“Therapeutic and neuroprotective”

Financial Times reports on the psychological importance of stationery:

Buying a new pencil case as a signal of intent to organise your life isn’t as fanciful as it might sound. The compartments are a “way of organising our central nervous system as well as ensuring that we have the right things for the job,” cognitive neuroscientist Rachel Taylor says. “The whole ritual of buying a new pencil case can be both therapeutic and neuroprotective.”

I think that’s true of all stationery purchases. Be prepared to repeat the key words if challenged about an acquisition: “therapeutic and neuroprotective.” Or, “O, reason not the need.”

I am happy to know that the stationery gene now runs through four generations in my family. There’s little chance of a challenge here.