An Ode to My Agenda

from someecards.com
I've scheduled time into my planner to write this post for you.
Just kidding... but that's not a bad idea actually...

One of my favorite things about heading back to school as a kid was when my homeroom teacher would hand me a brand-new agenda/planner. So many empty pages, vacant days, all with the promise (or  curse) of too much homework, extracurriculars, and good times. I was always so eager to write down my homework and after-school activities on each day, seeing my schedule fill up before my eyes -- my month laid out before me with so many things to do. I had a life! I had purpose! I had an agenda!

Not much changed when I got older -- except this time, I purchased my own planner and my days were no longer bound to six class periods and after-school specials.Still, I would secretly (I guess, not-so-secretly anymore...) cherish my agenda as my most prized posession (next to my shoes, of course) as I filled in days, weeks and months with things to do and happily checked off all of my tasks upon completion.

Yes, you've assessed me correctly: I'm a nerd. I'm an organized nerd. And I love it.

With my work schedule and commute being what it is, I've found that simply putting my schedule in my fancy, too-smart phone will just not do. Nothing every really seems as concrete as when you put it to paper, and that's how I like to handle my schedule. Writing down that appointment or dinner with a friend is solidified in my memory with the stroke of a pen. With only so many hours in a day, and most of those hours committed to being a big girl with a big girl job, I rely upon my beloved agenda to guide me towards organized personal life nirvana. 

Like those quaint days of yore, I over-enthusiastically fill each day of my calendar, usually writing down every single detail necessary to that task or event. Eye doctor appointment coming up? Here's the address, phone number, name of the doctor, amount of time required for visit and a little, drawn smiley-face with glasses to describe the event. Grad school applications due? Well, don't forget your resume, transcripts, GRE scores, reccommendation letters, and oh hey, thumbs up-- because good for you!

Maybe this makes me seem like an artifact, a leftover from days when people preferred books over iPads and pens over styluses, but it adds a sense of order to my usually, over-thinking and chaotic thoughts and life. If I only have so many hours after work for personal time, then I want to make sure that I am utilizing them to the fullest. This might have "control freak!" written all over it -- but if I've learned anything from a busy four years at college, it's to remember to have fun! (duh)...but also, I've learned that it helps to visualize your schedule and what you need to do. I try to leave room on my schedule as well for completely unscheduled time: blank spaces in my agenda meant for whatever spontaneous urge may arise. While it might sound ridiculous (especially to those of you who don't write anything down), I find that after working eight hours and driving for three, I want to make sure that I am actually getting things done and not always letting the stress of the work week defeat me. Certainly, I use my iPhone as well, but like I said before,  as the paper absorbs the ink, I absorb my schedule -- making it easier to remember and imprinted in my memory (poetic, right?)

So why have I shared this with all of you? I suppose I just wanted to offer some insight into how I try to manage my life these days (even though, apparently, this is how I've managed my time since I was about 11 years old.) I have had trouble adjusting to my schedule, despite (like I touch upon in my previous post) having been at my job for almost a year. I find that by planning things in advance and writing events/tasks/deadlines down in my agenda, I can find a way to eliminate some of the stress that's been induced by my commute or long day, and stick to doing the things that keep me sane and healthy (meeting up with friends, doctor's appointments, yoga classes, etc).

How have you managed the transition from a flexible college schedule to the more rigid 9-to-5? Do you rely on ol' faithful (A.K.A. the archaic weekly planner) or your smartypants phones?

Let me know. Maybe we can discuss sometime? I can pencil you in.