Smartphones have brought more technology to our fingertips than we ever imagined. But more is not always better! As a society, we're increasingly reliant on our phones and devices – and we're quite literally staring into them for what adds up to be hours each day. We often hear about the common desire to cut back, escape, and disconnect.
While there are many strategies for spending less time on your phone, relying on a planner is at the top of our list! Join us below to discover how paper planning helps you detox from technology.
1. Allows you to detach from your devices
When you commit to a planner, you're not only choosing paper over technology – but you're also recognizing the importance of tech-free time versus constantly staying connected to the digital world. It's simple: By using a planner, you'll spend less time on your phone. Who's ready for that?! We sure are.
2. Helps you stay present
Tech-free time, in general, allows you to focus more on the joys of everyday life. It's a known fact that our devices are distracting. Perhaps you grab your phone to check what's next on your calendar – and next thing you know you've spent 30 minutes checking email, scrolling social media, shopping for a deal, catching up on the latest headlines, texting a friend, handling a work task, and more. Now imagine reaching for your planner instead! It's a way of staying more present in your life – and enjoying it too.
3. Promotes living with intention
When you spend time with your planner, you're able to better visualize your time and map out how you'll spend each month, week, day, and even hour. By writing down what you want to prioritize and when you want to do it, you're making strides toward living more intentionally. Plus, research shows that you will be more likely to remember your plans!
4. Helps you reach your goals
"Writing things down doesn't just help you remember, it makes your mind more efficient by helping you focus on the truly important stuff," according to a Forbes article that explains the neuroscience behind writing down goals. Plus, more tech-free time means less wasted time – which, in turn, brings you closer to achieving your goals!
5. Enables you to disconnect before bed
Relying on a paper planner allows you to turn your phone off or leave it in another room earlier in the evening. If you need to check tomorrow's schedule in the last hour before bed, you'll simply open your planner without getting that detrimental dose of blue light and those hard-to-resist distractions. The Flagship Daily Planner by Day Designer even has a prompt for recording your daily gratitude, which is a positive habit to get into each evening.
6. Encourages tech-free time to start your day
If you've been around for a while, you know that one of our favorite tips here at Day Designer is to touch your planner before you touch your phone. The moment you check all of the texts, emails, and notifications that your phone is bound to bring, your mind will be distracted. Instead, start your morning with some quiet time during which you can spend a few minutes with your planner to design the day you'd most like to have!
7. Engages you with your loved ones
When you close your laptop and set your phone aside, you'll find that you're more engaged with those around you. When you open your planner, your family and friends can see what you're working on rather than assuming you're spending unnecessary time, once again, on your phone. Plus, when they find you with your nose buried in your planner, you're modeling the importance of planning a well-designed life – one that includes plenty of time for the very people who matter most!
Ready to say yes to paper planning and reduce the amount of time you spend on your phone? Shop our Flagship Planner Collection today.