Monday Motivation: Why I Use (and love) a Paper Planner

"Hang Forever" by Ivy Levan - my latest jam

I suffer from a severe lack of motivation. Mostly I feel that there's not much ahead for me; a side effect of my many ailments is not believing in myself, not thinking that the little steps to accomplish my big dreams are worth the effort - because I don't actually believe I'll reach any of those dreams.

And that's why I use (and love) my paper planner.

My friends and family all think my planner obsession is nuts - I say it's necessary. On the lighter side of things, the act of writing, doodling, and decorating is very therapeutic for me. An hour spent planning and reviewing and decorating is a sure-fire way to relieve anxiety and bring me into the present moment. In addition, being able to customize and create a system that is 100% me and perfect for my life is awesome.

Into the deeper side of things - motivation and affirmation.

I try to treat myself like the queen that I am. ;)

In the morning, when I first sit down with breakfast, my mind is suddenly flooded with worries about things I need to get done, things I want to get done, things I have to do, and how I'm going to fit it all into my day. So I write it down. I write EVERYTHING down. There is a notebook at my desk dedicated to nothing but "brain dumps." If there's even an inkling of a feeling that I may want to remember that thought, I write it down. If it's a task for the day, I'll write it in my planner. Sometimes my list can get long and overwhelming; most days I accidentally fill up the section on my daily pages for tasks (something I'm working on - think before you write, Alexis!).

For me, seeing a full task box is something of a little challenge to myself. Most days, if there are that many things on the list, it's little things: empty dishwasher, write blog post, reorganize/clean up desk space, wash bedsheets, clean mouse/rat cage, fold laundry, archive old planner pages, etc. At first, the full task box is overwhelming, but then I actually read it and realize that if I just stood up and put my mind to it, I could have half of it done in half an hour!

For instance, yesterday, my brain was moving at light-speed trying to prepare for the new semester. I looked at my full task list and began to panic. But then I noticed that a huge chunk of my list was simple house cleaning tasks - dishes, decluttering/wiping down kitchen, fold laundry, etc. I blasted The Dubstep Dictionary on my stereo and was able to add four checkmarks to that task list in twenty minutes.

A long list can be overwhelming, but the empty check boxes sure do motivate me to find a way to get things done - MUST. CHECK. OFF. BOXES.

Additionally, I keep my planner as a sort of record. Not only of events I want to remember, but also just day to day things: why didn't I do what I wanted to do this week? What did I do this week that helped me accomplish all of my main goals? Maybe I was sick for most of the week, and that's why I got a lot of blogging done, but my room is messy. Maybe I had the week off of work and nothing to really worry about, so my apartment is spotless and I was able to kick all of my tasks in the ass. These things really help me focus on the task at hand and how to move forward and get everything done.

I use the Life Mapping Version 2 inserts from DIY Fish in my desk size Day-Timer!

And lastly: I use my planner in the traditional manner, to remember tasks and appointments. I'm a little (read: a lot) absent-minded sometimes. As a visual person, when I see my appointments, time commitments, and tasks laid out in front of me, I can be more realistic about what needs to get done, what I want to get done, and what can wait.

In all honesty, my planner is probably overkill for most people, but it works for me and that's what matters! It keeps me sane, helps me see what's important, and most importantly: it remembers dates and times.

I encourage you all to ignore the naysayers for anything in your life, today. So what if someone thinks your way of doing things is weird? You're not harming anyone, and it works for you. That is all that matters. :)

Have a beautiful Monday and a great week, y'all!

PS: I'm completely obsessed with these DIY Fish Life Mapping Version 2 inserts. I will absolutely be doing a post on those soon!