How to Plan Your Life!

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Post updated as of January 7, 2025.

I didn’t realize it, but I’ve always been a planner girlie. I’ve been using paper planners since 2000! A few years ago I tried to go purely digital but it didn’t work for me. There’s something about putting pen to paper that brings me joy! Putting pen to paper engages your brain in a unique way, activating areas responsible for memory and focus. Unlike typing, the act of writing slows you down just enough to process your thoughts more deeply, helping you clarify your goals and priorities. Plus, the experience of writing in a planner or journal can be both calming and rewarding, adding a personal touch to the process of organizing your life.

Whether you’re juggling work, family, studies, or personal ambitions, a thoughtful approach to organizing your life can make all the difference. Planning is not about rigidly sticking to a script but creating a roadmap that adapts to life’s unpredictability. It’s a tool for reducing stress, boosting productivity, and ensuring you have time for what truly matters.

I love Jordan Page’s video on how her family organizes their year, which is where my inspiration came from. Like Jordan, I use both paper and electronic planners to plan my life. If I didn’t put plans and schedules in place, my household would be out of control!

Why I Plan

We’re all busy in our own way–whether you’re running a family, a professional, a student, a caretaker, (or all of the above). We’ve all experienced times when there are not enough hours in the day! I’m a Xennial (the sandwich generation/Oregon Trail General/Late X’er). I’m a working professional, with a husband and two young children, I’m in my last semester of graduate school (whoo finally done!), with an aging parents (sadly my father passed away that year). My life IS A WHIRLWIND.

By blending flexible strategies with the right tools, you can create a system that supports your goals and helps you navigate the complexities of modern life. Let’s dive into how you can plan your life more effectively this year.

Planner Options

I tried to use a plain recycled paper planner, but I didn’t enjoy it. It’s a perfectly lovely planner, but I’m back to using the Happy Planner, among others and I’m much happier! Here’s a view of my stash.

Happy Planner

The Happy Planner is a game-changer for anyone who loves organization with a creative twist. It’s not just a planner; it’s an outlet for self-expression and creativity. What I adore most about the Happy Planner is how customizable it is—from the interchangeable covers to the colorful stickers and layouts that make planning genuinely exciting. It bridges the gap between a traditional planner and a bullet journal, minus the daunting task of creating spreads from scratch. Whether jotting down appointments, tracking habits, or adding little mementos like photos or keepsakes, the Happy Planner transforms the mundane act of planning into a delightful ritual. It’s not just about staying organized; it’s about celebrating your journey, one sticker-filled page at a time. You can see one of my personal spreads below.

I’ve had all types of paper planners over the years, but the Happy Planner is so much fun to use. The Happy Planner reminds me of a bullet journal without all of the hard work! The Happy Planner provides lots of space for writing and fun stickers. I jot down notes about my day and paste in photos. The Happy Planner is a calendar, a photo journal, and an informal scrapbook all in one. I’ve never been much of a scrapbooker or a journaler, so the Happy Planner is a nice hybrid.

The Daily Grind

The Daily Grind Daily Planner is a powerhouse for anyone seeking structure and productivity with a sleek, minimalist design. The Daily Grind has a lot fun inserts, including a budget tracker, reading tracker, habit tracker, glow challenge, and more. What sets this planner apart is its focus on functionality without sacrificing style. With its clean layouts and well-thought-out sections, it’s perfect for breaking down your day into manageable tasks while keeping an eye on your priorities. I love how it emphasizes daily focus, helping me tackle what truly matters instead of getting lost in an overwhelming to-do list. Using the Daily Grind feels intentional and empowering, turning each day into an opportunity to stay grounded and achieve your goals.

Gilded Floral Journal

If you’re looking for a journal that captures the elegance and charm of my current Gracious Maker Journal, I highly recommend the Gilded Floral Journal. While it’s not the exact same as my current journal, it shares many of the same beautiful qualities that make a journal feel special. I received the Gracious Maker Journal as a gift. I looked for it but I could not find it. Like the Gracious Maker, the Gilded Floral Journal features an intricate floral design with a luxurious gold finish that immediately catches the eye. It’s perfect for those who love a balance of beauty and practicality. I like that it’s undated and just plain lined paper. I’m able to write my thoughts down whenever I feel like, which typically is not daily. I wish I was a daily journaler, but I typically journal a few times per week.

And…. we’re back to Happy Planner

I use two additional Happy Planners, one is a Skinny Classic Horizontal Layout. I use this one for my work and blog planning. It’s both functional and stylish. The compact Skinny Classic size is perfect for keeping track of all my deadlines, to-do lists, and creative ideas without taking up too much desk space. The vibrant Mod Garden design with its bright colors, floral patterns, and whimsical motifs makes planning feel fun and inspiring.

Lastly I use the Skinny Mini Horizontal Layout for my on the GO or travel planner. I like to be able to reach into my purse and pull out a small paper planner.It’s a lifesaver for staying organized while out and about. Its compact size fits perfectly in my bag, and the Forest Flowers design brings a sense of calm and natural beauty to my daily planning. With 12 stunning dividers and a convenient horizontal layout, it’s easy to jot down quick notes, errands, and appointments wherever I am. Both planners are fabulous tools for staying organized while adding a touch of joy to every planning session!

Google Calendar

What I like about my electronic calendar is that I carry it everywhere with me. I don’t always bring my paper planner with me. If you need something that goes with you everywhere then your phone fits the bill. So Google Calendar is a lifesaver when it comes to staying organized and connected in today’s fast-paced world. I love how seamlessly it integrates with my devices, ensuring I have my schedule at my fingertips wherever I go. Google Calendar lives in your pocket—accessible anytime through your phone, tablet, or computer. Its ability to sync across devices means that updates happen in real-time, so you’ll never miss a beat.

One of my favorite features is the ability to share calendars with others, making it effortless to coordinate schedules with family, friends, or colleagues. Need to plan a meeting or a dinner date? Just check everyone’s availability in one place and send an invite—so simple! The color-coding options are another win, helping me visually separate personal, work, and social commitments at a glance. Plus, with handy reminders and notifications, you’ll never forget an important appointment, deadline, or birthday.

If you’re someone who loves being on top of things but doesn’t always want to carry around a physical planner, Google Calendar is the ultimate tool for staying organized, connected, and stress-free.

Jstory Personal Calendar

Edit: As I noted above I decided to use a more minimalistic calendar for 2019, which frankly didn’t spark joy. If you you’re into a minimalist look then check out Jstory’s Personal Calendar collection. Jstory’s calendars are bare-bones, but they are wonderful. Depending on what your needs are, you can get small, medium, large, and extra-large. The medium was a little smaller than I was used to, but it fits neatly in my purse for easy travel. You have to write the months and days in it, but it gives you incredible flexibility.

What Should You Calendar?

Holidays, birthdays, and annual events

The first thing I enter in all of my calendars are holidays, annual events, birthdays, anniversaries. We have certain days off every year, such as Martin Luther King Day, Good Friday, July 4th, Labor Day, Veteran’s Day, and a few days during Thanksgiving and Christmas. I also enter the week we typically take our family vacation.

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School Events and Daycare

I input my children’s school calendar, so I know when they’re off school and when their school events are. For example, there are some days that my children are off of school when both my husband and I are working. My kids have early release days or track out. All of these days need to be accounted for in my calendar. Thankfully schools and daycares plan their years well in advance. Not only do I have the 2018-19 2025-26 calendars, but the 2019-20 2026-2027 calendars. As soon as the school year ends, I enter the information for the next school year. This allows us to plan for childcare so that neither of us are taken by surprise.

Doctor, Dental, Eye Glasses, Vet visits

Some doctor visits are unscheduled, depending on WHEN one of us gets sick, but the vast majority of our medical visits are scheduled and thus go on the calendar. I update my calendar weekly.

Scheduled Activities

Ballet lessons, storytimes, music lessons, recitals, karate, Easter egg hunts, visiting family, concerts, date nights, play dates, PTA meetings, etc.

Big To-Dos

School registration deadlines, vacation planning, when to get valentine’s day cards to the teacher (I like to order from VistaPrint), teacher appreciation week, kids birthday parties, scheduled car maintenance, home repair appointments (and reminders–like when to change filters), baby showers, furniture deliveries, dinners, brunches, taxes, and church activities.

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Other Electronic Options

ToDoist

I was hesitant to use anything other than my iPhone reminders app, but ToDoist converted me. Unlike the reminders app, ToDoist allows me to create different lists, categories, notes. It’s a list app, not necessarily a reminders app (although it allows you to set reminders). Like Google Calendar, ToDoist allows me to share lists with my husband. The lists I have are grocery, kids, school, house, cleaning, work, and more. I still use iPhone reminders for date reminders, but having a set of lists in its own little shell helps me focus and actually get stuff done!

Reminders 

I use my iPhone reminders app for EVERYTHING. I don’t know what the Android equivalent is, because I’m an iPhone user.

I put in a reminder to take the compost out, take my meds on a daily basis, go to appointments, when to change our air filters, emails to send etc. If it’s not written down somewhere I won’t remember it. I’m not sure if this because I’ve been brain addled toddlered (mother of a young children and a newborn) or if there’s something wrong with me?

Microsoft Outlook Calendar

I use this calendar exclusively for work. Yes, I have a multi-tiered system!

Notes

Everything else that isn’t necessarily a reminder or a list, goes in my iPhone Notes app. I write everything down I need to remember. If there’s a book I want to read, a recipe, a goal, vegetables I want to grow, something I’m grateful for, an address, etc. It’s truly endless.

I hope you find these tips useful in your own life. I’m always on the lookout for new ones so please share yours. One thing that carries me through the busy times is this scripture:

Isaiah 40:31 “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

#planner, #plannerorganization, #Minimalism, #timemanagement #planningideas