In these days of e-Everything, I, as many of you, use an electronic calendar. I can call up my appointments on my desktop computer, tablet, or phone at any time of day or night. However, I still like to use a paper planner. For me a planner is more than just a calendar. The planner is a daily journal, an organizer, a thinking tool, and – well – a planner!
Until recently, I had planners going back more than ten years. Begrudgingly, I finally recycled the pages after perusing the years of activity and notes. I have to admit it was hard. As with pictures, planners serve me as memory joggers. Some notations make me smile; others are bittersweet; all provide snippets of my life for a year’s time.
Interesting, too, is how life evolves from year to year. Engrossed in our days, weeks, and months, we may not be aware of our focus and how we navigate our lives. Yet looking back we begin to see patterns lending themselves to those things important to us at the time.
Each year I look at many planners before selecting just the right one. You might say planners are like jewelry or perfume – very personal. [grin] My current planner is an 8” x 10” spiral-bound book that includes a two-page spread for each month, two-page spread for each week, and note pages. Each month is separated by a designed cardstock page followed by an inspirational quote from a famous person. Although I selected this year’s planner, my sister purchased it for me for my birthday last October.
During the fall I may begin making notes that occur into the next year. Hair and doctors’ appointments that are scheduled months in advance. Concerts and theater performances in which tickets are purchased ahead of time. Pre-paid travel and excursions. And birthdays to be celebrated! I even include notes of when to plant certain flowers, fauna, and foliage.
In addition to appointments, I include current daily and weekly items. Things to do. I write down phone calls I need to make, notes to write, special checks to write or gifts to send. Being retired, it is easy to waste the day away and then think, “I should have done this today.” By jotting notes about what to accomplish that week, I am reminded and more likely to complete the task. Plus, I get the added pleasure of checking off the task!
As you can tell, I enjoy using a planner. It may sound like a lot of work, but in reality I simply jot down the tasks, reminders, and lists and then glance at the planner once or twice a day, depending on how much I have going on. And I embellish with stickers for colorful fun. But that obsession is for another blog post. Happy planning!
Silver Sage Sisters 