How my planner system has changed

Hello lovelies!! Welcome to a State of the Planner Union Address in which I give a full update as to what I am currently using and how things changed like crazy in January and February.
IN THIS VIDEO:
Hobonichi store for all your Hobonichi needs: www.1101.com/store/techo/en/
Sterling Ink Common Planner info here: sterlingink...
Moterm Planner Cover: moterm.com/collections/veg-ta...
The pen the myth the legend, the uniball jet stream multipen: www.jetpens.com/Uni-Jetstream...
Asian Vintage 2-week cover: www.etsy.com/listing/76214091...
Sakura HandCraft cover (the one with deers on it for my A6): www.etsy.com/listing/90939987...
Moleskine pocket notebook: www.amazon.com/Moleskine-Clas...
Zig Brushables Dual Tip Marker - Platinum www.dickblick.com/items/zig-b...
CHAPTERS:
00:00 intro
04:28 pocket planner madness
09:54 journaling 4ever
11:50 common planner chaos
16:37 combining work & personal
20:01 common planner weekly layout
26:56 trying dailies....again
29:24 my plans moving forward
30:55 supplies

[@kris.1095]

I have been known to change planners multiple times a day to ease my frustration over no single system being able to do it all. But, I couldn’t keep up several planners at once, so I’d have my year spread over (fill in an embarrassing number) of planners. I’m not about art or deco or anything - I get joy from other people’s creativity - so this year I made a resolution: stay in one planner NO MATTER WHAT. This is only possible because I found you, you found the SICP, and you demonstrated how to change how you use a planner without actually switching to a different planner. I’m quite literally shocked that it’s March and I’m still in this same planner. The monthly spreads are the only consistent thing in it. All those blank “dailies” have let me experiment instead of feeling trapped. Wow, ok, this is long, but you asked. 😉 Have a great week!

[@JustScribble]

The CP has such a great skeleton to keep you organized but with flexibility to change things up. It’s like a bujo with a skeleton which I love.

[@MiaBlaha]

I always thought January/February is my planning lab time. I was wrong. It absolutely doesn't matter what planner I'm using in January/February. It's my winter blues time, I will generally skip on using anything I originally selected and I will feel terrible about it. Around March time once the weather is nicer and my mood is better I will go back to my bullet journal which is the only system that works for me. Took me 5 years to figure out this is happening 😅

[@avrilqueen6703]

Maybe you could try Hobonichi April start version.

[@tracyyoon127]

Thank you for this video! I love the reminder that what we tried to do in January, doesn't have to stay the same.

[@RachelleinTheory]

It totally doesn't! Sometimes it changes so drastically haha.

[@missfl0werstar]

Love your videos and your "scientific" approach. 😊 I work in academia and plan strictly functionally, so I have to sift through a lot of pretty planning 9n social media to get to the strategies I need. I usually start the year with as few planners as I can manage and build from there if I really feel the need. That said, I like to (read: need to) separate my work and personal planning for my sanity. I don't want my 9to5 to occupy my thoughts when I'm with my family and I don't want to be thinking about chores when working on a project. I keep the two separate, in a Weeks (personal) and a Common Planner (work) respectively. This year I tentatively added another Weeks that I can just scribble or doodle in and take notes for my therapy appointments. But that's it, I'm staying as minimal as possible. 👍

[@toryevanss4512]

This is why I'm happy to be in a Hobo Cousin. I use the daily pages differently every day; and while so far I've used the weeks pages consistenly the same way, I will likely change this up soon. Still tinkering with how I use the monthly and yearly spreads too.

[@JustScribble]

That’s the same reason I love the Common Planner. It’s the same basic layout without the dated dailies. So flexible but with structure too.

[@luc_is_here]

Same! I was considering the Sterling Ink but the dated daily pages makes me more likely to experiment since the space is “finite”

[@Jeffersonmorant.]

That’s so thoughtful of you Tory, Thanks for your positive review,How are you and how’s the weather over there?

[@Teachmond]

I love how you and the Hobonichi community talk about changing your planners style and different planners. I’m new to this system and just started using the 2023 weeks. I know it’s almost 2024 but that’s ok. I’m considering it my learning planner. So far I love it. Thank you for your videos. ♥️

[@DianeShugart]

January is definitely a planning lab. My go-to planners are the Hobonichi Weeks and A6 Original, which I bounce between several times a year. I realised this is because there are days when I need the daily view so in 2023, I'm using them together. The Weeks is still my basic book that I complement with the A6. (Also, trying the English A6 Planner did not work, so I ended up ordering the A6 Original in mid-February.) Btw, one 2023 addition/innovation to my planning system is the RachelleinTheory distraction log (patent pending 😀).

[@RachelleinTheory]

AAHHH I hope the distraction log works for you! That honestly sounds like a pretty good combo, the weeks and the A6!

[@programmablecat]

Yess, I love the very last line you said: "Make sure your planners stay flexible because this is your life, you know? We gotta do what feels right, what feels natural." I actually love watching people discover, move, and vibe into a different planner. Like, yes, babes, we're happy you found something that works for you right now!! Keep at it! A few years ago, I would start a planner and just stop completely because it didn't feel good for me, yet I felt bad moving into a different one (planner guilt?? lol). I also wasn't experimenting with layouts and usage as much. It wasn't something I thought I could do?? So I just dropped my planner completely without picking up a new one. It's the sort of feeling I get when I DNF a book and then fall into a reading rut because I was beating myself up for not liking the book that everyone raved about. However, I felt so scatter-brained without a proper planning system. Now I just accept the fluidity of my needs and feelings (and the importance of keeping my lil ADHD brain happy while still keeping a planning system). Right now, that's the Hobonichi Cousin Avec for memory keeping, a Weeks for personal, and a separate Weeks for work. I also did play around with using a Traveler's Notebook passport size last month??? I was accidentally in trend, apparently 😆 I loved it but it was a bit too small so I'm using it as my sketchbook instead. This system's working well! However, I did just get Aura Estelle's weekly planner... LOL but specifically for the daily pages. We shall see about that. Love you and your video, as always, Rachelle 🧡

[@Stormbrise]

I have been using two planners since January, the Hobonichi cousin for my thesis work, and my EDC Aurora weeks. I am journaling in an original A6 - One Piece. That just started in March, since my cover did not get here until early February. I found a thing to start journaling about, trying to figure that out for a month. I also have other weeks, but I have not set those up, because the thesis is pretty much draining my energy. Setting up 2 planners right now is what I have time for. I have blank days for when my Autism/ADHD refuses to let me concentrate or continue, mostly because of overwhelm. I guess the new acronym for this is AuDHD. Always enjoy your videos, you are so practical.

[@RachelleinTheory]

Thank you for sharing, watching and commenting

[@TheStationerd]

Loving how your system evolves. 🖤

[@RachelleinTheory]

Thank you!!

[@planningcalm]

Such a great video Rachelle! I just finished editing a similar video and was so stressed by my process, but your video has helped me feel good about my planner system and to remember to be flexible with planning. Thanks for sharing your wisdom with us! :)

[@RachelleinTheory]

Aw thank you so much for the comments and kind words!

[@jampanda1568]

It's May and our classes are about to start here. So now I just set up a new planner and I'm inwardly panicking that it's not gonna get used. I've never had a 2 book system before but this video makes me feel great about just jumping around and experimenting.

[@RachelleinTheory]

Yes! It's totally OK to experiment and re-evaluate in a few months to change up what's not working :)

[@Weissklangi]

omg, that is so true. I set up my january, really nice, but didn't use it! February too T_T. Now in march, I stayed with my personal planner, but I changed my work planer after a year, because it didn't work in the A5 format anymore to I guess "personal"-format (9x18,5cm). The next few days, I also switched my garden planer to the same format 😂. Maybe it's the experience, but now I know, how much content I use and which format I really need. Not afraid to make it completely from scratch (DiscBound) with the dashboard, papersize etc.

[@RachelleinTheory]

Heck yeah, I love that you are bopping around to make it work for you :)

[@lachimiste1]

Pro tip: the Hobo Weeks “Memo books” are the right height to tuck into a B6 or B6 slim cover. If you want to keep a health log without making it public, you can use one of those memo books to do that tracking.

[@JustScribble]

Yes they are great for that. The A6 memo book and A6 weekly from Hobonichi are great to tuck in and keep those things separate. So slim and works great.

[@critterpaws8373]

I started the Wonderland 222 in Dec and I am still using it. Absolutely love it. Everything is in there even my monthly highlights review and overview for next month. Monthly routines. Month calendar and weeks. I am very satisfied .

[@RachelleinTheory]

That is awesome! The Wonderland 222 is such a solid choice.

[@gabysagun27]

loooove binging your videos and i just wanna say your nails are always so cute in every video!!

[@mizanknits4165]

Thank you for sharing where you got your weeks cover. I ordered a cover from Asian Vintage and I can't wait for it to arrive. The only consistent planner I have had so far since December is my hobonichi weeks. I dropped my sterlingink common planner, a5 avec and I'm now using a stalogy b6 for my journaling needs.

[@karendavidson6580]

I jump to the Hobonichi Techo mid April and loving it! Resisting the urge to purchase the Hobo Weeks until later in the year. The common planner is attractive to me. In January I purchased a large all inclusive planner and it's just too much for me. I get lost in it. Thanks for your vids; so helpful.

[@RachelleinTheory]

Thanks for watching and commenting Karen

[@lindabelardes5971]

Loved it ❤

[@ShaunaStory]

My planning system is (future log +) monthly calendar, weekly rolling task list ("Alastair method"), and dailies that start with a list of all events that I write out the night before (then it's a notes free-for-all). It keeps migrating relatively minimal--events go from monthly straight to daily and only task bullets migrate within the rolling weekly. Maybe pairing your dailies with a rolling weekly task list would help with the migration fatigue?

[@RachelleinTheory]

Great suggestion! I've done this with personal but not with work... very much worth a shot. Thank you Shauna!

[@Jeffersonmorant.]

That’s so thoughtful of you Shauna, Thanks for your positive review,How are you and how’s the weather over there?

[@TheSeatedView]

I also started a new system this year and haven't quite settled, but... After two months, it's starting to work. I'm giving myself the time to mess around and watch it evolve. There are no rules, ezcept what I want to do and it's so freeing I'm a little confused. ;) Like you, I'm not sure how to use the back pages in the Sterling Ink planner, but I'm easing in to it being a common planner/journal thing. Wrtiing down quotes from books, other quotes (like your mention of "what gets mesured gets managed), photos, memories, etc. I do try to keep details on work in another planner. Helps me move towards a more balanced life. As ever, a work in progress.

[@deisymont24]

Tolles Video! Dankeschön ❣️

[@deisymont24]

Don't know why i commented in german..but eyeah:great video, thanks!❤️😅

[@pointeplusplus]

Nice video! I am using the same planner as I was at the beginning of the year but since it’s a discbound one, I’m not sure if that’s saying much. I got new paper that’s fountain pen friendly! I’ve also started making some of my own stickers which is fun ☺️ I just watched a couple of your recent videos and noticed that the background blur or depth of field looks good! Whatever you changed made a big difference 😃

[@RachelleinTheory]

thank you so much!! I appreciate the feedback and the comments :)

[@queenbuzybee4074]

I‘m glad I‘m not alone. I started journaling again at the beginning of this year (after about a 10 year break) and what did I do beforehand? Yep, I watched tons of videos on planners and journaling, which resulted in buying stickers and stamps and everything else and a B5 Notebook. I realized pretty soon that I want it simple, just a fountain pen is enough. Now I‘m missing the structure having to do it myself. I‘m finding B5 to be too large. And I too wanted everything in one place - calendar, journal, habit trackers, just everything. It’s not working for me to say the least. Now to decide on how to go forth, we‘ll see. Thanks for sharing!

[@RachelleinTheory]

experimentation is the name of the game!! thanks so much for commenting and sharing

[@Coconuthead85]

The intro is totally right on. How does Rachelle read my mind 😅 ? ❤

[@cheekyauschick]

Amen Sister im hearing you.....

[@JustScribble]

I find the push to pocket and passport funny since I’ve been using and loving passport for over 5 years and now it’s popular. But all that ebbs and flows. In the end I know I need to just do what works for me. I can look at others planners and thing they are pretty and get inspo but I don’t switch what I’m using and what works for me. I think finding what size works for you for your handwriting, your portability, and your busyness is the first key thing to figure out and then figure out the layouts that work for you and how you need to see and keep your info organized.

[@RachelleinTheory]

YES finding what works for your portability and handwriting is so key. It's the user experience that matters the most and a lot of people don't think about it.

[@kimrioux4489]

I'm still using the same planner. It's a simple daily planner i bought at a store for 20$. I'm new to using a notebook and I promised myself I would not buy anything different until I was satisfied with my habit of using it. I'm thinking it's going to take me a full year 🙂

[@Elle-sn1jf]

u are stronger than me i own too many notebooks to count

[@Dreblueskies]

I find not looking at IG helps me not want to change and stay the course. Otherwise I hop around way too much and never really learn what works. Not saying I don’t want to hop I’m just trying to not make myself confused this year 😂

[@RachelleinTheory]

Not looking at IG is such a real tip lol 😭

[@izh_h]

It’s May and I’m already contemplating changing it up..again I bought a july-june weekly recently and I’m already eyeing a different system.

[@treehugger2718]

I need a daily list more than the weeks can provide its love hate cuz I like the portability but I like my disc system with me

[@tortagialla]

I definitely fell into the pocket planner madness 😅

[@christinehooper2078]

24:42 I have to keep work stuff absolutely separate as it contains confidential data. I tend to keep study stuff separately, too. My diary is really appointments and time management (separate for personal/study) and work and I'm developing separate planners for developing my business. My journalling is very personal and complety separate again. My diary is where everything is colour coded an comes together. But that's a lot of books. It will be easier in a few months when I retire from my full-time job, but right now, it's a bit complicated!

[@Natalie.D]

I love the fabric on your table. Where did you get that?

[@outinarizona]

I redid my work planner because the undated dailies + monthly i wanted to use were too microscopic and i pulled back into quarterly pages with undated weeklies. what i always want to use and what i need to use clash a lot. i keep trying, though. i live with a pocket notebook in my bag at all times; comes in handy.

[@Jeffersonmorant.]

That’s so thoughtful of you Nina, Thanks for your positive review,How are you and how’s the weather over there?

[@RachelleinTheory]

"What I want to use and what I need to use clash a lot".... I felt that 😭

[@jayjays2959]

I changed my planner system too. To the common planner lol

[@RachelleinTheory]

Welcome to the cult 😈

[@hamanoka]

"my real ass thoughts" is a whole mood lol

[@abbielynnjuett4031]

The back pages of the commonplace planner, have you tried to divide the page in half with a line then journal on one side at a time? The whole page for me was daunting, so I divided the page and voila Journaling is happening so much more.

[@HazelWalkerSpeaker]

I never start my system in January, I start my year in November which is my Birth Month, my year. BUT I have tried sooooooo many planners and never get the perfect one!

[@RachelleinTheory]

Oooh I love the idea of starting in your birth month. I am born in January though, so I kind of have to stick to the regular thing 😂

[@princessteach]

What is the name of the brown pen that you mentioned with the A6?

[@treehugger2718]

How does everyone handle their errands and shopping lists

[@planningandpowerlifting]

@tree hugger, I was using my Hobonichi Weeks for meal planning and groceries. Now, I use my Jibun Techo Days for that, either Saturday or Sunday.

[@anaruiz6036]

I usually write mine on a margin as the week goes by I update it on our shared grocery list on our phones so if one of us has time to go before the weekend it’s all there

[@JustScribble]

Errands go on my weekly. I find if you have a more functional layout with less decor there’s room for a lot - appointments, memory keeping notes, to do’s, errands etc. I honestly do most of my shopping in pickup orders because I don’t have time to go shopping in person so I add my items on the app as I go so I don’t need huge lists. But when I do I most often just add a Post-it or washi a sheet of paper to my cover because I don’t need to keep those list. And when I get to the store I don’t need to hold my planner while pushing a cart and grabbing things. I need a paper in my hand and nothing more.

[@bedheadacademic]

my planner is always changing and its a disaster

[@AuntieAlexandra]

Same!

[@treehugger2718]

Me too I was going to post that too - shlit show

[@RachelleinTheory]

🫠😂

[@mrsdudeandkids]

I don't relate anymore. Been in the same $20 planner since the new academics started last July. I don't think it has anything to do with January, because you'll see if in April & May, July, September & October as well - all the releases.

[@suev4143]

I would prefer if you could get to the point quicker. You end to go off on tangents, and waffle. State the conclusion, and then state bullet point summary. Thanks.

[@viralprimenetwork]

Your planner was amazing and really helpful to organize our daily life. We sent you an email, please take a look☺.