I used a classic size Franklin Covey binder for years.  I used monthly pages and kept other info in the back.  Then came the Palm Pilot and I thought it was the coolest thing.  I quickly entered all my data then beamed it to my husband. One little problem, with technology, especially new technology, it crashed and I was in BIG trouble.  So back to my Franklin Covey I went and I’ve never solely depended on an electronic method again.  Then came the Vera Bradley agenda.  It was the same size as my Franklin Covey in beautiful Vera Bradley binders.  It had monthly and weekly pages.  I kept one binder and every year I would add my monthly pages.  I would then take this binder when I would scrapbook so I could remember what I did when.  Then I saw the Erin Condren Life Planner and I was in love, or at least I thought I was.  For a variety of reasons, this planner didn’t match my personality.  I ordered a new one for this year, which I haven’t used at all.  An expensive bundle of regret to not use.  It did come with cute custom stickers, which I am using in my new planner.

I’ve talked about my new planner in a previous post.  I am using a Midori Traveler’s Notebook in passport size.  A lot of people don’t like the smaller planners, but for me it is perfect.  I use a Moleskine weekly planner at work, so my work life is together.  I definitely have planner peace there.  My work and home needs are so different when planning, I keep them separate.  I only combine the two if home affects work time or work affects home time.

I used a printable from Etsy, week on 2 pages.  I like to carry my entire year with me, so this book was pretty fat.  So I made me a week on 1 page book.  I still have plenty of space to write down activities.  I also got the monthly calendar from KiddyQualia on Etsy.  If I could only have one calender, this is the one I would need.  Each month has a month view, blank grid page, and a date list page.  This method meets all the ways I think.  I think in lists and tables, and this allows me to have both.  The grid page I use for monthly tasks.  Now things I do daily or weekly, I don’t write them down.  I only write down tasks out of my normal routine.  I also have another notebook in my Midori that I use for lists and thoughts.  Since it is small, I carry it with me always.  Since I’ve decorated it, I look at it daily.  Since it is beautiful, it is with me always, even on my nightstand at night.  Planner peace occurs when you find a method you will use.  My binders and Life Planner were so big, I left them at home.  I don’t fully trust technology, so it isn’t the best method for me.  This is the first method I’ve found in years that meets all my requirements for a planner, and I’m using it.