Pen vs Pencil: Planning 2026 with Flexibility & Intention
As I crack open my 2026 day planner for the first time, I find myself this year more seriously considering which kinds of things should be written in pen and those that should be written in pencil.
Client appointments - pencil - clients cancel appointments all the time. And sometimes I have to too.
Goals - pencil - goals should be allowed to morph and change as we do. We’re allowed to change our minds and go with the flow as it shifts in our lives, especially if it feels right deep in our soul.
Things related to values - pen - compromising on values compromises our very essence. If the events in our planner relate to our values and maybe include things like prioritizing family, health, experiences over “things”, or bettering oneself as a human, ink it.
Things related to boundaries - we have them in place for good reason, assuming they are healthy ones. Especially things connected to preventing burnout and maxing out our capacity whether mental, emotional, physical or other. Pen that shit in.
Things that make us happy - pen, highlight AND color - because then our happiness will feel like a heart tattoo that we will never forget is there.
