How to plan using paper

[Ilovefruitytea]

Calling all paper organisation lovers...I really need some advice on how to organise and run my life using paper. I love being organised and all things to do with lists and diaries and schedules. However, I can't seem to find a system that works for me. I tried digital solutions and while they are clean and convenient, they mean I spend even more time online than is good, extra screen time etc. Plus there is no pleasure or satisfaction in them, and there's nothing to physically tick off. Plus my iPhone is always low on battery and I'm dreaming about just getting a non-smart phone.

I love paper diaries and notebooks. But any system I tried I just give up on as it just isn't very convenient. I'd like something that links bigger picture goals to the day to day. Also, I'm a stay at home mum to a very demanding bub, so no time to spend on it, which is why I found bullet journalling too stressful.

What do you guys do? Share with me your paper systems, tips and tricks!

I've been using the Boxclever life planner since 2017 and can recommend it; everything in one place and not bulky. They have family planners too.

boxcleverpress.com/products/life-book-diary

Now and again I'm sucked in by a different brand/layout etc but I consistently go back to this after a few days as it works for me.

Thanks Mia, I will check them out! Do you use your planner for both appointments and for to do lists? Do you put tasks on the day they are due or on the day you thought of them? What about things that are long-term projects? Sorry if that's obvious, just thought I'd ask.

Have you tried bullet journalling?

Ryder Carroll invented it and has written this book about it which lays out the system very clearly. I love it.

www.amazon.co.uk/Bullet-Journal-Method-Present-Future-ebook/dp/B07CV44V5W/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=ryder+carroll&qsid=261-2623390-5011504&sres=B07CV44V5W%2C1798482819%2CB07G5DP4Q3%2CB084QKY25D%2CB09C3H194W%2C349963340X%2C9400510500%2CB09HQQH1D7%2C8804725613%2CB08BDYHW43%2C1509865934%2CB074LZG7KS%2C0752266373%2C1976531330%2CB07F21G3DX%2C6070763521&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1636522977&sr=8-1

Sorry! I just saw you didn't like bullet journalling.

Although it can actually be very quick. It doesn't all have to be about pretty pages and designs. The system itself is very basic.

I have a diary that's week to view so I can see any daily appointments but then I have a large post-it stuck to the page where I write any tasks that I want to do that week but aren't date specific. The same with kitchen calendar, it has a large post-it to show any general goals for the month.

Very low tech but I find it motivating to have the general goals in the same place as the weekly/monthly plans.

I have an A5 Filofax.

You can customise it how you like, so I have a diary which is a page a day, I have notepaper in the back so I can make notes if I'm doing something like talking on the phone, I can then move that page to the diary.

I have post it notes, and lists but you basically buy what you want.

@Ilovefruitytea

Thanks Mia, I will check them out! Do you use your planner for both appointments and for to do lists? Do you put tasks on the day they are due or on the day you thought of them? What about things that are long-term projects? Sorry if that's obvious, just thought I'd ask.

I put tasks in on the day I've thought of them and if I am giving myself a deadline then I mark that into the planner too. I check it first thing in the morning and in the evening I update it and move any tasks forward as necessary. I also make any notes next to a task so I can refer back to it if necessary, for example when I paid the window cleaner or if I've listed something on eBay and the day/time the listing is ending. I also write in any housework tasks (e.g I always change bedding on Monday, clean the fridge on Thursdays etc), date I get paid and how much, any direct debits due to go out of the bank account etc as well as using it as a diary e.g pub quiz nights, knit and natter group, chiropractor etc

I initially started as I was merging out of a depressive episode and I needed a routine and be able to empty my head and to follow a task list because I found carrying everything around in my mind was too overwhelming. I've kept it going now as it's so useful.

I use different coloured fine liner pens for each different item (e.g bills are red ink, housework blue ink, fun stuff is purple, green ink for meal planning etc etc) and it looks lovely and colourful when I open it up 😀

Mia thank you so much for letting me know how you use it, I’m going to check it out and try out your system. I too use planning as a form of mental health self care and it has improved my mental health significantly!

Thank you all for your suggestions. I actually listened to the bullet journal book on audible whilst looking after my DD and it’s really interesting! I bought a notebook and I’m going to give his system another try once DD is older and I have more time to plan properly.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions! 😃

I use a Hobonichi Weeks
It works for me as sort of a modified bullet journal. It has monthly pages, weekly pages, and then a blank section in the back. The book is small so it’s easy to carry around or pop on a bag.

There are people who do gorgeous layouts in their Hobonichi planners or get obsessed with stickers, but if you happen down that internet rabbit hole , don’t let that scare you. All you need is pen.

I have to say I tried all the stuff like bullet journals and I just procrastinate and then fail.

I have a three paper system.
Week per view AG diary. It's not neat but it has everything put in it, uni work, ds's appts, fun stuff. If you wanted more space you could use a4 cos it doesn't leave the house.
Then I have a little dates diary so tiny, just enough space to write the basic appts and deadlines in and that goes in my handbag so if osmeoen says can you do Monday I know
Then a three month wall planner, wipe clean so I transfer everything onto that. It's neat cos it's wipe clean so if anything changes it's fine. Different colours for family members (most of my stuff is play dates for toddlers and hospital appts for DS) And it's in my loo. So I get chance to look at it several times a day, update it in peace with etc. Put a line through each day at bedtime. Helps me stay aware of what's coming up

Amazing ideas thank you! Yes I’m definitely prone to procrastinating with trying different systems and then failing!

@SleepingStandingUp

I have to say I tried all the stuff like bullet journals and I just procrastinate and then fail.

I have a three paper system.
Week per view AG diary. It's not neat but it has everything put in it, uni work, ds's appts, fun stuff. If you wanted more space you could use a4 cos it doesn't leave the house.
Then I have a little dates diary so tiny, just enough space to write the basic appts and deadlines in and that goes in my handbag so if osmeoen says can you do Monday I know
Then a three month wall planner, wipe clean so I transfer everything onto that. It's neat cos it's wipe clean so if anything changes it's fine. Different colours for family members (most of my stuff is play dates for toddlers and hospital appts for DS) And it's in my loo. So I get chance to look at it several times a day, update it in peace with etc. Put a line through each day at bedtime. Helps me stay aware of what's coming up

I'm interested in all of this too. @SleepingStandingUp, isn't your system prone to mistakes? If I had information in three different places in different formats I don't think I'd be organised enough to keep everything "in sync" (to use a digital abbreviation) and I suspect things would get missed.

I love paper but honestly writing things down to look pretty is just another form of procrastinating for me. On my phone things are typed, ticked and then the finished list is deleted.

I don't call it a 'system' but we use a week-to-view diary, and write appts on the left, to do list on the right.

We also write a menu plan weekly and review the diary at the same time.

Not sure any system can solve the procrastination issue. All systems need attention!

@OpheliaThrupps letters that come in go upstairs to the toilet wall planner, and anything I book is put straight on there. I do do occasional cross checks but so far the only time I've double booked is when I didn't check, came home to write it on the planner and realised so was able to fix it. It isn't fool proof and doesn't necessarily work for the to do lists altho the proper diary has more room, but it's as basic as I need it so I don't get sidetracked

I have an extra large, school notebook size planner that is lined. Each page is bisected with a line down the middle (really more like 1/3 on the left 2/3 on the right) on the left side I make a list of all my to-do things, on the right side I take notes or make comments on things to follow up on. I cross things off as they're completed. I leave two whole sheets blank at the beginning of the planner and put long term projects on there.

I use my phone for a family calendar (I put every event and appointment and plan in there) but if I didn't I would use a large whiteboard.

I keep a running amazon cart for non-grocery purchases, I use an app for groceries, I meal plan at least one week out and order groceries for two weeks at a time, the first day of the meal plan is my grocery delivery day but the meal that night is usually a simple panty meal or takeout so I don't have to deal with groceries and cooking in the same day.