I am in planner chaos ... again 🥲 Hobonichi Cousin, Common Planner, TN standard

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[@macfrenzyfrost]

Hi Rebeka - I completely understand how you feel. I am no doctor but I have a daughter that struggles with letting small things or things that she wonders why she can’t easily let go things that she wants to. Through therapy and evaluation we learned that she struggles with emotional disregulation. This term was new to me and I think I may also be touched by this. You may also want to see if this could possibly be preventing you from more easily not letting go some of your planner frustrations. I know your Cousin struggle b/c I too really wanted that planner to work for me but it does not suit my life or needs. For me the weeks and now the Sterling Ink version of the weeks planner is what really seems to work for me. It is just enough space for my personal life. If an app suits your needs then just use the app don’t try to fit your life on paper if it is not the best solution. And consider using the A6 planner that does not have the weekly format but retains the monthly. The daily pages are smaller and easier to fill out (5 minutes to jot something down) and just let go the blank pages because that is your life and it is okay. When you need more space to write or be creative consider adding a journal for longer journal entries. What I have learned is that planning needs to be productive and helpful for your life to keep you on track. Use the method or product that gives you that in the least problematic way. Have a separate non dated creative space for only when you want or need. Give yourself some grace and if you are suffering from some sort of emotional disregulation there are strategies for overcoming it. You don’t have to feel that this is just the way things are. Best of luck Rebeka. Your channel is quite nice and many people can relate to your feelings.

[@Rebeka_Plans]

Wow, this is such a nice and validating comment, thank you so so much for taking the time to write this out!! ❤️ I am in therapy for generalised anxiety disorder and a personality disorder, I think my planner struggles are just a part of that unfortunately 🥲 you totally gave me a lot of good ideas though, so thank you!! I might experiment with them in my system ❤️

[@hersabbatical580]

@@Rebeka_Plans Sending you hugs. I can hear the stress in your voice and how hard it must be for you. @macfrenzyfrost has a great idea - the Sterling Ink with its undated dailies is something well worth considering because really, some days you don't WANT to look back on and remember. The way I have gotten around this feeling, the urgency with having to keep up every day in my Cousin is to just write in REALLY BIG text (or a sketch of the poop emoji if it was a bad day!) what happened that day - but then my dailies are nowhere near as beautiful as yours! :D I also respect that you are real on this channel, thank you.

[@DesertGal]

@hersabbatical580 and @rebekah_plans Exactly! I write big too, on those days sometimes large enough to fill a page with just 3 or four words in text that shows how I feel. And sometimes it simply is just a reminder to me of how much I truly needed and desires more of God in my life that day and how much I needed His peace. His peace surpasses all human understanding. Our creator knows us best. My you Rebekah experience His love and peace knowing perfection was and is never required just a heart turned towards Him and His willingness to cover you in His Love and Perfection. All Glory to Jesus, have a beautiful day!

[@Stormbrise]

⁠@@Rebeka_PlansI would talk to your therapist about ASD/ADD/ADHD diagnosis. Many of us women have been misdiagnosed with other things. I do not see any of these diagnosis in myself as a bad thing, but I know myself better and why things may dysregulate me, and cause me anxiety, or just retreat. I am sure I have CPTSD from issues growing up, but I think I have enough diagnosis for now. I could also be totally off base in my suggestion also, I am not a therapist or psychiatrist. I am just a physical geographer who loves applied math. I had a study support counselor that helped me let go of my perfectionism with my planners, that it was okay to try to find a different routine to help me cope. That I learned that my executive function, the ability to plan, was the thing that was totally out of whack for me. I can hear you are on the verge of crying,and my heart goes out to you. Sometimes, I want to scream at some influencers that sit there and show you what they want you to see. Perfect spreads, perfect journal entries, etc. etc. It puts unrealistic expectations on ourselves to live up to some standard. It is like facebook where all you see is the best part of someone and what they are doing. They never show you the struggles, or how anxious or sad they are. It is one of the reasons I quit social media and IG. My spreads are not as beautiful as yours, and I love your aesthetic, sometimes dark academia.

[@7his1s3mi]

I also struggle with leaving blank pages, I have to remind myself that Hobonichi is short for Hobo Nikkan Itoi Shinbun (ほぼ日刊イトイ新聞, lit. Almost Daily Itoi Newspaper. The creator of Hobonichi wanted it called "almost daily" to give it more leeway, as he thought that daily updates would be too much mental pressure. It's okay to leave things blank when you need a break. ❤

[@hersabbatical580]

I didn't know this and I LOVE it!

[@Karina22222]

I appreciate your honesty in this video. Beautiful spreads (like yours!) are so often posted online without honesty about the sufferings of perfection that lurk beneath them! I love that you mentioned you have a perfect planner in mind, and how it actually inhibits your using of the planners. Perfection is not our friend. It leads to paralysis! I don’t know what flavor of rough childhood you had, but I found that adding a group therapy fellowship to my personal therapy routine is so helpful. I’m a child of an alcoholic and addicted family, so I attend Al anon meetings and have found sooo many tools and resources to move beyond awareness of how my weird habits and perspectives are remnants of my childhood-to actually having some practical tools to manage it in my day. Totally not trying to push anything but felt compelled to share with you. I watched your video last night and was thinking about it this morning! You are lovely. Even a messy page is lovely because it is yours.

[@kailahmom1]

This is exactly the reason why I no longer buy analog planners. I now do all of my planning digitally on my phone and iPad and I do all my journaling analog. Being hybrid between digital and analog saves me money and keeps me sane. It seems like the inserts you made for yourself could be your planner peace if you stop trying to use everything everyone else is using. I noticed that a lot of planner lovers suffer from a major case of FOMO, so they end up throwing away a lot of money on things that don’t work for them. They cause themselves unnecessary anxiety when they could just pick something that actually works and forget about the rest.

[@happyplanner_jana]

„You know let’s get another one that I’m not gonna use“ 😂🤣 too funny! Didn’t watch until the end yet but want to let you know that we all struggle with „planner peace“ and I‘ll cross my fingers that you’ll find something similar soon! Ps: absolutely love your inserts!! Awesome that you can make these 😮

[@Rebeka_Plans]

haha that is just how it is sometimes 🙈 and thank you for the encouragement and nice words Jana! ❤️

[@minesgal9788]

The problem is you are trying to do other peoples planning. You have to do what works for YOU, not to be like others. If you aren’t doing you, you will quickly lose steam. Try a smaller journal a6 maybe and fill up bland space, if any with pretty stickers or cheap washi tapes. That’s what works for me. See if that also works for you 21:01

[@Rebeka_Plans]

The thing is, all of these planners are working for me in different capacities through different periods - I can make them work just not all at once, however I also get bored easily and love to switch it up to get my creativity flowing but then again feel bad about not using everything all at once 🙈

[@darkchurchhill]

Personally I find blank pages to be kind of charming. In a way, they record the fact on those days you needed a break, which is reflective of that days mood.

[@jomichel8388]

I’ve heard many ppl have the same issue with the vertical layout as you. I think some use it to memory keeping & writing down nice moments. I also like the idea of ignoring the times and dividing up the day into boxes with categories. For example: social, studying, hobbies & other life areas. Or tasks lists, habit trackers, meal plans, daily gratitude/ happy moment

[@dllorenzodet]

Just watched this so I hope you are feeling better. Yes, don't beat yourself up for living life and not "documenting" life. Thank you for being so vulnerable and open with us. Good luck.

[@StaceyHeathxoxo]

I only purchase undated planners for exactly the reasons you stated. I can use daily pages when I want to now. No guilt that way. You should try day free or buy a blank notebook with monthly’s.

[@Rebeka_Plans]

I really hope the Common Planner is going to solve that problem for me but if not I will have to try your suggestions! ❤️

[@PrettyGreenMaiden]

Thank you for your video and sharing your thoughts. It sounds like you're going through a lot. I relate to some of your feelings, but I believe I am a bit more easier on myself. I have these internal trip wires that when I start feeling stressed about something, I ask myself questions like, if I don't do this thing, what's the worst that could happen? Or what's the real reason I'm upset with myself? It's hard but I try to treat myself as I would treat a dear friend who needs reassurance or comfort. I would be kind to my friend and reassure them that doing their best in that moment is enough. I don't know if that's helpful or not, but we need to be our own best friend before anyone else's. 🙂 By just listening to your voice, you seemed the most sure and confident when talking about your TN setup. It seems like you've found some peace there. Perhaps putting your other planners in a "see you in a year or two" box and giving yourself permission to let them go is key. Or maybe using one or two as a "demo" planner for when you want to play around and upload spreads? But putting them in a box or something and simplifying your system may help. And not focusing on the what-if's or i-should'ves, because our lives are so short to live in regrets. 🙂 You probably already know this, but the Common Planner had smaller sizes like the A6 or N1 and N2. So filling a page would be less daunting in those sizes perhaps? And you could still have a 1 book system to flip through at the end. For myself, my true planner journey started last year. I jumped 10 toes into the Travelers Company inserts and planner system. It was completely new to me and I was completely new to the planner community. I just knew that I needed something to help me organize my life and set goals so I researched and fell down the rabbit hole! And after I committed to the TN system, purchased a basic cover, bought the dated inserts and accessories, I discovered the SI planner 😭 and decided to get it more on impulse than forethought. I thought the vertical layout and 1 book format was superior to what I had been researching. Well, I should have stayed with the TN system because it works better with my birdie magpie brain. And while the B6 is a great size, it wasn't very portable for me so I wasn't picking it up. Also the thickness of the book was intimidating! This year, I am going to try to get the best of both worlds by getting the SI planner TN in compact size. My goal is to enjoy all the things I love about the Common Planner but inside a planning system that works for me. I don't have the planner yet because I missed the preorder, but if I can't get one, I have a backup option that will work with my TN. Thank you again for sharing and I hope you find planner peace! Edit: Because I am a stranger and do not know you, take any advice or suggestions with a grain of salt. What works for one person may not work for all. So feel free to ignore this!😁 But I really wish you the best and hope things work out for you next year.

[@Rebeka_Plans]

What a thoughtful and well written comment, thank you!! I think one aspect that I did not talk about in the video is just having a lot of fun changing up my system every time I feel like a need a fresh start or a boost of creativity and that is also one reason I am getting different planners but then it is hard to not feel bad about not using them all 🙈 and you are totally right, I am pretty hard on myself - I am in therapy trying to learn how to cope with it ☺️

[@Beloved309]

This resonated with me a lot. I’ve heard the best thing to do is to sit with your emotions and don’t fight feeling them. As far as blank pages. Write lyrics or poems in those spaces that describe the depression

[@Rebeka_Plans]

That is such a good idea, thank you! I hope you are doing okay ❤️

[@debbiedeas]

I have a lot of blank pages in my A6 Hobonichi because I can’t get myself to consistently look at my planner. One way I’ve tried to be in my planner more is to use the blank pages for notes and then reference those pages on the current day. Again, I haven’t been consistent, but it does help. And I try not to be too precious about what’s on those pages. It’s drafts of writing (letters, cards, speeches), brain dumps, experimental layouts, etc.

[@lkessler1]

I follow you because of how beautifully you decorate your planner. I saw another comment that you feel people would be disappointed if you did not use the Cousin. But, I honestly don’t think that is the case. I think people would follow no matter what planner you use. You have a unique decorating style that draws people in. Please don’t let social media dictate what you use. Daksina another person I follow has used a B6 Stalogy for years, and she has not wavered in that choice, people still follow her. Hang in there ❤️

[@hometoheather]

I so get wanting it to be perfect and I have struggled with that a lot. What helped me was a bit of a mindset shift. The planner is a tool to help you accomplish your life. The planner is not your life or an indication of whether or not your life is good or bad or organized or a mess. So for things like habit trackers - the idea is that they are a tool to help you establish habits. Checking the box gives us motivation to continue and not checking the box is a reminder that we forgot. If you are already doing the habits then you don't need a habit tool. You've already achieved success! Yay! Just keep going. Only use a tracker for habits you want to build or can't remember. I change up my habit trackers when and if needed to achieve progress towards my goals and I have them on my weekly spreads so they are visible more often and more front of mind. And if you are using an app for things like language learning or exercise then that is your tracker. Adding another one is duplication and duplication is noise. Noise is never going to help you accomplish your life. Keep it simple. Use the tool that is effective and ditch the noise. Oh and for blank pages or pages that feel like a mistake, sometimes I glue them together, or staple them together, and then tip in a note with a brief list of what I did during that time in case I need to look back. Then they aren't left undone. You've addressed them in a way that keeps the planner a useful tool and you can move on.

[@Stormbrise]

I get your feelings on this, and I used to get upset at myself for the same thing. Spending all that money and then having blank pages. However, finishing my MSc thesis became so stressful that all I did was just use all those blank pages for notes. I defended my thesis earlier this month, and have barely touched my Cousin. However, I keep reminding myself that I am in a stage of transition, plus I have been ill for the past week, first one thing and now another. My husband has had a bad cough and now I feel that I am coming down with it also, along with a fever. I keep saying everyday that tomorrow is a new day, and I can try again. You are making me miss mathematics, I swear I could just take calculus, linear algebra and discrete math courses, over and over again and be happy. It is logical to me, it makes sense to me, and that is why my autistic brain loves math. I have a common planner, that I bought for next year, but I hate the faintness of the grid. So, I am looking for something else,and I will sell that onwards or give them to my nieces.

[@rosemorelock]

I love how “real” you are! ❤

[@elenamplans]

Here me out: planner monkey co freely planned 👀 Blank monthly layouts with blank grid pages behind them. That means you can use whatever weekly/daily spread you want to use as needed, without fear of a the unfinished or stressful dated layouts that you feel the need to keep up with! :)

[@Rebeka_Plans]

haha OMG don't tempt me to buy another planner because I will 😂🙈 but honestly that planner sounds perfect! will check it out!

[@irocktallsocks3126]

I feel the same. I've slacked so bad on my planners lately and it's giving me anxiety. The daily pages were more stress than fun so I went with the SI planner for next year. Hopefully we can learn to be more forgiving next year and just enjoy the process. 🥰

[@Rebeka_Plans]

I really hope having just notes pages instead of dated dailies is going to make all the difference for me next year and I hope for you too! ❤️

[@pointeplusplus]

I think I understand how you feel in this video. I have a slightly different conundrum but I also have two competing planner desires that are incompatible I don’t know if this would do it for you, but I have a suggestion. If you’re okay with a bit of planner surgery, when you’re bored with a planner or at the end of the year, you could remove the pages you’ve used, punch them, and add them to rings or discs (discs work better for pages of differing sizes). That way you can hop from book to book, only need to use one at a time, and at the end everything is together I mainly use discs but I love the Hobonichi cousin so much I had to use it even though it’s a bound book and I can’t insert pages which is usually a deal breaker for me. But at the end of the year, the pages I use are getting removed and discked!

[@evamaynard3021]

At first I got a headache, but then you shared your beautiful inserts. That is all you need! Run with it. The chaos lead you to this clarity. The challenge for you now, is to accept it, embrace it, own it. And then, when you get bored, start all over. Use the blank pages to brainstorm. They don't need to be in order. I wish you the best and I look forward to Korea awesome, creative, unique spreads. 😊

[@alexandrasichart6749]

My advice. don't use something that you don't need. If you do not use the weeklies, you don't need them. You just need monthlies and dailies. And this worked really fine in your bullet journal. And don' t pressure yourself so much. You don't have to use the planner every day. Relax! Do what feels good to you. And stop tracking everything. That is so much pressure.

[@Rebeka_Plans]

You are so right and I should really learn to just let go of the pressure! ❤️

[@Yosaphina]

I gave up on the Hobonichi Cousin due to the daily page stress and I had many more blank pages. I am going with the Common Planner Compact because I don't feel like doing daily pages very much, but I do use the weekly pages. I will even do multiple days on a single page.

[@vrmomoffour9446]

I am tryig Hobonichi Cousin '24 again...& the daily pages is not something that I always use. Daily pages is why I used Hobonichi Cousin a few years ago & STOPPED. I completely agree with you about how the daily pages can be very intimidating & overwhelming. I'm going to use the days to journal or memory keep or brain dumps. That's my hope. I'm thinking of using a prompt for daily pages & that's it.

[@kimchavez5570]

The struggle is what happens to alot of pp in planning.Thats why we sell them all the time. I just bought a planner and leather cover and 2 weeks later I don't think it's working. Dont be so hard on yourself. If planning or tracking is a pain to do I scrap it bc it's not important enough for me and it should Flow. I never compare my style to anyone else their life is not my life. I got literally a container of different planners. I have that domino fawn rings too 😊

[@binarytrash]

I was keeping a Rhodia goalbook a5 as a journal/planner for 2 years and it was A TON of work to even make look remotely used and it made me dread the whole process so I started keeping dailies in a TN grid insert, just writing the day on top and then write as much or as little as I feel like for each day. And then I got a hobonichi weeks because is smaller than a TN insert, it’s easier to make look full and I need a monthly view and a place where I can see weekly trackers and to dos. Both very low pressure/easy to maintain and they both fit in a TN cover to carry everywhere.

[@Andidejager.]

I totally understand about the blank pages bothering you! It’s why I got the A6 because I’d stress if I didn’t do a page every day or even if I did a page with too much blank space! I was willing to sacrifice the weekly layout to avoid blank pages and blank spaces on the pages that would freak me out😅 that being said, I only got my January start Hobonichi techo A6 at the end of February so I have two WHOLE MONTHS of blank pages and it bothers me so much. So for the two monthly spreads I missed, I’m just gonna doodle in the boxes and for the daily pages of Jan and Feb, I’m going to write down recipes I want to learn! So that will kill two birds with one stone, on the one hand, it gets rid of the blank page and on the other hand, I can improve my cooking skills which is a goal I’ve set for myself this year!😊 So maybe you could try using the blank pages for recipes? Or if you have no interest in cooking, you could fill them with notes on a hobby you enjoy, art practice, swatches, habit tracking, or just literally isn’t time specific so it doesn’t matter what date you write it in 😊 Those are what has helped me deal with empty pages but I get that everyone is different and what helps me might not help you! It’s just a suggestion 🥰

[@Rebeka_Plans]

such a great idea and I also do that sometimes, I just find myself don't have the time to take even more notes on blank pages when I struggle to fill up my dailies every day 🙈

[@elistia]

I actually just this year realized that dated notebooks are kinda stressful for me as well. I thought having a daily dated notebook would encourage me to write every day but I just wind up calling myself lazy when I don't have energy to write at the end of a long day. So I am not going to buy dated ones anymore without some VERY deep deliberation first. That written, have you considered trying a Days Free Hobonichi??? They have A5 size. That's (part of) what I plan to use in 2024 to see how it goes... Good luck and know you aren't alone. Also, give yourself some grace. It's YOUR notebook. You can do whatever you want in it, or nothing at all. NOBODY will judge you but you.

[@Rebeka_Plans]

Thank you!! Such a nice comment! ❤️ I am sorry that you also feel stressed by the dated dailies, I also thought it would motivate me but it does the opposite 🙈 I will look into the day free!

[@BlackPearlMinistries]

I tried to love the cousin. I could not. I feel the same about blank pages. I've fallen in love with the day free. Maybe give that a try. Pair it with their plain notebook.

[@elainenabors9832]

Yup…. I’m relating to you and your videos as well!! I wanted to tell you that repeating is not necessarily a bad thing, studies show that repeating information through multiple mediums is helpful for remembering things. It helps to solidify a pathway in your brain! I know it feels silly, but don’t worry about writing it or filling it in multiple times, it will help you remember!! I write the same information in my monthly and my weekly, BUT I use a disc bound planner for that because I need it to be flexible! I have an infatuation with Tomoe River paper and sooooooooo…… I bought a SI notebook that is undated. I don’t want any time restrictions in my notebook because it’s a journal and it’s my creative outlet only.. no guilt.. no pressure.. I decorate it when I want to. I write in it when I want to, period. That’s what works for me.. I hope this helps you too.

[@Rebeka_Plans]

Yess, you are so right, I heard about that before about repeating things! Maybe it is not that bad after all ☺️ And I should just be okay with it!

[@LalaG303]

I’m sorry you are going through a rough time lately. Hope you are feeling better soon. I recently heard about Papertess Designs. I just ordered the B6. It might be a nice option for you if you want everything in one planner and don’t like the vertical weekly spread. I also have to say that I really enjoy your videos. You’re very funny! And I appreciate you being real and sharing the good, the bad, etc. I can relate in so many ways!

[@planningwithcaroline]

Hello Rebeka, What if you put a sticky note in the planner you use every day with the habits you want to track every day and then you change sticky note every week. That is what I do to keep track of my habits in my tracker in my A5 stalogy set up as a hobonichi cousin. Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend.

[@Bunnyplans]

My planner chaos has been this entire year lol. I think you’re doing so well with your cousin and others have shared a lot of really great tips. I have seen a few hobonichis (a6 I think?) on instagram where some of the pages that would have been empty are like just decorated with ephemera or quotes and I think it’s super cute. And I don’t deal with depression or anxiety and I don’t use my planners as often as I want to or as much as you do!! I also had a love hate relationship with the cousin when I used it and hated the empty dailies but I tried to enjoy the spreads that did turn out nice. If it’s not the planner for you then that’s fine! It’s taken me a long time in this community to be somewhat okay with blank pages and I just understand that any dated planner I ever own will have empty days or weeks bc that is just where my life is. I’m never going to spend time in my planner on every weekday bc of work and the relaxation time and time with my husband in the evening is a higher priority than my planners. Or even if I did have time all I did was go to work and eat and watch tv so what is there to even write in a planner except maybe a show was good or food was good 😂. Sometimes it’s sad to see so many empty pages or incomplete weeks but it just reflects what life is and I usually don’t go back to fill things out unless I’m having a leisurely time with my planners and think I have enough to make it worth it 😂. I don’t like double planning either but some people like it so yay for them if they want to do it but I know now it’s not for me. so yes I may try to have separate systems for things or be inspired by social media to try this or that but at the end of the day we need to do what works for us for what we need planning to be and not someone else’s version of it. And yea I have no idea how Lauren keeps her planners so amazingly decorated and full. I know she has talked a lot about working through perfectionism with her planner too, but she has done so well using her planners to function for her for school/life etc and what she needs to journal or think about or work through. But the key there i think is she has really figured out how planning supports her life and what planners or layouts support that

[@Joelmasterbot]

Hello Rebeka. For one of my common planners, I plan on using the weekly spread as a weekly reflection. I don't have much time daily to do reflections, but I hope I will have time weekly (whether it is on a Sunday or the following week Monday or Tuesday) it does not matter. It will be a page where I look back at the week and reflect on anything that has happened. I have no clear plan on how to reflect exactly. I foresee it might change as weeks pass by. Some weeks I might use reflection prompts and lots of stickers, and other not. But the idea would remain the same. Reflect on the past week, good things and things to work on. Hope yhat gives you some ideas for your weeklies !

[@nicolemarie1060]

We are all in the same boat! I went down in size for my planner (Sterling Ink weeks) so I will put minimum tasks in my weekly space, If I need more space some days I use the daily pages for larger to do lists. The blank pages are enough to keep imp info, financial, expenses, trackers on the back. Then I use a journal B6, A5 or std TN separately for journaling my day or journal prompts. I ordered a weeks size journal to try it as well, mainly for to go journaling, notes, shopping lists.

[@Rebeka_Plans]

what a great system! I will totally reference your comment come planner setup time!

[@katiefitzpatrick9945]

One idea would be to use the weekly pages of the common planner to create the setups you have in your university notebook 14:22 - just ignore the timelines and put in this information on those spreads - especially in a b6 it won’t be too crazy. And then use the undated pages in the back on the days you feel like it! That’s my plan for 2024

[@apositivethread8919]

This is exactly why I quit using my Cousin mid-year. The empty pages. It doesn’t just feel like an “empty page” it feels like a FAILURE to fill the page. Too much pressure. You have permission to stop using it.

[@TheTravelingTN]

Ohhh girl. I totally feel you on this. I started journaling and bullet journaling and planning beginning of 2023. I went thru so many notebooks trying to find what works best for me. I ended up with the TN system since June and havent looked back. Its so nice to customize it into whatever you may need! Keep that insert you made and add others accordingly. BTW whats the brand of that grey notebook in your TN system? I'm looking all over for small grid pages and I can never find them!

[@artworkpending...1940]

I completely understand what you’re going through because I’m going through many of the same issues and I chose the hobonichi original. Like you, university is my life, so for me it doesn’t make sense to try and separate them. My university also has a digital calendar I reference all the time and my work schedule gets emailed to me every week. The original hobonichi also doesn’t have the weekly layout. My last planner was only a weekly layout and I found it to be useless because everything I would write down in a weekly layout is so easily accessible that I just don’t have a need to write that stuff down. I just don’t ever have plans outside of school and work, and any appointments or plans I have can easily be put in the monthly. I also don’t do habit trackers or repeating to-do lists because, since my to-do lists don’t really change, I don’t need to write it down because I just know what I need to do, and I can only keep up with a habit tracker for like 3 days. That’s why I chose the hobonichi original because the monthlies are helpful for that forward planning and then the dailies so I can write down any to-dos that aren’t a daily repeat and I can journal in the rest of the space. And most importantly, it’s my ONLY planner so I don’t feel that pressure to need to do 15 layouts

[@karenhendricks5196]

You are not alone. I have the same struggles just like you. Don’t force yourself to use something because it’s popular or from fear of missing out. If a notebook works, then use that. Perhaps you’re a monthly planner or horizontal is your ideal layout. Perhaps A6 is your ideal size. Maybe make a list of likes and dislikes about the planners you’ve used and find something based on what works. Hope you find it.

[@Rebeka_Plans]

The thing is, I just love to switch it up because I get bored with my system easily and it is not just about productivity but also creativity for me! But then I can't do that without feeling guilty for abandoning some of my planners for a while 🙈

[@susancain3860]

New to planning , just found your channel. Very dumb question, but I hope someone can answer . How do inserts work? For example with TN, for example I have a TN how does insert work? You are able to attach to existing book and it lays flat? TIA, so happy I found your ❤channel

[@theplannerpincher1928]

For the Filofax, have the tabs at the top.

[@Rebeka_Plans]

I tried that already but did not like it very much 🙈

[@theplannerpincher1928]

@@Rebeka_Plans What is interesting is I have a filofax mini. Very difficult to put in dividers and tabs, as the rings are small, so creates bulk. The a5 size pages are also difficult for tabs and dividers. Would be great to solve it. I was thinking of making a cover to extend on either side of the ring binder, to allow for the a5 to have tabs. All they need to do on the binders is to extend by 5mm on either side. Not much. Thanks for the reply, really appreciate it. Your work is great, will be great to see what it will be like in the future. Thanks for sharing.

[@theplannerpincher1928]

@@Rebeka_Plans sorry A6 pages.

[@ash5533]

I have similar issues but I don’t feel bad about empty space in my planner because I am able to tell when I lost time due to a depressive episode or busy time that prevented me from making entries..it’s a form of tracking and accountability to myself..the empty pages show me when and if I’m making progress or not, I leave it empty with a note as to why there’s missing space

[@Rebeka_Plans]

that is great if that works for you!! ❤️

[@helenascribe210]

I go through that with my ocd so on days when I can't do anything I write across that date "nope, not today." Sometimes, you have to allow yourself to be human, and, therefore, imperfect.

[@aliseplans141]

Same, just same. The stress of a 2024 planner line up is real. I’ve actually given myself a headache over it 😂

[@alexandrasichart6749]

If you watch your own video, you are giving you the solution. TN insert. Maybe you should only use this. One for all.

[@Rebeka_Plans]

Maybe you are right! I just feel like my Cousin is so popular on Instagram and a lot of people follow me because of that, I think - I don't want to disappoint them by not using it anymore 🙈

[@alexandrasichart6749]

@@Rebeka_Plans I totally understand. But the pressure arises exactly because of this. People also follow you if you do something else good. Maybe some go too. But planning and making videos should be fun And is it really just about the number of followers? I find it pretty worrying what is happening in the Planner community. Didn't we want to have all Planner Peace?

[@Rebeka_Plans]

It is totally not about the numbers, it is about my need to people please and I am afraid of disappointing the people who chose to follow me. I just feel this huge amount of pressure now that my account is growing. But you are right, my account should be about myself and my planners ❤️

[@MissHolliday3110]

This may seem like an odd question but have you tried planning in your native language instead of English? I see a planner as an intimate space that is about me and for me. Even if I spoke another language fluently, English is how I would best express myself without having to think about it. Our native language is the language of our hearts. Maybe if you take English out of the equation you might find that planning makes more sense.

[@Rebeka_Plans]

I totally get what you mean, however I never use my native language and I kind of struggle with it, not having been using it for 10+ years so English is much much easier for me 🙈 and I also post my pages on Instagram and want my followers to be able to read what I write! But not an odd question at all ❤️

[@KristenSollee]

Uggh currently dealing with the exact same thing 😅 (and those black cat 🐈‍⬛ stickers are so cute! Do you mind sharing where you got them?)

[@Rebeka_Plans]

those are from my Etsy shop! ❤️

[@TheRealMsSneak.]

I understand where you're coming from if you're busy and don't feel the need to plan in your planner every day it maybe good for you to get an undated planner. I use them, so I don't have missing dates and empty pages in my planner ❤ just a suggestion 😊

[@anap.8236]

Get a crossfirld or cafe notes from seven seas or sterling inks note books. They only have grid tomoe river pages. Eliminates weekly and calendars. Just journaling.

[@Rebeka_Plans]

Maybe you are totally right and I should just plan digitally and journal on paper? 🤔

[@suzyhobbs2327]

Your planner is beautiful. On daily pages when i cant or dont want to journal i write not today! And that satisfies me. Please share where the stickers on October 23 came from. They are just my style!!

[@Rebeka_Plans]

Those are from my Etsy shop!! And thank you! I should learn from you and just leave those pages blank ❤️

[@delphiuswrites6363]

Another planner option is the PaperTess B6. That’s what I’m going with this upcoming year.

[@kellyhouser3016]

I love the inserts you created for your standard TN can we purchase

[@hobokiki]

Your planners are gorgeous. I completely understand. I struggle with the same issues. Why do we do this to ourselves??? 😩🤣

[@LadyoftheValley]

I know the struggle of skipping days and feeling freaked out about it. Still I choose a HON instead of a day-free, because there were too little pages in the day-free. I just told myself it's okay to skip days and just use the lost pages for drawing or collages or other writing and just cover the date. I have been trying to use multiple planners for years, but it never works. If I get a second planner, I forget my first, if I get a third, I forget my second. Even if it's just a reading planner for example. Now I have 2 planners, because I made the layout of the Hobonichi on the last blank pages of old two planners, to see if I would like it. And even now I have to be very careful to not forget one. If I have to backtrack, that's what I would write on the page. So Instead of "We had movie night." I would write "I"m backtracking, so I do not know exactly what I did. I know we had movie night. Of course I forgot what movie we watched as always, so I had to ask my boyfriend... etc" So that way I have more to write without having to remember what I did exactly. For the lists you can at least write what you know and then fill it up with other stuff, just for looks. Like: * I don't * remember * anymore Or: * Find planner peace * Stop skipping days * Carpe diem * hgkhgjhb I subscribed to your KZbin, Instagram and Etsy. So there is that. I just bought my hobonichi, so I will wait with buying stickers. And I also am not using stickers in my mess of a planners. I'll start in Januari in the hobonichi 🤪Like I said, I ordered a HON A5. I will use the first monthly for goals and habits, the second monthly for budget, which is not enough space, so I have an additional booklet in the back, the weekly I will use for planning and to-do's, and what I actually did. The daily is for my journal/diary, with sometimes a little drawing. But I'm not gonna force myself to draw every day, because if I don't (which I won't) I'll feel like a failure again 😉

[@ayanarandolph5778]

You need to simplify your planners. That is the reason you cannot keep up with them. If you can really and honestly only keep up with one just use one. If it’s two use two. But you are trying to using everything and it’s clearly not working. A lot of people are stressing themselves out this year over planners. This is because of fomo and all the options out there. But we have to be honest with ourselves about the time we have to devout to using these tools and not just buy them all because they are cute or other people have them. There is so much more to life than being stressed out of paper goods. Use what you will honestly use and you will be happier. If you want something different just switch covers or change your decor but keep the same planner.

[@Rebeka_Plans]

You are so so right!! I just love to switch up my system multiple times a year and changing covers just does not give me the same satisfaction! 🙈 I think I just need to accept that I can't use them all all of the time!

[@ayanarandolph5778]

@@Rebeka_Plans yes!!! Everyone needs to come to the same conclusion. It feels so much better not being stressed out over this. Trust me. We have bigger things to worry about. Like your schooling for instance. Someone said your planner should feel like a glass of warm milk and that resonated with me. So pick one that feels like your glass of warm milk. Because I will have to be honest, I was stressed out just watching your video. So be gentle on yourself and pick something you will love.

[@Rebeka_Plans]

Oh no, I did not mean to stress you out, I am so sorry! I will try to let go of the pressure ❤️

[@patriciamcelroy3581]

You answered your question, “I feel like my needs are met by the app and I don’t need paper.” Don’t cancel the app. You said yourself that it’s working and it doesn’t cause stress like paper. If you want to do something with paper, have ONE and only one that is monthly plus undated notes pages. ❤ I suspect the habit tracker may be increasing your anxiety so get rid of it.

[@Rebeka_Plans]

Yes, you are so right! ❤️ It's just that planning is my hobby and creative outlet and I love to experiment and switch it up, but then feel bad about not using all 10 at the same time 🥲 a lot of people recommended using a monthly + blank pages and I might not try that! ❤️

[@justcallmeivonne]

I felt the exact same way with the Cousin! I love it but having all of those empty pages 😢 so I’m switching to a sterling ink because I’m hoping it’ll alleviate the problem! I’m also a student so if you want some ideas, i just did a flip through of my cousin on my channel. I use it as my everything/ catch all. The only thing i don’t do is journal in it because i take it everywhere and i don’t want people knowing my thoughts 😂

[@Rebeka_Plans]

Oh I will totally check out your flip through and I hope the Common Planner will solve your problem as well!! ❤️

[@chloay320]

I have the same issue! i hateee blank pages, i switched to the hobonichi day free and I loveee it!!

[@Rebeka_Plans]

Everybody is recommending the day free, I should check it out! 😍

[@stefanyirine]

I can never separate my uni planner from my main planner, I need to see all my tasks together. The vertical weeklies never worked very well for me and they end up blank. Lately I use a simple dated planner section and a blank notebook for the dailies, to see my tasks and be creative.

[@Rebeka_Plans]

Your system sounds good! I hope not having uni stuff separated will help me next year ❤️

[@MsNikkiCrucio]

Her neutral colorway is stunning!

[@RebeccaJoVincent]

Just put pics - clip some magazine papers - make a vision board sort of thing - for FALL - just something pretty - that will take up room & you dont have ot think about it too hard

[@Rebeka_Plans]

I should totally do that! Thank you for the idea! ❤️

[@cassiecanter3884]

Hi Rebeka. I loved hearing about your struggles with planning. I feel EXACTLY the same. But u mentioned that you felt like ur uni app was functional for keeping track of all ur schedules and daily activities. So….. Maybe u don’t really NEED a planner. Maybe you would do better with an art journal/life journal notebook. Something that’s not dated (so u don’t feel guilty for missing a day or two). That way you can record ur life in pictures/notes/long form journaling/etc. as u feel the urge. If u record something fine. If u don’t…there’s nothing missing. ❤️❤️❤️

[@Rebeka_Plans]

Yess, you are totally right, I think I just have been using a paper planner for so long, it would feel like something is missing if I did not have one 😅 And I also just love to play around with them and be creative and make my boring to do lists cute 😅 But I will consider your advice, it totally makes sense!

[@catcmbe]

My hobonichi cousin is so bare I realized daily DATED pages put too much pressure on me so I also didn’t buy one for 2024. I hate my hobonichi now because it’s so blank lol I don’t know what I’m doing for 2024 yet but I’m excited for something new 🎉

[@Rebeka_Plans]

Yay so excited for you to figure out what you are going to use!! Glad you figured out the Cousin is not for you!

[@theplannerpincher1928]

Hi there, just love your planners. Please finish your book, it’s beautiful, well worth having.

[@Rebeka_Plans]

Thank you!! And I am trying to finish it 🙈

[@ccrgrl]

I hate the daily pages so I'm switching to a wonderland 222, it looks perfect for a cousin girl who doesn't have that much to journal about.

[@Rebeka_Plans]

I will totally check it out! Hope it works out for you! ❤️

[@SomeRandomChickkk]

Just wanted to comment, it bothers me very much too and I will spend a lot of time back planning as well. I think for me, it is because I already struggle with spending so much money on this "frivolous" hobby. So I feel justified if it is completely filled out and wasteful if it isn't.

[@mrskellymontes]

I understand you completely. It’s hard cause you know it’s not logical but you still feel it. I know this sounds impossible, but Rip out the pages you didn’t use! And imagine your feelings being on the paper and throw them away. Wash yourself away of the feeling ✨✨

[@Rebeka_Plans]

Omg I wish I could just rip out pages but I could never 🙈 But I envy you people who can! I am sure it would release my bad feelings 😅

[@mrskellymontes]

@@Rebeka_Plans it’s physically painful to feel that anxiety but once your body realizes that nothing happens after ripping them out, it heals that trauma. It’s extremely hard but I’ve been doing things like this to heal my traumas. It’s not for the faint of heart lol 😂

[@Rebeka_Plans]

I will keep that in mind and maybe do that further down the line when I am healed a bit more ❤️

[@mrskellymontes]

@@Rebeka_Planssending you all the love and light ✨✨✨ hoping you can do it and heal 🫶🏼

[@kathleenschmidt1489]

Journaling doesn’t necessarily require documenting what you do. When you miss multiple days, you could fill them with a poem or a TV program review or sketches. I’m sorry you’re struggling. You’re very artistic. Sometimes I turn the weekly section sideways and enter one sentence to describe the day, no scheduling needed.

[@Rebeka_Plans]

Such a good idea!! I have been doing this on other blank pages, I just feel like I don't have the time to keep up with the dailies as it is, so I don't have time to go back to blank pages 🙈 but I will totally try to fill up those pages with other things!

[@senoritachapman]

Vertical layout made into a horizontal? The common planner has really light lines I plan to make horizontal by drawing my own lines…if I stick with bound books.

[@Rebeka_Plans]

I tried horizontal planner before and I absolutely hated it 🙈

[@silvijap7]

I feel your pain, girl, so deeply. And your cool rant made me chuckle. You: I didn't buy a Hobonichi for next year. Me: 😲 gasp Also, question. Your accent sounds sooo familiar. Od kod si?

[@Rebeka_Plans]

Haha, I gasped myself when I realised I will not buy a Hobonichi 😅 I am from Hungary but I have been living in Germany since I was 15 so my accent is probably a mix 😅

[@theplannerpincher1928]

One planner for everything, is a great idea.

[@Rebeka_Plans]

Think so too!

[@amessymuse]

I really love the inserts that you created. Would you be open to selling a digital/printable version of those inserts?

[@Rebeka_Plans]

Yess! Will list these on Etsy, a lot of people want to have them 🙈

[@amessymuse]

@@Rebeka_Plans , thank you so much :)

[@seriouslycarla]

New Subbie watching from Ireland xxx

[@Rebeka_Plans]

Welcome!! ❤️

[@BlackPearlMinistries]

I would like to see a cousin without the weeklies. I don't like them either.

[@carmentag7995]

How did you create the TN inserts ? I'm still in the search of how to create own inserts

[@Rebeka_Plans]

I print them, fold them and saddle stitch them! There are tutorials on KZbin!

[@carmentag7995]

@@Rebeka_Plans But how do you design them? Or do you use printables?

[@createmychaos5250]

Imagine how much more productive you could be if you stopped trying to appear productive! I wish you good luck in your journey.

[@Rebeka_Plans]

Well sure, I guess I could be even more productive, but I think I am actually very productive and I put a lot of pressure on myself even though I am a full time uni student, working part time, doing Insta and KZbin and having an Etsy shop ... so I don't think I need to be any more productive, I think I actually need to be less productive and have more down time 😅

[@createmychaos5250]

@Rebeka_Plans I apologize. I didn't mean to sound snarky. You remind me of my younger self. Pushing yourself to do more even though you're already doing so much. I sincerely wish you luck in your journey. I guess I just heard so much angst in your voice it made me inappropriately sarcastic. Enjoy some down time. You deserve it! ☺

[@Rebeka_Plans]

That is totally fine and I get what you mean, no worries! ❤️