The Trap of Creative Planning

Lori Ann DeLappe-Grondin
Sep 5, 2019
2 min read

There's this thing out there, been around for a while, but I still don't know officially what it's called. I call it creative planning, and it's probably not what you think I'm referring to.

I'm referring to the art and craft of using a paper planner for planning purposes but adding things to it to spark and show off creativity, or even just to doodle things onto a page. First, let me tell you..I do this! I love it, and hate it at the same time.

Why? Because sometimes I feel that I can't write in my planner if it doesn't have washi tape, boxes, stickers or watercolor washes. If I didn't use my stamps, then I have to do that first. Why do I have such an aversion to writing on the planner paper, so much that if I don't have a box or checklist sticker to use, I DON'T DO IT? So, I cry bullsh*t on myself.

I've been struggling for "planner peace" for my entire adult life. No printed calendar ever had what I really needed in one place. I would buy a new one every 4 - 6 months...in hopes! Rarely happened. I tried digital - nope!

Then I discovered the planning community. Seriously, MY TRIBE! (I am lucky to have multiple tribe affiliations, including a budding DnD one.) They got me! They had multiple planners going at a time! They used washi, stickers, watercolor, pens, you name it! They built their own! I had found them!

Did it help? Yes, and no. Blank pages are beautiful and intimidating, still. Washi is my cop out...I really want to do more on-the-fly watercolor but get stuck with need to create a design. I can't just do.

So, that's why it's a trap for me. I still do it (see below.) And it changes all the time. But I did come very close to planner peace with my Hobonichi Cousin Avec...and I can't wait to get my new one.

What does all this mean? Not much, just feels good to admit that I feel this way. I will still go to Sparkle and Plan, PlannerCon and Planner Teas. I will still buy washi and stickers, and use some of them. But I'm also working on fine-tuning my life and downsizing some of my extraordinary supples. Stay tuned!