Planning As Procrastination (I'm Calling Myself OUT)

[@inkythinky]

I originally started decorative planning as a way to solve multiple problems in my life, including procrastination. The main problem I was dealing with was depression. I hadn't used a planner (other than solely at work) for over a decade. The actual laying down of the stickers feels therapeutic in some way. In the beginning, I was one of those people who literally had to write down things like "shower" and "make lunch" in order to relearn how to take care of myself and having those things to check off starts to build back some self esteem and trust in yourself. I have never been as talented in visual art as I want to be, so stickers were a way to have a pretty final product that I felt like I had some hand in producing. It also was a soothing way to begin the week, and an effortless way to memory keep at a time when I was too depressed to journal. The stickers cost money, so once they were down in my planner, my incentive to get the things done that I said I was going to do was actually so I wouldn't waste the stickers/money! I no longer plan in an Erin Condren or use a full kit of stickers for a week because of the expense. I mostly bullet journal for planning and long form diary keep in a Hobonichi. But I still have a lot of leftover stickers from those days and I use the same trick on myself -- if something is hard for me to do, or I find myself migrating it over and over, I use a "valuable" sticker to mark it down and then I do it so I don't feel like I have wasted my precious sticker. This sounds crazy to type, but I know that if there is somewhere that will understand, this community is it! I have been a procrastinator since childhood, and my parents called me lazy. It wasn't until the past couple of years when I started to read the research like the article you quoted in this video that I realized my procrastination stems from crippling anxiety. Learning to tackle the anxiety, or at least knowing that it is something I have to learn to tackle, at least helps alleviate the feeling bad about yourself component that can subconsciously snowball the procrastination. Oof, we people are just so complicated, aren't we?

[@hindenburg2006]

* socially distanced internet hug with your consent *

[@sun_buddy]

the sticker logic makes complete sense. i do this too

[@amaranthaamaris5811]

I am one of those people who barely has anything to do all day since I'm disabled and unable to do a lot often. And decorative planning gives me a distraction and makes me feel less depressed when I have like two small things that I did that day (or nothing at all but binge watch something) since I can use pretty stickers to mark those things. It also gives me a mini creative outlet each and every day which helps me to keep my sanity in an okay state.

[@kriswindley4579]

Yuuuup! Love this. I have ADHD, so my executive disfunction makes following through on plans - or keeping track of them - really hard. I use the decorative aspect of my planning to insert novelty into my routines, so that my brain can attach itself to checking in and doing things. It's REAL hard to not go from appropriate focus to hyperfocus though, and that's when hours disappear without me realizing it - so the struggle is real.

[@gnomie2.0]

Kris Windley this is all relatable 😊

[@whitemageFFXI]

I remember seeing a Ted Talk about procrastination and the "Panic Monster" who shows up when deadlines approach and forces you to do the thing that you've been putting off. But the danger is that if a project has no deadline, the panic monster never shows up, and the thing never gets done. To fight procrastination, I've been giving the upcoming week a "theme". I think the Procrastinators Planner you reviewed called it the "burning task". I tell myself that I must muster the courage to make progress on this one task this week, and it generally does bait the panic monster to peek his head out towards the end of the week, because I've made myself a deadline. It's never baited panic entirely, but it does start to make not doing the task feel worse than doing it.

[@CindyGuentertBaldo]

I love this!

[@selah5792]

Its the Wait But Why guy!! I LOVE his post on procrastination!!!!

[@evercavender9337]

"plannering" is like the force... not inherently good or bad, just depends how you use it. We must find the balance in the force 😅 #DoubleNerdMoments

[@CindyGuentertBaldo]

AMAZING

[@gabbygateway]

Ever Cavender this is the perfect statement! 🤗

[@Rivercat0338]

I think a lot of us in the planner community get into the hobby because we are dealing with some kind of anxiety or a situation that produces anxiety and planning is a way to try to get a handle on feeling out of control. It makes total sense then that anxious people would also be procrastinators--I'm a poster child! Recognizing the source of my procrastination hasn't necessarily been very helpful, but I use techniques like the Pomodoro method and breaking things down into tiny, manageable tasks to soldier through, especially with work projects I'm dreading.

[@CindyGuentertBaldo]

that sounds really accurate. there is a fine line between helping and hindering it seems

[@ThePaperbackFairy]

"GD it's hard being beautiful!" I know that curly girl life 😂 This is such an important thing to think about and I've been recently thinking about it myself. Creative planning makes me happy and it relieves my anxiety, but I get my priority takes done with first before I make time for my major bullet journal set up. This way I enjoy it more because I don't feel guilty for my use of time! Thank for making this video Cindy!

[@CindyGuentertBaldo]

That's a great way to look at it!

[@kated89141]

Procrastinators unite.... tomorrow

[@mariafernandahanje5792]

Planning is mainly to figure out the week, to have a visual about what is happening and then decorating to make it seem less lame. Like a cute laundry sticker. Loving your curly hair Cindy.

[@patchnplan1182]

Oh so very true! I'm also a patchwork and quilter and believe me fabric is another addiction!! I can't walk past a fabric store without popping in!! I spend sew much time planning new quilts I struggle to finish what I'm working on.... I don't even want to think about how much money has gone into fabric and planners and let's not even start on embroidery threads... an addictive personality is a great prop for procrastination!

[@LAvery329]

Chasing that perfect layout and looking for inspiration on social media used to fill hours upon hours for me. All before I’d added any plans or to do list to my planner yet. When what I was doing was procrastinating on something else and not planning my life. When I realized this, I had to separate the creative outlet from planning. I keep a creative journal that addresses my need for creativity. That is planned creative time, not just me running away from other things I should be doing. My planning is for organization and productivity and stays pretty minimal. I put down a few stickers but it’s secondary to the plans.

[@carimccormack9931]

I plan as a way of documenting my life.. journaling my days... the decorating is the release and artistic expression of myself at that moment in time💖

[@nats6190]

I think even purely functional planning can cause procrastination. I've always planned to ease my anxiety, but find myself constantly ruminating over my monthlies/weeklies/dailies out of fear something will slip between the cracks! I finally had to switch to a simple monthly planner because my previous style of planning was overly comprehensive and I spent way too much time doing it. Simplifying been a game changer, and less is more for me. "Planning rather than doing"... yep, that hits hard.

[@dianeandbrad529]

I definitely started to notice a pattern that when I was feeling anxious or procrastinating, I would reallly get all into time management and planner stuff... trying new apps, spending so much time watching planner reviews or looking on websites, trying new templates in notebooks --- I don't know if it was a legit attempt at figuring out how to somehow magically cram in the way too many things I had going on at the time into 24 hours? or if it was totally procrastination 😂😂but I have noticed that since I got my chronic pain condition and I'm no longer on the "do more be more" train athe moment, those tendencies have gone wayyyuu down. It's been really interesting.

[@nenelady7049]

I started decorative planning 3 years after a difficult divorce. I was having trouble managing bills, household tasks, appointments , etc. It saved my sanity! I look forward to it so much and it alleviated a lot of my anxiety.

[@alaskancat]

Yeah, so I need to save this and listen to this video every morning. Maybe as a method of procrastination (because goodness knows I have a long list of to do's), but mostly for that last piece about being nice to myself. A method of procrastination for me is to sit and be mean to myself (in my head) about what a loser I am because of not just getting up and doing th things. It's a vicious, vicious cycle of self-terrorizing. Thanks for this video - definitely one of your best my Dude. :)

[@CindyGuentertBaldo]

Dude, there was one day RJ and I were arguing about him doing his math homework. We argued for THREE FUCKING HOURS, then it literally took him 15 minutes to do the homework. He had this look on his face like "holy shit if only I had just DONE THE THING". Same idea my dude

[@Blue666LV]

Thank you so much for this video! I'm currently earning my PhD in Forensic Psychology while working a full-time job; I also have a cognitive disorder that is highly correlated with procrastination. Decorative planning is one of my creative outlets; I keep it very functional as it is HIGHLY necessary ... but it also contributes to my procrastination :( Colloquially put: the struggle is real - LOL. I absolutely love your videos and find your perspective and personality so refreshing - thank you for being you and sharing all that you do! :)

[@PlanningAnnie]

Cindy...you are killing those curls. As a curly girl myself, I loooooooooove that you are rockin' that "easy, breezy" curl look! (Even though we know it is NOT easy) Anywho...procratination is an emotional response...🤯🤯🤯🤯! Yep, needed that bit of wisdom in my life!

[@marycnhatch4934]

I plan to remember...I'm damn forgetful and I need my plans to help with remembering. I got into the habit while in college (in my 50's). I needed a place to plot assignment due dates, there's nothing like forgetting a 10 pages essay due date, and writing it through the night before it's due. I did that once, never again! (I got a 'B") Now, I still plan for my home, my family, my memory, and for my political activism. I plan for holidays: cleaning, menu, cards, and gifts tracking. I plan to relieve boredom, depression, and for pleasure. This year one of my goals is to use up all my stickers, washi, and old spare journals. I want to go minimalistic with planning, to rely upon my own creative drawing for borders, stickers, etc. But, to do this, I need to use up my stock of supplies. Plus, it's saving money that can be best used elsewhere: bills, charity, and such.

[@CindyGuentertBaldo]

I am SO forgetful! In college I would literally write down everything the professor said so I could deal with it later.

[@PEN-jx9kc]

I needed this video today so thank you :) I had a day off to study, and worked in my powersheets instead. I told myself I need to finish those because I need a plan before I can tackle my studies. Then I needed to clean, because I can't sit at a dirty kitchen table with my planner supplies. Etc. etc. In the end I decided to tackle the powersheets only with a pen, and I did so much work I'm proud of. But I still haven't studied nor finished the powersheets prep. I'm choosing grace for my actions today and I'm trying to relax and enjoy my evening and start over again tomorrow after work. I actually started my decorative planning hobby (in 2015) because I wanted less procrastination in my life. It had the exact opposite effect for me, even though I enjoy it very much. Trying to change that in 2020!

[@Rivercat0338]

I have the cleanest apartment in the land when there's a work project I don't wanna do lol!

[@CindyGuentertBaldo]

it's like a series of dominos!

[@lauemiands]

I plan because if I don't I will double book myself with students, miss appointments and never get anything done. I procrastinate when things aren't easy or fun and because I know this I make those things go first. Sometimes those first things on the list are left til the end of the day or I stop doing things I love to push myself to do important things. My word of the year is balance. Balancing out what I like to do and what I need to do.. like it or not. Once I complete a task I procrastinated over I feel so much better and so I have been remembering that feeling as encouragement to finish things up.

[@SoFarmish]

Binge watching your videos and this one is ME! I plan and tell myself that I'm accomplishing things! My creativity is being stalled because I have to be "productive" first to earn creative time.

[@MusiCrazyEsperanza]

Super procrastinator-what I've learned from others and myself is to break big stuff down into tiny tasks to do. Time myself with 5 or 15 or 25 minute timers for focus on the task. Then a 5 to 15 minute break. Also, I keep a visual reminder up so that I know what I want to do and am reminded by a visual cue every day. E.g. a white board with my goals

[@stephanieweeks3489]

I am so glad you're on the CG method. I've been on it for a little over a year now and my hair just naturallly curls SO much better than it used to... also my curls are a lot tighter/spiraly than I have ever seen them. You are definitely glowing with them curls, so glad you stopped straightening it for awhile.

[@zellavandervort202]

First, let me say that I love your videos. Please keep them coming. I started planning over 30 years ago with Franklin Quest. It was (and still is) a way for me to handle my anxiety and ADD. At that time there was no "decorative planning". When I discovered washi and stickers a few years ago, I enjoyed adding them to my pages but, kept plenty of space for actually planning. Eventually, it just became a "chore" for me. Now, I'm downsizing and have pretty much done away with anything decorative in my planner. I'm back to purely functional planning. I've passed a lot of my stickers and washi on to others who enjoy that kind of stuff. I kept a few things and I use them in my journal.

[@Dija378]

For me decorative planning (mainly happy planning) is to help me be focused and consistent with planning. Since adulthood, I would start a planner and never keep up with it. I recalled my most productive time (senior year of high school) and having a planner with stickers and being consistent with it. It helped me to achieve goals of all being a senior encompassed (I.e., class president and organizing senior class trip, college and scholarships, etc.). I’m a functional planner and not creative artistic wise. It actually improves my procrastination and is a self care mechanism for me. I will monitor whether it develops into less focus, but I’m more focused than I’ve been in awhile with decorative planning.

[@MusiCrazyEsperanza]

This is a great way to question yourself and give yourself feedback. I liked these prompts and Q&As

[@IzahH17]

Thanks for this. It really is about how you choose to spend your time. Decorating isn’t functional but it can be a calming hobby. At the same time we plan so we can be more productive and achieve our goals. It ican be a double edged sword.

[@carolsailer1395]

If they would give out an award for the best procrastinator I would win!!! I can avoid things so easily...a lot of times I feel like the project would take sooo long & just don’t want to start it... I even get anxiety over things...I struggle with procrastination almost everyday... I’m working on it...one of my goals... My area where I plan in my planner, pay bills, is always a disaster...I keep hoping to get it cleaned & keep it cleaned...but it doesn’t happen...I don’t put things away...it feels sooo daunting!!! It gets sooo messy...that it takes hours to go through because I also do a delay decision n paper...whelp!!!!

[@CraftyKarin]

I actually procrastinate on planning at the moment. I started a (bullet) journal on November 1. It’s main use was just a journal - 1 page a day to write to myself. It’s the first time I’ve kept any kind of journal for that long and it’s been super helpful. I did add some of the bullet journal pages, like a month spread, trackers, ... in the beginning. But as time went by I dropped more and more of those. I procrastinated on those month spreads. I wanted something pretty, I struggled picking themes. I procrastinate on creativity because I’m afraid of it not being good enough. I’m finally finding my way out of that through things like a daily drawing challenge. But my main issue is that thing of choice. Whenever I have a free day or afternoon I have so many things in my head I’d like to do, almost all creative, but I can’t seem to decide what to do and at the end of the day I’ve done very little. So I decided that I’ll start a separate bullet journal from February 1 which I can use to work out what I’m going to do with my free time. I’ve got my other stuff mostly set, I use a todo app for things I need to remember and my routine is pretty well worked out, so I don’t have much use for trackers either. It’s the irregular things I need a solution for, which is where this BuJo comes in. So I picked a notebook (yes that took some time too!), ordered it and it came in Monday, but now I’m procrastinating on setting it up. I don’t want to make it too fancy because if it takes up too much time I won’t keep it up and it defeats the purpose. But I also want it to look nice. Neat at least. My previous bullet journal started off nice and pretty and descended into a notebook I would scribble anything in, in crappy handwriting. It got so ugly it made me sad. So I like it to look nice. Doesn’t have to be super decorated, but at least have a decent structure (and make an effort in my handwriting, let’s call it intentional writing). But I’m having trouble deciding how to set it up. I can procrastinate on that really well by looking up all kinds of ‘inspiration’ but in the end I have to hunker down and brainstorm with myself to figure out what I need out of this thing, what I don’t need, and figure out how to fit that in in a way that will be satisfying but not too time consuming.

[@whitemageFFXI]

Congratulations on finishing your Skillshare class!

[@CindyGuentertBaldo]

thank you! It's NOT LIKE I PROCRASTINATED ON IT. sigh hahahahahahaha

[@deborahshenk3748]

Thank you for being so real. I have been dabbling with Happy Planner (luckily I do not have a lot of their stuff) but just the small amount I have makes me crazy. I go back and forth with this calendar and then that one and then use this and then use that. I do not stay consistent and then feel like I am just a freak. I feel like everyone else must be so organized and capable franken planning and actually using their planners. Thank you for helping me feel a little more normal. I am not sure we "need" all this stuff and if I just stuck to basics, I may actually DO and not procrastinate. I was just telling my husband about the craziness of planner videos and decluttering on youtube. I now understand my slight addiction. I so appreciate your time!!

[@Worldtinkerer]

You know, I've never really considered the emotional causes for procrastination before. I don't think I really use my planner to procrastinate but I definitely do it in other ways! So thanks for this video, it's given me some good stuff to think about!

[@Felicia_Plans]

This video was so good! 🤩 Last year I was new to the planning community and used decorative planning as a hobby later it became a coping mechanism for depression and I was using 8 planners. I had a lot death and illness in the family in 2019. By December I was so burned out. I was so tired emotionally . I got rid of some planners and I chose to decorate 2-3 weeks at time. This way I still get my hobby fix and then time to focus on real self care. So far I’ve seen a huge difference in my mood for January. I’m less anxious and rested.

[@justinewhite-hadley3138]

Queen of procrastinating here too! Things always seem to take longer then I first think-99% of the time. I'm working on it but its not easy. I skip weeks and sometimes a month at a time in my planners and feel terrible and wasteful. Grabbing just a Few items ahead of time and decorating from those is my new plan! I get overwhelmed with choices and nothing gets finished. The guilt wracks up with wasted planner items. Great video hun! Hugs from your Napa Sista 💕

[@cherylrobertson5629]

I started planning more as a hobby and enjoying the craftiness of designing a spread with all the stickers. But I have found I wanted my planner to be more functional. So, this year I switched to a more functional design and so far I’m finding it very useful in organizing my time. I do tend to be a procrastinator though and berate myself constantly for being one.

[@keltavuokko]

I definitely recognize that procrastination is just a form of avoiding feeling something unpleasant: before, if I had a task that I felt uncomfortable doing, I avoided that like the plague. The anxiety would build up until the deadline would come and I'd be forced to get over myself and do it. However, nowadays I'm usually better at tackling that shit first: I tell myself that hey if this is causing you to be anxious, just wait and see how horrible you'll feel if you let that feeling accumulate. So now I force myself to do the most uncomfortable tasks first. It feels terrible at first, before starting, but oh boy how much better I feel after it's done! And usually if the hardest task gets done first, the rest will be easy to do just because it feels so good to have overcome that first one.

[@jenwessleman9317]

haha! "Goddammit it's hard to be beautiful." haha Yes. Yes it is. LMAO!

[@dianebadger51]

Enjoy your videos. I'm a procrastinator with a capital P. I'm really hard on myself when I do it. I've found that if I break the task into very small tasks, I do better.

[@dbklyn97]

I love decorative planning and functional planning. I was a big procrastinator but have found my balance. I spend and hour every Sunday to decorate my weekly planner and 15 minutes daily to set up my day. I also when I need to create I spend a weekend afternoon being creative.

[@tinacampbell2610]

I started planning because I have ADHD and it helps me focus. Planning was suggested by a psychologist to help me focus while I was working on my Associates degree in Nursing & as a way to help me manage my ADHD manifestations. Since I started planning I have finished a Associate, a Bachelor's degree, and have now started in a Masters program. I am also a queen at procrastination. I tell myself that procrastination makes me better at doing things. When I have an assignment I will wait to the last minute to complete it because it helps me not rewrite the assignment. I sometimes use planning to procrastinate. I use decorative planning is a creative outlet and I sometimes spend hours planning, looking for things for my planner, and watching KZbin videos... What am I procrastinating at this moment, my Christmas tree is still up and it is Feb 1st... I have an assignment due on Sunday and haven't started it yet... Love this video!

[@jessrogers4227]

This video hits home. Back in November, I stopped buying stickers for my EC hourly planner. It was a way to save money, but it's also helpful to stop procrastinating--because I was decorating too long (and working against my to-do list). Now it's colored markers and a pen. Best decision I made in a longgggg time!

[@CindyGuentertBaldo]

love it!

[@HeatherBryant22]

I have said it before that I am like you. I have to have the pretty planner to put stickers in for one side of my brain and another for just the get stuff done period. They both make me happy.

[@TheJollyFatElf]

I bought an hourly planner for 2020. #1 I want to track how I'm spending my time, but also I want to be able to look back and say ok I did get something done. Being disabled and having several chronic illnesses, I sometimes beat myself up for not getting enough done. So I'm hoping this will help me give myself a little bit of a break.

[@CindyGuentertBaldo]

ABSOLUTELY. Being kind to yourself is SO important.

[@JeanetteMoser]

I love when you do these types of videos! You are well-spoken, and I always appreciate your thoughts / advice.

[@elizabethjohnson-kueny1655]

The auto generated captions gave me "hobo Nietzsche weeks" which is phenomenal

[@JoannaShoemaker]

That definition was like my head being the head of a nail & you slammed a sledge hammer on it. PERFECT description of myself. I LOVE #5 because I can be so hard on myself. Thank you, Cindy...I'm SO DAMN happy I found you and although we may not be close, I still consider you the friend I need that I only get to see online. I really hope that someday I can get to know you better. Being birthday "neighbors" (I'm on the 30th), I think both being Aquarius helps me connect to you so much more than others.

[@annaleung2637]

Ouch! So true...

[@lisa-mariecuspard5879]

Cindy you make beautiful look easy!

[@shopaholiclivin]

Great, thought out and coherent video. I always procrastinate and it’s mostly because I don’t want to do it 🤣 and then I feel guilty so it’s a crazy cycle.

[@CindyGuentertBaldo]

i am often (mostly) on that cycle with you

[@sallierupe]

I don't get to post a first comment very often! I've been in Texas the past week and a half taking care of my mom after her hysterectomy, and really appreciating the normalcy of the PAYG routine. Thanks, Cindy!

[@CindyGuentertBaldo]

I hope your mom (and you) are doing okay!

[@the.annateur]

This video came at the perfect time! I have to admit I haven't been watching your videos (or any other planners' videos) for a while but I recently turned notifications back on and this was the first video that came up. This is a topic I've been thinking about a ton for several months and you said so concisely all of the things I needed to hear. I'm not much of a decorative planner, but I still use my bullet journal as a form of procrastination at times. I took a bunch of notes while I was listening to this video and hopefully they'll serve as a good reminder. My favorite thing you said was about "planning rather than doing," which I think can apply to life as a whole. Aaaaanyway, thanks a bunch for the video Cindy! 😊

[@nbell298]

This is so interesting! I'm just getting into planning but find that I keep procrastinating actually working in my planner because I'm scared to mess it up! I spend a lot of time planning what I'm going to do in my planner and choosing stickers to use but then take weeks to put pen to paper and get scared to use stickers for fear of wasting them 😂 I have always been a serial procrastinator and planning my planning is probably not helping but I'm persevering because I think it'll be a good hobby to utilise my spare time.

[@ShaunaStory]

Great ideas! It's good to continually reassess your planning process and decide if each aspect is accomplishing what you want it to do or if it's becoming a bigger time sink than you want it to be. I love that you reinforce that decoration itself can serve a purpose...and it can also be a procrastination trap if you're not aware, so you have to find a good balance. I switched to dailies this year, and I've been trying to get into the habit of starting them before bed the night before. I'm not a morning person, so it helps to plan out the day when my brain is actually functioning. I jot down all events from my monthly, check open tasks from my rolling weekly, and sketch out an idea for how my day *could* go (meals, tasks, fun stuff). I think that last bit has been helping me waste less time with decision paralysis, but I keep it flexible in case something pops up (like a friend inviting me to do something spur of the moment).

[@madelinem6862]

Great video. Something I struggle with a lot. I'm definitely gonna try these tips.

[@EnchantedXennial]

Thank you! I feel like you have given me permission to be a decorative planner just because I want to. With intention, some weeks will be just planning and focused. Other weeks I want the realease of playing with pretty.

[@carolynlangdon8622]

Functional all the way here. But I get the procrastination thing. My husband took it to an artform in the past. He figured out how to move beyond it after it caused him more pain than getting the job done. I just finished reading Atomic Habits by James Clear. He talks about doing useful things to avoid something else as motion instead of action. Helpful book. Looking forward to your new Skillshare class.

[@imback245]

I soooooooo needed to hear this. Thank you for touching on this today. I am definitely NOT nice to myself and so the vicious cycle continues.

[@carlittasnewlife4404]

Gurl!!! You ABSOLUTELY Rock😉👏I am so glad I found your channel, truly looking forward to watching you on a regular!

[@risa0659]

Great video! I am definitely a procrastinator. I have boxes of stuff I need to go through from when my dad died 3 years ago. I can't make myself do what I know I have to do. My planning is partly reminders of what I need to get done that day or that week, but also partly memory keeping. Like my son graduating from the local community college 2 1/2 years ago, and now from a state university last month. I also use it to keep track of when we changed the a/c filter or replaced the kitchen sponge or any number of other things that I otherwise wouldn't remember.

[@ebonitompkins]

Whew, that's me. I'm a procrastinator! I need decorative planning as a creative outlet since I'm an accountant and I generally plan on Saturday mornings. I don't have too much going on but I need my planner to keep me on track. Having it pretty makes me want to use it!

[@jenniferfulford5257]

This is great advice! Thanks for sharing! I've been a Powersheets user for three years now. And planning is a new hobby for me, so I'm just learning what works and what doesn't. But I definitely feel this desire to procrastinate. I found myself sad in January that the Powersheets prep time was done, because I found the tasks towards my goals less exciting than planning the goals. Not sure why? I guess it's just looking to be a crazy year, with a lot of hard work, and I want to avoid it. Anyway :) Thanks again!

[@lnorlnor]

Honestly this video hits at the reasons I didn't really like that planner for procrastinators that you recently reviewed--some of the wording felt like it could trigger the "bad feelings" and avoidance for me at least. Personally I've found the Bullet Journal Method to be the best anti-procrastination tool for me, because it's designed to both help you forgive yourself for procrastinating and prioritize your true tasks. But I do decorate, and make spreads that are prettier or more clever than they strictly need to be, as a hobby for sure.

[@Jessica-C-]

I just wanna say, and by no means do I mean to make your content all about your looks, but you look gorgeous in this video and you have been glowing lately in every video I've seen you in.

[@ridiculousspider]

Planning is a way to keep track of what I need to do and where I need and when. It is also a creative outlet.

[@meeks4756]

Planning does two main things for me - get shit done and remember to get shit done. I do have a habit of procrastinating, but it's also related to my even worse habit of over-planning and/or under-estimating how long it takes me to do stuff. On top of that, I am managing two chronic illnesses that change how I feel on a daily basis, so it can be difficult to predict how much I'll be able to accomplish. Then I hate on myself for not doing all the things, which makes it all worse. I do like to get creative in my planner, but it's the thing I do after I make my plans, not before. I also color-code, so I can't go crazy with the decor or else my plans will get lost in the jumble. I also use planning to manage anxiety because it helps me sort out all the junk in my head.

[@stereotypea123]

I needed this video today, every semester I think I will finally get a handle on my procrastination but I never do, it's only 3 weeks in and I'm already struggling. And it's all because I know it takes me forever even to do simple assignments because I'm one of those people who have to read something 20 times before anything sinks in. So I just know I'm going to struggle and it will take a long time to get my work done. And then I get mad because I'm like, why am I like this? And get stuck in negative thoughts.

[@glamorousulvarocknroll]

I’m really enjoying the series of sit down videos you’ve been putting up, ad I really need that video on not having to be productive. I find myself more and more feeling guilty for watching a film or spending time doing something for myself just because I want to, because I think there are other things I should be doing like work, or housework, or studying or volunteer crap. I constantly feel on edge like I have this to do list hanging over my head, even when I don’t. Then on those occasions when there’s nothing immediate needing done, I panic and think there must be something I’m meant to be doing, what’s one of those jobs you thought of randomly X days ago that you didn’t write down?! I need to somehow get out of the mindset of all my time needing to be spending doing something “worthwhile”. Having said that, I’m also a serial procrastinator too. Guilt on guilt added on to the working mum guilt 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@mrandisg]

I signed up for the Skillshare class today! Can't wait to dive into it! 😁 I've been procrasti-planning for as long as I've been using a planner...pretty much my entire adult life. It used to be making ridiculously long to-do lists with pens of every color in the rainbow and then some. (Sometimes it's still that.) Now it's hopping from this planner to that planner, trying to use up what I have, and throwing washi and stickers on all of them, again trying to use up what I have. I also tend to go to the other extreme of not touching any of my planners for a stretch of time, say a week or maybe even as long as a month. Then the wasted-page guilt comes in. I've tried to combat this by reusing pages whenever and wherever possible, only using Frixion pens so I can erase and therefore reuse the space, and when all else fails, go back and throw some stickers and washi in the space to use it up. It all boils down to not having a scheduled time to do my planning. I'm working on that. I saved this video so I can go back, rewatch, and take notes. 😊

[@susanHW]

Thank you for this video - really enjoyed it! I used to procrastinate this way. Now I use just a notebook and pen to stay on task with life. BUT I bought a cheap EC planner that is a couple years old solely for making decorative planner spreads just for fun. :)

[@kristinaschmitt8298]

I'm watching your videos right now to put off going to my Nan's house. She has dementia and I've been helping her out while I look for a job, but lately she's becoming very exhausting to be around. Now it's dusk, the roads are kinda crappy from all the show we've gotten, and I *still* should go over there. That said, I'm totally checking out your Skillshare class.

[@kristinaschmitt8298]

SNOW NOT SHOW! Why won't this stupid app not let me edit my posts??!

[@gabbygateway]

I’m loving this series of videos, and need to hear this! Thank you, Cindy.

[@reneebarrette4514]

Great video and topic!!

[@Sarahbear2000]

I tried so many different planners last year, I finally stopped when I got tired of transferring the same to do list from the outgoing planner to the new one... still trying to find a good balance.

[@artycraftyalchemy]

It's both for me. My planner has such big spaces that if I didn't fill them with pretty papers or stickers I'd try and fill them.with stuff to do. Though I've been slacking on the planner front of late as life went to hell in a handbasket. Hopefully somewhat coming out the other side but am still facing some challenges. My mental health took a beating so my planning slid. I stopped making videos to gain back that time, then stopped planning altogether... Time to get back in the groove because it really does help me to give myself some structure.

[@CindyGuentertBaldo]

I've been trying that as well, filling up lots of space with stickers to avoid making a 35 item list for a 3 item day.

[@mwillis7791]

I stay at home with my infant and toddler. I try to bullet journal and have never been consistent. I’m trying the alister method this week. I realize I plan because 1. I’m lonely. All my friends work and I rarely see anyone. My kids are just babies and their schedules dictate what/ when we can get out which is very limited which is isolating (also the pandy). I feel like I want to document when I do have something to plan because it is a big deal for me. 2. A lot of planner people seem to have their life in order and well organized and I feel like I’m drowning in a never ending pile of shit in a mess of a house. I know that actually isn’t a reality that they present- that is on me not them. I like feeling organized and productive. I was a teacher before my kids were born and I thrive and find a lot of pride in that routine and responsibility. 3. I need a way to hold myself accountable over the housework. It gets lame writing down vacuum the floor, clean the windows, wash the diapers, dust the shelves week after week, day after day. It is a little embarrassing that my life looks like that in my planner (again my issues). I need to track what and when I do things so my house doesn’t fall apart and mom brain is real. It also holds me accountable. This is where I think the alister method might really work. Thank you for making this video and being so real. It has given me a lot to think about.❤️

[@sarahburke1401]

Which happy planner sticker pack have you used for this spread ? I’ve been looking for a dates one to order

[@scruffy281]

Number one. ..... your hair is gorgeous. The healthiness of it and the color. Is that curl/wave natural or is there something you do to make it that way? and Number 2......your skin is fantastic!

[@fidilkid]

Yup.

[@yasmelalcantara]

Hi, I m a chronic procrastinator lol. I rcvd. a take home test last Wednesday and it is due today after work. I still need to finish it lol

[@genevieverodriguez]

I'm joining your skillshare soon!!! I've seen the other two! I plan because it helps me remember things but also it helps me to relax and play with stickers

[@MacMoonie]

1. I am a partial procrastinator. I wil procrastinate on things like self care (like going to the dentist or seeking a lawyer) because i am afraid of something ... spending too much money on something for me instead of keeping it for the other members of my family, or avoiding dealing with my exhusband's fuckery because I am afraid of him. I avoid doing my taxes because I'm afraid I'll do it wrong and be penalized... Basically i will procrastinate when I'm feeling I will be PUNISHED by OTHERS... On the other hand, I plan to track what I do and need to do. I suffer with severe depression and anxiety (but high functioning) so I need to list and track the tasks I need to get done. I also use it to have creative outlet (I make my own stickers) and to remind myself of what I have done and what I have in my life worth fighting for...

[@Lps1dragonfly]

I want to get shit done but I think I was procrastinating. I've this shoes away from my planning and I miss it so much. For the past 3 months ish I've been trying to figure out a new way to do it so I get my kicks out of it but am still being productive. I can't figure it out.

[@kaciwrites]

i've been having a rough time recently & this video helped, thank you

[@AshleyRebecca]

You look so pretty in this video. The hair is fantastic. Am I procrastinating by watching this video....yes LOL 😂

[@branditrautman1342]

Damn dude, are you spying on me?! 😂 This is so me!! I’m the conductor of the procrastination train!! I also think that this contributes to me planner flipping. I think I miss label why a planner as “not working for me” as boredom instead of procrastination, and so I buy a different one thinking that will fix everything. My mind is in all sorts of a tizzy now! 🤯 😂 Great conversation for this community!

[@Katie77812]

It's hard. My partner just went back to work and now ALL the housework and cooking she did is on me; plus being a full-time student and mom. I get so overwhelmed because I have no idea where to start.

[@daniellem905]

Procrastination Inception 🤣 I'm a charter member of the club, but working on it. I think Powersheets are helping so far.

[@TheCoffeeLife]

oh, the irony...I've had your new skillshare class waiting on a tab on my browser annnnnd have been procrastinating starting the class lol and then I saw this and was like, "yeaaaah, I need to get on that....after I watch this video....or should I go to Hobby Lobby....?"

[@CindyGuentertBaldo]

hahahahaha

[@Wouldntyouliketoknow1111]

Thank you so much for this info on procrastination, I’m chronic too and I have too much going on to do it anymore. I’ve had a wake up call with one of my classes. And I’ve been beating myself up 👎🏼 Ps I’m doing housework while I watch 😉

[@CindyGuentertBaldo]

that's one of the worst parts of procrastinating! you not only deal with the fallout of not giving yourself enough time, you add on the special sauce of guilt like a thick thick gravy.

[@Wouldntyouliketoknow1111]

Cindy Guentert-Baldo oh my gosh, so true. I told my husband that I wasn’t even upset about having to report to jury duty yesterday bc it was a break from self loathing (half kidding). Today is a new class and I’m showered and ready to open my laptop. If I don’t get anything done soon I’ll be off to the library. I want to get good sleep and eat well so I actually feel like doing something too. Wish me luck, adhd is a bitch. Going to put my phone away now! 😃

[@CandiedLittleYams]

pen and notebook purist..... I still have really had to get a grip and the number of pens and notebooks I had... I have destashed and am really putting tons of energy into not hoarding pens and notebooks again

[@purpl3lina]

I procrastinate and probably won’t stop. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@loiscassels8966]

galina -purplelina I’m going to stop procrastinating, maybe later.

[@purpl3lina]

Lois Cassels 🤣

[@onyxgirl22]

I plan because I like crossing items off lists....

[@wyrdness1]

I've never really been able to get into decorative planning. There's something that just isn't me about it... I also don't like a lot of the attitude that runs through the decorative planning community. some of the spreads are aesthetically appreciable, but a lot are also like a visit to a My-space site. It hurts the eyes. it hurts the ears, it slows down your computer, but no matter, there is always that one neuro-typical person who wants to make their entire world feel like an ADD attack.

[@533134]

I don’t feel I procrastinate, I get annoyed with people who procrastinate.