My thinking last week was that the proper size of a collection — for me — may sit somewhere between accumulating complete assortments of pens and between having “one of each type” of writer represented within your collection. How one might tell when they’ve achieved full pen-ness? Is representation my goalpost?

What if I, instead, measure success based on how interested in writing my collection keeps me — and not on accumulation/curation?

I’m continuing to think my way through how large or small my pen collection should be. Part of the equation, for me, is driven by curation. What do I want the final collection to look like?

I suspect there are two general goals for a collection. One is accumulating. The other: curating. This post thinks through both as they pertain to my own goals — without judgment. We all wear many sizes.

I return often to reflections on how large or small an “appropriate” collection of fancy pens should be. A recent spate of reflections by blogs I enjoy reading have similarly returned to this topic. Many aspire to small, intentionally-curated collections.

Should I also aim for a similarly minimalist assortment of 10 or 12 pens? Pens that have each been carefully chosen so that each one speaks to a particular part of writing that I enjoy? My forever 10?

Productivity — at least for me — is traveling near quicksand. At times, I slip into cycles wherein I take on more work than I can healthfully handle. The ground looks firm enough. I can totally make it through, and get it all done. So why not keep going?

Reflecting and journaling are my pathways out. My pens are the branches we were taught as kids to use to pull yourself out of quicksand.