How a Paper Calendar Can Transform Your Morning Routine

Using a paper calendar on a daily basis has helped me slow down. Who knew that a simple stack of paper could inspire a mindful morning routine.

I use a daily desktop paper calendar, an Italian calendar that is printed in bold ink using vintage typography. I think it’s the sensory aspect of a paper calendar that inspires a sense of calm in me — paper feels good to the touch.

Going analog seems to stretch out time for me.

As I set up my day each morning I take the calendar in my hands and gently tear off the page with yesterday’s date revealing today’s date. Today. Here and now. Each page is minimalist, having only the day of the week written out with a stamped number marking the day. Plain and simple. By engaging in this simple morning ritual of tearing off a page and then setting the calendar in my view helps me feel present to the day. 

This little desktop calendar helps me make the time to slow down and go micro, taking the time to notice how I am showing up for the day. Soon enough I’ll be immersed in the fullness of the day, but before that I’ll have had a moment of calm.

Some days, when things feel a little out of sync, I glance at this little calendar to remind myself that I can begin again, recenter, try again. Sometimes it’s the little things that have a big impact.

I find taking the time to just focus on one day at a time is valuable. One minute, once a day is all it takes to zoom in on your own life. One moment at a time, one day at a time. One calendar page at a time. Something as simple as a paper calendar can become a life giving and life orienting daily practice of mindfulness.

Going analog and keeping it simple works for me. One literal calendar day at a time helps me stay present, helps me stay in the now.

ps:

Here’s the Italian daily desktop calendar that I use if you want to try it out.