A coworker told me my monthly spread was "visual noise" - took me a sec to realize she was right

She pointed out I was cramming every holiday, bill due date, and random note into one page when like half of it never got looked at. Now I trim it down to just 5-7 key items per month - anyone else ever overstuff their layouts?

4 comments

4 Comments

taylor.brooke6d ago

and @margaretc42 you're so right about the scrapbook thing, i think that's where a lot of us get stuck. honestly the whole "visual noise" phrase kinda changed how i see my spreads now - like yeah i'm not decorating a magazine, i'm trying to remember to pay my electric bill on time. maybe our stickers are just holding us back from actually using the thing.

the_cameron6d ago

Used to load my spreads with stickers but @margaretc42 converted me. Less really is more here.

paulnguyen6d ago

Yeah that scrapbook trap is real, once you start down that road it's hard to stop. Clean spreads actually make it easier to spot what needs to get done without your eyes getting lost in all the decoration. Might try stripping mine down to just washi tape borders and see if that helps me actually use the planner instead of just looking at it.

margaretc426d ago

Visual noise" - wow, that's a BRUTAL but probably accurate way to put it. I have 47 stickers on my March spread right now and I haven't actually looked at half of them since I put them on. Your 5-7 key items idea makes so much sense, I'm honestly embarrassed I never thought of it myself. I've been treating my planner like a scrapbook instead of a functional tool and it's definitely not helping me stay organized. I'm going to try trimming down this month and see if I actually remember my dentist appointment for once.