My new planner has arrived! After searching unsuccessfully at Barnes and Noble, TJ Maxx, and Marshalls (I got my 2024 planner at TJ Maxx) I finally ordered this one. Sarah mentioned it in a Best Laid Plans episode, and described it as a simple, affordable, but surprisingly versatile option.
I’ll be honest- my first impression was that it felt kind of cheap. It’s not going to fall apart, but it definitely doesn’t have a luxurious feel. But hey- I spent $22. What was I expecting?
On further examination, I think it’s going to work. It has everything I need. Monthly pages:
And the weekly pages fit all my criteria. Each day has plenty of room, and Saturday and Sunday are full size spaces, unlike some planners where Saturday and Sunday get a half-space (no, no- all wrong!)
I also like the “track it” section at the bottom of the right hand page. I’m thinking of tracking hip stability exercises, and maybe stretching? Or core? Maybe I’ll play around with it, and make the “wins of the week” section into two more “track it” sections.
The back of the planner has pages for gift ideas, birthdays, expense tracking, and some lined and some grid notes pages. I’ll use some of the notes pages for tracking my reading, and a TBR list. And, there’s a page of stickers…
Not sure what I’ll do with those, but since they’re blank, the possibilities are endless.
I’m excited! I can’t wait to start filling it in- and what, you might ask, am I filling it with? Well, I do have some goals and plans for 2025…. coming up tomorrow.
Do you use a paper planner? Do you have your 2025 planner yet?
26 Responses
I do not use a planner. At least not one that includes a calendar. My system, and I’ll admit that it’s flawed, is to use a notebook for my to do stuff. I write what I need to manage on the right and my grocery list on the left. I love crossing stuff off. I may or may not write the date at the top of the page. I keep the same page going until there’s no more space. My calendar is a large paper desk calendar that I keep on my kitchen island near my laptop. We have a big dry erase board in the kitchen where I make like a 6 or 8 week calendar. This is not a huge priority, so I haven’t done it in awhile. I keep adding it to my to do list though, hoping to find the time. See, like I said -flawed. Maybe over break, I’ll have a kid show me how to use the calendar in my iPhone, since that’s new for me.
Your planner looks lovely and I do occasionally write down names of books I’d like to read or gifts I should buy in the back of my notebook. Not consistently though.
It sounds like your system works! I mean- with all my planners, my systems are always flawed as well.
I have hobonishi cousin, third year and loving it! Yours look pretty neat too.
Oh, you use the same one as Sarah! I’m sure it’s a lot nicer than this one. But, we’ll see how this works for me.
You won’t believe this – never had I ever purchased a paper planner in all my life but when I heard the episode, I thought huh why not and got it. I ended up ordering a second one for work, since I have lots of small tasks to track, and it just works better if I have it on paper. Now I just need 2025 to get here so that I can start using it!
Really? You mean you got this same one??? That’s so funny. I think it’s a good planner! I’m also waiting impatiently to start using it.
I love your planner! I have a similar one – not exactly the same, but laid out quite nicely like yours. I’m so excited to start filling it in! There’s something so great about a fresh new planner. So many possibilities!
Yes, I know! It does have a fresh, exciting feel.
I do use a planner, but mostly just for work things. Mine is a July 2024-June 2025 planner, so I won’t have to get a new one for awhile.
I’m excited to hear about your goals and plans for 2025! But I still can’t believe that we’re less than a month away from a new year!
I know Ashley- this time of year goes SO FAST. So, do you use a separate log for tracking your running? Just curious.
I use Strava to track my runs, and also an Excel spreadsheet, so I can better see how many miles I get every month!
For the last several years, I’ve used a Wonderland 222 but I never reference the calendar part of the planner oddly – mostly because I live and die by my outlook calendar at work. I found I was only using the notes page at the back for to do lists and for taking notes during meetings. I’m kind of sad to not have a planner this year but I think I just need a notebook for this stage of life for notes/to do lists. Some day I will not be so beholden to an outlook calendar… but not until I retire. Ha.
That planner looks really great, though!!
Hey, whatever works! It does sound like a regular notebook makes more sense for you in this phase of life.
My first ever planner (this past year) was such a huge bust. It’s a gorgeous planner, I just don’t know how to USE it. I definitely think, if I ever get another one, it needs to be undated because I am terribly inconsistent about using it. I was SO SURE that buying a fancy expensive planner was going to solve all of my problems, and alas. It did not. I am still me, but now with an out-of-date empty planner.
Ha ha… well, live and learn! Yes, an undated planner would be perfect for you… if at some point you’re ready to try again.
I love it! I just bought one yesterday– and it was only $15!!! I usually just use a notebook, but the one I found was TOO CUTE to pass up https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/shop/hybrid/ohh-deer-daily-planner?color=024&size=ONE+SIZE&type=REGULAR&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=%5BNB+PLA+US%5D+-+PMAX+-+General&utm_content=&utm_term=&creative=&device=c&matchtype=&network=x&utm_kxconfid=vx6q4l3b6&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA6t-6BhA3EiwAltRFGPcQUg0V43KTbyDFe_n2OXSpoo3-SJi3KCtPEDjr1iawJ6XPOQuehhoC_CMQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&quantity=1
That is cute!!! Last year I randomly found one I LOVED at TJ Maxx, and it was probably around $15. I couldn’t find one like it again, and I even tried the same brand. Oh well!
This year I’m keeping it simple. I have a one-page goal tracker for each month and I am just carrying around a little moleskin notebook for my to-do items. Will this work? I don’t know!
My husband and I have a shared Google calendar where I plan out most of my appointments and things. That has worked for us for years and is the main reason I ended up moving away from paper planners. I am jealous of everyone with paper planners, though. It’s so nice to have a physical artifact at the end of the year.
I just like writing things down. But it sounds like your system works for you, and I like the idea of an all-purpose notebook.
I hope you get to do lots of terrific things and track them in your new planner, Jenny. I love this layout too (and yes, Sat and Sun are full days and deserve full spaces too). Mine kinda looks like this https://www.pocobrat.net/2021/03/days-are-short.html
I’ve accumulated stickers and things over the years, and should start using them!
Ooh, i love the color coding! It looks really pretty- and complicated. I don’t think my life is as complex as yours.
I just bought a paper planner for next year! Huge change for me; I’ve never successfully used one, sigh, but I’m trying to be more “offline” and present for some of my planning / tracking stuff. It has a weekly layout, which I like (well, I think I like, haha!), and I’m excited to get started!
Good luck Lindsay! I want to hear all about it.
I am all about paper. I really hate planning things digitally (even though I know it’s likely more efficient). There is something so satisfying about using a pen and crossing things off manually.
That said, my husband LIVES and DIES by his Google Cal.
I love my Sprouted planners, but they are pricey. This will be my 4th year using them and I’m so used to the layout and structure that it feels like an extension of my body almost!
So fun! I love a new planner. I just bought an undated planner that I’ll be using throughout the year. It’s got lots of different places to map out different to-dos/goals throughout the week, which is what I *really* need a planner for. I put most appointments/events in my Google Calendar but I may also buy a wall calendar for 2025 so I can see the month at a glance that way, too.
I would never have time to fill it out.
I do use my digital calendar for most things. But just time and place.