YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Paper planner vs digital

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Paper planner vs digital https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paper-planner-vs-digital Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 24 Apr 2026 01:42:54 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Cerinda on "Paper planner vs digital" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paper-planner-vs-digital#post-1561441 Tue, 22 Sep 2015 19:53:16 +0000 Cerinda 1561441@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Big fan of David Allen's Getting Things Done methodology; put into practice with OmniFocus software. But now that kids are launched and work is project-based, I have simplified considerably.  Apple fangirl:  so my phone and tablet and laptop keep color-coded calendars in order; I tell Siri to enter things rather than type on the go.  Evernote fangirl:  photos of notebook pages, index cards, scraps, receipts, recipes, party plans, screenshots, websites, academic PDFs, all densely tagged.  In the field, pencil, index cards, and pocket-sized moleskins/look-alikes,  photo'd at night and moved into Evernote if I have power.  Customized Anylist for to do lists and groceries. It all falls apart at conferences and meetings, though.  Could Diana have found the solution for me? Isabel on "Paper planner vs digital" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paper-planner-vs-digital#post-1561369 Tue, 22 Sep 2015 16:51:58 +0000 Isabel 1561369@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ No matter how hard I try and I have TRIED, I just need the paper. I need to mark it up, circle, highlight... I LOVED the app Awesome Cal but I just find that I need to jot things down and look at them in paper form. Diana on "Paper planner vs digital" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paper-planner-vs-digital#post-1561315 Tue, 22 Sep 2015 14:30:36 +0000 Diana 1561315@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have read about the bullet journal method in the past but it's never clicked for me... My problem is that most of the things I want to note down aren't easily compartmentalized into bullet points, or something. I think my brain is just naturally too disorganized, lol. The Evernote moleskin thing appeals to me because it's like bullet journaling lite - you use the stickers to bullet/flag things after the fact rather than while you are writing, Eta: I guess the main motivation for my taking notes / journaling is not to *organize* my life though. It's to find inspiration, both for my work and my life. UmmLila (Lisa) on "Paper planner vs digital" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paper-planner-vs-digital#post-1561039 Tue, 22 Sep 2015 00:29:39 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1561039@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Lila (UmmLila means I'm her mother) will be very excited to hear that people are interested in her bullet journal methods. She loves paper notebooks, and Japanese stationery products. JayS on "Paper planner vs digital" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paper-planner-vs-digital#post-1560405 Sun, 20 Sep 2015 20:18:05 +0000 JayS 1560405@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What Rambling Ann said. I had no idea such a thing existed. Just purchased a Moleskine dot journal and am gonna give it a try. Thanks, UmmLila! Rambling Ann on "Paper planner vs digital" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paper-planner-vs-digital#post-1560197 Sun, 20 Sep 2015 00:20:55 +0000 Rambling Ann 1560197@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ UmmLila sent me down the rabbit hole with two words: bullet journal. Oh wow. Thanks, I think. anne on "Paper planner vs digital" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paper-planner-vs-digital#post-1559996 Sat, 19 Sep 2015 13:40:34 +0000 anne 1559996@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm going to chime in on menu planning too. I have been doing it all year, and at time in the last. Like Esther, I don't like doing multiple trips to buy food (though we still have to sometimes) and also plan food to use up more perishable items first. I plan a week ahead just before my weekly shop. Some considerations I use - varying the meat so we get a variety  - same with "carb" component - making sure that the nights DH cooks (he cooks 4 nights a week but I plan the menu) are from one of about 8 meals that he cooks from and mostly, are ones that can be done in only an hour or so -do I want to try a recipe out - do it on my night! -several nights a week we have a visitor for meals who is allergic to tinned goods - can I cook ahead a little - do extra vegies one night, for a fritatta the next? have leftover roast chicken to put into fresch spring rolls etc We don't keep to it strictly. We often do end up cooking the meals on a different night from the plan; sometimes we cater for a lot on Tues nights (we have people over before bible study) and it will do for the next night, sometimes we are given a meal,  or DH feel like take away, or the children want to cook something themselves etc. But it does save what was me for the the exhausting feeling of having to decide what to cook every day. For our shipping list we use an app called Our groceries. It syncs between DH and my phone, which is great because it lets each other know what is needed, you can put everything in categories, so say everything fruit and veg is all together, and you cross each item off as you put it in the trolley. You can put in the ingredients for  frequently cooked meals  and then just choose items from them.  It works really well for us. Esther on "Paper planner vs digital" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paper-planner-vs-digital#post-1559507 Fri, 18 Sep 2015 16:24:57 +0000 Esther 1559507@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hi, I don't really post here a lot, since I feel like I don't often have much to add that hasn't been said. But I really feel you on the running to the store multiple times a week, and feeling like that eats up time and energy and exacerbates the frantic feeling! My current project is to get really serious with planning meals once a week, with attention given to consumption of the fresh ingredients earlier in the cycle and relying on the freezer and longer-keeping ingredients such as cabbage later in the week. I have one list on the fridge so that in the morning, I can take things out of the freezer for the next day. It means a lot more thought ahead of time, but has eliminated the ' end of the day, what's for dinner?' stress. Also on the list are breakfast, lunch, and snack options for the kids, which they are supposed to cross off when used up, so I can add to the grocery list. This is working well for me. Maybe it will be an encouragement to you. I don't really have any insight into the best organizational methods, as that is a constant lifelong goal. Adelfa on "Paper planner vs digital" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paper-planner-vs-digital#post-1559259 Fri, 18 Sep 2015 06:17:11 +0000 Adelfa 1559259@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I keep my whole calendar on my phone. My shopping lists are on stickies which start out on my kitchen counter and then graduate to the back of my phone when I go shopping. I do To Do lists on stickies too. I have tried many times to go electronic and haven't been successful yet. Laura (rhubarbgirl) on "Paper planner vs digital" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paper-planner-vs-digital#post-1559154 Fri, 18 Sep 2015 00:42:56 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1559154@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Levenger sells these notecards and holders that are similar to 3x5 cards but oriented the other way, so you can make notes and keep them in your shirt pocket. There was a blogger a few years ago that made a whole planner/to-do list out of 3x5 cards and a binder clip, which I think would be an awesome solution for a lot of people. I keep some things on the phone/computer and some in paper. When I worked at companies that shared calendars etc I had to keep all my appointments on the computer. Now I don't have that many meetings, so I use an app on my phone for firm appointments (doctor's appointments, etc.) and all my daily to-dos and 'oh, I should run to the post office tomorrow' kind of stuff in a Moleskine planner. It's small enough that I can carry it in my purse, but I don't bother for short errands. I keep grocery lists and such on Workflowy, which is a website/app that auto-syncs between my computer and my phone. Jenn on "Paper planner vs digital" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paper-planner-vs-digital#post-1559053 Thu, 17 Sep 2015 21:19:10 +0000 Jenn 1559053@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Haha, rachylou! I have totally done that, too! rachylou on "Paper planner vs digital" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paper-planner-vs-digital#post-1559008 Thu, 17 Sep 2015 19:20:54 +0000 rachylou 1559008@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thinking I should have bought a Samsung, because it has a stylus. Steve Jobs hated the stylus. But this thumb typing is way slow and stupid. My system is post its on the back of my phone... Louise on "Paper planner vs digital" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paper-planner-vs-digital#post-1558960 Thu, 17 Sep 2015 18:26:56 +0000 Louise 1558960@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Since getting an iPhone 4 years ago I've progressed to using apps to track my finances, weight, car fuel consumption and reading lists but I refused to give up my Filofax for diary and shopping lists. I gravitated to an app for lists about 6 months ago as if I made an impromptu trip to the shops I wouldn't have my Filofax with me so no list which became frustrating. Over the summer I was carrying a smaller bag and found myself adding things to my phone calendar to be put in my Filofax at a later date but never did and the jump to digital was made without even realising it! X I have also been using the reminders app for to dos for many months as I can set an alarm to remind me, when they were in my diary I was always forgetting to even open the diary let alone do the to do! Elly on "Paper planner vs digital" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paper-planner-vs-digital#post-1558935 Thu, 17 Sep 2015 17:25:56 +0000 Elly 1558935@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ah-- ABC, for the list problem I am trying to keep mine in a notebook with tear-out pages and only remove them when I need them for the store, etc. I don't put to dos in my calendar until they are scheduled, if possible. I usually sit down a couple times a week with my to do list in my notebook and my planner and see where I can fit in things, then write them in and just add as I go and things come up through the week. Things get way too busy in the planner otherwise. The thing I'm missing is being able to fit tons of stuff on a calendar, share easily, and not HAVE to carry the book around to know what is up.  UmmLila (Lisa) on "Paper planner vs digital" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paper-planner-vs-digital#post-1558932 Thu, 17 Sep 2015 17:21:31 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1558932@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm all about the Apple calendar and reminders. I don't do anything paper any more. Funnily, my teenage daughter, also devoted to her iphone for most things, is a big fan of the bullet journal method for keeping track of things. I had not previously heard of it. abc on "Paper planner vs digital" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paper-planner-vs-digital#post-1558927 Thu, 17 Sep 2015 17:16:50 +0000 abc 1558927@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ JAileen, you made me think when you said with the paper one you couldn't make an appt if you weren't home.  That def won't work but it made me think more - if I do transition to a paper method for non-work things, I will need to make sure I have that notebook or planner with me at all times, otherwise I will go crazy bc I can't write something down in the moment.  That is part of my issue too, I must write it down RIGHT THEN or I will forget (or I fear I will forget, which is worse?!) Anyway, lots to ponder. abc on "Paper planner vs digital" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paper-planner-vs-digital#post-1558925 Thu, 17 Sep 2015 17:14:44 +0000 abc 1558925@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Elly, we sound a bit alike.  I find myself writing to do lists and shopping lists on scraps of paper.  But then I somehow lose it or misplace it, or find myself scrambling to look for it.  Is it in my tote bag?  Or the purse I carried yesterday?  Or in my office on the desk?  GRR.  I can't seem to keep myself together. I don't have the need for a shared calendar outside of work, thank goodness.  We have a printed one hanging in the kitchen and I usually write things related to the kids or their school there, but that's it. My needs are pretty much for list keeping and to dos. An old boss recommended that I have a calendar entry in my calendar that I just keep updating to be for today's date.  I did that for a while and it seemed to work, too.  I ended up with one entry as my Work To Dos and another Personal To Dos.  I marked them private so no one else could see it and the time as free (vs booked in case someone needed to schedule a meeting).  I guess this could be a stopgap, but it's more for to dos.  I still struggle with the shopping lists.  I just need to pick a method and do it like I said.  Instead I keep doing what I've been doing and feel disorganized :( Thanks for chiming in Elly.  I hope you figure out the best method for you, and please keep me posted.  I think we can learn from each other! JAileen on "Paper planner vs digital" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paper-planner-vs-digital#post-1558924 Thu, 17 Sep 2015 17:14:13 +0000 JAileen 1558924@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Before I had an iPhone or an iPad, I had a giant calendar on the refrigerator. With the giant calendar I could never make an appointment away from home. More importantly, workmen at the house could see my schedule, and this creeped me out a lot. Now I use the iphone/ipad calendar and the cloud to synchronize. Re grocery lists I've tried lots of different systems. The latest: we painted the inside of the pantry door with chalkboard paint. And then I just take picture of the list. If I remember! If I'm out and about I use the notes on my phone. When I worked I had three calendars at my desk : a monthly one on the wall, an at a glance daily calendar on the desk, and I also used the calendar on my computer. Things that happened during the week went on those three, and weekend or evening things went on the calendar at home. I still like seeing a monthly calendar, and have one in the bathroom. The other day I was meeting friends for lunch and one of them didn't know what day it was. ETA: I rarely miss appointments. Can you tell? Elly on "Paper planner vs digital" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paper-planner-vs-digital#post-1558923 Thu, 17 Sep 2015 17:11:16 +0000 Elly 1558923@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh-- and I don't have evernote or livescribe but tried one of the competitive products and it wasn't that functional. Today's version might be better.  Elly on "Paper planner vs digital" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paper-planner-vs-digital#post-1558921 Thu, 17 Sep 2015 17:08:29 +0000 Elly 1558921@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm complicated and would love advice as well. I don't have a smartphone, but am thinking about getting one in the next few months.  I'd never used an electronic calendar before I started my current job. When I started my grad program I created a calendar in the email program both SO and I use to be able to share a calendar while we were in different cities. It worked for those few months, but he doesn't use our shared calendar because he preffers smart phone alerts.  I was always a physical planner and paper calendar person. At my current job I set up a calendar linked to email for my closest co-worker and I to share, which is great because it can be accessed off sight, but then I still have to duplicate major things to my personal electronic and paper calendars and to a paper calendar for other employees and volunteers.  I do grocery lists on scraps of paper and to do lists on scraps. I have a separate notebook just for notes and lists-- so I carry two books each day (to work and back but often not around town). I like to write on paper, but at the same time I have issues with being able to communicate scheduling things to the SO and often have to cross out tons of stuff as things change and my 5x7" size one can get so cluttered. I also inadvertently water damage mine every year.  abc on "Paper planner vs digital" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paper-planner-vs-digital#post-1558911 Thu, 17 Sep 2015 16:51:15 +0000 abc 1558911@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ JENN: you are WAY more organized than me.  Can you give me hope that someday I will graduate to meal planning? LOL  I am so bad at this motherhood/home stuff.  I think it may be a root of a lot of my stress.  Do you plan meals and shop once a week? How do you handle it?  I also noticed that where I live, we tend to buy chicken, meat and veg / fruit at the local market a few blocks away so it's super fresh, but it adds extra effort to meal planning and prep.  I don't just go to the supermarket once a week and am done.  I go to the super market or Costco on a random interval, stock up, then fill in the blanks with the local purchases at the market.  We end up going a few times a week, partly for freshness, but  mostly bc we don't plan ahead.  I really need to get a grip on this and find a good balance.  I don't think we will ever be once a week shop for everything people, but if I can get into some routine and feel less fly by the seat of my pants, I think life will be calmer for me. I have closetspace, but have neglected it.  I have religiously pinned each item I've bought lately into a Pinterest pinboard and marked the cost of each item, so there's that.  I also struggle with duplicating in closet space, pinterest and YLF. as each serves slightly different needs. I have my fitness pal too but haven't used it in a while (and it shows in my weight and waistline).  I think if I can get into the food routine it will help and exercise can follow.  The kids and their back to school routine has consumed me lately but it seems like there's always something. :( I love your notes to my future self!  :) DIANA:  ha, that looks cool, but I think it's beyond what I need.  I don't mind having two systems, I just need to decide what I'm gonna do and actually DO IT!  Diana on "Paper planner vs digital" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paper-planner-vs-digital#post-1558903 Thu, 17 Sep 2015 16:39:17 +0000 Diana 1558903@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ So, poking around the Moleskine site, I also found this: <a href="http://www.moleskine.com/en/news/livescribe-notebook" rel="nofollow">http://www.moleskine.com/en/ne.....e-notebook</a> It looks like it requires some additional hardware/software, but seems really intriguing.  I wonder how well it works?  Jenn on "Paper planner vs digital" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paper-planner-vs-digital#post-1558894 Thu, 17 Sep 2015 16:27:49 +0000 Jenn 1558894@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'll admit, I use both. And I have much to say! Here's how I use my two systems. On the iPhone: Calendar - My husband is an iPhone developer, who uses his phone to its full capability. My son is 14, and can't really conceive of a world before smartphones. I use the calendar app to track appointments because it's so easy to put events on a family calendar that's shared with husband and son. Keeps everyone on the same page. Anylist - I love the Anylist app for shopping lists. It's easy to mark off items as I'm in the store, and simple to add the same staples week after week. Closetspace - I really like using Closetspace to track clothing wears. It's superior to my old pen-and-paper system for a several reasons. First, it automatically calculates cost-per-wear. Second, I appreciate the visual calendar views for a quick overview of my outfits. Also, I like being able to quickly see how many tops vs. bottoms I own, which items I've worn in the past week or month, and which items haven't seen the light of day in a while. MyFitnessPal - I try to log food at least a few days each week and find having an online database is infinitely easier than trying to do the same with pen and paper. For the past couple of years, I've been using <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.redstarink.com/product/dated-planner">this planner,</a> from Red Star Ink. Before that, I used the <a rel="nofollow" href="https://store.moleskine.com/usa/diaries/2015-2016-weekly-diaries-18-months/18-months-weekly-notebook-20152016/p713?lang=en-us">weekly planners from Moleskine</a>. I like both, and will probably continue to switch between the two. Lately, I've been using my planner for: To-do Lists - I've tried so many to-do list apps and they've never worked for me. I like writing out my to-dos and physically checking them off. Meal Planning - I always write down menus in my planner. I find it easier to make my grocery lists on the phone when I have my planner in front of me with the list of dishes. Purchase Tracking - Another wardrobe thing. I like writing down what I bought each month in the planner. This is kind of duplicated in Closetspace, but having it in physical form helps me see how much I've purchased and stops me from going overboard. I actually draw little pictures! Weight Tracking - Again, this is duplicated in various online apps (I have a WiFi scale that syncs with my FitBit) but I like having a weekly weight in my planner. I find it easier to flip back through months or years in physical form. Notes to My Future Self - I put things in my planner like how many trick-or-treaters we had in a given year (answer: hundreds, candy must be planned accordingly) or what did/didn't work at our annual New Year's Party (rearrange the furniture! it helps!) or notes about placement of garden vegetables. I like having all those random things in one place, instead of scattered about multiple apps. Phew, that was a lot! I don't know if any of it was helpful, but at least it's commiseration about finding the perfect system.  :) abc on "Paper planner vs digital" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paper-planner-vs-digital#post-1558893 Thu, 17 Sep 2015 16:26:28 +0000 abc 1558893@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks Diana.  That's funny, we sound like opposites.  Due to the nature of my work (various projects, different clients, some travel involved) digital for work is the only way for me.  But this moleskin thing may work for my personal side.  I don't use evernote but have heard of many who do.  I will check the link.  Thanks! Diana on "Paper planner vs digital" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paper-planner-vs-digital#post-1558891 Thu, 17 Sep 2015 16:18:38 +0000 Diana 1558891@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am the opposite - I have a paper planner (a filofax) for work and use my phone for everything else.  The reason is that the filofax lives on my desk at work and I don't want to lug it around.  (It's a medium sized one, but has a leather cover so it's somewhat heavy).  I have my phone with me at all times, plus it sends me alarms and alerts (which are essential since I have a tendency to forget appointments, etc).  I do use a paper shopping list.  We have a notepad on which we write things we need as we run out - I find that it has to be RIGHT THERE in order to not forget so it's magneted to the front of the fridge.  We tear the top sheet off and take it to the grocery store.  One thing that you might like is the Evernote Moleskine notebooks.  They are specifically designed to integrate with the evernote app on your phone/computer, and you just use your phone's camera to take pictures of the pages.  I don't have one but have considered getting one for using at conferences and for other work-related things where I have to take notes. (At the moment I use a regular small moleskine for these things but it would be nice to have them on my computer too.) <a href="https://evernote.com/partner/moleskine/guide/#1" rel="nofollow">https://evernote.com/partner/moleskine/guide/#1</a> abc on "Paper planner vs digital" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paper-planner-vs-digital#post-1558869 Thu, 17 Sep 2015 15:54:15 +0000 abc 1558869@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tracking-wears-in-2007">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....rs-in-2007</a> In this thread Jenn talked about how she used a planner to track wears (in 2007, no less).   I struggle with this.  I am a paper and pen, list making addict (guess it's the Type A in me).  But my calendar for work is in my phone (and will remain that way).   Somehow I either need to merge these and go all electronic, or once and for all decide to have two systems - electonic calendar for work, and paper for everything else?  I find myself making lists (to dos, shopping list, etc) on scraps of paper that then get shoved into my purse.  I do have some running lists in my iPhone as Notes, but sometimes I end up making  paper notes that then need to be keyed into the iPhone master list.  I feel like I am running in circles and not as organized as I should be (or want to be).   Example: when I go shopping I like a paper list I can carry with me and cross items off as I walk through the store.  I have an electronic list in my phone but I much prefer to transcribe it to paper before heading out to the store. Also for some reason I don't like notebooks/planners that are smaller than a sheet of 8.5x11 folded in half, don't know why but I have bought small notebooks in an effort to be more organized and they go unused.  I guess it's being able to write in it easily and the way I organize my lists I tend to group like items visually in the space of the paper (small notebooks don't let me do this). HELP!  Can you guys share your wisdom?  How do you do it?   And what planner do you use?  I haven't had one for many years. This will also factor in an upcoming purse purchase. Thank you!