Paper vs digital planner is a debate that has stormed the planner community, sharing positive and negative aspects of each style of planning.
The paper planner industry is vast with many brands offering a variety of planners that suit everyone’s needs. Paper planning is something that I have been doing for years through my bullet journaling and my other paper planner. I bought a paper planner which I have hardly used due to COVID and my current pain levels. I haven’t been making plans; therefore, it has stayed pretty empty. Learning how to start a paper planner effectively can dramatically improve your performance.
Here are 11 reasons and benefits of using a paper planner:
1. You Will Be More Organised And Productive
Having a paper planner system such as a bullet journal allows you to write down all your tasks, appointments and reminders that will all be in one place. Dedicating a day to plan for the week ahead means that you go into a new week knowing exactly what you need to do, so you will be more productive with your time and better organisation will improve your performance.
2. You Will Complete Tasks Faster
If you have all your plans and tasks written in one place ahead of time, it is going to mean that you complete the tasks quicker. You will not be wasting time working out what tasks you need to do that day or week. You can use the time to actually complete the tasks and goals you want to achieve. Using your planner as reference when working on tasks can be really beneficial in keeping you focused on the tasks at hand.
3. Helps To Manage Your Time
When you use a paper planner to write down all your tasks and appointments, placing tasks on certain days of the week to work towards your deadlines helps you to manage you time. Managing your time avoids work overload that causes stress and the tendency to procrastinate. You can add your deadlines to the tasks, which will help you to stay on track and focused. Learning how you can manage your time can make you far more organised and productive, which will lead to success.
4. You Will Declutter Your Task List And See Your Priorities
Writing down your tasks for each day can help you actually declutter your task list. If the next day, you head to your planner and you have to migrate a task or multiple tasks over, it makes you think about whether or not a task is really that important to complete in a particular week. Analysing your task list enables you to be able to note the most vital ones in your paper planner. This highlights your priorities and leads to better time management and productivity.
5. You Are Less Likely To Forget Something Important
When you write something by hand, all that complex sensory information increases the chances of the knowledge being remembered. As you write by hand, your brain is forced to process information in a different way that helps you to store that information in your memory. This is why you should use a paper planner. Not forgetting tasks is the key to not missing deadlines, a real benefit of using a paper planner in college.
Having Fibromyalgia can cause ‘brain fog’, where you have times of forgetfulness, or you lose your concentration, hence why I have found a paper planner absolutely essential. It has allowed me to remember important medical appointments and other important information written down, so that I do not forget.
6. It Will Reduce Stress
Have you ever had that frustrating feeling that you have forgotten something important, but you cannot remember what it is? Writing down all important information in your planner will help to reduce stress and anxiety about having to remember and hold everything in your head!
Using a paper planner enables you to plan your time and knowing that you have a plan can help to relieve stress especially if you have busy weeks ahead. Approaching busy weeks less stressed can improve your concentration and performance.
7. You Get To Buy New Stationery
This reason is probably the biggest reason why I like to use a paper planner! I am a huge stationery fan! There are so many different paper planners that have a variety of features, designs, colours and layouts which are suitable for everyone. Bullet journaling is a style of planner that you can tailor to you needs because you can design the spreads how you want them to look which then helps you to be more organised. There are so many different bullet journals available at a range of prices to suit everyone’s taste and budget.
In order for you to be consistent with any form of planner, you have to like the planner you are using. You want to love reaching for your planner and writing on the pages. This will mean you will be consistent with your form of planning which will boost your organisation, productivity and success.
8. They Are More Creative
Digital planners can sometimes be really formal apart from possibly changing the colours, columns or font. However, with a paper planner, you have white pages that you can inspire you to explore your creativity. You can write, draw things or use planner stickers. It can make the planning less of a chore, make it fun and can motivate you more.
Bullet journaling can be a really creative form of planning, especially if you want to make it artistic and try various themes. You can use washi tapes, planner themed stickers, stickers and paints as well as scrapbooking different designs. It is a blank canvas for you to make it your own. Having that space to be creative can help your mental health as well as being a good source of motivation.
9. Motivates You To Be Tech Free
This world is so fast paced and heavily digital, it can be overwhelming. When you are using a paper planner, you are away from technology. Social media means that we are so involved I looking at what others are sharing. By taking the time to sit back and focus on yourself, you can have that ‘me time’. Many see creative planning as a form of self-care. Reducing your tech time can help to reduce stress and anxiety, allow you to feel present, focus on gratitude and appreciate the small things in life.
10. There Are Less Distractions
When you use a planner app, you can find yourself moving over to another app, or answering notifications that can lead to procrastination; you are wasting time and being productive.
When you are using your paper planner, you are focused on planning in your weekly tasks and goals and are far more likely to be productive and remember what you need to achieve.
11. A Place For Records
As you use your paper planner, you are recording your appointments and important information; this can be extremely helpful when you need to schedule the same appointments. For example, you can flip back to your last dental check-up, or find information about your last period (if you track them). It can also be fun to read back at the end of the year about all the tasks and goals that you have achieved and all the memories you have made with your loved ones during the past year.
Here are some of the best paper planners on the market right now:
- Dingbats Pro B5 Dot Grid Notebook
- Happy Planner
- Busy B Planners
- Stationery Island Bullet Journal
- Yop & Tom Dotted Journals
- Archer & Olive
- Leuchtturm1917 Planners and Bullet Journals
These are just some of the reasons why you should be using a paper planner in your life. There are many people who combine paper AND digital planners to keep themselves organised. You have to find the right style of planner for you to boost your productivity.
Do you use a paper planner? How do you plan your week? I’d love to hear in the comments.
I agree that using a paper planner will motivate you to be tech free, but I always have my phone with me wherever I am. And I can use a single app to do any the things you can do with a paper planner, plus, I get set alarms to make sure I don’t forget anything
That’s fair enough! It’s good you have something that works for you.
For what?
As a writer, I still prefer writing down things on physical paper — whether it’s a shopping list or a daily/weekly itinerary.
I find that I easily remember things when they’re written down instead of being on a screen.
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I use paper planners for myself and the Trello app for my clients so we can collaborate on projects more easily. I agree with you about the stationery aspect though, you can never have too many notebooks and pens (as Flora knows all too well too!) x
I love to buy stationery! There is so many beautiful pieces! Thank you for reading and commenting! X
I used a digital spreadsheet for my blog planning but for every day and personal, I have a daily paper planner and I love it. I’ve started colour coordinating it now too which is really helpful x
What paper planner do you use? Colour coding is suppose to be really helpful!
Oh just a cheap daily planner I got from Tesco!
Ah okay.
Great post.
I previously only used physical methods of writing things down, but with the blog I’ve had to become more technical.
It would still be great to have a record of things and see my daily tasks written down. I also like the act of ticking things off or crossing the task out.
The most unused item of 2020 was my planner so I didn’t get one for 2021. But I did notice that I missed it because it’s actually more than just a summary of your appointments (which I typically have on my phone anyway). I get so much pleasure from doodling and looking back at good moments. I also like to scribble my ideas on the pages and then follow the progress. So definitely getting one for 2022!
Lovely post. I use a mix of paper, google calendar, my phone and a daily online to do list to be as productive as possible. There is something so satisfying about ticking things off of my paper to do list tho!
Rosie
Oh yes!!!!!! I love using paper planner. It helps me to be organised. I’m now looking for a 2022 planner. Hehehe.
I am looking for a new 2022 planner!
I love paper planners. I agree that I tend to be more motivated and organized with it as opposed to a digital planner, especially with my bullet journal.
I use a paper planner to outline my week and days, and the digital one for a monthly outlook.
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I struggle with making plans and organising due to having ADHD but I’ll try and implement some of these suggestions to get better at it. My partner bullet journals and that helps her so hopefully I’ll see some improvement myself.
Bullet journaling is great for organisation. I hope this post helps you.
Sometimes I just like having a break from a screen, and pen and paper gives me a great chance to do that x
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i think it’s the writer in me – but i love writing things in a planner. i highlight and make it look pretty. plus – i think it’s important to work on handwriting and being neat.
Thank you for reading and commenting. I love using a paper planner and found my new one for 2022
I definitely am into paper planners. I do use some digital also but mainly for the reminders that pop up when I need them. To control my daily tasks I use a paper planner and enjoy it. Your reasons do make sense and I couldn’t agree more.
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I am not sure if I am ready to switch to a paper planner yet, but this definitely got me thinking! it would be so nice to have one less thing on my laptop and one less excuse to use my smart devices
I use a notebook for story ideas but probably do need a paper planner now that my blog is up and running. Great article!
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Great post! I love my paper planner because it helps me stay on top of things!
Reading this post has made me miss using a paper planner. Currently I use Google Calendar or Google sheets to plan and organise. However I do enjoy writing on a physical notebook especially to journal. I think a mix if digital and physical will work well for me.
I really do love the idea of a paper planner but I just cannot stick to them! I just use the notes section on my phone.
Corinne x
You have to do what is right for you. Thank you for reading and commenting.
The main reason I LOVE paper planners, stationary, and notebooks is because it gets me away from a screen and connects me with something more tangible and realistic: ink and paper. I love having to cross out the mistakes, seeing authentic handwriting, and having something to open up, feel, and look at.
Thanks for sharing 10 other amazing reasons why paper planners are beneficial!
Love this! I really love my planners, haha – I find writing it down by hand just makes it go in better. That, and I’m also a massive stationery lover, like you! Any excuse to buy fancy new pens, haha. Thanks for sharing x
Hi Lauren, this is a great post! I love using a paper planner but also love a digital copy too. I’m currently using Jordanne’s planner over at TheGlasgowGirl and it’s fab! I find it really motivating get to tick things off my list. Great post. Alicia
I do love using a paper planner as it definitely helps me to stay organised! And like you said, it’s a great excuse to buy new stationery! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Love using pen and paper over devices for planning. I’m more creative and get all my thoughts out.
For paper, I have a young daughter that goes to primary school and at the end of the year she brings home writing books that’s half filled
So I do my part for the environment and use that paper.
I use a paper planner and all of these are true! Writing by hand is so much better for me especially less likely to forget important dates since I can recall writing down X on Y date. Plus aways look forward to buying a new planner each year!
Loren | plaidandsugar.com
I actually had a chat with someone at work today about you can’t actually beat a good old fashioned hand-written to-do list sometimes, no matter how many apps are out there. I kind of split it that I have the projects on a digital planner, then plan each day on paper. And you’re totally right – who doesn’t want an excuse to buy more stationary? Great post.
I love this post. I’m old school, and had to do school without technology lol! I love having a planner. I like all the benefits to using one, that I didn’t realize.
~Michelle
Having used many planners over the years I’m a fan of them! I love the feel of opening up a new planner! Thanks for sharing.
i recently dabbled into digital planning, and i must say that i love it! but i know i’ll always miss the feeling of writing on paper x
erin
I adore stationery! So always love a paper planner, I have some stuff on my phone but mostly paper.
Honestly, I prefer to plan things the traditional way– paper. But in terms of convenience, doing it in your phone can also be a great help. Enjoyed reading the pros and cons of each. Thanks for sharing!
https://lifebeginsattwenty.com/
Paper is beautiful. And really there is nothing better than a paper planner for all of the reasons you mentioned. Thanks for sharing,
I love using paper planners. I don’t do well with digital planners, in fact, I feel like digital planners make my life harder instead of easier. I found this post very interesting because I can relate to your points. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for reading and commenting. Can you link your blog so I can read?
I only use a paper planner, digital planners just don’t work for me! I’m big into colour coding, and like you said moving things around in a physical planner makes me second guess if I should just buckle down and do it already. I use erasable pens in my planner as that helps me see things more clearly as opposed to cluttering with things crossed out and arrows. Thanks for sharing this wonderful list, a lot of it resonates with me strongly.
I love paper planners. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
I don’t have a planner myself but I do find that I prefer writing down lists and tasks rather than noting them down on my phone. There’s just something about the act of writing things down that you can’t beat!
https://www.femaleoriginal.com
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totally agree here! I have my online calendar but a paper spiral notebook planner to write down my tasks and be able to cross them off it makes more sense to my brain to be able to write things down for some reason. And yes, I love buying stationary 🙂 Great article!
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Great post! I definitely find that using a paper planner gives me more motivation to check things off my to-do list. I love physically writing things out and I’m always looking for ways to be more tech-free.
Me too! Thank you for reading and commenting.
I really believe organizing my tasks in a physical planner helps me to reduce my stress and makes me feel more put together! I agree with all your points in this post. Thanks for sharing this!
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I agree with so many of your points, but number 7 is SO me haha. I absolutely love stationary and buying notebooks. I love having a physical book to write my lists and things down on. I feel like I’m less scattered and more organized when I am able to physically write things down instead of typing it into my phone.
That’s great! Thank you for reading and commenting!
As an absolute stationery nerd I am all about a good paper planner. I currently use one and love making it look nice and writing all my blogging stuff in it! I definitely agree that it helps with creativity.
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Loved the post. I am big on bullet journals so thank you. I use both paper and digital so I will not be able to pick a side on the “versus” debate; do what works best for you, I guess.
I fail to function when I try to use a digital planner. I always put appointments on my phone just so it will send me a reminder and I won’t forget but for day to day to do lists and task management I absolutely have to use paper or my productivity is zero and I lose track of everything. I relate to almost everything on this list!
Yeah I prefer paper with extra reminders of appointments on my phone calendar. Thank you for reading and commenting.
If there’s one thing I love to do it’s definitely organising my time ahead. I love using paper planners too and I definitely agree with all the points made above! Thanks for sharing x
xo Olivia | http://www.oliviaandbeauty.com
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I certainly find having a paper diary better for remembering appointments. And, new stationery!!
Oh and I find writing out tomorrow’s to do list helps me sleep better as I’ve pushed it out my mind
Agreed! I’m all for paper planners. Technology is great when it works but when it doesn’t it’s a real pain! Plus I’m slightly addicted to pretty stationary…
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When I first started using a smartphone, I was so excited for everything to be digital. But I recently started using a paper planner again and it really does make you more productive and organized! It also gives me a reason to go planner shopping, which I agree is a ton of fun! Thanks for sharing your list!
I love a paper planner. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Good one!
To add to the they are good for records — I would say you always have a hard tangible copy — that is always better than the digital counterpart
also — I feel as if a paper planner is more motivating a digital one b/c it is there glaring at your face to do it. 😉
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I am using a desk planner – a gift from a friend which is so cool. I don’t have any digital planner but only note post it on my desktop display will do. Yes, it can improve concentration and boost your own creatvity
Thank you for reading and commenting what planner you use. Can you link your blog so I can read?
Give me a paper planner any day! I’ve tried using things like Trello but I need to physically write it all down otherwise it just doesn’t work for me. I’ve just ordered next year’s Papier planner x
Thank you for reading and commenting what planner you use. Can you link your blog so I can read?
After so many trials with digital planners, I fail at it. I definitely prefer writing on a paper and just like you, I love stationeries. Totally agree with being tech free and less distractions. Imagine writing on your iPad and Instagram notification comes in, you will be too tempted to check. So I’m team paper planner
I love using a paper planning. Thank you for sharing!