Why I Use Both Paper and Digital Planners (And How It Actually Helps Me Stay Organized)
When it comes to planning my days, weeks, and life in general—I don’t choose between paper or digital. I use both. And honestly? It’s one of the best decisions I’ve made to stay organized without overcomplicating things.
If you’re someone who’s tried planner after planner, app after app, and still feel like something’s missing—this might be the missing piece. You don’t have to pick one. You can create a hybrid system that actually works for your life.
Here’s why I use both paper and digital planners—and how the combo helps me stay flexible, functional, and a little more on top of everything I’m juggling.
1. Flexibility for Whatever Season I’m In
Some weeks, I crave structure. Other weeks, I just need a place to brain-dump the chaos. Using both digital and paper planners gives me the flexibility to lean into whatever planning style feels best in the moment.
Paper gives me space to slow down, unplug, and write things out with intention. Digital gives me speed, structure, and the ability to edit quickly when plans change (because they always do).
I don’t need to commit to one planner that works for every season of life—I can shift between tools depending on my mood, my schedule, or my capacity.
2. Each One Serves a Different Purpose
For me, paper and digital planners aren’t competing—they’re complementary. I use my digital planner for appointments, syncing family events, recurring reminders, and anything time-bound.
Then I turn to paper when I need to think through my week, map out priorities, or break down big tasks or projects (I’m a newish Product Manager, by the way). My paper planner is where the clarity happens. It’s tactile, focused, and doesn’t come with endless notifications or distractions.
3. I’m Less Likely to Forget Something
You’d think using two (sometimes more!) planners would make things more complicated—but in my experience, it actually helps prevent dropped balls.
Here’s why: writing down the same event or reminder in multiple places reinforces it. If it’s in my calendar, on my daily sticky note, and written in my planner, I’m waaay more likely to remember it.
It’s like giving my brain a few friendly nudges—without the overwhelm.
4. I Get the Best of Both Worlds: Creative + Functional
Paper planning is where I get creative. I can doodle, decorate, color-code, and play with layout. It’s calming, satisfying, and gives me a chance to make planning feel fun.
Digital planning is where I get things done. It’s searchable, shareable, and efficient—especially when I’m on the go or working on my phone or iPad.
Having both options lets me toggle between creativity and functionality, depending on what I need most in any given season.
5. Planning Becomes a Ritual, Not a Chore
Using both types of planners has helped me turn planning into something I actually look forward to. I can grab a drink and sit with my paper planner when I want a cozy Sunday reset. Or I can quickly tap a few things into my phone while I’m breastfeeding. Or jot down my to-dos in Goodnotes while my toddler eats breakfast.
The process becomes more about support and less about perfection.
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Pick One
If you’ve ever felt like a “failed planner” because one method didn’t work, this is your permission slip to try both. It’s okay to use a digital planner, digital calendar and a paper planner. It’s okay to decorate some weeks and go minimal the next. It’s okay to need both clarity and flexibility.
That’s why I created tools like The Imperfect Weekly Planner and The Imperfect Catch-All—to support whatever kind of week you’re having.
Planning doesn’t have to be perfect to be helpful. It just has to feel like something you’ll actually use.
