True Confession: 

 “I am a paperphile.”

There. I said it. I love paper. I’m addicted. They say the first step to recovery is confession. 

So here it is: I am a paperphile. I don’t think I’ve ever met a blank piece of paper or a notebook or even a paper placemat at a restaurant that didn’t draw me in to retrieve a pen or pencil and start writing. Or drawing.

My mom would send me to my room to clean it only to find me sitting in the middle of the floor an hour later, surrounded by paper, books, or half used notebooks, reading or writing. My paternal grandmother understood. She sent notebooks and calendars my way. 

Even as I am typing this, I am surrounded by five notepads and two pads of post-it notes and four pens.  That is in addition to the legal pad on the other side of the computer where I’m working! This is not a set-up. This is my life!

Poor Mike. I have a desk in our house that I regularly clean out. Actually I mostly stack the paper in neat piles and try to keep the clutter at a minimum. Fortunately, the desk closes up, so if someone should come to the door, I can hide my stash quickly. 

It would be okay if I were organized. You know…one notebook for one purpose kind of thing. But no. I can open a notebook and find the beginning of a story idea, a recipe, a grocery list, a quote I like, names I’ve collected, ideas for future blog posts, and the opening lines to a new book…or two. 

While visiting the Ohio house, I opened the door to my office. What is the first thing you expect to see in an office? A desk, right? 

I have a great desk. I really do. The problem is, you can’t see it. It is stacked with…you guessed it…paper. And notebooks, files, books on writing. Pens, highlighters, and a printer full of paper. The office is better organized. At least, it is useable space. 

I am determined to get better. Someday. It’s hard. I’m thinking I could start a group for people like me.

I’ll call it Paper-holics Anonymous. Wow! What a great idea!

A time to meet. A group logo. Invitations. 

Now to make a list…Yep, I need a sheet of paper…