Current Planner Lineup
Well here I am, writing about my favourite thing in the world (again)…of course for besides my husband, kids, etc. If you’re reading this, you just get it! Before we start digging into the goodness that are my planners, I just want to warn you that my actual planner covers (and sometimes contents) change monthly. By the time this blog is live, I might well be in a new cover for each binder, but my overall planning system will remain the same, at least for this year.
If you know me, you know that I get bored very easily and I like to keep changing things up all the time. I find that this keeps me interested in my planning system and gets me excited for each month that rolls around. I feel like that might be one reason why people create a planner and then forget about it. You have to keep it relevant for you - if you change, or your life changes, then why shouldn't your planning system also change?
In this blog, I will talk about my journals and planners and how I use them together to basically create the life I want, and to take control of my obligations and opportunities. When you plan out your life, you have a map for the short term. This can only lead you to good places, because you are more focused, you tend to have more drive and it feels damn good to cross those to-do’s off your list! Let’s start!
PLANNER 1: Cultivate What Matters Goal Planner
This is the starting point in my planning process. Setting #goals is one of my main focus tasks. I’ve written many blogs on goal setting and how to do it, so I won’t get into that right now. Just know that for me, my planning process would probably look much different if I didn’t use this goal planner. I set my main goals at the beginning of the year, and I set up my quarters at the same time. I create new goals monthly, based on my beginning pages, and I follow my tending list throughout the month. I am in this planner daily, to check off items on my tending list once they are complete.
PLANNER 2: The Budget Mom’s Budget By Paycheque Workbook
I definitely do not carry this planner with me anywhere. It always stays at my desk. I use this planner quite often. I will record my expenses daily, if I have any. I set up my monthly pages prior to the beginning of the new month. (This is something I’m starting to add as an Instagram Reel and Youtube short if you’re interested). I film videos weekly (since we get paid weekly) and I pay bills every Thursday. There is room to set separate financial goals in this book, as well as record all your savings accounts balances and sinking funds. I don’t remember how I paid bills on time without this book. It is amazing and has literally changed my life for the better.
PLANNER 3: Franklin Covey Classic Catch-All Planner (Blue Mirage Vintage Aurora)
This is my main planner, in terms of scheduling and planning. I have multiple sections within this binder, including Home, Personal, Projects/Notes, Goals and Schedule. I use top tabs and bottom tabs to designate groups within these sections, and it keeps me very organized. This binder is basically my life. I write notes in it when I need to, and I have an index to find all of my important notes. I use a future log for all the months of the year to record important dates and I use a monthly calendar to keep myself up to date with any appointments or commitments. I also use a weekly overview schedule to see my week at a glance. I used to use an hourly schedule and found it quite useless with kids. I switched to a morning/afternoon/evening layout and it works quite nicely. It allows me room to be flexible while still helping me to keep my life in order. Lastly, I use a daily (I recently switched to Agendio inserts which is a planner company that allows you to build your own planner and customize it to your needs). I record my daily schedule, my to-do list and any notes I gather throughout the day.
PLANNER 4: Franklin Covey Classic Work Planner (Purple Plumeria Vintage Aurora)
At one point, I had tried to maintain my work information within my catch-all and it just wouldn’t fit. I love my Franklin Classic size so much, and I had all the inserts in classic as well, so having two Franklins is perfect. I have an online business that contains many different components: Youtube Channels, Instagram Accounts, a Business Facebook Page, A Sticker Shop, a website to maintain and a Weekly Blog. I use my work planner to handle all things business, and I keep it separate from my Catch-all. I find this helps me to separate work from home life a little bit better, especially considering that I have a home business.
PLANNER 5: Wellness Planner (Wild Celebration Planners Anonymous Melody)
My wellness planner is a new addition. I found that I wasn't taking my medication on a regular basis, or following up with any health things that pertained to me. As a mother, I always make sure everyone else is good - kids come first, then husband, then dogs. This is a planner specific to MY health, even if it’s scheduling a bath, or a mani/pedi. I also plan on writing daily gratitude in this planner, and using wellness resources from creators on Etsy.
PLANNER 6: Commonplace Book (Fierce Planners Anonymous Melody)
This is a planner that I’m only in occasionally. It’s called a common place book, where you write information from various sources, but that you can refer back to when needed. For example, when I’m watching a YouTube video, sometimes I like to take notes depending on the content. I would put it in my catch-all planner, but I destash it monthly and then I would have to search for those notes in my basement. Instead I can keep my notes in this B6 sized booklets within this planner cover and I know exactly where to go to find the information. I use my notes for inspiration for video creation, and new blog ideas.
Journal 1: Hobinichi Cousin in a Franklin Covey Coil-Bound Purple Plumeria Vintage Aurora
My Hobinichi Cousin is also a recent addition to my planner/journal lineup. I loved the idea of using the different sections for different things, that are all non-planner related. For instance, I use the monthly section to add a daily memory or daily success. The weekly is used for back-planning/memory keeping (I love to embellish with little sticker icons from Once More With Love and CoffeeMonsterzCo). The daily pages are where I journal for that day, but I love using transparent stickers so it doesn’t bulk up the book too much. This has quickly become my favourite habit, and I have started to maintain my nightly journaling routine.
Journal 2: Peter Pauper Press Journal/Miscellaneous Journal
My regular “daily” journaling has always been part of my life. I journal every morning, rain or shine. I used to journal in the morning to give my intentions, goals for the day or a review of the previous day. At night I would use it for a review of that day, if I got time. I also use it for more private emotions and some shadow work.
Thank you for showing interest in my content! Remember to check out my YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/sandradahl for daily inspiration and new content every week!
💜 SAN
