I Can’t Plan Without Feeling It
An analog mind trying to plan in a digital world.
Lately I keep finding myself planning things. Constantly.
And still… I can’t really keep up with the pace of life. Or maybe the real problem is that I can’t do the things I need to do unless I plan them first.
I’m in the middle of a pretty intense master’s program and work life at the same time — which basically means: you have to be organized.
So how do I plan my days?
With a hardcover planner. Daily, weekly, monthly sections. Pen and paper. Old school.
I know — very vintage of me. But here’s why.
I’ve tried digital calendars so many times. And every single time, something just felt… off.
I can’t cross things out properly. I can’t scribble in the margins. I can’t highlight the way I want. And most importantly — I can’t turn the page.
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And that actually matters.
Because for me, planning is not just about arranging tasks. It’s about feeling them. The physical act of writing, crossing, flipping pages gives me a sense of progress, of closure, of satisfaction. It’s motivating.
Without that, I’m not planning — I’m just setting reminders. Efficient, yes. But emotionally… empty.
Same thing with PDFs.
If I print them, I feel guilty about the trees. If I don’t print them, I can’t touch them, can’t flip through them, can’t underline or draw little arrows everywhere. So I just sit in that weird in-between space, slightly annoyed either way.
Then there’s the whole Kindle vs physical book debate.
Kindle is… not for me.
Holding a real book, reading it, placing it on my shelf and just looking at it afterwards — that’s my kind of joy. That’s very me.
The other day before going grocery shopping, I wrote my list on a random piece of paper — a leftover corner from an old A4 sheet. When I got to the store, I noticed three other people holding very similar handwritten lists.
They were much older than me, yes.
But as a young experience designer living in Milan, that tiny observation felt oddly important. For me — and for my field.
Italy is full of people who live with feeling. Who care deeply, who take things seriously, who enjoy the moment.
And honestly… that’s exactly what I want.
So here’s my little wish for you:
Don’t give up the habits and hobbies that bring you joy — even if they’re inefficient, even if they’re old-fashioned, even if they don’t fit perfectly into a “fast” world.
Some things are not meant to be optimized.
Some things are meant to be felt.
