Why printed calendars are making a comeback!

If you don’t have a calendar hanging on your wall or on your desk, don’t worry - you’re not alone. These days, people are trying to rely more on smartphones, tablets and computers to help organise their time. Whilst these electronic gadgets are able to flash up notifications and reminders, do they actually make us better at managing our appointments than by using a tangible, printed calendar or diary?

Well, according to scientific research, people are more successful at setting goals and implementing their plans when using a paper calendar as opposed to a digital device.

Calendar apps on smartphones usually focus just on individual days. When it comes to multiple activities though, a paper calendar is better at showing an overall arrangement of events. By displaying the broader picture at a glance, perhaps a full week, a full month, or a complete year to view, printed calendars and diaries allow the user to instantly prioritise the importance of certain events over others.

The physical act of writing things down also gives a heightened sense of formality. Research shows that consumers who use a paper shopping list are less likely to deviate from that list than if they were using a digital one. The act of writing letter shapes, rather than simply pressing keys, is more engaging for the brain. Writing improves memory retention and focus. There is also a certain satisfaction derived from crossing tasks off a list as we complete them. This can in turn, motivate us, helping us to achieve our goals.

It’s widely acknowledged that excessive screen time can have a negative effect on the brain. Taking a break from information overload is good for our mental wellbeing. Paper calendars and diaries offer some much welcomed relief from distractions like emails, click-bait and social media feeds. We use our digital devices for many things, but a physical planner is only used for one specific purpose. With that in mind, it can help us stay committed to the plans written in it.

Often, the technologies in the electronic devices we rely on are controlled by big companies who are ultimately more interested in us as consumers rather than as happy, healthy individuals. As a result, different devices manufactured by different companies might not synchronise with each other. It can all be rather frustrating. Of course, all those devices require a power source and an internet connection. A printed calendar won’t suddenly present you with a low battery warning!

The way we physically write down information can be very useful in organising our appointments. Perhaps we might write certain things in bigger or smaller characters, depending on their importance. We might use different colour ink or draw attention to certain events with a highlighter pen. We might even use a combination of pen and pencil for events that are either definite, or literally just ‘pencilled in’. Should those plans change, it’s very easy to make changes and add notes to a paper planner. Just grab a pen and it’s done in a few seconds. Navigating through the settings of an app on a tiny phone screen isn’t anywhere near as quick!

The personal look of a diary can bring a great sense of satisfaction. The owner can decorate and personalise it, making their planner unique to them – a reflection of who they are. They might even doodle drawings on the pages in those moments of deep thought! Compare all that fun to the banal uniformity of using a digital device where there is only a handful of display options, restricted by the software - the same ubiquitous software that everyone else has.

So, it’s not surprising to learn that, despite the proliferation of digital calendars, 76% of people still prefer to use a printed calendar. Besides, once that big, colourful calendar is hanging proudly on the wall, the beautiful pictures that accompany each month can brighten up your day!