Routinely Speaking: Setting Up a New Planner

 

I know that most people use digital calendars and planners, but I am devoted to my beloved paper planner. It’s not that I am bothered by things being in a digital format, but now that I scrapbook digitally and journal on my computer, the two paper versions of things I cling to are books and planners. I love them both.

            Years ago, I found the perfect planner, and as is the case with lipstick, nail polish, and day planners, as soon as you find your favorite…they discontinue it. Mine went away and it took years to find a new version of perfect. A couple of years ago, I stumbled upon the Prayerful Planner and loved it. I found it in the summer and was so happy to discover they make an undated version. I ordered it and therefore my planner year runs from June to May. Ryan bought my 2024-2025 undated planner for me back on Valentine’s Day, and I’ve been working to set it up, because I already have dates rapidly filling! I have written posts about setting up this planner before, but I’m coming at it from a different angle this year. If you want to see previous posts, you can find them here and here.

My cover design has sold out since he purchased it, but here is a photo of this year’s planner, and I also took a couple of pictures of the inside pages, so you can get an idea of what they look like in all their fresh-canvas glory!

            When I set up my planner, I start by filling out the monthly pages, first. Last year I ordered a set of these stickers to use in adding dates to my calendars. (The link actually takes you to an updated version of what I have. I like the new ones even better!) The set I received came with two years’ worth of stickers, so I didn’t have to reorder this year. There are also extra stickers in this pack to offer other kinds of markers and reminders.

            I decorate the pages a little with things specific to that month, just to make it prettier. Then I cover the “notes” at the top of the side column with a “monthly goals” sticker, and I write out my main goals to the side. At the bottom of that side bar, I keep a running list of books I finished reading in each of the months.

            I use Flair pens throughout my planner, and on this monthly page, I use green ink to write in birthdays and anniversaries. I also use a color-coding system for Ryan/Bekah/both of us/Lexi to write in appointments for each of us. I use these stickers to mark holidays. If something is pending, I write it on a small sticky note and put it on the square for that day. If it doesn’t end up happening, I can pull it out without messing up the look of the page. If it confirms, I can write it in ink.

            Quick note: the two sets of stickers I’ve shared so far come from this Bloom store, and they have stickers for many different occasions and pieces of life, including health and wellness, healthcare, household chores, budgeting, pregnancy/baby, engagement/wedding, teaching, etc. So if there’s a part of life you want to document, you can find stickers just for that!

            I also got a set of Bible planner stickers (to reflect things like Bible study, answers to prayer, etc.) and this sticker set for some additional holiday/random event stickers. AND I got a box of Washi Tape to make some of my pages extra pretty. All these additions are still in process, so I don’t have final looks of those things for you today.

            My daily pages have room to mark top priorities for the day – whether appointments or tasks. There is a section for planning, and I use my plastic snap-in tool to draw boxes for checkmarks. This is where I keep track of house chores, people to contact, and tasks I need to do related to ministry. I also keep track of daily diffuser blends, and now I have a full year’s worth planned out, and I can recycle them year after year. I also (just for fun) make note of the weather each day.

            There is a section to keep track of daily praises, which are fun to reread on hard days.

            My “physical health section gives me a place to track water consumption, walks and workouts, and how many steps I’ve taken each day.

            The “post it” section is perfectly sized to hold a square post it. I’ve used this section to keep track of quotes, prayer requests, and more, and I haven’t fully figured out how I plan to use it with the new planner starting in June.

            The prayer box gives me a place to write prayers and Scripture, and I love that it gives me almost an extra journaling section – in prayer form.

            I love looking back over these journals to see what I was doing, reading, dreaming about, praying about, and more each year.

            If you’re a paper planner lover, I highly recommend this planner and these tools. They make planning fun and effective (for me, anyway)!