Hello and welcome back to the final week in this planner series! We’re wrapping up the month and ushering in new spring vibes with April. Although I will not be posting any new videos of my compact this week (other than my March flip on IG reels), I will still be planning in my compact for the remainder of the week.

I will be setting up my classic binder for April which will include my monthly and first week setups that span over two videos. I also change my travellers notebook to reflect the changing months, seasons and holidays. I can’t wait to show you guys!

Day 1: Monday, March 24, 2025

Good morning! I had to start with an opening picture because today is just crazy. It started out busy and I just continued adding tasks to my list that needed to get done.

I kept thinking of things, so I ended up getting another stalogy notebook (I really like that paper!) to start writing all my notes in. That way, when I retire my planner notes, I don‘t have to worry about losing any ideas or inspiration - it’s all right there together in a book that’s easier to keep around.

I think I keep thinking of new ideas because I’m so inspired by spring, fresh air and the idea of summer approaching. There are so many more things that we can do, need to do, and I have a lot more energy at this time of the year. I find my energy revolves around the sun - the sunnier it is, the more energetic I feel.

I can’t wait to cross off all my tasks at the end of the day. I’ll check back with you guys tomorrow and I’ll show you how my day went!

Day 2: Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Good evening! I’m writing this at end of day. It’s almost 10:00 pm and I am exhausted. I let my pain get the better of me today. I couldn’t focus, so not a whole bunch got done. I was able to film my Planners Anonymous haul video (barely because the kids are home for spring break and were very loud). I also forced myself to clean the bathroom because if I didn’t do it, it wouldn’t get done. Other than that, as you can see, I’ve left a bunch of editing for tomorrow.

Tomorrow I’ll be filming my Classic setup for April and I’m beyond words. I had a panic attack about not having my flip done for March, but then realized I’m not actually switching binders. I (unfortunately) can continue planning in my compact right up until Monday, March 31, 2025 because I’m still using my compact inserts. (Sigh…) Almost done though…

Day 3: Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Good morning! So I just finished filming my video, and it was so nice to work in my classic. Given that I’m filming my new setups all this week, I think I can last a couple more days in my compact. For all the griping I’ve done, it hasn’t been all bad.

My compact does have 1.25” rings, and the binder won’t close. I wonder if it would have closed if I had used a vintage aurora with the slip strap? Maybe…

It’s going to be raining and snowing these next few days so it won’t feel like spring. Today is rain, and then we have a winter snow fall warning. This time of year is always dangerous for us here in Alberta. We have freeze/melt cycles that make for very dangerous driving conditions. Freezing rain is very common here :(

Hopefully April brings warmer weather!

Day 4: Thursday, March 27, 2025

Good morning! Today turned into a crazy day. We had a big spring snow storm and my husband ended up coming home early. It was hard to focus on work stuff once he was here. The kids were rambunctious and excited and I didn’t get to a lot of the things I wanted to.

It is days like this that these compact planner pages are just not big enough. I ran out of room, and had to carry my tasks over to the next page.

It’s helping me a bit knowing that I’m planning in my classic now. I set up my week in my Laura binder and I can’t get over how pretty it is :)

Day 5: Friday, March 28, 2025

Hello! The countdown is on! Only three more days to go in my compact. At this point, it seems redundant talking about how excited I am about moving out of it. I have determined that I’m simply not a compact girl. I am currently more happy in a travellers notebook for something more portable. In that at least, I feel like I can be more creative and I’m not carrying a complete copy of my main planner. Each of my planners should have a purpose that’s different.

As far as things go, my willpower alone is carrying me through these last couple of days. I’m planning in my compact because I can’t let those few last days of March go to waste. LOL

Here’s a snap shot of what Friday looks like:

My husband was home all day today so I was able to fully focus on work while he watched the kids. I did have to “take a break” and shovel the snow. We literally got about two feet of snow in two days. Happy spring to us! NOT.

I have a bunch of editing to do, so I’m going to get to it and talk to you guys tomorrow. I can’t say how busy my pages are going to look over the weekend, as it’s my birthday weekend and I’m planning on working 0% LOL

Day 6: Saturday, March 29, 2025

Good morning! It’s Saturday and technically a (no-work) day! I really wanted to refrain from working at all since it was my birthday weekend, but when you’re a small business owner, not working is never an option - at least when you love what you do!

Here’s a quick look at my compact today:

My list is shorter today than it’s been for awhile now. Quite a few of the tasks have nothing to do with work which is ok.

I must say my little compact binder has served me well this month. I do enjoy planning, no matter what planner I’m in. I will be taking my lavender Phoebe Travellers Notebook (from Planner Perfect) with me to karaoke tonight so I can write a list of the songs I plan to sing and/or practice today.

Tomorrow will be the last entry for this blog as Week 5 is the last blog in this series. I’ve enjoyed writing daily “journal” entries for this blog - it’s different than my normal style, but all things must eventually come to an end.

I’ll see you guys tomorrow !

Day 7: Sunday, March 30, 2025

Hello friends! I made it! This is the last day of the blog (even though tomorrow is the technical last day of the month)! We’re done and I completed an entire month in my compact.

Just as a recap for this little project, I’ll highlight my experience using a compact (when I’m used to classic):

The inserts are smaller - less room to write and less room to decorate.
Technically, planner is smaller and more easy to carry. Mine wouldn't close because I stuffed it so full, so I didn't really experience the “compact-ness” of the compact.
Since I changed the inserts I used, it was hard to get used to the new layout. (i.e. Didn’t organize my meal plans properly) but that’s more to do with not having time to get used to the new layout.
Divider system was also different, so harder for me to find things.

My Findings:

I’m a classic girl through and through.
I love to decorate - compact just doesn’t afford enough room.
I literally couldn’t wait to decorate my classic binder for April and get back into it.
Inserts are a pain to trim compared to half letter inserts (half letter - you literally cut the paper in half and that’s it).

Thank you so much for reading this blog and following along with me for the entire month of March. I hope my experience let you see first hand what it’s like living in a compact.

I think for people who like to have a very functional planner, and who might not be as busy in their life as I am would do well in a compact.

I for one am happy to be out of it and I hope you follow along with me on YouTube as I plan out each week in my classic Laura binder for April 2025.

Cheers!

Sandra

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