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Saturday, September 5, 2009

Planning My Life Away


I bought this planner a couple of weeks ago in an attempt to track my life. I used to be a Franklin fanatic but I found I was making too many modifications to the planner to make it work the way I wanted, so I quit using Franklin and moved everything online--calendars, to-do lists, etc. And that solution was very good for my work life where I sit at a desk all day, but it didn't work well for my home life where I am running errands and making shopping lists and adding to-do items on the go.

I don't want a planner that is big and cumbersome, just neat and small. I like to see a week at a glance so I can track appointments. I have a daily to-do list, shopping lists, meal plans, gift ideas and financial notes. I found that the digital world doesn't translate as well for my personal life because I am a notetaker and listmaker and I like to write. It helps me organize my brain to have my calendar and to-do lists laid out for me.

When I don't have a working planner, I still make copious notes and daily to-do lists and they end up strewn all over my house which causes me anxiety and wastes my time as I never seem to have all those to-do lists in one place.

I bought the Moleksine because it gave me a week-at-a-glance, was a nice compact size, and the pages are nice and thick and lovely to write on. And it seems for me like I am carrying a journal around rather than a planner. What amazes me is how utterly, completely happy I have been for the past several days since I purchased it. Its like a constant party in my pocketbook. I know where all invitations, appointments, to-do lists, goals, ideas, and future plans go! I think I open it about a hundred times a day and check my lists, write new items, plan future appointments, and essentially organize my head in blue ink right on the page in front of me.

It has brought calm and order and sanctuary to my life. And brings me no end of bliss and pleasure to boot. I would go so far as to say, I think I may have found a replacement for chocolate.

It is that good, my friends.

5 comments:

Julie said...

I love this kind of stuff! I could have an enjoyable discussion about planners! I recently discovered the Google Tasks and LOVE it.

HDH. said...

Moleskines are the best! Wahoo!

I Choose Happiness said...

I'm glad you shared this. I've been looking at getting a planner, but I don't want to spend $100 to get one. This looks like it would help me to reign in on my to-do lists and notes that are laying around the house (glad to know I'm not the only one).

Michelle said...

You just can't replace the feeling of actually writing something down. There's nothing better than a new planner or notebook and your favorite pen! I still like to go school supply shopping every year even though I have no reason to go - the aisles and aisles of fresh, new notebooks, paper, pens, erasers, planners...just waiting to be filled up with lists, calendars, ideas, plans... Adam thinks I'm crazy.

Eden said...

Julie--It is obvious that you, Michelle and myself need to sit down together and discuss all things planning the next time we are in the same room.

H-I knew you would respond to the Moleskine. Beautiful planners, aren't they?

Amanda--Whatever solution you come up, let me know. It sounds like we have a similar issue with our to-do lists being strewn all over the house.

Michelle--I saw your post on the Mom planner and was fascinated. Of course, I spent an hour just checking them out and wishing I could find a use for one myself! Also, I need to visit a paper store with you. I think you might be able to show me new delights when it comes to all things paper.

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