work desk stationery

First off, please forgive this rubbish photo – definitely not up to my usual standard but let me explain why… Yesterday I was sitting at my desk at work, and started to think about how, when I have SO MUCH amazing stationery at home, I really only use the bare basics at work. I thought I’d take a quick iPhone snap of what’s on my desk.

I’m a university administrator, a job that is very much based on email and spreadsheets, but I do deal with a lot of detail, things to remember and constant interruptions that mean that I really couldn’t live without my stationery.

So here’s what I’m using at the moment:

  • Muji Writing Paper Pad. It’s actually falling apart (and hasn’t lasted very long…) so I’m holding it together with paper clips and a mini bulldog clip!
  • Uni-ball Eye Rollerball in blue. This isn’t usual office stationery cupboard fare (usually the best we get is a Bic Crystal) but amazingly there was a box of these at some point so of course I got straight in there and nabbed one.
  • Muji Gel Pen, 0.38mm in red. This is to highlight things on my to-do list that I can delegate to someone else. Yesssssss.
  • Standard Issue pencil sharpener. Don’t really need to explain that one…
  • Palomino Blackwing. Obvs, didn’t get that one in the stationery cupboard! That one’s from home.
  • And post-its. So very many post-its.

The reason I don’t bring in all my nice stuff is that I’d always be petrified of losing it! Working in a busy office where academics and students are constantly at your desk, people will often “borrow” a pen to sign something, walk off with it and then be surprised to see me chasing them down the corridor to get it back (it’s “just a pen” after all). I also have another method: THE DECOY PEN POT. I can’t recommend this more if you work in a similar environment. All you have to do is place a second pen pot, filled with not so good stationery (the aforementioned bic crystals for example) and put that on the side of your desk that people approach (with your favourite items hidden safely on the other side), and hey presto, your nice things are saved!

You’re welcome.

Do any of you have similar habits? Or are you lucky enough to get to put all your lovely things out without fear of other people’s sticky fingers?