It seems I’ve succumbed to societal influences, despite my attempts to resist them. While I can easily pass on a shot of tequila, my weakness lies in paper products. I have a deep appreciation for stationery, office supplies, and notebooks. My husband witnessed my slightly obsessive enthusiasm during a visit to The Container Store, where I excitedly brandished oversized sticky notes. Eventually, I gave in to the allure of the Erin Condren Life Planner phenomenon.
What’s not to love? Attractive designs, an excuse to indulge in washi tape and colorful markers—all accompanied by assurances from friends that it would revolutionize my life. They promised that I would attain organization, personal wellness, and even a “My Child is on the Honor Roll” bumper sticker, all because I decided to take charge of my planning.
I bought one. I succumbed to the pressure and found one of those planners at a local store, spending more than I should have. I also purchased all the necessary accessories: markers, dividers, stickers, and washi tape. I scoured Pinterest for inspiration on how to utilize this supposed life-altering tool. I even attempted to color-code my family’s schedules but quickly forgot which color correlated with whom, ultimately recording everything in my daughter’s designated color.
In a moment of frustration, I bought correction fluid, only to abandon the color-coding method entirely.
I made an effort. I dedicated a morning to planning my week, aiming to maximize the planner’s effectiveness. I kept my to-do list modest and had an entire week to tackle it. However, I soon set the planner aside and drifted into spontaneity, neglecting my list entirely. Tasks meant for Monday were shifted to Tuesday, then Wednesday, until I completely lost track of them.
“But it’s transformative,” my planner-enthused friends would chant, their eyes glazed over from the excitement of colorful markers and decorative tape. “Give it a chance! You’ll become addicted to planning just like the rest of us!”
So, I tried once more. I sat down, worked on my plans, and aimed for a more manageable approach. Yet, I ultimately ignored the planner, only to remember it again when I realized I had a doctor’s appointment noted inside that I hadn’t transferred to my phone.
Perhaps I should give the planner another opportunity, I thought as I placed it back on my desk. But I didn’t.
Now, it resides at the bottom of a pile of papers on my desk. I anticipated this outcome; it’s not my first encounter with the enticing promises of planners. I have never successfully completed a full year with one. An expensive planner filled with stickers and color-coded family events wasn’t going to magically alter my habits.
Have I learned my lesson? Not really. But maybe next time, instead of succumbing to the most extravagant option, I will try to utilize the planner I already possess. After all, there are still 13 months left in this planner—13 months during which I could either finally learn to use it effectively or continue letting it gather dust under my other notebooks. Place your bets on which scenario is more likely to unfold.
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In summary, the experience of purchasing a fancy planner and the subsequent realization that it wouldn’t change my life highlights a common struggle with organization and productivity. Despite repeated attempts, the allure of planning tools often fades, leaving them unused and collecting dust.