I'm a night shift nurse with an extremely variable 12-hour shift schedule and I'm finishing my bachelor's degree online part-time. I may work three days in a row one week, and every other day the next week. I pick up overtime usually 6-8 hours a week. I sleep from about 8 AM to 3 PM on work days and on days off I will often sleep from 2 AM to 10 AM in an effort to get more done during the day. I plan my "adulting" like appointments for either immediately after work or late in the evening. Homework gets done during the evening when I'm most awake. Occasionally I go in early to work for mandatory training/continuing education. 3-4 times per year I'm working for my state's medical team, traveling and receive a complete agenda for that work trip. The ONLY consistent appointment that I have is my therapy, which is always Tuesdays at 2 PM.
Because of the absolutely massive level of variability in my time, I found paper planners extremely frustrating and use my calendar app, transferring dates as soon as they're released. I show up on time consistently, my grades are very good, and my household chores get done (I live alone). Is this enough of a schedule, and could a paper planner really help?
That's rough. I think in this situation, I might break my time down into types of days, and then structure those days consistently even if the days aren't the same back to back.
Similar- day job in medicine, shifts vary week to week and also I can be called with usually about 12 hours' notice to come in early the next morning for a special type of appointment (get paid well though); also work as a musician (gigs can be any time and more at certain times of year than others). And then 3rd job is whenever i have time (including during downtime of "day job")
I've found it hard and the closest I've gotten is actually using chatGPT and then linking up the things others need to know about in a shared gcal. BUT I am finding that there is just, too much to do and finally understanding why I am overwhelmed once I had chatGPT actually make a schedule of what I need to do. So now it's just as much about taking things out of the schedule as having a schedule.
I also decided for fitness this year instead of doing x on y day, which sets me up for failure since my schedule is always changing, I don't know if I'll be exhausted by work or gig the night before, or called to work last minute and I can't make it, whatever- I give myself a menu. Like: you can do these things (weights, cardio, pilates class, yoga class, hiking)- check off 5 during the week. Or whatever. That way it's both flexible but has structure. I'm trying a similar thing now with my music practicing and feel it's working better.
I loved this guide, thank you Zawn! I have been looking at the Agendio website since you last mentioned them. I find it so daunting but I have learned that when I get daunted like this, I just spend 5-10 mins at a time looking and then eventually it's less daunting and I can actually spend time working out what I want.
I love the idea of a ring binder with loose pages and customisable inserts.
I am Autistic and have ADHD so planning is essential. I have had my own systems for years as planning and budgeting are special interests but using the inserts and binder will be much less work (and much more organised) than the systems I have been using.
If I thought I couldn't love Zawn's writing any more than I already did, I was wrong. The idea of you bringing down the patriarchy with stickers delights me.
You described a dynamic I've struggled with my whole life - I love planners and planning but I rebel against following the plans I make! I recently discovered a daily/weekly/monthly printable planner from ADHD Future that has worked better for me, although I have to remember to print the pages.
I also didn't think about the size being an issue; I have been using 8x11 which is simply to big to carry around. I'm inspired to look into A5 size and get more stickers and gel pens!!
As someone who is also neurodivergent, I find that my mental health severely declines in the periods I’m not using my planner. It’s more than just schedules and appointments. During my planning sessions it’s as if I’ve entered a timeless space, one that I don’t have to feel guilty about staying in. I also find it challenges me in a lot of ways, such as actually using stickers rather than saving them all due to anxiety.
As for questions, I have quite a few. What binders do you like and recommend? Do you carry your TN and/or planner with you all the time? If so, what do you use to carry them in, especially when out with children? How do you organize your single sheets of stickers? Any tips on increasing daily planner usage when struggling with object permanence?
I'm AuDHD. I absolutely hate schedules, I have much more luck with routines. Some people might think they are the same thing, but for me, the difference is that a schedule is tied to the clock and routines are tied to tasks. Also, I have a fair amount of trauma surrounding the word "schedule", and sometimes just using a different word can make this stuff easier.
I'm pretty happy with my normal day plan. I'm pretty much stuck doing the job of 3 people, so I never actually get anything finished. But on the good days at least, I think I manage pretty well considering. I found that working with my natural rhythms and inclinations, whenever possible, goes much better than trying to copy someone else's plan. I have a ton of energy in the morning, none in the evening, and I plan around that as much as possible. I also double (or triple) how long I think things should take, but I also double up the times too. So I want my bathrooms cleaned twice a week, so I plan to do it every day. Then when I miss a day, it's not a big deal. I plan monthly tasks for every other week, etc. But at the end of the day (week, month), the fact that I just do not have enough hours to get everything done, is still hard. I'm really bad at planning breaks in because I perpetually think that if I just work a bit longer I can get it all done. I can't, and then I crash and get nothing done, and then I recalibrate, again.
And, for actually keeping track of stuff, I actually have a waterproof notebook. Because life at my house is way more chaotic (and wet) than it seems to be for most people. I also have a bare basics list as a note on my phone for quick reference.
Thank you for this guide! I have difficulty setting boundaries on my time (it’s interesting how this post overlaps with your writing on feminism) so scheduling my day hour by hour might help. I’d love to see photos of a typical page in your planner and how you’ve decorated it. It’s hard to picture in my head.
I love this! I feel so seen... "I know you hate schedules but you need a schedule so SIT THE F DOWN." 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣 Have you been spying on me!?
Unfortunately my ADHD ass needs an electronic planner because I leave stuff where I won't be able to use it, and my Google calendar is with me in my phone. I do like the Five Minute Journal book though. Simple, easy, let's me set three goals for the day and tell myself something nice and stop to show gratitude.
So I KNOW I need a routine. How the heck do you make one? After losing my mom (and being her sole caretaker for a few years), I was hit hard with grief and burn out. It doesn't help that my dad is also sick, I'm an only child and only have my husband to help with my family (THANK GOD HE IS SO GOOD TO ME), and I teach little kids. Frankly... I have compassion fatigue at times.
What do you do to create the routine when you're trying to get your butt in gear?
As an ADHDer, I sometimes have an all or nothing mentality. Well... I can't go from being 80 pounds heavier than I feel good/comfy/healthy being, petrified of being burned out again, and exhausted to exercising, healthier, more energetic overnight. I'm not a human mom, but I am a dog and guinea pig mom with a fish tank and plants. I care for stuff, though those things are also my hobby/happy place. Would love ideas on baby steps to make it happen and creating many routines over time.
Thank you for this. Being out of work, I find it extremely difficult to use my planner and/or plan. But I also find myself just fumbling around through life. I was going to respond to your call for graphic designers, but because I’m so disorganized, was terrified to fuck it up because I can’t manage time. I purchased a beautiful planner some time back that I just haul around, looking at. I want to use it so badly, but do not know where to start anymore.
I have found that since moving out of my home, I feel this overwhelming oppression having been lifted off of me. One that I didn’t realize was there. So I am already doing so much better in terms of self care and not actively working on destroying myself.
This whole concept is amazing. What binder do you love best @zawn? I’m sure you’ve looked at a bunch of them and figured this out. I’m ready to graduate from all my yellow pads of (boring) paper and planners that I don’t end up using because I can’t add or take out pages. This is the post I didn’t know I needed. ❤️❤️
I'm a night shift nurse with an extremely variable 12-hour shift schedule and I'm finishing my bachelor's degree online part-time. I may work three days in a row one week, and every other day the next week. I pick up overtime usually 6-8 hours a week. I sleep from about 8 AM to 3 PM on work days and on days off I will often sleep from 2 AM to 10 AM in an effort to get more done during the day. I plan my "adulting" like appointments for either immediately after work or late in the evening. Homework gets done during the evening when I'm most awake. Occasionally I go in early to work for mandatory training/continuing education. 3-4 times per year I'm working for my state's medical team, traveling and receive a complete agenda for that work trip. The ONLY consistent appointment that I have is my therapy, which is always Tuesdays at 2 PM.
Because of the absolutely massive level of variability in my time, I found paper planners extremely frustrating and use my calendar app, transferring dates as soon as they're released. I show up on time consistently, my grades are very good, and my household chores get done (I live alone). Is this enough of a schedule, and could a paper planner really help?
That's rough. I think in this situation, I might break my time down into types of days, and then structure those days consistently even if the days aren't the same back to back.
Similar- day job in medicine, shifts vary week to week and also I can be called with usually about 12 hours' notice to come in early the next morning for a special type of appointment (get paid well though); also work as a musician (gigs can be any time and more at certain times of year than others). And then 3rd job is whenever i have time (including during downtime of "day job")
I've found it hard and the closest I've gotten is actually using chatGPT and then linking up the things others need to know about in a shared gcal. BUT I am finding that there is just, too much to do and finally understanding why I am overwhelmed once I had chatGPT actually make a schedule of what I need to do. So now it's just as much about taking things out of the schedule as having a schedule.
I also decided for fitness this year instead of doing x on y day, which sets me up for failure since my schedule is always changing, I don't know if I'll be exhausted by work or gig the night before, or called to work last minute and I can't make it, whatever- I give myself a menu. Like: you can do these things (weights, cardio, pilates class, yoga class, hiking)- check off 5 during the week. Or whatever. That way it's both flexible but has structure. I'm trying a similar thing now with my music practicing and feel it's working better.
FWIW!!
I loved this guide, thank you Zawn! I have been looking at the Agendio website since you last mentioned them. I find it so daunting but I have learned that when I get daunted like this, I just spend 5-10 mins at a time looking and then eventually it's less daunting and I can actually spend time working out what I want.
I love the idea of a ring binder with loose pages and customisable inserts.
I am Autistic and have ADHD so planning is essential. I have had my own systems for years as planning and budgeting are special interests but using the inserts and binder will be much less work (and much more organised) than the systems I have been using.
If I thought I couldn't love Zawn's writing any more than I already did, I was wrong. The idea of you bringing down the patriarchy with stickers delights me.
You described a dynamic I've struggled with my whole life - I love planners and planning but I rebel against following the plans I make! I recently discovered a daily/weekly/monthly printable planner from ADHD Future that has worked better for me, although I have to remember to print the pages.
I also didn't think about the size being an issue; I have been using 8x11 which is simply to big to carry around. I'm inspired to look into A5 size and get more stickers and gel pens!!
As someone who is also neurodivergent, I find that my mental health severely declines in the periods I’m not using my planner. It’s more than just schedules and appointments. During my planning sessions it’s as if I’ve entered a timeless space, one that I don’t have to feel guilty about staying in. I also find it challenges me in a lot of ways, such as actually using stickers rather than saving them all due to anxiety.
As for questions, I have quite a few. What binders do you like and recommend? Do you carry your TN and/or planner with you all the time? If so, what do you use to carry them in, especially when out with children? How do you organize your single sheets of stickers? Any tips on increasing daily planner usage when struggling with object permanence?
I'm AuDHD. I absolutely hate schedules, I have much more luck with routines. Some people might think they are the same thing, but for me, the difference is that a schedule is tied to the clock and routines are tied to tasks. Also, I have a fair amount of trauma surrounding the word "schedule", and sometimes just using a different word can make this stuff easier.
I'm pretty happy with my normal day plan. I'm pretty much stuck doing the job of 3 people, so I never actually get anything finished. But on the good days at least, I think I manage pretty well considering. I found that working with my natural rhythms and inclinations, whenever possible, goes much better than trying to copy someone else's plan. I have a ton of energy in the morning, none in the evening, and I plan around that as much as possible. I also double (or triple) how long I think things should take, but I also double up the times too. So I want my bathrooms cleaned twice a week, so I plan to do it every day. Then when I miss a day, it's not a big deal. I plan monthly tasks for every other week, etc. But at the end of the day (week, month), the fact that I just do not have enough hours to get everything done, is still hard. I'm really bad at planning breaks in because I perpetually think that if I just work a bit longer I can get it all done. I can't, and then I crash and get nothing done, and then I recalibrate, again.
And, for actually keeping track of stuff, I actually have a waterproof notebook. Because life at my house is way more chaotic (and wet) than it seems to be for most people. I also have a bare basics list as a note on my phone for quick reference.
Thank you for this guide! I have difficulty setting boundaries on my time (it’s interesting how this post overlaps with your writing on feminism) so scheduling my day hour by hour might help. I’d love to see photos of a typical page in your planner and how you’ve decorated it. It’s hard to picture in my head.
I love this! I feel so seen... "I know you hate schedules but you need a schedule so SIT THE F DOWN." 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣 Have you been spying on me!?
Unfortunately my ADHD ass needs an electronic planner because I leave stuff where I won't be able to use it, and my Google calendar is with me in my phone. I do like the Five Minute Journal book though. Simple, easy, let's me set three goals for the day and tell myself something nice and stop to show gratitude.
So I KNOW I need a routine. How the heck do you make one? After losing my mom (and being her sole caretaker for a few years), I was hit hard with grief and burn out. It doesn't help that my dad is also sick, I'm an only child and only have my husband to help with my family (THANK GOD HE IS SO GOOD TO ME), and I teach little kids. Frankly... I have compassion fatigue at times.
What do you do to create the routine when you're trying to get your butt in gear?
As an ADHDer, I sometimes have an all or nothing mentality. Well... I can't go from being 80 pounds heavier than I feel good/comfy/healthy being, petrified of being burned out again, and exhausted to exercising, healthier, more energetic overnight. I'm not a human mom, but I am a dog and guinea pig mom with a fish tank and plants. I care for stuff, though those things are also my hobby/happy place. Would love ideas on baby steps to make it happen and creating many routines over time.
Thank you for this. Being out of work, I find it extremely difficult to use my planner and/or plan. But I also find myself just fumbling around through life. I was going to respond to your call for graphic designers, but because I’m so disorganized, was terrified to fuck it up because I can’t manage time. I purchased a beautiful planner some time back that I just haul around, looking at. I want to use it so badly, but do not know where to start anymore.
I have found that since moving out of my home, I feel this overwhelming oppression having been lifted off of me. One that I didn’t realize was there. So I am already doing so much better in terms of self care and not actively working on destroying myself.
Anyway, thanks for the post.
This whole concept is amazing. What binder do you love best @zawn? I’m sure you’ve looked at a bunch of them and figured this out. I’m ready to graduate from all my yellow pads of (boring) paper and planners that I don’t end up using because I can’t add or take out pages. This is the post I didn’t know I needed. ❤️❤️