putting both items back down. Never would you ever spend so much on stationery. But hey, if you were gifted the stationery or if you managed to score yourself a sweet deal then cool! That initial thrill you experienced just came back. Now, where’s that desk tidy?!
12 - 15 points: Addict
You are unashamedly a stationery addict. You knew it before you did the test, but you did it anyway to see what traits your fellow addicts exhibit and whether you’re alike or not. You worship your stationery. Your stationery is so sacred they deserve their own separate drawer, desk or shelf (or in my case all 3)! They are always neatly stowed away, colour coordinated and arranged in ascending or descending height order if possible. You do not remove the packaging until you start using them. As with all valuables, not everyone can touch them let alone use them. In fact, you may not even use them yourself. It’s called a collection for a reason. Any new stationery acquired is super exciting and worth celebrating. World Stationery Day should really be a public holiday so that everyone can celebrate stationery. How much you spend on stationery is irrelevant. What’s important is possession and consequently your happiness and wellbeing.
