One week into using categories in my planner and I like them. A lot.
The problems I mentioned in the previous post are still problems. Like needing to add an item later and not having space for it. I figured out a workaround. I do two columns, so I fill horizontally. That's working.
I've run into a few other issues.
First, I sometimes forget which category something belongs in. Is doing my nails self-care or is it life? I've put this item in both categories.
Second, the stencil is kind of annoying. Swiping the highlighter isn't too bad, but outlining the box with pen? The stencil is bendy and it doesn't keep the pen in line. Also, while this stencil is created for my planner, the traced box is smaller than the line in the planner and it doesn't leave me much room to write my category. Let's not even get into the way the pen skips and smears. I've heard I shouldn't use gel pens with stencils and will try with a different type.
Third, it's tedious to use the stencil. To swash the highlighter. To outline the box. Over and over and over again. I'm going to try using customized stickers. I've ordered them, but haven't received them yet. It feels silly to buy stickers when I could keep using the stencil, but the stencil is truly annoying me.
The pros, though, with this system?
Everything is not a jumbled list of things to do. I can look to a category and see what I have left to do. It actually feels so much more organized. The other big plus? I feel calmer when I look at my daily lists because it's organized. I didn't realize I was low-key overwhelmed with the massive list until I tried the categories.
I'm pretty sure I'll be sticking with this, although one week isn't enough of a test drive to be 100% certain. It's the calming feeling that makes me think this is going to last, though.
Another pro? I think I chose the right category names. I did add a Misc for items that don't fit into any of the other boxes.
Final results: Two thumbs up
