Why I Love My Reminders App

Smart phones were well entrenched in most people's lives before I got one. Seriously, they had been a thing for about six years. I didn't even really understand what a smart phone was, or what all the hype was about, when my husband brought home that first iPhone 4 and handed it to me. That was eight years ago, and in that time I have had two upgrades. Yes, only two. The first was to an iPhone 7 which was outdated when I got it. Then recently I got an iPhone 12. As you can see, I'm not exactly into the latest and greatest tech. I'm content to keep using whatever version I have until it stops working. 

When I first got a smart phone, I spent very little time on it. I made phone calls and texted (with far greater ease than I had done on my old flip phone!), but other than that, I rarely pulled it out. Over the years, my usage has increased significantly, but I still prefer to keep things simple. Maybe that's why the basic pre-installed Apple Reminders App is my favorite app to use. 

I find the Reminders App to be simple, yet versatile, and I use it to schedule a variety of things. For me it's like an electronic planner/to do list/habit tracker/memory cue all in one. It has become second nature to me to pull out my phone and set a reminder anytime I think of something I don't want to forget. 

We all get those fleeting thoughts that, if not recorded, disappear as quickly as they came. Capturing them in any fashion is helpful, but setting a reminder is more efficient. Notes get lost - either literally, or they get buried among a host of other notes rendering them meaningless. A to do list is great, but it doesn't put a time stamp on things. It's just a list. An electronic reminder allows you to decide on a specific time to tackle a given task. ​

Here are some of the ways in which I use my Reminders App. 

• Schedule one time tasks. These might include phone calls that need to be made, emails that need to be written, appointments that need to be scheduled, items that need to be ordered, or invoices that need to be sent, among a myriad of other things. 
• Schedule recurring tasks. This is where I get the most bang for my buck with the Reminders app. I set reminders for everything from household tasks (water plants, check/change HVAC filter, test smoke detectors, pay bills, set the trash at the curb) to family tasks (call Mom, wish someone a happy birthday) to professional tasks (prep monthly newsletter, submit post to my blogshare group) to personal tasks (things I want to remember to do for myself). 
• Schedule long range tasks. Some tasks are out there a ways on the horizon, but you want to remember to do them when the time comes. Setting a reminder is a good way to keep track of those long range tasks such as follow up doctor appointments or seasonal tasks (like servicing the lawn mower or winterizing your sprinkler system). 
• Schedule habits. If you are trying to form a new habit, the Reminders app can come in handy. Just schedule a daily reminder to help you stay on track. Marking it complete will feel like a little victory every time you do it. 
• Schedule reminders for special occasions. I schedule reminders in advance of loved-ones birthdays to purchase gifts or send messages. If applicable, I also remind myself the date by which I need to have packages in the mail in order to get them to their recipients in time.
  
• Schedule correspondence. These days everyone is so busy, it can be easy to lose track of people we care about. I have started scheduling reminders to call or contact people I care about on a regular basis. For some that contact is weekly. For others, it's every two weeks or every month. This practice has helped me to maintain meaningful contact with the people who matter to me, no matter how busy I am.  

I know that there are fancier apps out there that will do the things the Reminders app does and more, but I like the simplicity this app offers. It's easy to learn and easy to use, and it serves a very useful function. It helps me remember all the things (and people) I don't want to forget. If you struggle with keeping track of things, I encourage you to give it a try. When you think of something important, set a reminder. Doing so allows your brain to relax knowing that when you need to recall the information, it will be at your fingertips (or in your pocket).