I’ve been on such a paper kick lately. For a while now, I had been keeping notes on my phone and gmail task list and occasionally emailing myself to-do lists so I’d always have them. It started to get really messy, really quickly though. I also haven’t been traveling as much, which I kind of really love, and I’m at my desk consistently every day. (Versus working remotely a few days a week.)
At my old job, I lived and died by a Moleskin. I carried it around from meeting to meeting jotting down everything I needed to do, taking notes, and brainstorming for projects. I picked up the Moleskin “habit” from a few of my coworkers who used one and it really did ensure that I didn’t forget about something that I promised to do and I could reference back to old meetings quickly.
I think I’m always going to keep my day-to-day meetings on my Google Calendar. Things change all the time and I like being able to sync it with my phone, include address locations, and notes about what to prepare. In college, most of my schedule was pretty consistent so I could jot down classes, meeting times, crew practices, and exams + due dates without the fear of everything getting out of whack with one cancelation. Every day is so different now that I have to keep it online so I can know where I have to be and can schedule things a lot quicker since it’s easy to reference.
However, when Lilly sent me the cutest agenda, I wanted to make sure that I’d be able to use it. While writing down every single to-do wasn’t going to work, I found that it’s been great for planning purposes for my blog. I actually am really bad about coming up with blog post ideas and typically wait until the very last minute before I know what I’m going to write about. Even though I just started using the agenda more as a blog planner, I have a better sense of scheduling blog post topics. Time will tell whether it works longterm, but I’m really loving the system so far.
With all that being said, I’ve also been doing a lot of brainstorming and note taking. I definitely prefer to type 90% of the time, but sometimes I need to really just get my ideas on paper. It’s messy. I like to be able to scratch things out and draw arrows and see everything in one place. It definitely helps my writing process. I’ve been using it as a personal sounding board before transferring the ideas into actual thoughts on the computer… and using the notebook as a reference while I type.
I feel like I’m always going to be in this weird sort of internal battle with digital versus paper and I’m finding that there’s no real one size fits all answer for everyone and for myself. Between planners, notebooks, iPhones, computers, and tablets…. I think all that I’m missing in my little repertoire is a typewriter and stone/chisel. Ha….
I have a wonderfully large collection of notebooks in my apartment and I always find myself collecting more, whether or not they’re necessary… Anyone else? The cuteness factor is definitely something that digital is lacking!
P.S. 12 // Ballad Stripe // This Just In
Gold Stripe // Soft Cover // Chevron
How do you stay organized digitally and with paper?
xoxo
Have you heard of Todoist? I'm using it a lot these days, and I find it really helpful.
I love using physical agendas to keep track of class work, activities etc. However, for jotting notes, idas etc. I much prefer blank word documents because I feel like I can just write down all my ideas a lot faster. However, when I do some creative writing I like keeping a small notebook with me. There are some really cute ones at Target right now:)
Annie Belle
These are so cute! I love hand written to-do lists, so I'm always using little note books
My organization is a mix of digital and paper as well. I find the Wunderlist app really helpful in managing to do lists.
Alyssa | Keep It Simple
I like to write my lists on paper so I can physically cross things off! I love finding new notebooks at TJ Maxx!
xo, Scarlett
The Trendy Chick
I love writing notes and to-dos on real paper, especially good quality paper that has a nice feel to it. I find I think better creatively on real paper (and unlined paper is much better for drafting ideas than lined!)
When a paper notebook isn't going to cut it, I turn to Workflowy and Teuxdeux, two really simple, design-oriented list applications.
Love, Gigi
Dolce and Gabriella
I love the gold striped one! I'm in the market for a new everyday notebook, I keep most of my notes in my Lilly Pulitzer planner but its starting to fill up all my days.
xo, Kyla
http://kymariec.blogspot.com
I've tried doing calendars and reminders on my phone/laptop, but I have the worst habit of forgetting to check…therefore missing whatever I was supposed to be doing almost every time. It might not be the prettiest or most organized way, but I'm obsessed with post-it notes. I put them on the wall in front of my desk reminding me to do certain things or about meetings with faculty at school. I keep all of my school assignments in my agenda because, as I said, I just always forget to check my phone. I tried using Evernote for a while, but it became one big mess for me. For now, paper trumps digital.
Ugh, I'm in love with all of the notebooks you chose. Definitely going to have to resist the Kate Spade one…
xx Francesca
I just bought three cute notebooks that I definitely didn't need, so I feel your pain. I also feel guilty because my gorgeous Lilly planner never gets used. 🙁 I put everything in Google Calendar instead.
I keep all of my appointments on my Outlook calendar and it syncs with my phone. It's about the only way that I can keep up with everything!
As for blogging, I keep a little notepad with me at all times that I can jot down ideas on. I use my agenda strictly for my blog. I have a whole little process that I use. Since I've started doing that, I've found my posts to be more consistent.
XX, SS || A Little Seersucker Sass
I'm old school and absolutely HAVE to write things down to be able to remember. My husband always wants me to use iCal but I have an Erin Condren Life Planner and I'm obsessed with it. I also use MayDesigns notebooks for lists, etc.
These note books are so cute! I love being able to write things out the 'old way; with pen and paper, the only problem is that when I want to share my ideas I then have to type it all up anyway!
xx Forever Rebecca
I love being able to write things down, I could never stay completely organized on the computer!
Makeshift Munch
I will always love paper an notebooks and pens. I keep a tiny moleskin and pen in my purse, but all my lists are on my phone. I have wunderlist and I love that I can share a lit with anyone who has the app, and all I need is their email address. However, I am obsessed with letter writing.
Mana
Fashion and Happy Things