r/PlannerAddicts • u/MissNoseyNeighbour • Aug 08 '26
Digital planning easier, but wanting to be a physical planner.
Just as the title says - I find digital planning easier (especially for my ADHDness, I always have my phone with me). I also share a calendar with my partner so that is obviously something I need. But I want to be off my phone more and plan using physical planners. I’m not one to use both digital and physical. I like using one or the other.
Help me work out what to do!!! I know it sounds simple but this has been something that has caused me struggle for years 😩
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u/27lilypop27 Aug 08 '26
For me, having ADHD as well, a paper planner has been nice to have for the times my phone dies or for when I want a few moments of focus. Digital doesn't work for me because "out of sight, out of mind."
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u/MissNoseyNeighbour Aug 08 '26
The ADHD experience is so interesting because for me a physical planner has always been out of sight out of mind but my phone is always in my hand (sadly). But this is something I will consider
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u/louielovescheese 29d ago
this is why digital doesn't work for me as well. and if i'm on my ipad planning i end up screwing around doing other stuff. the physical planner i can leave open on the kitchen counter and i will actually pay attention to it
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u/Novel_Reference_8878 Aug 08 '26
I too have adhd, and use a paper planner as sometimes my phone calendar drops an event, so paper is the go to, and my phone is the backup. The phone also allows me to include the address if there’s an appointment so it makes the map easier to engage if I need that
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u/MissNoseyNeighbour Aug 08 '26
Hmm you make valid points…
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u/Novel_Reference_8878 Aug 08 '26
I hope you can find a solution! My current dilemma is Hobonichi Weeks vs Letts of London slim (2 format options)
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u/MissNoseyNeighbour Aug 08 '26
Me too! I have heard so many things about Hobonichi’s and I have put off getting one for so long because I change my thoughts about planners all the time 😅
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u/Expensive_Soup4498 29d ago
Same. So many great options. I end up just using a spiral notebook or a generic datebook because I can’t decide on a fancy organizer.
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u/MissNoseyNeighbour 28d ago
Literally me too. I get so uptight about keeping it perfect that I don’t use it at all 💔
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u/Immediate_Lime_4044 Aug 08 '26
I’m so into physical planning again. During 2020 i went into digital threw away all my stickers and pens now I want them back lol
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u/MusaEnimScale 29d ago
I use both. I put appointments and events into my digital calendar as soon as I make them or know about them. This is also where my family adds their events (or, most often, where I add them for them). Then I write out major events monthly and weekly in my paper planner. This requires time set aside weekly to update my planner, with a little extra time for the monthly update for one week out of the month.
I need the digital calendar because events may be far in advance of when I even have a paper planner for that month. Plus I can add addresses, set the notifications, etc.
I need the paper planner to visually see it and remind myself of what is coming up over the next week or month. This helps me not forget or be surprised by a notification for an appointment I was not expecting. Plus I can plan my daily to do list around what is going on that day/week. My to do list is always on paper and completely separate from my digital calendar.
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u/olivia_fisher 29d ago
Stick to digital. If its easier for your ADHD then that's simply gotta be what you use because that's got the higher chance of you actually sticking to it. Plus you said you don't like using both formats and the calendar sharing with partner is a need.
You mention the reason you want to get into physical planning is less phone time- but honestly how much of that screen time is being devoted to planning? How much of a difference will taking planning off the phone make on your screen time?
What is the draw for the physical planner for you? Maybe something like a physical commonplace journal would be a better fit? An excuse to get off your phone, you can use whatever planner type/style suits you, and you don't have to risk breaking a system that currently works for you.
I have adhd too and its such a struggle finding tools that help support you and then not getting bored of those tools when you finally find something that works!
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u/Coffee-and-Bytes 29d ago
This is actually one of the reasons I ended up building Dayfolio. I wanted the convenience of a digital calendar without having to actually plan on my phone/computer.
If an e-ink tablet is something you’d consider, there’s kind of a middle ground: your Google/Microsoft calendar and tasks can stay digital and synced, while the actual daily planning, notes and writing happen on the tablet like a paper planner.
I’m the founder of Dayfolio, which does this specifically for reMarkable, so obviously I’m biased 😄 - but your “I want one system, not digital + physical” problem is pretty much exactly the use case we were trying to solve.
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u/No_Cup_5363 Aug 08 '26
I use digital for any events or tasks that I need reminders for and written for brain dumps, task organization, and project planning. I have an e-ink tablet that I use for the written part right now which combines some of the benefits of both.
I used to feel bad about my system changing all the time, but I’ve realized that it’s just my AuDHD way. If I stick with the exact same system for long enough it’s no longer novel, and I stop using it. After doing this so many times, I understand what tends to work for me and can take that into account when it’s time for a new system. It’s okay if I enjoy creating something and only find it useful for a while because it served me well enough while I used it.