Why Your Planner is Failing You 💔📓 + How to Fix it!

[@JetPens]

Let us know your planning tips in the comments!

[@ambarrose]

Perhaps the most difficult part is understanding what will work for us. Last year I bought an awesome planner, 16 months spread. Mr. Wonderful brand (check them out, Jet Pens people). It was aesthetic and fun until the moment that I realised the format that I chose was too big to carry around (binder A5 style). I end up not working to the fullest. And I felt sorry for it. For 2025 I will keep a pocket planner and a common place book/complement for the Planner.

[@xxRhyme]

thank you for reminding me to stop trying to copy other people's planners, LOL. i've been a hobonichi user for 2 years, but admittedly i haven't been fully utilizing them because i got caught up admiring the different ways people use them shared on the official site, and at the back of my mind i always end up thinking, "well, i'll never be able to have a planner/journal as pretty as theirs," and it leaves me in a slump, when ultimately what should really matter is what i like and what works for me 😅

[@emilylackey3840]

Stephanie talking about having to move the ruler and having an imperfect line 😂😂😂 that’s my world!!

[@ShaunaStory]

I sought out a 16 cm ruler for this exact reason--need to draw those 31 x 5 mm lines for my monthly trackers! 😂 (it was so worth it, I love my ruler lol)

[@sabrinasugar2819]

Came to the comments looking for this. It’s one of my pet peeves too.

[@Halffull78]

"Do not do it. You know who you are." Oh, my gosh - speaking right to me!! Haha! Thanks for the reminder. I needed it! 🙂 hahaha

[@sealine8717]

What often doesn't get mentioned is that the original bullet journal method doesn't have ANYTHING about habit trackers, washi tape, stickers, stamps, brush pens, or even the somehow ubiquitous two-page weekly spreads! All it is comprised of is a quarterly todo list, a monthly todo list and a daily log of tasks and ideas. All with a single pen or pencil and no other embellishments.

[@blindaurora]

I tried this, and it was an unusable mess for me. I need the layouts to keep things visually organized. 😅 Jibun Techo is great for me. 2025 is my third year. I miss the custom layouts I used to make, but I'm too busy to do it right now

[@beqvyper8504]

Even the basic bullet journal is an overly complicated system for me. But I do agree that all the extras just make it even more complicated.

[@MeganCalcote]

Thank you! I hate how other forms of journaling have completely overtaken the original bullet journal method. Wanna create a bunch of trackers? Need a dozen different complicated layouts? That's great! But it's not the OG bullet journal method. You're just journaling. The whole point of the bullet journal method was to make it simple and uncomplicated. What it is now is the exact opposite of that the original proposed it was supposed to be.

[@irispapyrus]

Really needed this video to snap me out of the aesthetic planner videos trap. "You are more than your planner" - my new mantra.

[@SrividyaS]

One major thing that helped me (and I know it's weird) is letting my planner look messy, with crossed out entries etc, and making it more... approachable.

[@Erni3K]

This is .... the best video you've ever done, certainly the one in that I feel seen and understood and spoken to. this is why I went to the Techo Weeks. I don't write every day. Some days have a sentence. Some days have a novel. but I need something that will prompt me to write something, because it's how I process my day and all the mayhem of my last five years. The A6 Techo was too much space, and I spend too much time with layouts at work to have anything left (nice fountain pen ink and Iconic stamps notwithstanding). Journaling is how I got from 11 to 30 in one piece, and at 65 it's how I'm getting through the rest of it. My gratitude is deep.

[@mollymollie6048]

My best advice is to look carefully at the spreads of the guts of the planner…not the cute cover, or the cover color you hate so you pass it by…that can be easily fixed in a whole variety of very cheap to very expensive ways. Mostly cheap. Also, you (like me) may not be aware of the vast variety of different planners because you see videos on just one or two companies, so you think that is what is available, order it because the structure is great, then hate it because there’s too much going on on the page visually, it’s too big for what you needed (but the right size for the other part you needed…so yes, I have a little one I carry in my purse, just organization, lists, to-do’s, appointments…it’s job isn’t to be pretty. The one on the desk at home does more overall planning including longer term, and it’s my space to just be creative and enjoy myself (I got one with undated dailies so I didn’t feel guilt and stress that I had wasted a page.) If you wind up not liking a planner you chose, and can afford to, get a different one that suits you better. Use the previous planner for swatches, pen testing, scrap paper, paper for your kid to color on when they’re bored, etc, etc. It can be hit or miss…and your life can change too, meaning that planner you used for years that was perfect no longer works for your life change…and so be patient. “Planner season” still gives you a lot of time to decide.

[@Franuary]

"You are more than your planner, I promise you"

[@shaunsshelf]

Creating layouts in a junk notebook to explore what I like would have saved me SO MUCH money. I did that after wasting hundreds of dollars on planners that don’t work for me and found a system that has FINALLY worked for me this year

[@WiseFamin]

Same! I started planning in a free notebook I got at a conference (investment: $0) and it helped me figure out exactly what I needed!

[@Penelope222]

This may go against the video in one way, but it works for me! -all appointments/events with a time go in my phone calendar -I have a notebook to do basic bullet journaling -as in original Ryder Carroll method. No fanciness, apart from the fact I use multicoloured pens depending on my mood only. -my Hobonichi Weeks is decorative!!! I take the time to decorate it with sticker kits because it brings me joy, but the sticker layout is pretty set in stone - date covers, washi top and bottom. Left side is top 3 things to do that day, and it’s so satisfying ticking them off. Right side is a quick daily journal. Monthly spread is ONE highlight/good thing/gratitude per day.

[@checkerspotfarm3927]

*cackles in farmer* I use the most basic of Bullet Journal styles for my planner, stripping out even some of the elements there because I can't keep up with them (the monthly spread, the yearly spread - just use the dailies, indexing, linked pages...). I just use a very pretty notebook and fancy pens...but whichever of them I grab at a given moment. Chaos! I do use a magnetic bookmark for the current day to quickly flip there and little book darts on the collections, so I can flip to them fast as I log sales figures and such or the well log or other things I want to flip to quickly.

[@tammygant4216]

I feel so seen!! When she said "I'm sorry".... I may have gotta a little misty eyed! Thank you for this. This was great!

[@NotesFromPastAmy]

Seeing my notebook/journal/planner and writing utensils as tools and not aesthetic items helped me so much! I purchased limited markers (pastels-1 pack of tombows, 1 pack of highlighters, 1 pack of clickart) and a notebook with a red cover. Why red? Because I don't like red. It's easier to view my entries as an asset to the book instead of 'messing it up.'

[@anotherashley229]

It's a learning curve, but not just for using the planner. You're learning how you think and trying to organize your planner in a way that works for you. Take time every quarter to flip back through the planner and note what worked well and what didn't. Adjust from there. It's okay to take a year in one planner to find it. Then, if your needs change in the future, adapt to meet those. It's just a planner, but it's only *your* planner, no one else's.

[@kimberlyjeffers1623]

This is what I did. Took a year and tried to use the planner to get things done. Every year making adjustments

[@juststanningby]

I always find myself going back to how the bullet journal was originally supposed to be. Practical and no fuss and focused on simplicity and intentionality ~

[@sherrycohen1824]

Ryder Carroll devised it to help with his ADHD. It's a great concept.

[@Somebodyelse141]

I love this video. I see so many people in planner groups asking what they need to do. Like, just write your tasks down?? Then, there are people who ask for planner recommendations with no information about what they need

[@sherrycohen1824]

I've been using the Hobonichi Cousin since 2023 (A6 before that). What I love about it is that it has monthly spreads to see at a glance what's coming up, weekly spreads for actual planning, and daily pages for journaling. I do like to use washi tape and stickers. I put Midori Chatty Dog stickers on the front cover and then put clear contact paper over the entire cover to protect it.

[@SoMagicalMichele]

This was the most delightful planner oriented video I have ever seen. You are adorable!

[@Sonicman415]

I love the Hobonichi cousin/techo life… I use it for organization, self care, and fun. I use fountain pens and I collage.. I do not care to decorate w sticker themes for each month because I enjoy the Hobonichi aesthetic. I use stickers, stamps and collage for random decorating. I write haiku each day.. super fun. I allow for changes month to month, keeping and implementing what works best from the month before. Life is for LIVING. Monday start week is groovy! 🎉🎉🎉

[@karenhurney4900]

ALWAYS love Stephanie's presentations - so realistic and funny as all get out!

[@kimdburns]

Lot of good points. I do like to see how other people divide their pages in a Hobonichi weeks. So many creative ways to maximize space however yes, I do agree it's not healthy to compare or try to copy. As a person that can fall victim to perfectionism, it's helpful for me to draw me out a few layouts in the back pages and then I can refer to them when I need a change vs death scrolling Instagram.

[@LaLa_ArtGal]

My tip: use different color pens for different item types, so that it's easy to spot at a glance what type of thing you're seeking.

[@kerc]

I do this in Outlook at work; color coding helps so much!

[@tsukipon74]

Yes! I do this at work all the time!

[@barbarastubblefield7075]

I do this in my planner. It definitely helps me know what I'm looking at & it makes for a colorful planner.

[@FrenchFriesNBrie]

+1 The Guide is indeed very satisfying. It helped me to justify/choose my 2025 planner sensibly. It’s just a dated notebook 😉

[@catherineprovencher7913]

I use the bullet journal system but in a Hobonichi techo cousin.. Perfect for me! ☺

[@betsyville09]

One of the habits that I track very single week is if I use/open my planner. It incentives me to take the time to open up this book that I NEED to keep my life straight.

[@linalopez-simons3191]

I love Stephanie’s videos 😂 the asides are great

[@emilylackey3840]

I’ve been using the Beverly Marumi mini sticky notes to put meetings that are in the future weeks in my planner so I can see what is ahead with flexibility to move them. They do not leave any residue when I remove them which is EXCELLENT!

[@mylinguistics]

She's so fun to watch!!! She knows my bad habits in planner use. Hahahahahahah

[@mixeddrinks8100]

Use planner as a journal! Am I the only one who uses a Travelers weekly w/memo as a journal? Perfect for writing what happened since the dates are already populated, and enough space for some weekly thoughts/tracking on the blank side. That is how I use my "planner" more for detailing what happened, where did I go, what did I eat, purchase etc. For actual planning, I use the digital Apple calendar with family share is so much more efficient for daily life, whole family got the whole plan down, and notifications help with location and time reminders. Just way more efficient overall instead of flipping thru pages to figure out what I need to do.

[@marmeemarch7080]

I also use my planner as a journal! I have the Kokuyo Jibun Techo, and I jot down what I've done so far that day as I'm doing it, and use the Idea booklet for a journal. I'm neurodivergent, and insofar as a planner can work for me, this method does. Weekly to-do tasks in the list column on the far left, and a few of the other extra pages also help.

[@pomoster]

Stephanie I feel attacked lol. I've fallen into all of the planner pitfalls. I appreciate the tough love and safe space 😂😭

[@sweethaven5]

2:07 😂 yep ya got me 😂!!❤ Thanks Stephanie!!

[@starliteinn5397]

"You know who you are." I needed to hear this today ❤

[@akira_ariga]

Not Stephanie just telling us to leave a minute in 😂😂😂😂 Real talk tho, I did but a bunch of different stuff to try in the early days, and I still don’t regret it since it allowed me to discover more layouts and explore what would work for me. But definitely start from the functional point and work from there. The aesthetics can be decided after that

[@Fclwilson]

I really like your advice. Especially, what came off as “Put the planner down. Back away from the planner.” lol. My planning is quite minimal. I use a sticker here and there and different color pen inks. That is my only claim to planner fame. Love your videos, Stephanie.

[@stampinsan]

Thank you! I went back to my regular Travelers Notebook this August. It’s simple (weekly w/memo) and I can personalize to my liking. Your best advice is to NOT watch all the KZbin videos. It only serves to confuse and take me away from my need for simplicity. I’m retired and help out with my granddaughters ages 16 mos and 7 years. I mainly need to keep track of the 7 yr olds schedule and her mom’s. Highlighters are a crucial stationery item in my notebook - pink for the 7 yr old and yellow for the mom. More colors track other things make for an interesting planner. Thanks again! One of the best videos I’ve seen.

[@perevision]

No planner system I have tried helps me like the bullet journal - the OG Ryder Carroll system, which doesn’t need washi tape or multiple highlighters, just a pen, a notebook, and a system of indexing, check-ins, and reflections. That said I bought an A6 Hobonichi cover and plain notebook for my bullet journal! You can never leave stationery, especially JetPens 😂

[@gc2236]

YOU ARE MORE THAN YOUR PLANNER!!!! repeat that 100x times for me please 😅

[@natasharay4045]

Entertaining AND informative! Yaasss! Thanks!

[@bradimey]

im glad you made this video and that you remind people Both that they dont have to decorate their planners a bunch or fill out/track everything. a planners what you make of it :7 i'll be getting my first blank planner soon for this coming year and while ill still be keeping it easy and minimally decorated, i think sorting out tasks into how relevant/important they are day by day might still be helpful...!

[@HeidiRaatz]

Thank you for this video! It's simply the most real take on using planners out there and should be required viewing for folks too caught up in the "perfect" planner hype cycle. 🙌

[@NowWeAreAllGames]

I think it's important to me to decide what I want to get out of my planner: is it a tactical productivity tool or is it an exercise in aesthetic/artistic practice? The answer can be both, but it doesn't have to be. In my life it's usually bare bones, ugly, tactical scribbles, but there are times where it gets more aesthetic, like a musical which is mostly talking but sometimes just has to burst out into song.

[@agkopaka]

Loved the chaotic energy! But too many call outs 😅

[@yoshi555king]

Stephanie the realest for saying "don't fall in the (KZbin) trap", I see it too reguarly in Discord channels and on Pinterest.

[@stephaniemichelle441]

Wow, thank you for this video! I have been struggling with idealizing other people’s planners and desperately needed this reminder ❤

[@chase_sup]

I think pretty planning is not the problem, the problem is trying to make pretty a priority and not the productivity! When I started planning I would focus entirely on making it pretty and adding a lot of things that I thought I could use but always ended up never using them. When it started working out was because I started planning only using what would really help me, and then I started trying to make it more pretty, with highlighters, pens, pencils when necessary even my new acquisition my first *fountain pen* yay!!! Navy blue ink for the winnn!!!

[@annascully83]

I totally get you Stephanie, that is why I love the Kokuyo Jibun Techo, so easy to use and super oganized. I use the Idea as my jornal so super works for me.

[@whatthetinuh]

this video was so well timed LOL I considered buying two sizes of hobonichi this year... but I'm so glad I didn't cave and just bought the one I knew I was going to use and a separate notebook as a common place book. I don't track habits or anything! I've tried and as Stephanie said 'I know who I am!' LOL

[@ash16lily23]

HAHAHA :) LOVE THIS VIDEO!!! (and Stardew Valley!) Thank you for the reminder that I am me and you are you lol!

[@Anycas]

Absolutely love this video! I have been jumping planners, and it is always a good reminder that the tool needs to adapt to my needs, not the other way around. I find the Stalogy monthly stickers super useful.

[@zoegallamore7984]

I adore the look of a Jibun Techo and used one before, but as my jobs have all been 'go to work, work, go home' and not included much in the way of meetings or separate tasks, I don't have that much to plan. So now I just have a TN with a monthly booklet for any appointments I do have as well as mood and weather tracking, and then a blank booklet for any to do lists I need to make or anything I feel like writing down. I toss a few stickers or bits of washi tape down, do the occasional doodle if I feel inclined, or use a different coloured pen and that's about it.

[@SalimDoodles]

I bought an amazing lovingly cute daily planner, ready to get my habits in track and be productive!! ... and I quickly realized I'm a weekly planner kind of person 😅 My tip for people who wanna plan and make it cute, buy a black pen, and a same color highlighter/pen combo, so you don't have to bring sooo many stationary items with you. Some will say 3 is already too much, but it's what works the best for me ❤

[@cheety.]

i started planning consistently when i stopped worrying about making it look like those pinterest/youtube aesthetic planners. good on those with the time and patience for it, but i realized that planner is not synonymous with artistic/creative outlet. your planner doesn’t need to be this beautiful, intricate, extremely neat and fancy thing. i started out with a small composition book with a list of to-dos and a pocket calendar, then later got myself a grid stalogy, and now i’m treating myself to a hobonichi next year. it really is just personal preference. i can admire artistic and creative planners without needing one myself.

[@kbunky69]

Tough Love ❤️ being told , truth .. 😅😊😊

[@reihwan]

My advice: Don't be afraid to make a vertical planner into a horizontal one to test out layouts you see others use. It is cheaper than buying a whole new book and then realising it is not for you. Even if the planners have a printed layout, you are allowed to change them to your needs. They might not look pinterest and insta worthy, but planners should also work for what you need. Not be a ball of stress you avoid until the last minute.

[@marmeemarch7080]

I'm grateful for Ann's "how I use my planner" video! I'm ordering another Jibun Techo in B6 Slim!

[@papeles.y.tintas]

I LOVE this video. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[@johnlone207]

Don't mind me! I'm just here to watch Stephanie!! 🙂🙂🙂

[@beqvyper8504]

Last year I tried the Jibun Techo. It was way more than I needed. For 2025 I'm going to give the Techo Lite a try. There's a lot less 'stuff' I feel bad about not using in the Jibun Techo. Hopefully the Lite version will be a better fit.

[@laurab6146]

Thanks for the video, I'm reworking my planner this week and I needed to hear this.

[@Rebecca_DC0]

I bought my first ever Hobonichi this year (a Weeks), and I'm really looking forward to getting to know it. Thanks for the idea to use the optional sectioning for item urgency rather than time of day!

[@Erni3K]

The memo pages in the back are numbered, in case you want additional notes for a day. I love that the lines are faint enough that they can be written over; if it doesn't work for you, you can ignore the dates and lines and just fill it up with whatever suits you. There are no rules.

[@lefthandedclogger]

As a JetPens fangirl, I must admit I use a cheap planner, but hear me out - it’s worked for me for four years so I do NOT mess with it. 😅 I have plenty of other lovely stationery though! I know I would be overwhelmed trying to have a pretty planner and do everything “right” so I keep my planner low-stress.

[@dOnskiE31]

I appreciate the harsh reminder from 1:56 to 2:08. It'll be on repeat! 😭🫡

[@HumanStealth]

I've fallen for the trap more times than I can count 😭 Can definitely agree that the day I finally started making my journal/planner for me, everything fell into place. It's not as pretty as the people who make full on spreads but boy is it clean and effective.

[@ultimatereward]

I loved the hobonichi techo and everything but honestly I was so overwhelmed with trying to fill in the monthly, weekly, daily when I am not much of a journaler or artist or anything. I realized that the jibun techo was perfect for me and gave me that level of satisfaction of seeing a completely full week with multiple colors and notes and stickies. Fortunately I can fit a jibun techo in a hobonichi case so I can at least enjoy the cute covers that come out every year!!

[@loriray3680]

I have seen many people make similar statements. It is so sad the social media has made us afraid of blank spaces. There is nothing wrong with entire blank weeks or entire blank pages. Our minds need time to rest and reflect.

[@emilylackey3840]

@@ultimatereward this is me, too! Glad we aren’t alone!

[@Cheffamily]

i have to accept that my spreads would change with time. it's ok to use digital for some aspects of planning instead of trying to shoving everything into a notebook. currently, i journal in a different notebook and use weeks-size notebook for planning, using Alastair method.

[@moonpie21012]

Do you mind explaining the Alistair method? I’ve not heard of it before!

[@theactedarrow2687]

this is insane timing. Just got a planner from yall yesterday!

[@amyisles437]

I bullet journal in my Hobonichi cousin. I don’t have to do any layouts cause they are all ready there. My planner is not pretty and I love it. It works for me. Find the thing that works for you x

[@Jasen-M74]

Right on, JetPens tellin it like it is! Kickin Azz. 👍

[@ChantelleArts]

I think I'm going to get a hobonichi next year! though I'll actually be drawing in it too because I'm taking part in the daily doodle diary challenge 🥰

[@TomoyaKun100]

I ended up utilizing and remaking an old planner I made a year ago and just modified it to fit Monday through Fridays. This planner is kept at my school job and for notes, I have a huge wide space for notes and a general to-do list to do for the week. However, I have the days of the week similar to the weekly planner spread of the Hobonichi Techo Weeks planner. This honestly has been working for me as I keep it at school and no where else. I do use the weeks planner for my personal one that I do carry around more frequently.

[@oreganoh4094]

Definitely a fun and needed watch

[@ItoeKobayashi]

If you're overwhelmed go back to the basics!!! Reminder that the actual Bullet Journal system that started this all is EXTREMELY simple! It's just a Table of Contents you fill in over time, a Quarterly To-Dos page, Monthly To-Dos pages, and then as you go day by day, you fill in a daily entry to track what happened. The concept was made for MINIMUL SETUP and allowed you to add in the OCCASIONAL extra page thrown in on the next blank sheet for important info you learned ,or recording how a special trip went, stuff like that. The Table of Contents is there to help you find where those special pages are in the book when you want to look back on them. It does NOT need all those crazy templates to be a very helpful system.

[@valeriesasaki9884]

Yes. Thank you! I needed this video.🙏🌸

[@mellow-jello]

Glad I was not the only one with the same sentiments of overly complicated planning systems. The path to failure is easily laid when all you do is preparing.

[@Hexelixe]

I LOVED thsi video!!! Loved it, Loved it, Loved it 💕💕💕

[@AmethystLeslie]

1:56 Imma just leave this here for people to replay whenever they want.

[@francestenn7330]

I think you were reading my mind 😆 I realized I prefer monthly planners, and really don’t like tomoe river paper 😬 please don’t judge me 😂

[@dewberry150]

truly love this video

[@danny_jarratt]

This video was necessary for me! Thank you ☺️

[@jonr6680]

A planner IS YOU. It is a map of your life, past present & future. So if it's chaotic... If it's overwhelming... If it's abandoned... The KZbinrs are often artists, selling the dream, it's entertainment. BuJo is insanity if you want esthetic, you are basically drawing the planner structure by hand every day or week. That's before you've done any actual planning. If you're an artist and it's your hobby is the only time that makes sense. Life is messy, so your planner will be too.

[@that1nerdyblackgirl736]

i relate to the how you feeling stephanie. and now noticing it i just realize most of the people who do all the fancy stuff with the bullet journal system are all neurotypical people and them, not realizing that they kind of made their own journal system that's based off it and it not really a bullet journal and just make its overcomplicated for neurodivergent people, so it just one big mess. you gotta find what works for you and now i'm gonna start with the basics

[@kadelu1137]

This is sooooo helpful omg ❤

[@yochva]

I use the Traveler's Notebook Passport size, with one blank monthly insert and one dotted insert. It took me years to find an effective journaling style because of my tendency to go hard and burn out fast so this time I set myself ground rules: Small notebooks = low pressure to fill each page. Decoration = four colors of frixion pen (a different one each time I sit down) and _one sticker per page._ The reduced choices lead to better implementation of the tool.

[@so_ra35]

Steph was just losing it 😂😂😂 but we love u Stephanie ❤❤

[@alwaysaravero5215]

I need those Stalogy stickers!!!

[@SummerShine4488]

This is the greatest thing ever. You nailed it Stephanie lol 😂😂

[@VeretenoVids]

OK I'll say it. I love stationery (give me ALL the Rhodia dot paper and fineliners for my garden planning!), but just don't get the whole planner thing. It all goes in my phone and that's what works for me. 🤷‍♀

[@moxiedawn4370]

I use my journal as a planner. I put a pre-dated sticky calendar on the first page of each month, and mark the page with an index tab. Then I can highlight every day of that month with specific appointments, events, etc. Underneath that, I create a checklist explaining what those engagements are, and I can check them off as they come. Bonus: as those events get checked off, they act as journaling prompts.

[@cherylsmith6963]

Such a good video!!!!!

[@goodpocky2]

lol I needed this!!! You guys are the best

[@mzdione84]

you are so cute and funny and I get you, I got caught up with having too many pens write for specific task and I get fed up and I ended up using one color :) which I realized all along, I prefer just one color which is blue. I agree we need a productive planner not a pretty planner. ;)

[@GelatinSkeleton]

for REAL my hobonichi weeks is so ugly and boring inside for the most part but it works. i put effort into making my journal pretty, my planner is my henchman

[@LewisLittle66]

I so relate to that moment @3:47 - random unused pages with fountain pen ink swatches instead. 😆

[@2152133]

Love your video!!! Yes to productive planners! Just the pretty cover is enough. Will jetpens restock hobonichi weeks? The ones I like r all sold out.

[@JetPens]

We just restocked!

[@2152133]

🥳🏃‍♀️💸🛍️ I think I will finally have planner peace.

[@robynfuller3988]

Great video! I like to use my Hobonichi for journaling, and as a diary, and I'm trying to find new ways to use washi tapes in them (Stephanie, I feel your pain!) I want to be more creative with my planners

[@ariadne1elise]

This is too real 😁 Tip: I like to write with pale ink, like grey or sephia, because it's less harsh if I make a mistake, things change, etc or with eraseable FriXion. Also mistakes and changes get covered up with stickers and/or washi tape. For the pretty vibes I go with planner stickers too-- the color themes, the seasonal mood. Lay into those stickers once or twice a year, do a bunch of months at a time. Be free! Use up all the stuff I hoard like a loon-- that's actually my yearly resolution, to *use all the stickers*).

[@wingstriker7]

My tips: - If you’re feeling frustrated with your current planner, figure out the reason(s) for your frustration. This will help you realize what you actually need. - Learn to recognize what won’t work for you when seeing other people’s planner spreads. I enjoy looking at planner spreads once in a while, but most of the time I know it won’t work for me. - Forgive yourself if you mess up or leave pages blank. Your planner is for you and no one else. No one is gonna care if you misspelled that word, crossed it out, and rewrote it. 😉

[@marmeemarch7080]

One caveat about the Nakabayashi W/U sticky note pads: the only pen that really works for me on that paper is a Sharpie S-Gel. Fountain pen ink, gel pens, even a Uni Jetstream, all take too long to dry, or smear even after appearing to be dry. I guess the paper is coated? It's the small size. However, I quite like their half-size notebook that fits in front of a laptop or whatever.