YES! All of my family and friends think Im insane about my planner. No one gets it. Thats why I love that there is a planner community and we all GET IT. Hahaha.
Decorating planning led to 1. Accomplishing goals 2. Sticking to a budget/meal plan 3. (more creative hobbies) memory keeping 4. Hand lettering 5. Journaling again Creative planning awoken my creative side that’s been dead for years. Now I’m exploring new things.
I had someone look at my planner and say "oh that gives me a headache". I said "it gives me a smile". Funny how everyone is different but if you're creative by nature, you just "get it".
Wendy Smith I get that same feeling, and I’m not a creative type of person. I just love decorating and spending time on my Planner. It makes me so happy and left with a feeling of satisfaction. Especially when I’ve used the checklist or to-do stickers and I can check off the things I accomplished.
I do it because I love decorating! I love all the different stickers out there and I love how my planner looks when it is all done. I could seriously decorate planners all day, every day. I also love being organized. My husband actually says it looks like a torturous thing to do and even said I’m a nerd for playing with stickers (he says this in a loving and jokingly way). Needless to say he doesn’t get it but that is okay because if this is what a nerd feels like then I don’t want to be anything else!
YES, YES, YES!! Girl....YOU just described it all in a nutshell! Typically, I can remember all the fun things or plans I have, BUT it's the full adulting things I have a problem remembering! I have had so many people say, "oh that's cute it pretty, but why?? I don't have time for that. OR, why do you waste your time & money on that stuff?". My answers vary. Bottom line is we moved & I needed a friend. I was stressed of how difficult it was to essentially start life over at 55 yrs old. We relocated to Illinois from Florida. Everything I knew, everything I was comfortable/familiar with & all those I loved, we left behind to be with our children. Making friends has been difficult. So my bestie, aside my daughter/son became my planner. My planner became my outlet, my stress reliever, my joy...and she keeps me on track. My planner gave me the opportunity to be creative, a place I could sit and decorate. Like you, my main answer is because I want to...its what I like to do. It's a hobby. Funny how others judge when they don't understand something. If I were building or crafting something else as a hobby they wouldn't bat an eye, but because it is decorative planning, they can't seem to understand it. They don't have to....I'm me, not them. They can do them & I do me. Glad to see I am not the only one that gets these odd responses from others. Keep staying true to yourself....I'm a fan & will keep watching & planning. 🥰
I've got 3 reasons! 1 - I have always liked having an easy reference point/record of the past; I am a historian! I am writing the history of my own life. And I prefer books over powerpoints LOL 2 - It works magic for my ADHD - my therapist taught me to use it to cope with restlessness, chaos and disorganisation. It is literally therapy for me. 3 - It makes me feel good about my life and I get less caught up on comparing my life to that of others because I can SEE visually that I had a nice week!
Fawn Whisperer I have adhd as well and that completely makes sense to me now for why it makes me feel calm and not uneasy. I feel stress-free and it’s not chaotic at all when I’m using my Planner.
I use a decorative planner because it makes me happy. I love sitting down and making it pretty. I am far more likely to actually plan and look at my plans when I'm decorating it. It is also great stress relief. I'm a teacher, and I get far more focused on and engaged with my lessons when I use my happy planner. My plans are far more beneficial to my students, and that is HUGE.
Studies show that the act of writing things down activates a different section of your brain that typing and tapping doesn't. I also enjoy the creative process and outlet. I think a big part of why I prefer it over my phone is that I'm just plain old and I prefer some analog things over the electronic versions.
Thanks for the reminder that it's okay to do something even if it's not "practical". For the longest time I would get mad at myself for wanting to decorate something that in my mind and in the minds of others should only be practical. Well, it IS practical if it helps me remember things, gets me excited to organize, and keeps me crushing my goals. Great planner chat. 😊
I love my planner too! When I write down things, they really stick to my brain otherwise I would forget it all. I’m a neonatal nurse, and although most of cases end in a happy way, there are some heartbreaking ones. I use decorative planner as my stress reliever and my me time. I always plan at night, once I’m done with all my adulting responsibilities, I send everyone upstairs to sleep, change my scentsy wax on my warmer with one of my favorite scents, get a glass wine, play relaxing music, and play with my stash of stickers, pens, and washi. That makes me happy!!!!
I have always used planners. I used the Franklin Planner back in the day. As a cancer and a stem cell transplant survivor I can now schedule more than just doctor's appointments with flair! I started using the HPs in January and have lovingly been teased for it. Heather, you were the 1st person I followed on You Tube and spring boarded from there to enrich my already creative journey. Thx!
I've been keeping paper planners since the early 80s. Even back then, I put little stickers in them to make them prettier. I preplan on my iPhone, but even there I use the colorful icons on every event and reminder. I like pretty. I like color. I discovered decorative planning (and the Happy Planner) because I got involved in Bible art journaling (another creative outlet) and someone in that community mentioned it. As a Levenger fan, I was a goner as soon as I saw the Happy Planner disks. Now I can't imagine ever having a week where I don't write it all down in my Happy Planner with the use of stickers, colored pens, and a little bit of washi. I've never felt the need to explain why to anybody. It's just because it makes me happy.
I love it when I meet other planners because no one else gets us! Thank goodness my husband says “if it makes you happy, I’m OK with it.” Heather - I have to sa y, as someone who worked with people with ADHD for years, blogged about it forever, and used to work in a learning assistance center at a college, your other reasons are based on FACT. Excellent video! Thank you!
There's a whole section in The Bullet Journal Method about how writing things down makes them stick in your brain. I still use a planner/bujo post school age because I love it. I love writing things down, I love physically checking them off, and I've just started getting into decorating in the past year. It's even better when it's PRETTY.
Absolutely, writing things down helps you remember things, and looking at a week at a time helps me to visualize what’s ahead and helps with time management.
People say "it's a waste of money" and that INFURIATES me! Because I don't tell you how to spend YOUR extra money! Lol and then when I show them my envelopes of cash for different things they get real quiet.. 😂 Yes I "wasted" money on plastic envelopes with cute florals on them.. But since then I've paid off a good chunk of debt being super organized.. And the washi tape fills up my Meter.. And before you know it I've paid everything off.. Planning for MY future in a way that works for me.. Shouldn't make any difference to you.... Sorry for the rant.. So yes I agree with you daunting tasks or boring tasks are so much better when I get to fill them with color! 💜 💜 Thanks for this video! 💜 💜
A coworker (fellow teacher) told me and another teacher that she would never have the time, how do we have the time to decorate and plan like that. We both responded it helps us refocus, keeps us in track and is such a creative outlet we’d lose more time if we didn’t!
So there was one day I lost my phone and my keys... But I had my planner! Lol and by the nifty half sheet I made with colorful boxes of important peoples phone numbers, I was able to walk to the grocery store to call and get help! Lol
I use decorative planning because its personalized to me only. Also im not artistic at all and it lets me be creative. Another reason is because planning all the boring adulting things in a decorative pretty way actually relaxes me.
I hear the “ I don’t have that kind of time”. I tell them I make time ..it’s my me time on Sundays and helps to keep me on task. I use my planner for fitness, family stuff, my Pampered Chef Business, my regular job, and my doctorate degree tasks-I need the creative outlet lol
I'm retired and have lots of "free" time on my hands. I'm not one to sit around and watch TV. I was a scrapbooker and now make cards and this is just another creative outlet that keeps me engaged in crafting. Doing the same thing over and over is NOT my jam. This was a perfect crossover for me plus I get to use my card making stuff in my planner!! As a side note, I'm a bit frustrated with HP at the moment. I have a teacher planner (based on your conversion) to track multiple topics (me, Mum, home, to do, eats). I found some end of year deals on planners so I could cannibalize the monthly dividers. How do none of the months and tabs align???? Gaaaahhhhhh!!!!
I have a sappy happy grin on my face when I'm engaged in my favorite things....stickers, planners, pastries and coffee. This leads to getting stopped in coffee shops while "doing" my planner. They, because there have been many, look at me confused when I explain what I'm doing and why. Thank you Heather and all that responded for making me feel just a little more normal.
Yes, yes, yes, Heather!! All of the said reasons are why I use a paper planner. I have my appointments, etc. on my phone. But I LOVE the creativity AND the practicality of my HP. I am more organized and literally get "all the things" done because it is fun to use and I check them off in my planner!
My friends ask me how I even have time to decorate a planner. I ask them, “How do you NOT have time?” It’s so relaxing and productive at the same time, but mainly I do it because I LOVE IT!! ❤️
Love it. I do it because I want to also. I am retired from teaching so I don’t have a lot to track in my planner sometimes. I still do it. Could you do a video on how to decorate your planner if you don’t have a lot to do.
1. Because writing things down helps me remember (actually, science shows that it makes everyone remember more!!!) 2. Because I've always been obsessed with paper, pens, etc. 3. Because I am a list-maker. 4. Because it's fun! And stress-relieving. And fun! 5. Because it makes mundane everyday things more fun, and more fun to look back on.
I normally don't comment on RUclips channels but you absolutely hit all points on the head so I just had to say THANK YOU for this! For me, its all this and that I don't trust the e-versions of calendars. I've had data lost before. The worst? During a phone update, it messed up the time zones and it shifted all my appointment times. I didn't catch it until I had showed up to something 3 hours early. It was once and a long time ago but I lost all trust in it. Now that I have children who are in two different schools and have two different schedules and a job that has more demands, I can't even think how I would lose my mind if that ever happened again. Besides...its not as fun or pretty. ;)
Get asked this all the time! I answer for the same reasons you listed and my number one is always because it makes me happy! It brings me joy and sometimes life isn’t joyful so this helps. Plus I have met or become aware of so many fabulous people through planning. Like you! My planning time is happy time. How can that be bad lol
In response to “It’s a waste of time!” So is Candy Crunch and binge watching Netflix, (and cleaning, its just gonna get dirty again!) but we all do it!
Yes. You are so right about the act of writing it down! There seems to be a direct connection between the pen, my hand and the brain. Also, I too used to be crafty and now don't have the time for all the crafts I used to do. This is my outlet. And lastly, I have found that making my planner prettier, I am more likely to use it.
THANK YOU! This is everything I have said to those in my life that don't understand. I was a preschool teacher for almost 20 years. When I moved into administration, I found I missed my creative side. Decorative planning brings me happiness every day.
Yessss! This planner chat is amazing! There are a lot of people in my life who don’t “get it” but THANKFULLY I’ve converted a few of my close friends to decorative planning and The Happy Planner so I have beauties in real life and in the online planner community who understand ❤️
I don't use the calendar on my phone at all because I am prone to headaches, and the more I stare at a screen, the worse off I am. Forget about quick scrolling! I also limit my computer time, even though the screen is further away. Another bonus of a paper planner is the ability to quickly flip through it in order to find when something happened. Easy record keeping! Luckily, no one in my family questions my paper planning. In fact, my husband has his own neutral mini HP, and we use it to budget plan together! :)
I’m a homeschool Mom of 4 girls. We love to create. They draw. I have no drawing talent whatsoever. I can sticker. I can write. I dismiss reminders on my phone that pop up during school hours and then forget them. Writing it in my calendar with the girls schedule and lesson plans keeps me from missing things. Besides, it’s so much fun and beautiful!!!!
I've always been a paper planner and then I thought I would give Digital Planning a try, Everyone said it was so much faster and "less Time" wasting. Tried it for 4 months and just can't get the same satisfaction out of it as I did with paper planning. I love creating my own week themes with stickers and having my "alone - calm" time to decompress from the day or week. Thank you so much for this video.
Off subject, your hair is cute. Your nails are cute. 😁 I love planning. Every year I used to buy a new ‘Day Timer’ for work. I wish planning was popular back then lol. But now that it’s a thing, I love it! I’m a list maker & organizer so my planner keeps me on track. I like being creative & decorating but #teamfunctional at heart. Love your videos, thanks for the inspiration. 🤓👍🏾
I have always kept lists or some sort of planner. But I have recently discovered the HP & it is great. Everything I need to do is kept in one place and it's very relaxing to decorate it. And like you said actually writing things down helps me remember.
I've never had a planner. I over see my elderly father and his appointmets..I've found I need help keeping up with it all. I also recently had a small stroke & now I have found myself needing to get in shape, mentally, health wise, financially and keep up with my own appointments. I found a few HP's clearanced at Walmart this week not knowing what to do with them. I found your channel! Thanks for the inspiration to create.
Those are all of my answers I give too! Plus I misplace my phone all the time but for some reason I always know where my main planner and homeschool planner are. Plus I decorate my bible study notebook which helps me remember scriptures that stood out easier and much more!
I am in love with my planner for personal stuff and my teacher planner. It works for me. I have always used the Illinois Teacher Federation (IFT) union calendar at the beginning of the school year. This is so much more for me. I think that the creativity part also speaks to me. Thank you for labeling that. Also the OCD part of me can be as ocd about my spreads as I want to be. I used to get teased about my bulletin boards (and ocd) and finally gave those to my Teaching Assistant to decorate and hang up students work... so I kinda needed that part filled and my weekly spreads fulfill that part I've been missing. ❤️ plus my budget planner & envelope system in my half sheet notes has helped me stay on track and I've paid off 4 small credit cards since Jan of this year. 😁
You are doing terrific, Steph! I'd bet dollars to donuts your colleagues were just envious of your bulletin boards. You make them look lazy! I understand how much easier it is to just post some work the kids did because I’ve been there. Just an idea which would depend on the age you teach. I use to let my third graders do my bulletin boards. I was in a mobile and the board I was assigned was inside the main building. So I sent some of my kids over to post a bulletin board. The principal caught them and was thrilled. He did suggest that I straighten out the letters though. They were a wee bit crooked as you can imagine. Even easier, put the writing on tag board!
I don't like relying on technology too much - I just don't find it as reliable. I love stationary and crafty things. There's just something about holding and flipping through a tangible planner and being able to look back - almost like a journal. I'm the same way with books. I hate reading a book on my phone. I like holding an actual book in my hands. I like the smell and the feel and it just does the heart good.
Planning helps me stay on top of my schoolwork, projects, and studying in a fun way 📕. My lab partner and I both found out we loved deocrative planning and love getting together to work on our planners 😀
Starbucks barista here. 🤩 we get our schedule 3 weeks out. I immediately put it in our (hubby and I) shared google cal and if I do not write out my week in my planner each week. I can never remember off hand my schedule. The second I see it visually in MY way - it sticks!!
Love this!!!! I have a work planner, personal and faith planners. I think it’s great to keep up with things. Helps me focus and organize. The decoration is like self care for me. At work, I have to keep things wrote down in multiple places. People think I’m nuts HA! But I love it and love there is a community of planners just like me :)
I've been following you for a little while and been pretty silent but I saw your post about this on your Instagram and hopped over to here to watch and I feel I need to comment at last! YES! Is all I can say to this video. Your reasons are excellent especially the 5th one!! I'm a creative soul too, a writer by trade and recently discovered The Happy Planner and decorative planning. Been slacking off on planning honestly but your videos and posts always remind me how fun it is! Keep it up! Cause your videos and posts are awesome! You're one of my favorite planner people that I follow :)
I show people at work my planner menagerie and get blank stares from some. They literally don’t even understand why or how I find the time. Lol. I feel like if you’re a crafter, you’re always going to be a crafter and this is kind of a newish way of crafting.
I am the same way if I write it down I can remember...and I am so with you on buying a planner and then putting it down never picking it up again. This is the only year I have really keep up woth a planner during the summer because I get to decorate it. I really thought I would hear negative stuff for my mother-in-law about the planner but she loves it she says it's like scrapbook of your whole year. She makes her own planners. My husbands said as long as it helps me to get all the thing I need to get done done and not just wasting money and never using it he said he is all for it...lol my brother in law tell me all the time its a wast of money go buy a $1.00 planner. But I love all tour reasons and I love it cause I enjoy it. And it helps me remember what I need to do and I am excited I just bought my 1st Happy Notes so I can't wait to start putting pages together to help me out even more
Thanks for the ideas and inspiration for the happy notebooks. I have been torn on how to use them. Because of you I have figured it out lol... big hugs 🤗
Thanks for sharing this video heather keep on planning Yes think why I plan keep me on track using fun stickers & colors a hobby love I do keep me happy
My mom at first didn’t get it either, and even said “that’s a waste of money” but now that she’s see me sitting down planning out everything in it, she understands that’s how I “get motivated” to do everything I need to do on the daily. She even bought me my very first “Planner Basics Sticker Book of like 1,820 stickers in it. For $20. Regular $30. When I tried different planning methods in the past, my mom NEVER would’ve spent more than $2-$3 on stickers for me. I just need to help make her understand when (time wise) I use my planner so she’s not nagging at me to get other things done.
OMG! I get those questions all he time especially the one about the phone. And I have the exact dame reasons as you. I'm a crafter and I love to be able to create something in my planner. I use to do the plain boring functional planning but hated how plain it looked. When I found HP and all those goodies well the rest was history. Lol. Thanks for sharing
As I've been pondering the 2020 planners and thinking about trying a new layout, my husband looks at me like I'm crazy. Yes, I do keep appointments in my phone and that way I can see his schedule as well but, like you said, the act of WRITING things down helps it stick in my head. There is something different about the physical act of writing versus typing. For various reasons, I didn't get my planner decorated and filled out for a couple of weeks recently and I felt like I had no idea what was going on at all.
I tried using my phone for awhile but I couldn’t go back and look at previous entries. We were in the middle of the foster care/adoption process and we had to document every appointment and meeting and have those dates and times available for review. The phone just didn’t cut it. And then I found decorative paper planners. My life has never been the same!!!!! 😀
Yes that's it exactly. That is exactly why I do decorative planning I've always had a calendar I've always liked color I've always use different color pens and markers and highlighters and then in January of 2016 I found decorative planning I found Erin Condren and I have loved it shortly after that I found happy planner and now I use both off and on
I agree; it's a way to make my plans positive and not something I absolutely dread by presenting them creatively. I just finished two law degrees and becoming a lawyer in two countries, and I swear there's no way I could do it without making court appearances and exams not terrifying with happy seasonal stickers xD People always rag on me that there's no way I'll be able to keep it up once I join a law office, but I think that's why I have that digital/ paper split: the digital for work hours and projects/client appointments, and the paper for my soul and my sanity of my own personal life. xD
Your are right I love it relaxes, and makes me do all my errands & appointment on time, I also have a bad memory, I enjoy all your planning videos they are great
Heather, Fantastic video! I have all the exact same reasons. But I agree, the most important reason, is for myself-because I want to and it makes me happy ...AND Im working towards learning creative digital planning on my ipad pro...and adding that to my creative line-up as well. TFS 🌟👍🏻💖
Yes, i just started really useing my planner, i never thought about deocarating it until i seen your videos. I have to write everything down are i will forget.
I looooooove all your videos, but I think I'm starting to like the 'chat' ones even more because you always you look so cute (your favorite word), but today you look exceptionally gorgeous in pink! You're making me rethink my favorite color again ☺
Wanda Hill aw thank you!!! I do use the word cute a lot haha! Pink is my second favorite color and this cardigan is SO SOFT!!! I’ve just been wearing it around the house basically as a blanket LOL
I actually haven’t had anyone ask me WHY... I assume because I have a creative business and am always making things/trying new things, my friends and family expect me to do things that they don’t understand. 😂😂
Great video- I have everything on my phone but since starting a happy planner I actually enjoy looking at it and refer to it properly, and it’s so much more satisfying ticking off boxes in real paper than a tap of a screen! Pls could you share where those storage baskets for your sticker books behind you are from?
I add things to an online calender to share with my husband who is totally online. I have a desk planner and a handbag planner (easy to carry for adding items on the go). By the time I have added things three times (some times 6 with work items) its in my memory!. Plus its fun and ensures I llan the week if I decorate it.
I’m asked this also.....I always say....”it is my thing....it makes me smile! “. Heather you are such an inspiration to me. I look forward to your videos every day. I say to myself...”. It’s time for Heather....”. Keep those videos and ideas coming. I’m working hard on my Faith journal and ways to document my verse of the day. More ideas would be welcome!
My first reaction is "Ummm why don't you?" 😂 Seriously though, I need the creative outlet just as much as I need to arrive to all my appointments on time. With my decorative planner, happy notes, pretty paper and endless lists I am on time, prepared and look good. I bet your phone can't do all that for you ..
Hey Heather, I've just started with my own happy planner and have already given myself a major project. Making a baby book that is cute and functional for my sister in law who expecting in November. I'm so excited and full of ideas for both, but no one under stands my mom immediately said that i should have the baby book professionally done or just buy one. Clearly she doesn't get it.
Love the last reason I get asked why do you write everything down 😒😒😒 but I got that from my mother. She's a Price is Right fan and she writes down what game was played and who won what lol.
My husband asked me why, my answer cuz I want to and it helps me to remember if I write it down. He calls it my sticker book but very supportive because he knows I love crafts/hobbies. Lol
YES! All of my family and friends think Im insane about my planner. No one gets it. Thats why I love that there is a planner community and we all GET IT. Hahaha.
Decorating planning led to
1. Accomplishing goals
2. Sticking to a budget/meal plan
3. (more creative hobbies) memory keeping
4. Hand lettering
5. Journaling again
Creative planning awoken my creative side that’s been dead for years. Now I’m exploring new things.
1. Because I can. 2. Because I want to and it makes me happy. 3. Creative outlet for sure. Papers and writing utensils, are my happy life.
That feeling when you find "that" pen. My husband doesnt get it...
I had someone look at my planner and say "oh that gives me a headache". I said "it gives me a smile". Funny how everyone is different but if you're creative by nature, you just "get it".
Wendy Smith I get that same feeling, and I’m not a creative type of person. I just love decorating and spending time on my Planner. It makes me so happy and left with a feeling of satisfaction. Especially when I’ve used the checklist or to-do stickers and I can check off the things I accomplished.
I do it because I love decorating! I love all the different stickers out there and I love how my planner looks when it is all done. I could seriously decorate planners all day, every day. I also love being organized. My husband actually says it looks like a torturous thing to do and even said I’m a nerd for playing with stickers (he says this in a loving and jokingly way). Needless to say he doesn’t get it but that is okay because if this is what a nerd feels like then I don’t want to be anything else!
YES, YES, YES!! Girl....YOU just described it all in a nutshell! Typically, I can remember all the fun things or plans I have, BUT it's the full adulting things I have a problem remembering! I have had so many people say, "oh that's cute it pretty, but why?? I don't have time for that. OR, why do you waste your time & money on that stuff?". My answers vary. Bottom line is we moved & I needed a friend. I was stressed of how difficult it was to essentially start life over at 55 yrs old. We relocated to Illinois from Florida. Everything I knew, everything I was comfortable/familiar with & all those I loved, we left behind to be with our children. Making friends has been difficult. So my bestie, aside my daughter/son became my planner. My planner became my outlet, my stress reliever, my joy...and she keeps me on track. My planner gave me the opportunity to be creative, a place I could sit and decorate. Like you, my main answer is because I want to...its what I like to do. It's a hobby. Funny how others judge when they don't understand something. If I were building or crafting something else as a hobby they wouldn't bat an eye, but because it is decorative planning, they can't seem to understand it. They don't have to....I'm me, not them. They can do them & I do me. Glad to see I am not the only one that gets these odd responses from others. Keep staying true to yourself....I'm a fan & will keep watching & planning. 🥰
I've got 3 reasons!
1 - I have always liked having an easy reference point/record of the past; I am a historian! I am writing the history of my own life. And I prefer books over powerpoints LOL
2 - It works magic for my ADHD - my therapist taught me to use it to cope with restlessness, chaos and disorganisation. It is literally therapy for me.
3 - It makes me feel good about my life and I get less caught up on comparing my life to that of others because I can SEE visually that I had a nice week!
I can't love this enough! Yes to the therapeutic aspects of this!
Fawn Whisperer I have adhd as well and that completely makes sense to me now for why it makes me feel calm and not uneasy. I feel stress-free and it’s not chaotic at all when I’m using my Planner.
I use a decorative planner because it makes me happy. I love sitting down and making it pretty. I am far more likely to actually plan and look at my plans when I'm decorating it. It is also great stress relief. I'm a teacher, and I get far more focused on and engaged with my lessons when I use my happy planner. My plans are far more beneficial to my students, and that is HUGE.
Studies show that the act of writing things down activates a different section of your brain that typing and tapping doesn't. I also enjoy the creative process and outlet. I think a big part of why I prefer it over my phone is that I'm just plain old and I prefer some analog things over the electronic versions.
I am with you but I’m crazy enough to do both analogue and digital. I prefer the written form!
Thanks for the reminder that it's okay to do something even if it's not "practical". For the longest time I would get mad at myself for wanting to decorate something that in my mind and in the minds of others should only be practical. Well, it IS practical if it helps me remember things, gets me excited to organize, and keeps me crushing my goals. Great planner chat. 😊
Paper planning relaxes me. I de-stress that way.
Nikki Zetlian me too!
I love my planner too! When I write down things, they really stick to my brain otherwise I would forget it all. I’m a neonatal nurse, and although most of cases end in a happy way, there are some heartbreaking ones. I use decorative planner as my stress reliever and my me time. I always plan at night, once I’m done with all my adulting responsibilities, I send everyone upstairs to sleep, change my scentsy wax on my warmer with one of my favorite scents, get a glass wine, play relaxing music, and play with my stash of stickers, pens, and washi. That makes me happy!!!!
I have always used planners. I used the Franklin Planner back in the day. As a cancer and a stem cell transplant survivor I can now schedule more than just doctor's appointments with flair! I started using the HPs in January and have lovingly been teased for it. Heather, you were the 1st person I followed on You Tube and spring boarded from there to enrich my already creative journey. Thx!
I've been keeping paper planners since the early 80s. Even back then, I put little stickers in them to make them prettier. I preplan on my iPhone, but even there I use the colorful icons on every event and reminder. I like pretty. I like color. I discovered decorative planning (and the Happy Planner) because I got involved in Bible art journaling (another creative outlet) and someone in that community mentioned it. As a Levenger fan, I was a goner as soon as I saw the Happy Planner disks. Now I can't imagine ever having a week where I don't write it all down in my Happy Planner with the use of stickers, colored pens, and a little bit of washi. I've never felt the need to explain why to anybody. It's just because it makes me happy.
I love it when I meet other planners because no one else gets us! Thank goodness my husband says “if it makes you happy, I’m OK with it.”
Heather - I have to sa y, as someone who worked with people with ADHD for years, blogged about it forever, and used to work in a learning assistance center at a college, your other reasons are based on FACT. Excellent video! Thank you!
I get asked all the time. Using my decorative planner relaxes me. The joy it brings creating a visual of what is going on for the week.
There's a whole section in The Bullet Journal Method about how writing things down makes them stick in your brain.
I still use a planner/bujo post school age because I love it. I love writing things down, I love physically checking them off, and I've just started getting into decorating in the past year. It's even better when it's PRETTY.
Absolutely, writing things down helps you remember things, and looking at a week at a time helps me to visualize what’s ahead and helps with time management.
Office supplies and stationary stores are my spirit animal.
I even did that is a kid!
People say "it's a waste of money" and that INFURIATES me! Because I don't tell you how to spend YOUR extra money! Lol and then when I show them my envelopes of cash for different things they get real quiet.. 😂 Yes I "wasted" money on plastic envelopes with cute florals on them.. But since then I've paid off a good chunk of debt being super organized.. And the washi tape fills up my Meter.. And before you know it I've paid everything off.. Planning for MY future in a way that works for me.. Shouldn't make any difference to you.... Sorry for the rant.. So yes I agree with you daunting tasks or boring tasks are so much better when I get to fill them with color! 💜 💜 Thanks for this video! 💜 💜
Great idea on using washi as a measure on much far you are on goals.
A coworker (fellow teacher) told me and another teacher that she would never have the time, how do we have the time to decorate and plan like that. We both responded it helps us refocus, keeps us in track and is such a creative outlet we’d lose more time if we didn’t!
Yessss!!! For me if I don’t write it down it’s not happening. I’ve lost my phone 📱 and lost everything lol 😂
So there was one day I lost my phone and my keys... But I had my planner! Lol and by the nifty half sheet I made with colorful boxes of important peoples phone numbers, I was able to walk to the grocery store to call and get help! Lol
I use decorative planning because its personalized to me only. Also im not artistic at all and it lets me be creative. Another reason is because planning all the boring adulting things in a decorative pretty way actually relaxes me.
I hear the “ I don’t have that kind of time”. I tell them I make time ..it’s my me time on Sundays and helps to keep me on task. I use my planner for fitness, family stuff, my Pampered Chef Business, my regular job, and my doctorate degree tasks-I need the creative outlet lol
I'm retired and have lots of "free" time on my hands. I'm not one to sit around and watch TV. I was a scrapbooker and now make cards and this is just another creative outlet that keeps me engaged in crafting. Doing the same thing over and over is NOT my jam. This was a perfect crossover for me plus I get to use my card making stuff in my planner!! As a side note, I'm a bit frustrated with HP at the moment. I have a teacher planner (based on your conversion) to track multiple topics (me, Mum, home, to do, eats). I found some end of year deals on planners so I could cannibalize the monthly dividers. How do none of the months and tabs align???? Gaaaahhhhhh!!!!
I have a sappy happy grin on my face when I'm engaged in my favorite things....stickers, planners, pastries and coffee. This leads to getting stopped in coffee shops while "doing" my planner. They, because there have been many, look at me confused when I explain what I'm doing and why. Thank you Heather and all that responded for making me feel just a little more normal.
Yes, yes, yes, Heather!! All of the said reasons are why I use a paper planner. I have my appointments, etc. on my phone. But I LOVE the creativity AND the practicality of my HP. I am more organized and literally get "all the things" done because it is fun to use and I check them off in my planner!
My friends ask me how I even have time to decorate a planner. I ask them, “How do you NOT have time?” It’s so relaxing and productive at the same time, but mainly I do it because I LOVE IT!! ❤️
Drama Hater yes!!
Love it. I do it because I want to also. I am retired from teaching so I don’t have a lot to track in my planner sometimes. I still do it. Could you do a video on how to decorate your planner if you don’t have a lot to do.
1. Because writing things down helps me remember (actually, science shows that it makes everyone remember more!!!) 2. Because I've always been obsessed with paper, pens, etc. 3. Because I am a list-maker. 4. Because it's fun! And stress-relieving. And fun! 5. Because it makes mundane everyday things more fun, and more fun to look back on.
I normally don't comment on RUclips channels but you absolutely hit all points on the head so I just had to say THANK YOU for this! For me, its all this and that I don't trust the e-versions of calendars. I've had data lost before. The worst? During a phone update, it messed up the time zones and it shifted all my appointment times. I didn't catch it until I had showed up to something 3 hours early. It was once and a long time ago but I lost all trust in it. Now that I have children who are in two different schools and have two different schedules and a job that has more demands, I can't even think how I would lose my mind if that ever happened again. Besides...its not as fun or pretty. ;)
Me too Catrina. I had a catastrophic data loss for no apparent reason and I have never trusted an electronic system since. Plus it's fun.
Get asked this all the time! I answer for the same reasons you listed and my number one is always because it makes me happy! It brings me joy and sometimes life isn’t joyful so this helps. Plus I have met or become aware of so many fabulous people through planning. Like you! My planning time is happy time. How can that be bad lol
In response to “It’s a waste of time!” So is Candy Crunch and binge watching Netflix, (and cleaning, its just gonna get dirty again!) but we all do it!
You are funny, Amy!
Yes. You are so right about the act of writing it down! There seems to be a direct connection between the pen, my hand and the brain. Also, I too used to be crafty and now don't have the time for all the crafts I used to do. This is my outlet. And lastly, I have found that making my planner prettier, I am more likely to use it.
THANK YOU! This is everything I have said to those in my life that don't understand. I was a preschool teacher for almost 20 years. When I moved into administration, I found I missed my creative side. Decorative planning brings me happiness every day.
Because it acts as a diary/scrapbook/memory keeper as well! It leaves a record of my legacy in the world!
Yessss! This planner chat is amazing! There are a lot of people in my life who don’t “get it” but THANKFULLY I’ve converted a few of my close friends to decorative planning and The Happy Planner so I have beauties in real life and in the online planner community who understand ❤️
I don't use the calendar on my phone at all because I am prone to headaches, and the more I stare at a screen, the worse off I am. Forget about quick scrolling! I also limit my computer time, even though the screen is further away. Another bonus of a paper planner is the ability to quickly flip through it in order to find when something happened. Easy record keeping! Luckily, no one in my family questions my paper planning. In fact, my husband has his own neutral mini HP, and we use it to budget plan together! :)
You have single handedly gotten me into happy planning and Washi and stickers and calligraphy! Love your videos! Very inspiring!
I love how my weeks look different in my planner and I love taking it out in class... it draws its own crowd, lol!
I’m a homeschool Mom of 4 girls. We love to create. They draw. I have no drawing talent whatsoever. I can sticker. I can write. I dismiss reminders on my phone that pop up during school hours and then forget them. Writing it in my calendar with the girls schedule and lesson plans keeps me from missing things. Besides, it’s so much fun and beautiful!!!!
I've always been a paper planner and then I thought I would give Digital Planning a try, Everyone said it was so much faster and "less Time" wasting. Tried it for 4 months and just can't get the same satisfaction out of it as I did with paper planning. I love creating my own week themes with stickers and having my "alone - calm" time to decompress from the day or week. Thank you so much for this video.
Off subject, your hair is cute. Your nails are cute. 😁 I love planning. Every year I used to buy a new ‘Day Timer’ for work. I wish planning was popular back then lol. But now that it’s a thing, I love it! I’m a list maker & organizer so my planner keeps me on track. I like being creative & decorating but #teamfunctional at heart. Love your videos, thanks for the inspiration. 🤓👍🏾
I have always kept lists or some sort of planner. But I have recently discovered the HP & it is great. Everything I need to do is kept in one place and it's very relaxing to decorate it. And like you said actually writing things down helps me remember.
Can we get an Aaaa-MEN?! I love the sidelong looks too! Thanks Heather for giving us the virtual high five!
I've never had a planner.
I over see my elderly father and his appointmets..I've found I need help keeping up with it all. I also recently had a small stroke & now I have found myself needing to get in shape, mentally, health wise, financially and keep up with my own appointments. I found a few HP's clearanced at Walmart this week not knowing what to do with them. I found your channel! Thanks for the inspiration to create.
Those are all of my answers I give too! Plus I misplace my phone all the time but for some reason I always know where my main planner and homeschool planner are. Plus I decorate my bible study notebook which helps me remember scriptures that stood out easier and much more!
I am in love with my planner for personal stuff and my teacher planner. It works for me. I have always used the Illinois Teacher Federation (IFT) union calendar at the beginning of the school year. This is so much more for me. I think that the creativity part also speaks to me. Thank you for labeling that. Also the OCD part of me can be as ocd about my spreads as I want to be. I used to get teased about my bulletin boards (and ocd) and finally gave those to my Teaching Assistant to decorate and hang up students work... so I kinda needed that part filled and my weekly spreads fulfill that part I've been missing. ❤️ plus my budget planner & envelope system in my half sheet notes has helped me stay on track and I've paid off 4 small credit cards since Jan of this year. 😁
You are doing terrific, Steph! I'd bet dollars to donuts your colleagues were just envious of your bulletin boards. You make them look lazy! I understand how much easier it is to just post some work the kids did because I’ve been there. Just an idea which would depend on the age you teach. I use to let my third graders do my bulletin boards. I was in a mobile and the board I was assigned was inside the main building. So I sent some of my kids over to post a bulletin board. The principal caught them and was thrilled. He did suggest that I straighten out the letters though. They were a wee bit crooked as you can imagine. Even easier, put the writing on tag board!
I don't like relying on technology too much - I just don't find it as reliable. I love stationary and crafty things. There's just something about holding and flipping through a tangible planner and being able to look back - almost like a journal. I'm the same way with books. I hate reading a book on my phone. I like holding an actual book in my hands. I like the smell and the feel and it just does the heart good.
Planning helps me stay on top of my schoolwork, projects, and studying in a fun way 📕. My lab partner and I both found out we loved deocrative planning and love getting together to work on our planners 😀
Totally Agree!! Reason number 5 is all we need!!!
Starbucks barista here. 🤩 we get our schedule 3 weeks out. I immediately put it in our (hubby and I) shared google cal and if I do not write out my week in my planner each week. I can never remember off hand my schedule. The second I see it visually in MY way - it sticks!!
Love this!!!! I have a work planner, personal and faith planners. I think it’s great to keep up with things. Helps me focus and organize. The decoration is like self care for me. At work, I have to keep things wrote down in multiple places. People think I’m nuts HA! But I love it and love there is a community of planners just like me :)
Spot on! Because it makes me happy and I want to!
I've been following you for a little while and been pretty silent but I saw your post about this on your Instagram and hopped over to here to watch and I feel I need to comment at last!
YES! Is all I can say to this video. Your reasons are excellent especially the 5th one!! I'm a creative soul too, a writer by trade and recently discovered The Happy Planner and decorative planning. Been slacking off on planning honestly but your videos and posts always remind me how fun it is!
Keep it up! Cause your videos and posts are awesome! You're one of my favorite planner people that I follow :)
Because I love it and it makes me so happy. I have always loved planners stickers and pretty pen. Its a fun way to keep record for the year.
I show people at work my planner menagerie and get blank stares from some. They literally don’t even understand why or how I find the time. Lol. I feel like if you’re a crafter, you’re always going to be a crafter and this is kind of a newish way of crafting.
Looking extra extra beautiful tonight! Love the matching nails and robe combo!
I am the same way if I write it down I can remember...and I am so with you on buying a planner and then putting it down never picking it up again. This is the only year I have really keep up woth a planner during the summer because I get to decorate it. I really thought I would hear negative stuff for my mother-in-law about the planner but she loves it she says it's like scrapbook of your whole year. She makes her own planners. My husbands said as long as it helps me to get all the thing I need to get done done and not just wasting money and never using it he said he is all for it...lol my brother in law tell me all the time its a wast of money go buy a $1.00 planner. But I love all tour reasons and I love it cause I enjoy it. And it helps me remember what I need to do and I am excited I just bought my 1st Happy Notes so I can't wait to start putting pages together to help me out even more
Thanks for the ideas and inspiration for the happy notebooks. I have been torn on how to use them. Because of you I have figured it out lol... big hugs 🤗
Thanks for sharing this video heather keep on planning Yes think why I plan keep me on track using fun stickers & colors a hobby love I do keep me happy
My mom at first didn’t get it either, and even said “that’s a waste of money” but now that she’s see me sitting down planning out everything in it, she understands that’s how I “get motivated” to do everything I need to do on the daily. She even bought me my very first “Planner Basics Sticker Book of like 1,820 stickers in it. For $20. Regular $30. When I tried different planning methods in the past, my mom NEVER would’ve spent more than $2-$3 on stickers for me. I just need to help make her understand when (time wise) I use my planner so she’s not nagging at me to get other things done.
OMG! I get those questions all he time especially the one about the phone. And I have the exact dame reasons as you. I'm a crafter and I love to be able to create something in my planner. I use to do the plain boring functional planning but hated how plain it looked. When I found HP and all those goodies well the rest was history. Lol. Thanks for sharing
Thank you for your 5 reasons...so helpful! 🌺
New sub here! I am such a pen to paper person . I hate digital planners and if i buy one more pen my husband may disown me 😅😂😂😂
As I've been pondering the 2020 planners and thinking about trying a new layout, my husband looks at me like I'm crazy. Yes, I do keep appointments in my phone and that way I can see his schedule as well but, like you said, the act of WRITING things down helps it stick in my head. There is something different about the physical act of writing versus typing. For various reasons, I didn't get my planner decorated and filled out for a couple of weeks recently and I felt like I had no idea what was going on at all.
This video speaks to me
I tried using my phone for awhile but I couldn’t go back and look at previous entries. We were in the middle of the foster care/adoption process and we had to document every appointment and meeting and have those dates and times available for review. The phone just didn’t cut it. And then I found decorative paper planners. My life has never been the same!!!!! 😀
Yes that's it exactly. That is exactly why I do decorative planning I've always had a calendar I've always liked color I've always use different color pens and markers and highlighters and then in January of 2016 I found decorative planning I found Erin Condren and I have loved it shortly after that I found happy planner and now I use both off and on
I agree; it's a way to make my plans positive and not something I absolutely dread by presenting them creatively. I just finished two law degrees and becoming a lawyer in two countries, and I swear there's no way I could do it without making court appearances and exams not terrifying with happy seasonal stickers xD People always rag on me that there's no way I'll be able to keep it up once I join a law office, but I think that's why I have that digital/ paper split: the digital for work hours and projects/client appointments, and the paper for my soul and my sanity of my own personal life. xD
Your are right I love it relaxes, and makes me do all my errands & appointment on time, I also have a bad memory, I enjoy all your planning videos they are great
Heather, Fantastic video! I have all the exact same reasons. But I agree, the most important reason, is for myself-because I want to and it makes me happy ...AND Im working towards learning creative digital planning on my ipad pro...and adding that to my creative line-up as well. TFS 🌟👍🏻💖
Yes - people who don't get it can chuck the deuces! I do it because it makes me happy and is a creative outlet.
I don’t comment much, but I really love watching your videos!
Ditto to all your reasons!!!
Yes, i just started really useing my planner, i never thought about deocarating it until i seen your videos. I have to write everything down are i will forget.
I love love love your 5th reason the most 😊💕
I looooooove all your videos, but I think I'm starting to like the 'chat' ones even more because you always you look so cute (your favorite word), but today you look exceptionally gorgeous in pink! You're making me rethink my favorite color again ☺
Wanda Hill aw thank you!!! I do use the word cute a lot haha! Pink is my second favorite color and this cardigan is SO SOFT!!! I’ve just been wearing it around the house basically as a blanket LOL
I actually haven’t had anyone ask me WHY... I assume because I have a creative business and am always making things/trying new things, my friends and family expect me to do things that they don’t understand. 😂😂
Great video- I have everything on my phone but since starting a happy planner I actually enjoy looking at it and refer to it properly, and it’s so much more satisfying ticking off boxes in real paper than a tap of a screen!
Pls could you share where those storage baskets for your sticker books behind you are from?
I add things to an online calender to share with my husband who is totally online. I have a desk planner and a handbag planner (easy to carry for adding items on the go). By the time I have added things three times (some times 6 with work items) its in my memory!. Plus its fun and ensures I llan the week if I decorate it.
I’m asked this also.....I always say....”it is my thing....it makes me smile! “. Heather you are such an inspiration to me. I look forward to your videos every day. I say to myself...”. It’s time for Heather....”. Keep those videos and ideas coming. I’m working hard on my Faith journal and ways to document my verse of the day. More ideas would be welcome!
My first reaction is "Ummm why don't you?" 😂 Seriously though, I need the creative outlet just as much as I need to arrive to all my appointments on time. With my decorative planner, happy notes, pretty paper and endless lists I am on time, prepared and look good. I bet your phone can't do all that for you ..
Right on, Heather! Feel the exact same way :-)!!!
I only go with my main one...same as your last. Because I want to. It makes me happy. :)
Hey Heather,
I've just started with my own happy planner and have already given myself a major project. Making a baby book that is cute and functional for my sister in law who expecting in November. I'm so excited and full of ideas for both, but no one under stands my mom immediately said that i should have the baby book professionally done or just buy one. Clearly she doesn't get it.
Yes that is all that matters your happy and thank you your teaching me .... love it because I can !💚
I am the same.. I have to write it down or I am never remember it.. I have always been a visual learner so I guess it makes sense.
I get asked that question all the time and I tell them the same thing because I want to end it makes me feel good.
🙌Preach it sister 👏👏👏
Love the last reason I get asked why do you write everything down 😒😒😒 but I got that from my mother. She's a Price is Right fan and she writes down what game was played and who won what lol.
Too darn funny! LOL!
I found your channel yesterday and I think you're my planner sister :-)
I agree with ALL of that!!💯
I have always written things down since middle school.The important thing is if it makes you happy then do it. Nobody else needs to understand.
I love doing it too.
100% agree with you on reasons! You should have heard me explaining what Go Wild was. 🤣
My husband asked me why, my answer cuz I want to and it helps me to remember if I write it down. He calls it my sticker book but very supportive because he knows I love crafts/hobbies. Lol
Love it!
❤️Planning=Me Time❤️
No one has asked me why. But some ask me how they can too so I guess I’m hanging around the right people.