How many calendars do we actually need?
There was a time when every home had a wall calendar – the classic one with square boxes, big bold numbers, and only Sundays and public holidays marked in red. Then paper planners came along, complete with an address book at the back, for jotting down important commitments and contacts, back when smartphones weren’t a thing yet.
Nowadays, our schedules seem to have exploded into a never-ending stream of commercial holidays, random celebrations, “international days”, and all sorts of events, constantly shoved in our faces by digital reminders. Social media notifications, pop-ups on websites, and even alerts from our high-tech cars and washing machines telling us to change the oil, run a descaling cycle, and who knows what else.
I find myself wondering how many calendars are we actually dealing with, when the traditional ones are piled onto by an infinite number of personal ones? And immersed in this jumble of dates and appointments, aren’t we at risk of forgetting the truly important moments? For example, how could anyone possibly forget that Valentine’s Day is next week, when literally everything (from shop windows to restaurant menus) is one giant love fest? But is one day really enough to celebrate love with roses and heart-shaped chocolates?
Personally, I’ve always preferred to seize the little everyday moments that make my loved ones happy: a spontaneous hug, a surprise gift, a shared experience, staying silent at the right time, or saying the perfect words when needed.
And for that, I’ve never needed a calendar.
That’s probably why I always get forgiven when I forget anniversaries, birthdays, Grandparents’ Day, or International Friendship Day.
Sometimes, it’s worth ditching the planner and trusting our instincts. The best things in life are often the ones that happen on a whim!
And for that, I’ve never needed a calendar.
That’s probably why I always get forgiven when I forget anniversaries, birthdays, Grandparents’ Day, or International Friendship Day.
Sometimes, it’s worth ditching the planner and trusting our instincts. The best things in life are often the ones that happen on a whim!
Marco
