I like the basic blue sky weekly/monthly planning calendars, but I get more like the academic year one that runs from July through June.
I like that there are tabbed full month layout pages, but also sections for each day/week. I often use the days/week pages to write notes or other things, but it works for me to have that space.
It’s like an 8 1/2 x 11 size. This works for me, because I’m usually using it at home and don’t have to carry it around a lot of places. And I like to have more space for writing.
I have one at work and one for home. Brand is usually Dayminder or Mead, and I like the 8x5 size. My main requirements are it needs to have tabs for the months and be week at a glance layout (I like to keep it open so I can see the whole week at once).
After several years of ordering beautiful custom planners that ended up mostly unused, I have come to accept that I have a very narrow and specific type of paper calendar that I will actually keep up with: An 8.5x11-ish monthly-view calendar. I will never, ever keep up with a weekly or daily paper calendar, no matter how much I would like to. I won't even end up carrying one of those with me regularly, b/c they're so thick and heavy.
I use my paper calendar for long-term/planning, I use Google Calendar + notebook lists for my daily schedule, and I have a white board in my kitchen that lays out upcoming things over the next few weeks. When I go somewhere, I usually have at least one notebook + my planner with me. The planner I have currently doesn't even have a brand on it, I think I got it at Target and it's for 24 months, but it has nice, big month squares to write in, room for notes on the side of each month and sturdy tabs, but most importantly, it's the same size as a regular school-sized notebook I would toss in my bag, and it's thin and light, so I don't give up on carrying it.
It's fun to try out calendar styles and I hope you find something that works for you! But IME it also involves an element of aspiration vs. honesty with yourself about your actual organization style, and changing those related habits is harder than one would hope.
I had problems this year because I want a super basic planner. I think it’s what used to be called an engagement planner like for women who don’t work but have social engagements. It’s basically like a school planner for kids that doesn’t have school work and academic things built in.
I freelance so I track out of the house work appointments on my shared Google calendar with my husband but I like to meal plan and track my migraines on a paper planner. I put errands I need to run on it, brief reminders, that sort of thing. Nothing that needs a specific time.
Normally Workman puts out quite a few where they have big dated but not divided daily squares and not much else beyond illustrations but they didn’t seem to publish them this year. Maybe a nature one but it was ugly and laid out differently.
The meal planning books are always cheap feeling and have grocery list that detach and other features I don’t want. I don’t want to track breakfast since I don’t eat it and don’t always put down lunch. I want to be able to put other info in there too.
Anyway, I am sure this is a niche where there isn’t a ton of people wanting this product but this is the first year I haven’t really been able to find one! I ordered a possibility but it doesn’t look exactly like what I want but might work.
If anyone has an very basic planner suggestions let me know!
Post by followyourarrow on Dec 2, 2022 12:41:49 GMT -5
I like Plum Paper. I have to have a vertical layout and Saturday and Sunday have to be together. Monthly tabs are a must. I get it Arc punched and then put discs in myself, I really liked that aspect of the Happy Planner, being able to add note pages and move things around is super helpful.
I’m a big fan of the Erin Condren life planner. I can customize it so it’s exactly what I need and will use.
I liked the Life Planner but found it a bit too much for me, ie lots of pages/sections I didn't use. The following year I tried a monthly planner and it was perfect. Kind of a planner/notebook combo.
Happy Planner vertical mini layout. It's small enough to fit in my purse and I like the vertical layout for the days, you can separate into morning, afternoon and evenings
After several years of ordering beautiful custom planners that ended up mostly unused, I have come to accept that I have a very narrow and specific type of paper calendar that I will actually keep up with: An 8.5x11-ish monthly-view calendar. I will never, ever keep up with a weekly or daily paper calendar, no matter how much I would like to. I won't even end up carrying one of those with me regularly, b/c they're so thick and heavy.
This is me exactly. I love my monthly view calendar.
I use a cheap one from Target. It's thin. I do tape the cover so it lasts t/o the year but I've been doing this system for several years.
I tried an Erin Condren monthly view and it was still way too thick for every day use. It doesn't fit nicely anywhere.
I’m a big fan of the Erin Condren life planner. I can customize it so it’s exactly what I need and will use.
I liked the Life Planner but found it a bit too much for me, ie lots of pages/sections I didn't use. The following year I tried a monthly planner and it was perfect. Kind of a planner/notebook combo.
I bought my first one last year not knowing I could customize it. I don’t use the weekly layout so this year the salesperson helping me suggested I swap those pages out. I had no idea! So now for 2023 I have a planner that will work perfectly for me.
Is the one you’re using Erin Condren? I might check that option out.
I love paper and I love planners. Last year I bought 3 of them at Staples for different work and home related things. One was a hardcover bound journal, another weekly spiral planner and a third monthly planner. I couldn't get into the groove of any of them. I don't think I even wrote in the monthly one.
That's not stopping me from possibly wasting money again on them. I am trying very hard to automate and digitize my life as much as possible but I can't stop with the paper either, whether it's a post-it note or a to-do list or a shopping list.
I'm going to be looking at Ink and Volt and JetPens for options that are not Staples or Target.
I love paper planners and it will be a cold day in hell before I ever go 100% digital.
Several years ago I purchased a nice leather zip-up planner that is about 6"x 3 1/2" and every year I just go on amazon and buy dayplanner brand replacements for the month view and weekly view. That one is my golden child and will have it for life.
Then I buy random ones throughout Dec and Jan that I think I like and I tell myself that if I use one of them properly, I will get my life in order. Well my life is still not in order but those pretty planners are sitting on the shelf.
I always order from SHP Planners on Etsy. I only need the monthly view, and it has lined pages in the back where I keep password notes, ID numbers, etc. They are customizable and the pages are sturdy.
I’m a big fan of the Erin Condren life planner. I can customize it so it’s exactly what I need and will use.
I liked the Life Planner but found it a bit too much for me, ie lots of pages/sections I didn't use. The following year I tried a monthly planner and it was perfect. Kind of a planner/notebook combo.
Same here. The monthly gives me enough space to write what I need. I would love to be digital but keep going back to the paper planner. My 2023 EC planner is being shipped to me now .
Post by dearprudence on Dec 2, 2022 17:30:01 GMT -5
I used to use a Happy Planner, then got sucked into the world of bullet journaling. Currently creating my own weekly/monthly spreads has felt less relaxing and more chore-like for whatever reason, so in 2023 I'm picking up a Day Designer planner with everything already there.
I have never have managed to go digital. DH always asks me to send a calendar invite, nope, we have a weekly chat and he enters them into his computer as I rattle things off.
I use the year task planner from Appointed. I usually go for the school calendar though so for my new one for August- August or sometimes I get the 18 month August - December. With the kids it’s easier for me to do a school calendar planner.
Love Appointed - sleek, minimal, perfect size for me.
It's such a hard habit to kick. I was once very dedicated to my planners. These days with the overload of modern digital communications combined with the chaos of kids has made it nearly impossible to keep up with a planner daily. My pens are so lonely. I watched so many YouTube videos last year about all these cute bullet journaling techniques and washi tape applications. I don't have the time to write in the planner let alone draw cute designs in the margins. I still print all of the kids calendars and schedules monthly/annually and have them taped in our kitchen on the door to the basement, I just can't shed paper.
I ordered a Happy Planner horizontal layout. I used to do Erin Condren, but can’t justify the expense. I usually leave it at my desk and use it for appointments, practices, meal planning, chore lists, etc. My husband takes a picture to refer to, although it doesn’t stop him from calling me about upcoming events.
Ive used a cheap daily one from Amazon the past two years and just got a blue sky one for 2023. The ones I’ve been getting are very similar to it and the style works for me.
I need something for daily use at work and for quick notes and to dos as well as tracking time.
My day to day appointments and calendar are all digital.
Post by arehopsveggies on Dec 2, 2022 21:52:07 GMT -5
I have been using happy planner for years. I like the vertical layout. I use one square for work morning. One for work afternoon. And one square for evening and meal planning. All The ones with tons of spaces and lanes stress me out visually
I bought a hole punch so I can add pages, blank paper etc. and I bought pockets to store important papers
I just ordered my fourth Erin Condren Life Planner this week. I like that it has a lot of room for daily todo lists and notes. I always intend to use the hourly calendar to keep me kn task, but really don't... Maybe this year lol.
I don't use every day consistently, but I do try and it's helpful to be able to list all of the tasks I need to get done. I don't think I'd have room in a weekly planner. I also like the monthly calendar to have a quick place to glance for appointments, school due dates, and social stuff. I don't generally put work stuff on the monthly calendar unless it's something major. So I also like that it has enough space and variety to keep both my personal and work life in the same book.