The Lie of the Perfect Planner

Somewhere in the far reaches of my neurodivergent mind, etched in mental marble, there's a plaque that reads:

"All problems can be solved with the right planner."

I cannot shake this belief. It lives deep in my bones. It gives me hope every time I walk down the stationary aisle. And it’s a damn lie.

Let’s be honest here- I don’t write things down unless I absolutely have to. Don't get me wrong, I have a serious problem with collecting office supplies of all sorts. I love a good marker, pen, tape dispenser. I don't, however, store information or reminders in one central location. I also don’t do anything consistently enough to justify a tabbed, color-coded archive of my life. Me? Write something daily? Not likely. The last time I used a pen every day, I was a CNA-and that was because it was required by law.

But planners? Oh they're pure witchcraft. A fresh planner feels like a reboot, a reawakening of your entire personality. The potential just oozes from the pages in waves, almost palpable. The smell of newly printed paper, the thrill of matching stickers and ink colors, everything labeled just so...it's exhilarating just being in the Hobby Lobby aisle.

But then the real questions begin:

What exactly are we tracking here- my water intake? My steps? My writing, socials, birthdays, Christmas lists? The full existential weight of being alive in 2025?

Do I want bullet journaling? Day/Week/Month formatting? One day per page or one week? Do I need note space? Margins for doodling? Wait, can I even draw? (Spoiler alert: No, no I cannot.)

Ok, then, how about pre-made customizable? You could get a leather binding, or spiral edged, or your name engraved on the front, or even a photo of your dog!

Oh god. Those cost more than a tank of gas before shipping. That's insane.

Hey, I could design one myself! I've done graphics before, Canva is super easy to use, and I probably have some extra paper and cardstock laying around somewhere.

I still have a Silhouette or Cricut or whatever and a paper cutter and laminating pockets and...

Just need sticker paper. And a tutorial video...or three.

I guess I need to figure out a theme, and a color scheme and a font. Maybe some templates?

How is this suddenly a graduate-level thesis in organization?

Wait, when did I eat last exactly? I need a snack.

Now I’ve wasted three hours, spent $75, and created exactly nothing. Not a task list. Not a sticker. Not one daily note page.

I could spend the next three days chiding myself internally, getting less than nothing done, and guilting myself about the wasted time and money. Or I could just realize that traditional systems do not work for me, and I will have to make my own. Just like the app and my nutrition scheduling. Just like every other tool I've had to twist into shape to function in this world.

It doesn't make me wrong.

It just means the systems weren't made with my brain in mind.

So yes, I will continue using scraps of paper, half-filled legal pads, and rainbow sticky notes scattered across every surface.

Are they only effective when I actually see them which is about half the time? Yes.

Do I still arrive late or not at all every so often? Also yes.

But did it require a personality overhaul and a craft room meltdown? Nope.

And I'll take that win. All day long, thanks.

If this hit home (or your planner hit the trash), throw something in the tip jar. It helps me keep writing, keep building BettyBot, and keep telling the truth out loud.

👉 https://bit.ly/BettyFund