When we read through Madelyn’s ‘My life in stationery’ we were pretty impressed that she takes weekends off from list-making. Then we discovered that she’s a healthy lifestyle mentor and it all started to make sense! It made our glitter paper hearts shine to hear that she’s a multipod and uses a paper diary.

First things first, what’s your name?

Madelyn

What’s the best thing you’ve ever received in the post?

One of the best was when I entered a competition. I won a box of self-massage equipment – rollers for your thighs, feet, calf muscles etc! I was very excited!

What’s your current favourite stationery item?

My old-school paper diary, and the floral pencil with its heart-shaped rubber on the end that I use to note down dates etc. I went back to paper a few years ago after using an online calendar for years. It feels a lot more peaceful and manageable!

Are you a diary writer? Tell us about your journal habits if you are (and don’t worry if you’re not!)

I don’t keep a journal (although when I was a kid I had a habit of starting one every year or two. So I have lots of Day 1s littering the place!) but I add little notes in my appointments diary. Then I can look back and get a sense of what I was up to, why, and how I felt.

And are you a list maker?

I LOVE a list! My current To-Do list is, in fact, five separate To-Do lists. They’re on a note-taking app on my phone – one for each day of the week (I give myself weekends off!), each with a different focus: career, self-care, new projects, planning & admin and household. If I ever feel stuck or overwhelmed, a list is usually my first port of call.

Favourite ink colour?

I usually write in blue or black just because that’s what I have to hand. If it were a free choice I’d probably go for green or purple.

Your favourite place to write?

I tend to type my thoughts rather than hand-writing them because it’s quicker and easier to go back and edit, but that means I’m constrained to places with electricity and WiFi. My phone is always on hand to take down notes when I think of things. I tend to have wonderful ideas when I’m out in nature, watching ducks squabbling or picking out shapes in clouds or sunbathing on a patch of grass.

Last thing you posted?

A 30th birthday card to a friend I met about 12 years ago at Uni (blimey, didn’t realise it had been that long!!).

Find out more about Madelyn and how she helps people to find easier ways to be healthy and happy over at her site, The Wright Fit. Her secret is embracing being a multipod, learning and trying new things, then mixing them all together to create a wonderful unique kind of ‘happiness stew’.

Fancy sharing your stationery preferences and habits? Want to appear on this blog? Fill in the ‘My life in stationery’ Quizlet and we’ll do the rest.