In this podcast, the host discusses the benefits and challenges of using a poster board calendar system. They delve into the process of creating a 13-week calendar system, highlighting its layout, dimensions, and the advantages it offers. The podcast also explores the benefits of this system, such as improved organization and easy visibility of events.
Using a big poster board calendar allows for a centralized and visible system that reduces overwhelm and encourages active engagement from family members.
The quarterly calendar system provides a holistic view of the schedule, allows for better long-term planning, and ensures there is always poster board stock for other school projects.
Deep dives
Transitioning from digital to paper calendar
The podcast episode discusses the host's transition from using a digital calendar to a paper-based calendar system. The host explains that using a digital calendar was overwhelming and not practical for the rest of the family. By using a big poster board calendar, they were able to see three months at a time and plan their time in quarters. This centralized calendar system helped them avoid things falling through the cracks and reduced overwhelm. Additionally, it encouraged active engagement from other family members, allowing everyone to see what was happening.
Designing the quarterly calendar system
The host gives a detailed description of how they designed the quarterly calendar system. They used a standard poster board as the anchor for the calendar, hanging it in a portrait orientation for space purposes. Each box on the calendar was drawn to be three inches wide and two inches tall, allowing for seven days across and 13 weeks down. The boxes were drawn with a black Sharpie, and the dates were marked with colored Sharpies. While this may sound like a time-consuming process, the host finds it tactile, simple, and fulfilling.
Benefits and flexibility of the quarterly calendar system
The podcast episode highlights several benefits and flexibilities of using the quarterly calendar system. First, the calendar is no longer the sole responsibility of the host. Everyone in the family can look at it and see what is happening. Second, it provides a holistic view of the schedule, allowing for better long-term planning and identifying areas of chaos or opportunities for family adventures. Third, the calendar can be started at any time and aligns with the traditional quarters of the year but can be adjusted. Finally, the quarterly calendaring process ensures that the family always has poster board stock for other school projects.
Christine shares about how poster board changed her calendaring life. Send your questions to Christine at edityourlifeshow@gmail.com or DM or comment on a post on Facebook or Instagram at @edityourlifeshow.
The Mini Edit is a short-form series from Edit Your Life, where host Christine Koh answers your questions about everything from self-care to parenting to relationships to home and more. Send your Mini Edit questions to edityourlifeshow@gmail.com or DM @edityourlifeshow or @drchristinekoh.