Every month, it seems that new apps claimed to increase productivity keep popping up online. Though a majority of professionals use some of these apps, the last two years has seen a movement wherein people are enjoying the simplicity of writing things down on an actual piece of paper.
Office workers are now bringing back two of the most popular accessories of the 80’s Yuppie Culture, the Filofax and the daily planner. Along with these personal organizers, bullet journals are also enjoying massive popularity on Instagram, Facebook, and sites such as Buzzfeed.
But why are young workers suddenly taking a more low-tech approach to planning and organizing? Angela Ceberano, who is the founder of Australia-based public relations firm Flourish PR, says that the simple act of putting pen to paper gives her a much-needed break from technology.
“When I get a pen and paper, or when I’m using my old-fashioned diary and pen, it just feels more flexible to me,” Ceberano told the BBC. “I can always pull it out. I can focus.”
Based on Instagram and Facebook posts, it appears that daily planners and bullet journals are here to stay. Thousands of planning and journal enthusiasts take to these social media platforms to share how they personalize their accessories and plan their days. Many are combining their art skills with their planning skills, as evidenced by doodles, drawings, and exquisite calligraphy on a majority of the posts.
There are even some individuals who are starting to make a name for themselves online due to their beautiful bullet journal and daily planner layouts. Bullet journalist Kara Benz, also known as Boho Berry on Instagram, is a military spouse and a mother to a 10-year-old daughter. She currently has over 150,000 followers on her account which is filled with photos of her journal layouts.
Studies have shown that there are a lot of benefits to writing things down on paper rather than tapping on an LCD screen. According to a research by the Princeton University of California, it was found out that students who took notes longhand performed better than those who used their laptops to take notes.
In another study published in the Journal of Applied Cognitive Psychology, it was said that people who doodle can better recall dull information. Moreover, writing things down sparks innovation and creativity.
This year, give your apps a rest and try writing things down on a bullet journal or a planner. You might be surprised at how satisfying and rewarding it can be.
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