I went to my first “real” planner event this weekend, and I have to tell you I got some weird reactions to that from a bunch of my family and friends. I had asked my hubby for a ticket for my birthday this year and I was super pumped about going. My hubby told me “I don’t know why you’d want to do that, but if it’s what you want then go for it!”
So I was thinking to myself last night, how to explain to the non-planner WHY exactly I love planning. Brace yourself for the shocker, it’s NOT primarily organizational based like you would think. Far from it (though it is a nice side perk!) I enjoy planning because for ME, it is a creative release.
I am not particularly artistic when it comes to drawing/painting/etc. I’ve never had, nor will I probably ever develop that particular skill set. My stick people look like maybe my 4 year old drew them. I’ve always wanted to be super artistic, and I’ve tried and tried to draw/paint/sketch, but the reality is… it’s not going to happen.
When I’m working on a spread or layout for the week in one of my planners, not only am I reminding myself of the things I need to do and appointments I need to keep, but I’m creating a visually appealing way to look at my life the next 7 days. I thoroughly enjoy putting stickers, washi tape, and colorful pens/markers down in a collection of thoughts that speaks to me. It’s soothing, and it’s fun.
That being said, sometimes I am also like a squirrel surrounded by shiny objects when faced with the sheer collection of planner stuff I’ve acquired when trying to plan out my week. When that happens I try to sit back and look around for something that inspires me. I have a lot of stuff hanging around, and generally there’s always something I can create an idea from.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I headed off to this planner event. I consider myself somewhat of an “Introverted Extrovert”. I love people, love meeting new personalities and experiencing moments from their point of view, but I also get nervous and a little anxious at the beginning of a social situation, especially when I don’t really know anyone. I tend to cling to people I DO know like a rat to a sinking ship until I can get comfortable enough to be myself.
I really shouldn’t have worried at all. Planner people have this “You can sit with us” mentality that is truly refreshing in this socially stunted world. Everyone is open and friendly and excited to share. I also THOROUGHLY enjoyed the speaker, Heather Kell, from @kellofaplan on Instagram! She took a fairly mundane, everyday object like a sticker book full of icon stickers and transformed it into a glorious assembly of creative ideas, and her excitement and passion for what she was doing was infectious! I couldn’t WAIT to get home and start creating things using the creativity she had inspired!
So that’s why I plan – it’s a great group of people, and honestly, they’re on to something! I find organizing my thoughts and getting it down onto paper centers me and soothes my anxiety, plus the added bonus of rarely (I’m not saying it never happens) forgetting some thing I’m supposed to do or somewhere I’m supposed to be. =)
That being said…. it’s been a month since I posted here. Maybe I need to start planning out my blogging a bit better!! ha! <3