Putting Together the Perfect Planner
I have been faithfully using paper planners for about 6 years and I have tried a ton of planners, and I think that I have finally found planner peace. Well for now. If you are new to the planner community, finding the perfect planner can be stressful and a bit overwhelming. Here are some tips for putting together the perfect planner.
Determine what you need it for.
Figure out what you will be using your planner for. Make a list of what you need to keep track of. Is this for family needs, school, work, social media content? Thinking about what the planner will be used for will determine what type of planner and layout that you may need for your new planner.
2. Finding the type of planner.
There are so many styles, layouts, and types of planners. Will you be a decorative planner or minimal planner? There disc-bound planners, ring planners, bullet journals, and digital planners. I would suggest going to Youtube, Instagram and searching different planner layouts. Most of these channels are very thorough and will walk you through the pros and cons of each layout and planner brand. Do as must research as you need to before going out and purchasing your planner. You will find some amazing planners, shops, and brands.
3. Choosing the right size.
Now that you’ve determined what you will use it for and the type of planner you want. Now is the time to select the right size. The Happy Planner brand offers, mini, classic, and big planners. There are also A5, A6, personal and pocket planners. Sizes differ per brand, walk down the aisle at Michael’s flip through and figure out what works best for you. I currently use three planners: a classic planner (catch-all planner), A5(daily scripture and bible study planner), and a mini planner(social media editorial planner).
4. Now it’s time to assemble.
After you have purchased your planner, inserts, pens, and stickers (If you’re a decorative planner). Just place it all on the table or floor and figure out how you want to arrange it. This is where customization comes into play. I love to purchase from a few different shops. I get most of my inserts from Fancy Plans Co. Her inserts are neutral and you can select from a number of layouts, cards, stickers, and other fun accessories. My main planner is my catch-all planner and it is completely customized, the complete breakdown is below.
Catch-All Planner
Hard Cover - The Happy Planner
Cover - Fancy Plans Co.
Rose Gold Envelope - The Happy Planner
Custom Vellum Dashboard - Fancy Plans Co.
Dashboards - The Happy Planner
Rose Gold Expandable Discs - The Happy Planner
Daily To Do’s Inserts (Planner Accessories) - The Happy Planner
Subject Style Inserts - Fancy Plans Co.
Household Extension Pack - The Happy Planner
Budget & Expense Workbook - Fancy Plans Co.
Goal Inserts - Inkwell Press
A variety of Half Sheet Inserts - The Happy Planner
Monthly Pre-Planning Inserts - Fancy Plans Co.
Pocket Folders - The Happy Planner
Magnetic Clips - The Paper Studio
Two pen loops
Pens - Pentel Energel and Papermate Flair Medium
She sounds thick, but she is not. I only keep inserts for the current month. My planner is also very functional for me.
5. Get Creative
This is my favorite part, decorating my planner. You have a ton of options to personalize your planner. I am a decorative planner and I love stickers. I have so many sticker books. Every week I set aside an hour to decorate each of my planners for the upcoming week and to prepare for a new month. Some of my favorite sticker brands are The Happy Planner, The Paper Studio, and Pen & Gear. I also love washi tapes, pens, and highlighters.
Don’t get overwhelmed, take your time when making selections and you don’t need every new release that comes out. Also sign up for emails from Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, and Joann’s, so that you can plan your purchases around sales and deals. I only purchase sticker books when they are on sale. In most cases, you can also stack coupons with the sales. I hope that you enjoy your new planner and find planner peace. Also, remember that you can switch things up at any time.
Comment below do you use a paper planner or a digital planner?
