When I was younger, one of the ways my mom would treat me was by taking me to the “Hello Kitty Store” — which was actually called the Sanrio Store at Hillsdale Shopping Center. The name was used interchangeably, but I believe this was where my infatuation with stationery began.
The store was covered in cute characters, different shades of pink, and all the craft and art supplies that could entice any Sanrio-obsessed little kid.
Maybe it was the tower of different kinds of pens and pencils that stood tall against me or the cute punch card they would stamp each time I went — patiently waiting until I racked up enough visits to redeem a prize. Maybe it was these things that would drive me to visit.
Whatever it was, one thing I remember in great detail was the crushing feeling when it closed. All the little notebooks and stickers I would use sparingly since I didn’t know if I would ever be able to get more.
I would hoard stickers, washi tape, and pens, never using them because I was waiting for the perfect opportunity. But when I tried to use them, I realized the stickers and washi tape had lost their stick, and the pretty pens I had saved were dried out.
Why did I wait? Why didn’t I just use them when I had the chance? I asked myself these questions, disappointed that the moment I had been waiting for never came.
But it wasn’t just stationery I would waste — there were so many opportunities I missed out on because I waited for “the right time.”
I didn’t want to feel that same regret, so I told myself that if there was something I wanted to do, I should just go for it. The right time, as I’ve learned, is a decision you make, not something you wait for.
When I used to practice hand lettering after opening a fresh box of Crayola Super Tips, I came across a quote that really stuck with me, and apparently, to my bedroom wall six years later.
“If we wait until we’re ready, we’ll be waiting for the rest of our lives.” It’s a famous quote from Lemony Snicket’s “A Series of Unfortunate Events” — a favorite series of mine.
While the books were surprisingly dark for a fourth-grader, the message of that quote can resonate with anyone, regardless of age. This article from LinkedIn eloquently explains why we wait for moments when we think the cards are in our favor, addresses the myth of perfect timing, and reveals how we can change our mindsets.
I’m not saying that decisions should be made without thinking, but overthinking can lead to dissatisfaction. Countless outcomes can stem from one decision, but sometimes all you can do is bite the bullet and go for it.
There are all kinds of things I wouldn’t have discovered I liked until I tried them — things like being in a school choir or even writing for a journalism program.
I like to remember that good stationery is only good if it works for you, meaning that you don’t know what works for you until you try it. I want to keep trying new things — though it may be daunting or uncomfortable, or I might even realize it’s not for me, there’s no better moment than now.
