Yes, I Still Use A Planner

Every time the topic of a planner comes up in conversation, my friends laugh when I say that I still use a regular planner as opposed to the calendar on my phone. I used to be embarrassed but now I say it proudly and add that I have two ( one for my personal life and one for work).

There are two types of organization the first is getting the laundry and dishes done along with keeping the house organized the second is the schedule, appointments, meetings, reports for work, bills, and the list goes on. During COVID and my battle with Lyme Disease, I really struggled with my schedule and was having the hardest time meeting deadlines, remembering appointments, and anything else that went on the planner.

As part of my healing process, I decided I would commit to using my planner on a regular basis and keeping myself organized so let’s dive into my love for a planner and why I will never use the calendar on my phone.

Big Picture

I use a planner that gives me the whole monthly view and then has the weekly pages to write everything down. Both options give me a snapshot of what’s happening and I can look at the entire week or month and see everything.

This method allows me to stay organized with my bills, to-do list, deadlines, or whatever else for the week and or month ahead. I don’t get this sense of organization or feeling of readiness from looking at my phone. With the layout of the planner, I can see the big picture for planning ahead.

Getting into the Routine

Sometimes I fall out of my weekly routine of using my planner and I can feel it, a little scattered, not prepared, and start to forget things.

When I make an appointment, plans, or something else comes up and I don’t have my planner I simply make a note on my phone and add it to my planner when I get home. Now, for all tech-savvy folks out there your probably thinking that’s just an extra step when you can simply add it to the calendar on your phone. I understand that but this is what works best for me.

I try to look at my planner multiple times a week to make sure I am not missing anything or to see if there is anything I forget. I also look at upcoming weeks to check due dates or if there is something I should be planning for in the future ( like a vacation, a bill that needs to be paid, or an appointment I need to take time off of work for.) The more I review my planner the more prepared I feel which brings a sense of calmness and lowers my anxiety along with feeling more organized.

Finding What Works For Me

This is what works best for me and this is how I stay organized. I mean isn’t that the whole point of a planner, the calendar on your phone, or whatever you use to keep your schedule? Just because this works for me it doesn’t mean that it works for everyone and I know the calendar on your phone may work just right for you.

That is why when someone asks if I still use a planner instead of the calendar on my phone I respond very proudly because I know that it keeps me organized, functioning, and allows me to be the best version of myself.

Do you use a planner or the calendar on your phone? How do you keep yourself organized?