#planner setup

[illuminated-pages]

Planner season is rapidly approaching and I’m jumping around a lot in efforts to figure out what my next system will be. For now, I’m landing firmly on the weeks mega, day free and a5 commonplace book.

[scotisfr-productivityblr]

What I changed

Striking the dates when it's past => Let me see at which day I'm at without needed to open my phone to check the dates

Used icon as the last line of a day to track my routines => I don't have to have my quest-screen open to do them and I see them at all time ; in order they are 'cleaning myself', 'brushing my teeth', 'cleaning my house', 'walking', 'yoga or sport', 'cleaning my obsidian vault' and 'reading'

Used the "free day space" to write what need to be done this week, but don't have a real deadline or day to be done => like my driving licence theory that I need to study a certain amount of time each week

Used the far-right of the spread for my reflection of the week

Week 3 spread

What worked: - Better way to track which day we are - Using a multicolored pencil to color in is fun and I love that - Having a real visual way to track things that need to be done

What did not work: - With all the lines filled, it's hard to see when a day finish and when another start, in term of lines - Starting the week with shorts-editing is not fun and it make me lag in my to-do list, moving it elsewhere in the week would be better

Closing notes

As I was ill last week, I did not change too much this week. It's nice because it let me familiarize myself with this format. The days flow more easily while making me more productive, so even if it don't show, it's easier for me to found my rhythm.

[bleumingdays]

hello there! ˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚

in this video, i’m sharing how i personalized my journals for 2026. it feels unreal that 2025 is already coming to an end and this little ritual felt like a gentle way to welcome the new year ahead.

thank you for being here and spending this moment with me. wishing you happy holidays and i hope 2026 lets you win · ⋆˙⟡

see you next time!

love always,

yue

[phoenixplans]

Planner Setup 101: Making Your Planner Work for You

A Step-by-Step Guide to Boosting Organization and Efficiency

Your planner isn’t just a notebook with dates—it’s a tool for transforming chaos into clarity. But too often, we try to cram our lives into someone else's idea of “organized.” What if your planner actually worked for you, not the other way around?

Let’s walk through how to set up a planner that fits your life, your goals, and your rhythm. Whether you’re brand new to planning or looking to refresh your current system, this step-by-step guide will help you create a setup that’s both functional and empowering.

Step 1: Choose the Right Planner for You

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Ask yourself:

Do you prefer digital or paper?

Do you like daily breakdowns, weekly views, or monthly overviews?

Do you need portability, or do you keep your planner on your desk?

Don’t be afraid to experiment until you find the format that clicks. It should feel like an extension of your brain—not a burden.

Step 2: Define Your Planner’s Purpose

Be clear about why you’re using a planner. Is it to:

Track appointments and deadlines?

Manage projects or business tasks?

Build habits and routines?

Prioritize self-care and mental wellness?

All of the above?

Once you define the purpose, you can design your layout accordingly. This step prevents overwhelm and helps you stay focused.

Step 3: Create Your Core Sections

Every effective planner has key sections that reflect your priorities. Here are a few you might include:

Monthly Calendars: For long-term planning and key events

Weekly Spreads: For mapping out tasks and routines

Daily Pages: For detailed to-dos, time blocking, or journaling

Goals: Break big dreams into achievable steps

Habit Trackers: Build consistency, one day at a time

Notes/Ideas: Capture inspiration when it strikes

Only include what you’ll actually use. A bloated planner can quickly become a dusty one.

One of my daily spreads that helps me keep my day on track and aligned with my overall goals:

Step 4: Customize with Intention

This is where your planner truly becomes yours. Add:

Color coding or labels for quick reference

Stickers or washi tape if you’re creative (and motivated by visuals)

Tabs, bookmarks, or dashboards for easy navigation

Inserts or templates that reflect your lifestyle—like meal planning, finance tracking, or project management

Customization isn’t just for aesthetics—it boosts usability.

One of my favorite custom spreads:

Step 5: Set a Planning Routine

A planner only works if you use it. Set aside time regularly to:

Review your week every Sunday (or your reset day)

Check-in each morning to adjust tasks or priorities

Do a monthly reflection to reset your goals and intentions

This habit turns planning into a rhythm, not a chore.

Step 6: Give Yourself Permission to Adjust

Your life changes. So should your planner. Don’t be afraid to revise your layout, simplify sections, or even switch systems if something’s not working. Flexibility is the key to sustainability.

Final Thoughts

A well-set-up planner doesn’t just organize your time—it helps you own it. Whether you’re juggling multiple roles or simply trying to stay sane in a busy world, your planner should serve you.

Remember: It’s not about having the perfect planner. It’s about creating a space that supports your unique goals, pace, and priorities.

So take a deep breath, grab your favorite pen, and start building a system that lets you thrive.

---

PS. Yesterday I released the Phoenix Burnout Buster and Mini Study Planner to my shop. Have you had a chance to peek yet? If not, take a look here: Printable & Digital Study Planner + Burnout Worksheet Bundle and let me know what you think!

[zausted-plans]

Hemlock & Oak Minimalist Horizontal Weekly Planner Set Up

the paper flex cover type fits in a midori codex clear plastic cover in case anyone is wondering!!!

[sneakers-and-shakes]

My 2024 Journal Setup

This month I thought I’d share my 2024 Journal Setup! I’ve been journaling around six years now and I still find new things I can add or things to tweak as time goes on, so after doing some research and a review of how 2023 went I’ve come up with a mix of old and new things for my 2024 journal Setup.

Cover page

This is just a 2024 cover page to welcome the new year and define what this journal is for. It’s really just a moment to make a pretty and decorative page for the start of the journal.

2. Word of the Year

This is something I’m trying out for the first time after seeing other people do this. Basically, you chose a word that will serve as the vibe for the year, sort of like a nebulous general goal. I also decided to add a definition/quote for what that word means for me specifically.

3. Year Questions

I saw someone answer these four questions in their setup and decided to include the on the lower half of the word of the year page. The questions are:

-a habit I’d like to break

-a new skill I want to learn

-a hobby to start or carry over

-something to do better at

4. 24 in 24’ / Yearly Goals

24 in 24’ is also a first for me! Essentially, it’s just a list of 24 things you want to do in 2024 that aren’t necessarily goals and things you need to plan out and do progress checks on, but just things you want to do or maybe were already planning on doing.

Underneath it I also have my Yearly Goals broken out into Lifestyle and Creative with subheadings under all of them.

5. Monthly/Weekly/Daily Goals

I just wanted to list out the things I try to accomplish every month, every week and every day ranging from habits to accomplishments.

6. Money Tracker

I like to keep track of how much money I’ve spent in a month. I also donate to charity every month so I also set aside some space on the side to track the amount I donated and where I donated to.

7. Weight/Cycle Tracker

I also try to just track how much I weigh once a month and of course, follow my cycle throughout the year as well. I denote each phase with a different color so that I can get an overview of how my cycle looks.

8. Monthly Notes Pages

I’ve talked about the concept of monthly notes before on my blog but it’s basically 3 things I want to accomplish in the month. It could be a goal I’m working towards, one of my 24 things for 2024, or just something fun I’ve been meaning to do. It’s also where I put my monthly checklist of things to do (denoted earlier page 4).

Note: After the Monthly Notes Page begins each Month’s own section which I’ll include in a separate blog post.

9. At the end of my journal I also do a Year in Review page where I list out:

-the books I’ve read

-music I’ve listened to

-shows/movies I’ve watched

-the writing I’ve done

-the creative projects I’ve worked on

-the new things I’ve done every mont

10. I also have a section for a more abstract Review that is 4 parts:

-what I learned

-what I accomplished

-what I enjoyed

-challenges I’ve faced

11. 2024 Highlights page

This is broken out into each month and I just like to list out the highlights and positive memories that happened over the course of the year!

-.-

And this is my year set up! I’m excited to try out some of the new things I’ve found and see how all of this shakes out! I will also make a post on my Month setup if anyone is interested!

I hope this helped or inspired you to make your own journal setup!

Thanks for reading!

[uncuteartist]

It's done. I wasted my both days off on it. I should have made the covers bigger. I had to reprint so, so many things. I didn't stop to eat. I'm very tired, hungry, and irritated. But it's done.

It has:

Double page spread daily pages for May and June

Monthly calendars from May to December

Lists for anything happening 6 months into 2025

60 pages of sketchbook

30 pages of notebook paper

Unnecessarily shiny coveru

[lovecalijae]

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