I started using a single pen color for my entire daily log and it fixed my focus problem.

After trying a dozen different highlighters and fineliners for three months, I finally realized my own rainbow color key was the main thing distracting me from actually getting tasks done, so has anyone else ditched the fancy pens to just get stuff written down?

3 comments

3 Comments

schmidt.kim2mo ago

Read a blog post a while back where someone called this "decision fatigue from stationery." They said picking colors uses up the same mental energy as picking what to work on next. Sticking to one pen just removes that whole layer of friction. Makes total sense when you put it that way.

casey_campbell2mo agoMost Upvoted

Oh man, that is so real. I used to spend more time choosing between my blue or black gel pen than I did writing my to-do list. My whole notebook looked like a rainbow threw up, but nothing was crossed off. Switched to a single black ballpoint last month. Now I just grab it and scribble things down immediately. The clutter in my head feels way smaller. It's not about the pen, it's about getting the thought out of your brain before you forget it.

the_leo1mo ago

So people are really out here blaming their pens for having decision fatigue? I mean, I get it if you've got a dozen shades of purple gel pens, sure. But a blue or black ballpoint? That's like a five second choice. Feels like the pen is an easy scapegoat for just not wanting to write stuff down.