Why You Might be Tempted to Planner Hop (and how to do it wisely)

A Practical Guide for Taming the Planner Hopping Habit.

Are you constantly seeking planner peace, only to find yourself hopping from one planner to another, never fully satisfied?

You're not alone.

Many women can get caught in the cycle of 'planner hopping'. This often leads to feelings of stress and FOMO.

But what if we could ‘planner hop’ in a way that was more constructive than destructive?

In this article, we’ll explore the reasons behind planner hopping and provide actionable tips to help you make more informed choices, leading to less stress and more peace in your planner journey.

First, Let's Look at Why We Might Be Tempted to Planner Hop.

The list that follows isn't exhaustive, but it might give you a few clues to explore for the reasons behind your planner hopping cravings:

1. Desire for Control: In a chaotic world, having a planner can give us the comfort of control over our life. When our current planner fails to meet this need, we might be tempted to switch to another planner in search of that control.

2. Novelty Seeking: The human brain is wired to seek novelty. Trying out new planners can provide a dopamine rush associated with novelty. This ‘excitement’ factor, in the form of a new planner, can be a mood booster during stressful times.

3. Perfectionism: The quest for the perfect planner can be a reflection of perfectionism. If your current planner isn’t meeting all of your desires for an “ideal planner”, then you’ll probably be tempted to look for a different one that appears to fulfil all your perfectionism desires.

4. Influence of Social Media: Social media platforms such as Instagram showcase a variety of attractive and functional planners, making them great place to get ideas and inspo. But seeing those picture perfect, Instagram worthy images can lead to feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and anxiety. When we compare ourselves to unrealistic standards it often causes us to want to switch planners to achieve the same level perfection.

5. Coping Mechanism: Sometimes, planner hopping can be a coping mechanism for dealing with stress or anxiety. The act of researching, shopping for, and setting up a new planner can provide a sense of calm and order because it serves as a distraction from life's stressors.

The big ones for me are number 2 - novelty seeking, and number 4 social media in the form of YouTube.

But occasionally I have found myself going down a researching rabbit hole, and window shopping online for a new planner as a coping mechanism, using it as a form of escapism from the daily stresses of midlife and being a mum juggling all the things.

The Norfolk is so lovely I could be tempted to go pocket sized as my everyday catch-all!

My current craving to planner hop is due to recently setting up an on-the-go pocket size planner. After getting my hands on a Filofax Norfolk in pocket size, I’m very much tempted to move away from my A5 planner and go pocket as my main event!

Whatever your reason for being in a planner hopping phase, it’s worth reflecting on the root cause. That way you can ask yourself some investigative questions before diving into a whirlwind of research, spending money, and setting-up planners.

Next Up, Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Dive Into a New Planner.

It’s important to take a moment to understand what you truly need from a planner before hopping to a new one.

Is it daily organization, tracking appointments, or goal setting?

Identifying your needs can help you choose a planner that suits you and your current season of life best.

Checklist questions could include:

1. What size will best suit my current lifestyle and needs? Do I need a lot of space or is small, compact and portable a better option for me?

2. Will this planner be an on-the-go solution, or will it be desk based?

3. Is it for work purposes or for managing my home and personal life?

4. Do I need to organise and time block my day using daily inserts, or would a weekly insert give my enough space? Or do I just need a monthly overview where I can quickly see reminders for the important things going on?

5. What other things will I need to plan or track in this planner? Health, house work, fitness, shopping lists, errands, home maintenance, business projects, journaling, etc.

And Finally, Tips to Have a Better Planner Hopping Experience.

1. Setup a ‘Single Point of Truth’: This could be a month at glance or year at a glance perfect bound planner, notebook or inserts in a rings/disks planner.

   Basically, have somewhere to log all the important stuff (birthdays, holidays, days off, appointments, etc.), regardless of whether you’re planner hopping. That way you’ll avoid dropping the ball and missing something crucial.

2. Trial Period: When you buy a new planner to hop into, give it a trial period. Use it for a month or two before deciding if it's the right one for you. This can prevent quick decisions based on first impressions.

   I recommend having criteria against which you'll test the planner, you can use the checklist questions above to give you some ideas on what to test for. That way, at the end of the trial period, you can objectively rate the experience rather than basing your decisions on purely subjective emotions.

3. Limit the Influence of Trends: Trends can be enticing but remember that a planner should cater to your needs, not just be aesthetically pleasing or popular. Don't let social media trends dictate your choice of planner, and consider going on a social media ‘diet’ during your trial period to avoid distractions.

4. Reflect on Your Experience: After using the planner for the trial period, take a moment to reflect on the experience. What worked well for you? What didn't? What could be improved?

   This reflection can guide you in making an informed decision about whether to stick with your current planner, try a new one, or go back to your previous one.

Before You Embark on Planner Hopping

It can be both a journey of discovery and a source of stress. It's important to remember that there's no such thing as a perfect planner, but there is a planner that is perfect for your current situation.

I hope these tips help you navigate your planner hopping journey wisely. The key takeaway is, it's all about making informed choices that will bring you peace and joy in your planning process.

I’m cheering you on Planner Friend
Chloe x