Filofax, Kikki K, Dokibook, Daytimer, Lilly Pulitzer, Kate Spade, Erin Condren, Franklin Covey, and so much more. Planners are a key part of my life. Since elementary I've had some form of organizer. In elementary our school required we keep an "assignment tracker." Ever since then keeping a form of an organizer was a part of my life.
To-do lists were mostly what I kept regularly. Once I got to high school, about my junior year, I realized how much I needed my planner. My anxiety became at an all time high. I found that having an actual planner and writing everything down in those perfectly square little boxes made my world go 'round and my anxiety go down.
Thus, a planner addict was born.
Over the years, I've had several planners. I've even put together my own planners. So I want to tell you how to pick your perfect planner!
1. You need to decide how big of a planner you want.
There are a varying of sizes when it comes to planners. There are pocket-sized all the way up to letter-sized planners. These planners are labeled based on size, starting with a pocket-sized, then personal (or medium) sized, then compact (or A6), then A5, and then letter-sized (or A4). Here's a chart for a visual from Global Date Books!
2. You need to decide what style of planner you want.
Do you want a spiral-bound? Disk-bound? Comb-bound? Glue-bound? Ring-bound? Don't get overwhelmed with the various choices. The thing to think about is what you're going to use it for. If you think you're going to need to add and remove pages, a disk or a ring-bound planner is perfect for you. If you just need something to write dates and keep appointments then a spiral, comb or glue-bound is good for you. Here are some examples:
This is an Erin Condren spiral-bound. She has beautiful, customizable planners! And if you just want to, you can change out pages and covers. There are tons of etsy shops that make custom covers.
This is a disk-bound planner from Staples called Arc. You can order them here. They sell several different styles and inserts for it!
This is a ring-bound planner. Filofax is an incredibly popular brand of ring-bound planner. There are so many amazing inserts.
3. You need to find what inserts you want
There are so many choices for inserts! So many etsy shop owners sell cute inserts that are perfect for whatever you need.
For calendar inserts you need to know if you need monthly, weekly, or both. When it comes to monthly inserts, they're almost always all the same. Weekly inserts vary from horizontal to vertical. Click here to see a horizontal layout. This Erin Condren layout allows for morning, afternoon, and evening. Click here for a vertical layout. This layout is also Erin Condren.
You may need notebook paper in your planner. You can get it a variety of places. Etsy, Target, Amazon, or you can cut it down yourself!
You will probably need dividers of some kind for your planner. If you buy a spiral or comb the dividers will be inserted already. You can, however, order some custom made dividers from Etsy. For all of you disk-bound and ring-bound lovers, your planner should come with dividers, but you could always spice it up with some custom dividers. It will be easier for you guys to change them out. A lot of glue planners I've run into don't have dividers or they're cut out in tabs.
4. So you've got your inserts, now you need to make it your own!
Go wild. Get some washi tape. Buy a ton of stickers. Don't be afraid to experiment with decorating. Your planner should reflect you and your planning style!
I have loads of Project Life cards hole punches in my Filofax with washi wrapped around them for easy transport. I also keep a plastic sleeve in the back filled with different stickers. If I ever feel the need to decorate....
For me, when I buy supplies, the sky is the limit. The amount of stationary, planner supplies, craft paper and stickers I have is probably insane to a non-planner. When people come to my apartment and see the utility shelf full of random craft and stationary supplies...
I usually get crazy looks. I get a lot of "Why do you need all of this?" My question for those people is "Why do you need to breathe?" You don't necessarily need to breathe, but you sure won't live if you don't. So I'll buy my stationary and you continue to breathe your air over there.
I plan because it's fun. I plan because it's peaceful. I plan because when all isn't going to plan, my planner is still cute and my weekly insert is perfectly laid out with just the right amount of washi and stickers.
So go out. Hit the town. Buy a planner (or two. Or twenty). Get some cute inserts. Buy some fancy paper clips. And rock your life with your new planner and tell those haters to stop breathing your air!
Some Etsy sellers that have inserts, stickers, paperclips, stamps and more for sale are: SewMuchCrafting, WanderandSoul, RosePaperParty, TheHappyScrapper25, ThatPlannerGirl, 2Peasinapodplanning, chriswithak, libelluleBi, Bitstopieces.
For more planner stuff follow me on my Instagram @siren_stationary. Also, my Etsy shop for planning supplies opens February 13th. Just look for SirenStationary!
