32 Comments
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Mohika Mudgal's avatar

I am you and you are me! It's as if we share the same world! And there's more humans like us who full their life onto pages and paper and scribble away their thoughts and dreams. I loved reading this!

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Minaz Ansari's avatar

Thank you so much Mohika for reading and for loving notebooks :)

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Rafael's avatar

Extremely well written. I never thought that I would see notebooks from so many different perspectives and experiences. Especially not from a single person. I have always thought of notebooks as a utilitarian item simply meant for school or college but today I learned that they can be so much more than that. They can be a source of joy, comfort, or even curiosity. After reading this article I will never look at notebooks the same way again

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Minaz Ansari's avatar

Thank you for your kind words Rafael. May your notebooks be filled with all things wonderful!

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Jillian Hess's avatar

Loved seeing more of your notebooks!

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Minaz Ansari's avatar

I am so grateful to you for making me look back at the notebooks I have collected over the years :)

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Written by Raza's avatar

Your notebooks are works of art!

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Minaz Ansari's avatar

Thank you so much for your kind words :)

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Zahid Shaikh's avatar

What could be described a scribbles are actually a management tool that can be used to improve process operations in organizations. It is a propriety way of training the mind which needs to become a guiding science !

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Minaz Ansari's avatar

Yes. It should be taught widely. It's a great tool for analysis!

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B.A. Lampman's avatar

You're preaching to the converted over here. Thanks for showing us your notebooks!

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Minaz Ansari's avatar

Yaay! Another notebook lover! May our tribe increase...

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Shannon W Haynes's avatar

What beautiful gifts you have given yourself!

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Minaz Ansari's avatar

All in a day's work! Its only when I look back I see the gift! Thanks for saying so.

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Shital Morjaria (she/her)'s avatar

I love note books as well! But I am sure you put them to proper use with your notes and sketches!

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Minaz Ansari's avatar

A notebook is like a dear friend. We all have a different sense of bonding. Enjoy yours Shital :)

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Uday Khambadkone's avatar

This is absolutely fabulous for you to share your note taking and mind maps. I do take notes on books and lectures once in a while but no where close to what you have here. Thanks for sharing the true joy of note-taking :)

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Minaz Ansari's avatar

Thanks for reading and restacking Uday :)

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Rachel Cheeney's avatar

I, too, have long been a notebook girl! Albeit my calendar is kept on my phone, the snibbits of my life journey and moments in time is encapsulated and revealed in my notebooks. My random collection is not nearly as artisanal as yours; nor can it be quickly located for presentation. Fabulous 😍

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Minaz Ansari's avatar

I am so glad to meet another notebook girl Rachel. Your notebooks are precious. Keep them safe and growing

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Shawn's avatar

Loved your descriptions of your note taking, journaling and sketching, recording the most interesting bits of your life… I love your clean lettering and diagramming and architectural sketching

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Dawood Shaikh's avatar

Minaz I am proud that you have this habit since young age. Your doodles, sketches and writings are like encyclopedia. Keep it up.

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Minaz Ansari's avatar

I have imbibed this from Mummy. I still have some of her notes as well.

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Rafeeq Ellias's avatar

Terrific post, Minaz, resonates for all of us. But you clearly are amazing with your notebooks! And your thoughts about them. Wow. Very best!

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Minaz Ansari's avatar

Thank you so much for your kind words :)

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Ajay Kelkar's avatar

What a lovely easy! Notebooks as portals are a new concept for me but I can so relate to it!

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Minaz Ansari's avatar

Thanks for reading Ajay. I am so glad you relate to notebooks :)

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Mumbai || Paused's avatar

Impressive. My notebooks and journals are all online for over a quarter of a century!

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Minaz Ansari's avatar

Trust Gopal to be always ahead of the times :)

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Shreya's avatar

Thank you for writing this. I feel so seen, so heard. Notebooks are my kryptonite💖

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Minaz Ansari's avatar

Wow! So glad to know that! Thanks for reading :)

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