I know we have all experienced this moment when you are desperately seeking your password after wanting to desperately enter an account that requires it (in this time in age it would be all of them). Even so more annoying when you think you know your password but soon realize your mind has created loads of different hints that match the combination you know is correct. “Uhhh, is it ‘A’ oh no, it must be ’N’”. You proceed to input several invalid combinations until you come to understand your efforts were in vain then either exit that account or click “Forgot Password?”.

This brings you to another almost tedious ball game where more often than not one is required to input the email used for that account, logging to that email where a link to “create new password” will be awaiting you.

I don’t know about you, but I seriously abhor having to do that specially after I have just recently created a new password (but since it is so recent I quickly forget it by sending it straight to the password warehouse deep inside my “unable to retain passwords” mind . Don’t you? If you agree to the slightest extent, even if you’re not as forgetful as I am, do yourself a favor and create a Password Notebook, simple as that and a lifelong problem will be solved.

Before I went ahead and dedicated some valuable time to list all of my passwords into one cohesive organizational platform (The Notebook), I did rely loads on “Notes” <— the app I seem to gravitate towards the most on my iPhone when I am 'on the go' due to its convenience, by jotting down important or random thoughts/ to do lists that I may think of throughout the day. I then transfer these notes to an actual notebook/planner that I keep for that sole purpose and that I can physically check off a task once completed. It’s a “Wow, I actually did it” kind of feeling, you know? The satisfaction is real people.

But we have to strive beyond the app and secure these passwords so that “iCloud” or whatever other dangerous ‘storage thing’ doesn’t mistakinly share out all your personal information with the rest of the world. Have you heard about the "Naked Celebrity iCloud Photo Leak” news that surfaced all over the social media? Bottom line, keep your valuables protected.

Always keep your password journal secured

I am still wondering why I never did this earlier for it has made life so much simpler and now I actually feel liberated from the burden of having to memorize those annoying combinations. (Some opt to use the same password throughout several different platforms but it is truly not recommended as hackers can easily track it down). I am not freed from all guilt though because I still do have the same password for more than 4 accounts but I am slowly working on changing them up and with the Password Notebook I can easily keep track of the new ones.

A password notebook can be used to keep track of many different accounts

What I did to create my Password Notebook:

Find a cute, compact, yet large enough notebook or journal (found mine @ Barnes & Noble)
Make a list of all your accounts that require password, username, email & other important information pertaining to that specific account (this is the easy part, believe me)
Gather all the necessary information pertaining to that account and write it down on your notebook (always use PENCIL because you never know when you wish to change the password or any other info) (For me this part required a lengthy process for I do have many accounts I actively use yet for those that are not used as often I had to search high & low for the information, at times even having to click “Forgot Password?” and creating a new one all over again.
Leave ample space between each entry. Not only does it look neater rather than squishing them all together, but those extra lines offer some breathing room for if you ever need to include more information in the future.
Enjoy your new organized Password Notebook (Keep adding new information as you continue to create new accounts. That never seems to cease, does it?)

The creation of this notebook may take several days so don’t feel pressured to have to complete it right away (it took me about three days to really get all the info & not just bits & pieces). But if you have all your passwords readily available then this will surely be a breeze to you.

I used a paint chip from Home Depot to list my accounts :D that way I can use it as a table of contents and know which accounts I have included in the Notebook.

I keep mine in a very accessible place where I can reach for it at a whim. Feel free to include other important personal information in there like Credit Card #’s, online store accounts, app passwords etc.

At the moment I do only keep this notebook at home because I am afraid to carry it in my purse, plus this notebook includes ALL my usernames and passwords and I highly doubt I will ever truly need more than 3 at a time while in the street. If I do ever need one in particular, then I’d hope someone is home so that I can call them to ask for the password.

What do you think of the Password Notebook? Would you consider creating one? or Do you already have a similar working/ efficient platform for organizing your accounts?

A Password Notebook