2024 Planner Flops: What Didn't Work and Why

[@jeskacia]

I tried the hobonichi A6 and made it work, simple morning journal for "today I'm feeling", "because", "to feel better", "top 3 to-dos", "grateful for" and if return in the evening "what I learned" - the trouble with the size is now I've lost it, can't find it. Super bummed as it was helping me with my grief (sister passed away earlier in the year). Starting a new one is difficult; can't see the past. For what didn't work, the passion planner. High hopes, but I'm already using a Spiral vertical planner for work, an A5 daily pages binder for work, a happy planner vertical for home, a bullet journal and a small monthly planner for my purse. Not to mention an online calendar. Saw someone use it for creative journaling, sigh, there are just not enough hours...

[@CreatingSelfCarePlans]

For me, because I’ve journaled most of my life, I always equate journaling with before bed. That’s how I always did it as a teen so it carried over as an adult. So for me to journal daily, I need to keep whatever journal or planner I want to journal in by my bed or else it isn’t happening. So if I tried to journal and plan in the same book, that wouldn’t work for me because I plan in a different space (my kitchen counter). That’s why when I wanted to use my Makselife horizontal this year for goals & journaling, I had a hard time because it would need to be in both spaces. I am considering a dated daily journal but not sure what. Probably an A6 Hobonichi. Though I might find it too small on days when I want to journal more. I’m not a big fan of the tomoe river paper for planning (too much ghosting) but I think it might be okay for journaling. Though I’ve never done it before so I’m a little worried that could fail. I do love the Hemlock & Oak paper but not sure if I want to get their daily because of the size. But I think they broke it down into 2 books for 2025, so that might work better than a massive textbook. (My right wrist gives me trouble sometimes so I don’t want to add unnecessary strain by using heavy planners.) I do find that when I daily journal my wins and just overall progress it helps me have a more positive outlook on the week so I want to try and continue doing it. 😊

[@planwithelizabeth]

Thanks for sharing your process! I’m simplifying a lot this year with the hops journaling will stick and take these ideas to heart!

[@MissyBri]

I really enjoyed this video, such an interesting concept!

[@planwithelizabeth]

Thanks!

[@bad_anima]

I also tried the Hobonichi A6 for daily journaling/memory keeping and it took less than a day for me to realize it was way too small for my loquacious self. And I tried an A5 Sterling Ink Common Planner but learned all over again that I still don't like vertical weeklies. So I ended up getting an N1 Horizontal Common Planner by the third week of January and I've been using that ever since. I'm excited to go back to the A5 size next year now that Sterling Ink has horizontal and vertical layouts for all of their planner sizes.

[@ourcreativebeehive]

I have felt guilty for not using my Happy Planner like I planned. Turns out a $1.75 Planner from Daiso Japan is so far my favorite. It is a6, so I can always have it with me.

[@themazeballet]

I had a Hobonichi Hon A6 because I thought I would need the space as a law student. I ended up not using it because it lacked a weekly layout and I don't actually need all the space, so I'll be moving back to a Hobonichi Weeks (my beloved) for 2025.

[@Natalie.D]

For me, the planners that didn’t work for me: Happy Planner big monthly, Clever Fox Budget planner, I’ve tried hobonichi before but what always works for me is passion planner weekly. The format is just how my brain thinks. I use a moon phase studios planner for a journal.

[@katsmith8263]

My favorite type of a video

[@planwithelizabeth]

Me too!

[@planwithkellye2926]

Great video 🎉

[@planwithelizabeth]

Thank you!

[@lifewithkristeni]

Great video! Planners that didn't work for me Hemlock and Oak Aura Estelle Laurel Denise

[@planwithelizabeth]

Thanks!

[@BrendaJones492]

Have you considered that you don’t need to journal every day? Journal when I need to . I may have a run of days when I do, then I don’t need to anymore. I don’t. I keep the same book and I am okay with that.

[@planwithelizabeth]

Thanks for this comment, I will definitely keep it in mind.

[@KM-nq7hz]

This is similar to a techo kaigi. I think you need more discernment on the front end of what you actually need in a planner. It’s nice to try stuff but if you total all that up, it’s almost $300 in planners that you aren’t going to use. I didn’t buy moleskine on sale because I know I don’t like cream paper. It’s just about getting to a place where you think holistically about what you require in your season.

[@planwithelizabeth]

Yes, you are completely correct.

[@debpaynepurnell6131]

I don't buy filofax planners anymore. The "leather" is poor quality for the price. Love the inserts.

[@planwithelizabeth]

Yeah I’m really disappointed

[@4kassis]

"It didnt work for me " But why?

[@planwithelizabeth]

Thanks for your comment, I have an explanation for each planner.

[@abbylynn8872]

That pocket planner Day Designer has everrykne in a choke hold...😂😂😂❤ folks are really loving it. Im a classic happy planner discbound planner, but print my inserts from freebies from everywhere... lol i resized the Hemlock and Oak for daily for classic size. I have a skinny classic for meals, shopping and lists on the go. Mini classic for pantry and household stock lists, planner supplies, pens and crafting items do i dont buy duplicates when in the store. Pantry items i keep a par list amd the sales rotations for food i like. Plau when planner supplies go on sale. Its a chunky monkey. I have a classic and mini for recipes. Mini for small recipes for pantry staples like seasonings and drinks. Including alcohol. Skinny mini on the go for appts and things to remember that i transfer over to my classic. Micro for daily fun decorating I use a chp vertical and diy inserts. Track all the people i know on social media and friends birthdays, college colors for gifts for the young people, weather events around the world. All my FB groups, youtube channels,movies. Im broke as broke so i didnt buy any new planners... i just diy different sizes and layouts to try. Haven't a new planner in 2 years. Home printing all the way❤❤❤❤❤