If you’re here, you’re probably as lost as I am without reminders, lists, calendars, and basically an assistant even if it might only be made of paper. I’m a sucker for a good planner. I love lists and organizing and planning everything out. Since you’re here, I have a feeling we can relate. Were you also the kid who created a physical Pinterest board to plan life after 18 when you were 5 (way, way before Pinterest was a thing). Over the years, I’ve hopped around from planner to planner trying to figure out which one suited me best. And sometimes it changed. One year I was a Goal Setter, the next I was a Crafter, and now I’m a Reflector. Life changes, we change, and so should our planners. So which one suits you best? Here are some of the ones I use, have used, and have researched in anticipation to use for different planner personalities that have fit me during my life.
The Tech-Savvy Guru
While I’m all over pen and paper, there is nothing like the convenience of having a planner in your phone to make appointments right then and there as they come up. I use my phone to track my day to day activities and my planner is used more as an accountability tool to help me plan out my life and keep track of what needs to get done. I know there are so many different calendar apps out there and some are probably better than Google Calendar, but because I utilize most of their other applications everything syncs simultaneously and it’s just easy to work back and forth between my personal and my work calendar with the integration. If you’re looking for something that does more than planning events, Google Calendar is not the right app for you.
PROS
- Any phone app is going to not only be super compact, but essentially nonexistent because you already have your phone with you at all times.
- Integration with other Google programs
- Integration with virtual meeting modalities
- The easiest way to record appointments on the go
- You receive reminders on your phone without even having to open the app
- It’s FREE
CONS
- Structured for strictly event planning
- I’ve found Google Calendar can be a bit wonky at times with RSVPs and finding things in Settings when you are working within multiple people’s calendars
- You don’t get the pen and paper feel
- There’s no customization
The Crafter & The Reflector
Over the last few years, the Happy Planner has been my favorite. Not only is this perfect for the Crafter as you can choose a planner that allows you to customize it and craft it into exactly what you want it to look like from stickers to different colors for the ring bindings, but it’s also perfect for the Reflector as every month it gives you a different way to reflect on the upcoming month and what you want to accomplish or think on. There are so many different designs to choose from that you are able to choose if you want to customize it, customize it as you go, or just get one that already has everything done and ready for you. The vertical layout is my preference and I love that this planner gives you three vertical boxes for each day to choose how you want to use them. You could use box one as AM, box two as PM, and box three as TO DO. I use box one as Events, box two as a list for my top 5 most important things to do that day, and my third box is used as my work to do list. You could even use a box for meal planning or budget reminders.
PROS
- Super stylish designs
- You have the option to customize
- You can order it online or buy it in person at Michaels
- You can easily remove pages so you can frame the gorgeous quote pages and use them as wall decor.
- Vertical weekly view for full size
- Monthly reflections
- There is a compact option and full option
CONS
- If you don’t want to get crafty at all with your planner, it may feel overwhelming to you.
- The planners themselves cost upwards around $35 which isn’t that expensive for a good planner (but you can use a Michael’s coupon!! Pro?) and anything you want to use to customize the planner needs to be purchased separately.
- Because the pages are removable, if you’re toting your planner around all the time, it’s easy for the covers to come loose.
- Horizontal weekly view for compact size
The Goal Setter
If you love setting goals and want an easy way to add the steps to achieving them into your routine or you just want to start developing a habit of learning how to be successful with goals, Passion Planner is your go-to. It outlines the entire process and has reflections at the end of each month to help you check and reassess where you are at and what you plan on changing or doing for the next month. What’s so great about this is that you can actually print it yourself FOR FREE.
PROS
- Clean look and feel
- Step-by-step approach to Goal Setting
- Monthly reflections
- Productive page layout
- You can print it for FREE just by sharing on social media
- Reasonably priced
CONS
CONS
- No crafty customization
The Creator
Bullet journaling has become huge over the last couple years and every time I see pictures and ideas I get so excited and want to make one, sadly I just don’t have the time. BUT if you do and want complete control then a simple notebook and a pen is all you need to get started. Pinterest is the HOLY GRAIL for finding creative and unique ideas for your Bullet Journal.
PROS
- Super cost effective
- Complete customization
- Tons of Pinterest ideas for inspiration
CONS
- Time Consuming
The Manager
I’ve had my eye on the Cultivate What Matters Power Sheets for some time now especially since I like using my planner less to plan events and more to plan my life and to-dos. This covers everything from goal setting and reflection to customizing and crafting based on what you want to accomplish out of your power sheets. The all-around perfect companion for managing your life.
PROS
- Cute designs with bright colors
- Lots of stickers and customization options
CONS
- From my understanding, not technically an event planner (although there might be a way to customize it as one). You would need to pair this with another way to track your day to day appointments.
- Tracking/managing so many areas of life might feel overwhelming to some
- More expensive ie an investment purchase
There are so many great planners out there. Just because one didn’t make my list doesn’t mean it’s not one of these “planner personalities” or that they aren’t worth purchasing. More than likely, I haven’t had a chance to try them yet or I haven’t discovered them. Drop a comment below with your favorite planner and tell me why it works for you – I’d also love to know what your planner personality is! Maybe it evolves like mine has. Cheers to the new year and may all of your goals be achieved!