I often give up on planners, but I've finally found a way to use them as a 'notebook' that gives me peace of mind

Well, well, it's a bit late to say this, but could it be that I should just be using a planner as a notebook—I think I might have just realized that!
Wait, am I late to the party? Did you guys already know?

The reason I keep giving up

↑ This was even chosen as a featured article and read by many people!

As I wrote in this article, I would happily choose and buy a planner, only to fail to use it up and give up... I kept repeating the cycle of finishing with it almost completely blank. Last year, I admired the Hobonichi Techo and tried using it, enjoying it while searching for ways to use it. While I thought that was fine,

in the end, I was running away from the fundamental problem (a bit dramatic).

In the first place, the reason I give up on planners... is that
there's no specific use for them!

I don't use one for work, and I don't have a schedule packed full every day.
On the other hand, writing a diary or life goals doesn't last either. Honestly, I can live without writing, and since I haven't written before, the hurdle to making it a habit is high.

That's why I always end up not using the planner up...

I do have things I want to write, vaguely. I want to keep a record of my physical condition. I want to keep a small record of housework. I also want to... try keeping a diary.

And so on.

Trying to use it as a notebook

The other day, I decided to buy a car and visited the dealership several times. There were documents needed for various change procedures, and so I wouldn't forget, I wrote them down as a memo for the time being in the free space at the back of my small planner. At home, I mostly use my smartphone for memos, but I thought it might be rude to use it in front of people.

And after that, I kept writing things I needed to decide or phone calls I made in the back.

And then... you know.
I realized that it makes me feel very secure that everything is written here in the planner.

In the past, I would have scribbled things on the back of documents I got at the car dealership and then said, "Where did I put that?"

But everything is written here. I just need to look here.

I am forgetful. Even after making a reservation call, after hanging up, I'd be like, "Wait, was it 10 o'clock? Or 11?" Or, "Did I talk to that person about that, or was it a dream? (lol)" I get anxious about whether I said the numbers correctly even when I talked on the phone.

Even so, if it's written in the planner, I can think, "No, I spoke while looking at this, so I definitely conveyed the correct numbers."

It's incredibly reassuring, and it gives me peace of mind, so to speak. I want to ask myself, why haven't I been doing this until now? Even though I'm forgetful lol

Somewhere along the line, I was overconfident in my memory, and in the end, I was anxious about whether I was okay and spent every day feeling restless. That's not good.

I should just take notes...
And to think it even comes with a calendar, planners are amazing! Super convenient!! lol

No... I'm sure there are many people who are already doing that, but for me, "memo" wasn't really included in my uses for a planner, so could it be that this way of using it is also an option? I realized this so late and got excited lol

I can see what kind of planner is good

So I realized that I should buy a planner with plenty of space for notes and a high degree of freedom, and I understood how to choose one. (← Isn't this important? Or rather, isn't this what a 'planner meeting' is?)

It feels like, 'You wrote an article about Hobonichi like this and you still haven't bought one!', but I haven't. I was already confused.
But I feel like I can finally choose.

It finally feels like I'm having a planner meeting. Personally, it's a big discovery. I'm happy about things like this.

It was the most meaningful planner meeting of 2025 ever!!