Just a quick disclaimer: When I say “date-stamp,” I don’t mean a literal stamp as though I am a notary or librarian. I simply mean writing the date. Ok, let us begin.
Whether I'm writing in Google Docs, a journal entry, a typewritten piece, or maybe even a birthday card entry (OK, maybe not there), before I write anything, the words are preceded by the day’s date. No exceptions. But why?
I'll be the first to admit that it seems a little silly. Why does every document need to be emblazoned with the day on which it as was composed? Well, I'll tell you a few reasons why.
1. Draft Stage Management
As someone who prefers work in multiple drafts for personal works as well as needs to collaborate with colleagues on projects, date-stamping work is immensely helpful. Date-stamping simplifies the process of managing which draft is either being referenced in conversation or worked on to avoid confusion.
I mean, you can only title something “final” so many times before the word loses its meaning, amiright?
(And ideally, unless you're up against a tight deadline, you really shouldn't be working on multiple drafts of the same piece on the same day. Let the changes marinate a bit.)
2. Chronological Context
All past compositions were created by a different version of you. By date-stamping my work, I am, in a sense, signing it as the Me I was on that particular day. This tells all of the other versions of Me who was is to blame for such drivel...or I may be pleasantly surprised by what I find.
3. Slaying the Blank Page
The blank page can be a writer's worst enemy when left to its own devices. It mocks you, daunts you, and dares you to put down something that isn't immediately backspaced into oblivion or furiously scratched out of existence. Something that won’t trigger uncontrollable paper crumbling. By at least putting down as something as simple and patently true as the date, all other truths just seem to flow out a little easier.
4. Sheer Ease of Filing
We tend to like to categorize works by theme, style, length, or some other form of classification. Meh, I just file most things chronologically based on when I first composed their first drafts. This classification is simply what is “stickiest” for my brain's inner archivist. I may not even precisely remember what idea was developed or shared, but if I look through my date-stamped works, I usually know which neighborhood I should be investigating.
Bonus Tip: My Favorite Date Stamp Format
My favorite date-stamp format is one lifted directly from the default means in which Mac computers date screenshots: year.month.date
So, January 23, 2023 (or 23 January, for the Europeans) would be rendered "2023.01.23”.
And why this format, pray tell? Well, because if every file is titled with its date of composition or last update, when set to be listed alphabetically, it also shows up chronologically.
And it's just that simple. Go forth and date-stamp your entire world. Your future self just might thank you for it.