Why I Plan
For me, planning was always quite a private thing. I was initially attracted to the beautiful stationery (you will discover that I am quite a kikki.K addict - actually I love all stationery!) but I became drawn to the process of writing things down, recording memories and details and then going back to visit those memories later. I also revel in the structure and routine of the planning process. It makes me feel more organised, and ultimately it leads to me being more productive.
As a child, I had a hardcover diary that my mum gave to me. I treasured it. It was made by a local magazine. The diary was hardbound, covered in red fabric with white polkadots and filled with images from Australia. It was your typical week-on-two-pages layout and I loved writing in there, running my fingers over the glossy white pages - such seemingly important things going on in my life back then. It was 1988 and we were going to World Expo in Brisbane. There was a cyclone. My grandmother came to stay many times. I don’t think I have that diary anymore, but I still remember those specific details, my large rounded letters etched in my mind.
I wish I could read it again.
Step forward to now and I have numerous planners, notebooks and notepads, sticky notes, stickers, washi tape, pens (oh! the pens!!). I have, over the last couple of years, began planning again in earnest and it’s something that I now do every day.
So why do I plan?
Firstly, I find the process of writing, drawing, decorating, organising to be therapeutic as well as creative, and I love getting caught up in that.
Secondly, I have a lot of areas of my life to keep track of and I needed some way of making sure that nothing clashes along the way.
Since I’m very much a list maker (if you’re reading this, I’m sure you love lists as much as I do), here’s my list:
My 9 - 5 job is corporate and very demanding. I have many meetings, I manage some staff, I look after a couple of areas of our business, and I’m always starting new projects.
I have a side business as a photographer. I primarily do product photography, specifically styled flatlay shoots, creating lifestyle shots for small local businesses.
I have a website for that photography business which I have to maintain and update.
I have a photography blog. I have been blogging for more than 5 years now and did have a strong community of people over there. I was running some challenges and I used to really enjoy creating new content for that platform. Sadly, it has suffered over the last 12 months and I haven’t added anything new there in ages.
I am crafting planner accessories - paper goods centred around my photographs. This has become a little business and it needs a lot of work in the background to stay on top of things.
I create content for social media. I am addicted to Instagram. I have two accounts (one for photography and one for planning) and I really enjoy spending time there. The planning community in particular is a joy to interact with and I have been fortunate enough to have business come through via Instagram.
I have this planning blog, where I want to talk about planning and productivity.
I have a dog and I have family and friends and I love spending time with them.
I have all of life’s little things - bills, household, shopping, all the usual things that we all have to handle.
Over the next few posts, I will go into detail on my planning systems and explain how I use them and how I plan.
PRO TIP: Using multiple planners can help you gain clarity if you have a lot of things going on in your life, however it isn't for everyone. You may find it too confusing to have your things separated. It really is a personal choice.
Until next time, happy planning!
#ihavethisthingwith stationery
x desleyjane
