6 BACK-TO-SCHOOL ITEMS FOR ADULTS

When I was a kid, I always felt a little sad as the summer came to a close and the beginning of the school year started approaching. But one thing that would always make me excited for a new school year was back-to-school shopping!

The fun binders, colorful pens and pencils, cute notebooks, patterned backpacks, and more… Picking out materials was such a fun errand with my parents. Now that I’m an adult, I sometimes think about that memory when August and September roll around, and this year, I’ll try to recreate it!

So here are a few back-to-school items I use regularly that you can shop for this fall!

A Nice Pack of Pencils

Whether you love mechanical pencils or prefer the classic #2 pencil, having a collection of pencils that you like in the kitchen or office can be super helpful for writing a grocery list, a to-do list, doodling to pass the time, or even work-related things. I don’t know about you, but pencils tend to disappear in my home, so having a fresh pack minimizes the time I tend to spend searching for a pencil. In this same vein, if you’re not buying lead for mechanical pencils, you’ll need a pencil sharpener! I love the mechanical ones because they hold the shavings for you and sharpen super quickly.

Colorful pens

I love having colorful pens on hand to write notes, write in my planner (which we’ll talk about next), write letters to friends and family, etc. Obviously classic blue and black pens are staples, but you know how much I love color! Something about notes written in a pink sparkly pen just brightens my day…

A Notebook (for home or work)

I use my notebook for anything and everything, and it’s a great resource to keep track of things throughout the day. I know you can use your phone as a notepad, but sometimes when I’m going to the store or need to remember something specific, writing it out on a paper and taking that with me or taping it in plain sight is helpful. Plus, you can even use this to journal if that’s a better use for you! (And your colorful pens will make it even more fun.)

A calendar/planner

If you need a physical resource that can hold all of your important dates and your schedule for the month, a hanging calendar might be the best thing for you! You can hang it somewhere in your home that gets a lot of traffic, like the kitchen or living room, and that way everyone can check it throughout the week. They come in a TON of different patterns and themes, so choosing one that fits you is part of that back-to-school shopping fun!

If you want your calendar to be private, buying a personal planner will give you the organization you need without sharing your entire schedule. You can take it on the go and even use the time you journal in the morning to jot down a few errands in your planner.

Sticky notes

As someone who has a ton of creative ventures going on at once, I really love how easy sticky notes are to use and how insanely helpful they can be. I can put reminders on them for the podcast, jot down ideas throughout the day, leave cute notes for Cooper, and, in general, keep things at the forefront of my brain by leaving them in spaces I’ll see regularly. They have practical and fun uses, and they are certainly nice to have around!

Your Very own lunchbox

Unless you work in an office, you may not be taking your lunch to very many places like we did as kids in bringing our lunch to school. But a lunchbox can be great even if you don’t work in an office! I work mostly from home — and the occasional coffee shop — but there are times when my day is packed, and I don’t have time to eat at home. I can grab food out, but if you just went grocery shopping or maybe want to avoid spending money, packing your lunch and taking it with you can save you time and money. Even if it’s just a sandwich and some fruit, veggies, chips, etc., packing a lunch in your very own lunch box for those busy days will ensure you get a meal in when you need it.