lifestyle

Paper versus Digital

I Instagrammed this the other day and I thought I’d bring the conversation here because I loved the comments so much.
Here’s the dilemma. While in high school and college, I stayed almost entirely organized on paper. I had notebooks and agendas and index card and post-it notes. It was easy because I was mostly just going between my dorm room and my classes. The paper went in and out of my backpack.
Now… it’s a different story. With an insane schedule that changes by the minute, hundreds of emails a day, and the need to track directions to appointments means that I have to keep things pretty digital. For the most part, everything is on my computer and synced with my iPhone.
Design Darling #FavoriteThings pencils, Maybooks Notebook, Parker Pen, Lilly Pulitzer Notebook
But I miss writing things down terribly!! The only paper lists I keep are on a notebook for everyday to-dos.
I change my bags so frequently to and from appointments… I worry that if I kept everything on paper that I would forget it sometimes. Or I’d be constantly erasing appointments to reschedule (seriously, what is it with New York City and canceling things last minute?).
A few months ago, I tried to do Evernote, but I found it so overwhelming. (I mean, sheesh…. so many steps and tricks to learn!)
Are you paper, digital, or a combination of the two? Any amazing apps you love to keep organized? 


xoxo
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47 Comments

Eliza

I'm probably a combo of both. I love the feeling of crossing off list items on paper…doesn't feel the same on the iPhone, does it? Although I do love Any.do for lists (super easy and free!) Other than that I'm pretty traditional.

x

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Cristina Marie

This has ALWAYS been a battle for me. I love having the latest things in technology and apps and being able to have everything I need with me at all times — but I've always been a paper person. For some reason, writing things down makes me feel like I will remember them better and that they are more set in stone and HAVE to get done. When I try to keep track of things (schedules/to do lists) on my phone, iPad or computer, I feel like I always forget it's there.

Anyone have any tips on how to get better at becoming digital?!

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Krystal M

I'm a combo of both. I try to use my phone more but sometimes it's just easier to pull out my little notebook I always have & write things down.

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laurenulrich

I would die without a paper schedule – which isn't such a bad thing because my Sugar Paper planner is adorable. I do use Evernote for long term lists, and I agree that it is sort of overwhelming.

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Bailey Good

I would die without my Lilly planner. It has to be on my hip all the time! I think if I switched to online I wouldn't check it often enough to actually stay on top of all I have to do.

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pardonmyfrenchblog.com

I'm definitely more paper than digital. I keep some appointments on my phone calendar but I try to write everything down in a planner. I think it actually helps me remember them when I write them down. And I get way too excited when I get to buy a new planner – so many fun & cute designs to choose from.

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Kristin

I need to write things down to remember them! It always makes me feel good to cross things off my list 🙂

Kristin
thedixiedaisy.blogspot.com

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Dana Kay

I am definitely a paper gal. I write everything down and get anxiety if I don't have my planners or if I run out of post its. I carry around different planners though to keep more organized, one is for scheduled events and the other is for ideas and my to-dos. I find that when I write things down I remember things better in comparison to when I note things down electronically.
xo,
Dana Kay
danakay16.blogspot.com

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Laura

I have to do all hand-written scheduling. I put everything in my Erin Condren Life Planner and sometimes I have to switch my planner from my purse to my school bag and vice versa, but I have everything in that one place.

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Seersucker Sass

In college, I was strictly a paper organizer! Now that I'm working and managing my schedule as well as my boss', I keep it all organized through Outlook. It works for me because I sit in front of a computer screen most of the day.

I mentor high school kids, and the first thing I did was give them a planner with key dates written in it. Hopefully they will love it as much as I loved using one throughout undergrad 🙂

XX, SS || A Little Seersucker Sass

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Sydney Huss

I love using my agenda, notebooks and stickynotes. (and using fun pens and pencils always make writing things down so much more fun!) but I love plugging things into my phone, as I always have it with me. I use the app Wunderlist and Google Calendar most frequently!

xoxo Sydney
everydaysouthernprep.blogspot.com

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Ashley Stockwell

I'm both! Between grad school, an internship and everyday life I have to write down the big things to make sure I remember them (plus nothing beats physically crossing off items on a to-do list!) I use my laptop for class notes and internship things, but I'll draw things out or make outlines on paper when I'm brainstorming or planning out a big project.

thegradventurer.blogspot.com

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Lauren

Ever since I got my iPad, I'm entirely digital. I miss writing sometimes too, but what I love about digital is that it stays so neat. I can delete things instead of crossing them out, I can move dates and assignments around with my finger in the calendar, and I can write out my to-do lists and organize them by category and color. It's been brilliant. I don't think I can go back!

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Lindsey

I'm with you- I love pen to paper and tend to use this method for lists, but scheduling seems to end up being digital. I use Evernote off and on though. I think that's how I use it best- the pick it up, put it down, pick it back up way. I mainly love it to store files that otherwise would be laying around in a closet somewhere, and clutter makes me crazy. It's a little complicated but with a little research and practice, definitely worth it!

Lindsey
Market Me Trendy

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Amanda

Paper all the way. If it weren't for my agenda and pocket notebook, I would have no idea what I'd be doing (or supposed to be doing) on any given day. To top it off, it's color coded so that I know what tasks are what. I need that tactile/kinesthetic action of writing it down to help me remember things.

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Melissa Bergey

My Lilly agenda is a must for me. I'm a student, so writing down assignments and important dates keeps me focused and on track. Most of my organization is on paper, and I don't think I could ever replace it with apps or online tools!

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cheriarmour

I'm definitely a combo, but I think the final word always comes down to my written deluxe day planner. I feel like if it's not written down and in there, it doesn't exist.

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totravelandbeyond

I am for sure a combo of both. I always have my SugarPaperLa planner, but I also have everything in my iCal. I don't think I could live without either, but I also wish I could!

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50shadesofprep

Ever since I synced my Google Calendar to my iCal, I’ve really been using my iPhone to keep track of specific events and deadlines. However, I also carry around a little notebook with lined pages to write down my to-dos, packing lists, ideas, and everything else. I think that writing down my assignments and to-dos helps me to remember what they are. Another benefit is that it looks like you’re writing something important in your notebook instead of just sitting on your phone, even if you are scheduling events 🙂

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Ashlee

I use a combo of both (and think I probably always will)! I love To-Doist and Teux Deux as far as organizing apps go. I gave Evernote a try over a year ago and don't quite remember why I didn't care for it. Maybe I should give it another go. Despite how organized I am online, nothing beats a little pen and paper action though!

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Charlotte Lindsay

I cannot seem to get rid of a paper planner. I schedule myself all through iCal so that it syncs between devices but I also write my daily todos in a Kate Spade planner. Between school assignments, sorority events, and internships, I need both to keep me sane.

Char
http://xoxchar.blogspot.com

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mQs

I love my actual agenda. There is just something about actually writing everything down that I love

xoxo
mQs

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preppyinpink

I am all paper – I really want to be digital with things because I know it would probably be more convenient, but I think I'd forget things if I didn't write them down on paper. I have a small planner I throw into any purse and if for some reason I do forget it or I'm carrying a clutch or something I'll save a note in my phone then update my planner when I get to it. I don't have an ipad and I'm thinking that maybe when I eventually get one I may try to force myself to get more digital. I run 2 businesses, have a day job and am in grad school so staying on top of my schedule and deadlines is essential – I feel more in control on paper!

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Sarah

I use a combination of the two. I use my google calendar for events, every day schedule, etc. I also use dropbox to keep all my important documents available from anywhere – it's been a huge life saver a couple of times. But I HAVE to have my sticky notes to leave myself to remember important things (usually stuck to my mirror). I also always have a little notebook with me for any notes or to do lists I need to make. My address book will always be paper – I'm actually looking for a cute new one, any suggestions?

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The Yuppie Files

Right now I have my planner that has everything written down because somehow paper keeps me much more organized than digital. But I've been using the "todoist" app to keep track of everything I need to get done each day. It's perfect because you can set due dates and organize either by project or date. Plus you can look it up on your phone or on your laptop.

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Sugar Snap Pearls

I tend to use a combination of both. I love having my schedule on my iPhone, but it really is just a schedule for the places I have to be on a daily basis so I don't forget to leave my apartment, library, etc. That being said, I keep a to-do list for each day (which includes appointments, etc) on paper and I still use a paper planner for deadlines and things I know I need to accomplish outside of the daily routine. I tend to remember deadlines better when I actually write it down and, of course, color code it!

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Alyssa

My Erin Condren Life Planner is literally my life. If I don't write it down, I never remember! I tried digital, but I never checked it and always missed things. But with my adorable paper planner, I check it multiple times a day and there is enough space for everything I need. I'll stay old school 🙂

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Nicole Pérez

I was forced to go to digital this semester because of all the appointments, organizations, and things to do. I still have my moleskin (I refuse to compromise), but I recently came across the app Mynd. It connects to your contacts, calendar, and reminders to put it all in one place. I even get weather checks! I've quickly fallen in love. It takes a bit to get used to, but once I realized I could connect phone numbers and addresses when I schedule events I was hooked.

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megan

i will always be loyal to paper, but i use my phone to add things in the moment. if i make plans on the go, i'll put it into my ical, but then add it to my erin condren planner later. i have to keep to-do lists within my planner on sticky notes, but i use the clear app for a running grocery store & target list.

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Rachel Wang

I used to think Evernote was too much to deal with as well, but nowadays I use it for everything! I write down all of my to-do's, I clip news articles and recipes, I jot down notes for easy access, etc. For school, I stay classic and write all my notes down on binder paper and my planner will forever and always be a physical copy.

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Unknown

OMG I love May Books! I use them for everything- paying bills, keeping track of my schedule, jotting down notes. I can't NOT write things down. I am a loyal paper organizer, too! I actually kind of think of my May Book calendar as a mini diary, too. I can keep them each year and look at back at fun things I did, notes I made about various events, parties, recipes… long live paper!

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Mallory Ann

I use my Outlook calendar for my work and professional schedule and MyAgenda for big picture and personal appointments.

badwolfbrunch.blogspot.com

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lydiajoy

I'm all about paper. I try so hard to do a few things on my phone or computer, but I end up giving up on all that. I just don't retain anything by plugging it into devices! Plus, there are so many fun choices for journals, agendas, etc.! How can I pass that up?!

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Mackenzie Mitchell

My mom loves digital so we can all share our calendars and see who has what going on, but I am strictly paper! I like to color code and doodle events in my planner, and I think the act of writing something down not only solidifies it into your brain, but also makes it stand out more when you read it (as opposed to my eyes glazing over when I look at a large chunk of digital text!). Great post… love your blog!

-Mackenzie

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