planning – Unlikely Martha

Planning for 2020 | 10 Tips For Choosing the Right Planner

Feels like I was just talking to y’all yesterday about this, when indeed it was a whole year ago that I did a video outlining what planners I would be using in 2019. Well here we are staring 2020 down, and I’ll just say my planning style changed drastically over the past year, and some of those planners from that video were nothing more than paperweights by April.

In 2019, I learned a lot about not falling for the hype of the planner community, and really getting in tune with the type of planner that would work for MY life and not everyone else’s.

Choosing a planner can feel like choosing paint. It seems life-altering when in actuality, a few dollars can help you move on to the next best thing, yet you feel stuck and unsure about a choice of paper. Trust me, you can move on from a wrong planner.

Ask me how I know.

Choosing a planner can be overwhelming, I totally agree. However I think taking the time to consider a few things before you go on the hunt can minimize some of the anxiety about picking the wrong planner.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when selecting a new planner:

Be real with yourself, are you more of a digital planner or a paper planner? Sometimes we want to force ourselves into something that doesn’t come naturally. If you live by your Google calendar, it is likely a paper planner won’t really work for you. Consider exploring digital planning options.
If your day consists of doing things at a certain time, consider an hourly layout to keep you on track.
Will you need to carry your planner with you daily? If so make sure you pick something that is easy to transport.
Will you need the option to remove and enter papers? (think grocery lists, school schedules, etc.) If so you definitely want to go with a ring-bound planner. Make sure you don’t forget the hole punch.
Do you prefer a horizontal layout over a vertical one? Not sure what this is about, head to Instagram and peruse the #horizontallayout and #verticallayout hashtags. That may help you decide.
Don’t get sucked into the stickers, while they add a creative touch, they won’t help you be productive.
Keep in mind the weight of the paper. More cost effective planners often have thinner paper and you will experience ink bleed. If the thought of that drives you crazy, pay attention to the thickness of the paper.
Don’t spend a lot of money until you are sure the planner will work for you.
How much writing space will you need? Based on that pick a size that will give you enough writing space.
It is possible that based on your life you will need two planners. Before just grabbing anything, think of the purpose and how you will use each one. You may find that two different types of planners will work better.

Watch me talk about all the things related to how I planned in 2019, and my intentions for 2020 on this video! Make sure you are subscribed to my YouTube channel as well… I’ll love you forever. (just click on the picture and hit subscribe)

I was so against using a smaller planner, but thanks to a generous sale at Hobby Lobby I took the leap into an A5 ring-bound planner and I couldn’t be happier. I explained my love for it in the video below. I’m pretty sure I’ve found “planner peace” with it. I know I’ve said that before, but there is something special about this one!

If you are a working mom, Lashawn over at Everyday Eyecandy has a list of 20 planners that are great for working moms. Check them out here.

I hope this helps you think about a few things before choosing your planner for 2020.

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Living• planning

The Happy Planner | How I’m Planning in 2017 + Video

Stationery has always been my jam. At a very young age I learned to appreciate the satisfying thrill attached to school supply shopping and having to stack nearly a hundred sheets of paper under the one I was writing on to get the right feel, and balling said paper up and starting again when my handwriting didn’t come out right.

The internets let me know that my special kind of stationery enthusiasm wasn’t off at all. I mean I’ve seen people get down right ugly in some of these Facebook groups when it comes to PAPER and WRITING of all things.

Last week Trina over at The Baby Shopaholic and I got together to discuss our goals for 2017. We filmed a fun video sharing the inside of our planners and how we are using them. After you check out the video head over to her blog to see how she plans!

Planning in these last few years has not only helped me gather my whole life together it has also given me an artistic outlet that I enjoy tremendously. I am what is considered a functional planner. I decorate a little bit but I’m not extreme like others I’ve seen. I look at some of these folks layouts and think, do they not have real things to do with every box stickered out….Each planner to his own.

Last year, after trying out the daily version of the Target edition of the Day Designer I decided to move back to The Happy Planner when they offered the horizontal layout. I was not a fan of the vertical layout at all, that was a contributing factor to me giving it the boot last year.

I am currently using the Big Happy Planner. The size of my planner was a new introduction to the line this year. The classic size is a tad smaller but I like lots of space to write and so far so good.

While I told myself I wouldn’t get into all of the stickers, when The Happy Planner released their new sticker books I couldn’t resist. Michael’s had the nerve to offer some pretty good deals on planner accessories at the end of the year that I just couldn’t pass upsonI grabbed a few.

I just love some of these stickers, especially since there is a mix of matte, shiny and clear stickers. I mean who can resist Hunter like rain boot, and bobby pin stickers.

I keep my planning simple. Weekly I create a master list of ALL activities. Something as small as sweeping the porch gets put on there. From this master list, I create my daily to do lists. I have decided on using one planner this year and added in some additional sheets to the back for notes, meal planning and other information I need to keep on hand.

I am also using a planner cover, that is sold separately from the planner itself. It comes complete with pockets, the larger pockets are perfectly sized to slide a sticker book in.

When it comes to planning I am also staying true to the 5 Lists You Must Create Weekly to Simplify Your Life. A mix of these lists with keeping everything I have to do written down, I’m on my way to a well organized 2017!

How are you planning in the new year? Are you a pen and paper or digital type of planner?

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Living• planning

planner planning part I

The new year is on its way and I have been doing a ton of research on planners and which one I am going to go with for the new year. Looked at both Erin Condren and Whitney English, was almost certain I was going with Whitney English until I went in Target and spent a whole 30 minutes at the end cap opening and closing and comparing all of the different types of Sugar Paper planners. Mae Bad on Youtube has a great video on the comparisons if you are into these things.

There were two in particular that I just loved, they each had something that the other one didn’t. I ended up going with this one.

Although I am not completely certain I am going with this one, I purchased it because there were only a few left and as I thought they are now sold out at my Target and online. I’m still a lot smitten with the Whitney English Day Designer so I may still get that one. We’ll see.

I did some planner decorating last year but mostly the monthly views, not the weekly views which I really want to get more into next year. I hit up Hobby Lobby last week because they had all stickers on sale for 50% off so I’ve started building my sticker stash. I plan to play around with stamping and washi tape a little more.

I’ll do a haul of all of my planner supplies in a few weeks as I am still collecting and waiting on a few things to come from Amazon that I ordered.

What planner are you going with in 2016? Didn’t know all of this was such a big deal? If not check out #plannernerd #plannercommunity and #planneraddict on a social media outlet of your choice. You’ll see.

This. Is. Serious.

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