Share pics, tips, inspiration and ideas for however you plan, record or reflect using good old pen and paper.
Planner Tips and Tricks?
Everywhere I look there are tips and tricks on how to use my planner "better" or "more effectively" ...
Where are the tips and tricks to use it "consistently" or "at all" friends??
Post your planner tips and tricks below and help out the planner friends who want to get and stay on track!




Get one that's simple, in my opinion. If you're needing tips and tricks to use your planner better, than it's too complicated to use consistently.
My planner is high quality so it can take a beating, but I don't use many of the extra features beyond writing down what needs to be done, when.
Hope that helps!
I predominantly use a bullet journal for daily planning, but I think this is probably applicable to other/more structured forms of planning and that is to simplify. When I'm having a low mental health day or when I'm unemployed/during long summers without any university work, I do away with "daily" lists/sections when I feel particularly unmotivated and just write a running to-do list. I also use empty days/weeks as a bit of a "brain dump", so that I go to my planner when I remember a book I want to read or that brand of tuna I like instead of loosing random post-it notes and that prompts me to use it more often. And using it to retroactively record things that happen - even if that's just "got a nice comment" or "seventeen likes on an instagram photo" makes me reach for it more often
Sometimes I feel like I need a "planner buddy" to keep me in check. Just a quick, "Hey, did you fill out your planner?" or something.
I used one pretty consistently through college and up through my last job, but since I've been unemployed I find it too depressing to just jot down things like "take pills/doctor appointment/list of housework" etc I guess I could use it for my TV schedule, but that feels so idle.
What I do find helps is to keep it in a very visible spot that I visit every day, like right in front of my computer monitor.
I totally get this! Unemployed presently and dealing with some health issues. Sucks to write "do the dishes" and then be too sick to do it!
Exactly! I wrote do the dishes 3 days in a row before I could do them. Or you fill it out the night before with plans for the next day and wake up with no spoons.
You're a /spoonies too? Can we be friends?
Absolutely! I'm going to join that community right now!
Networking! <3
I'm in the same boat. I hate that sometimes the only thing I have to write is "got out of bed today" but here we are. ): ):
Do you have any qualms about using your journal in a more creative way? I found a bunch of ticket stubs/business cards/stickers a couple of days ago while I was unpacking, and I've gotten into the habit of just decorating an empty page with them, if I'm feeling particularly empty myself.
I fill mine with doodles and ideas. Ticket stubs is clever! I could keep a few pages of movies I have seen and stuff!
I doodle in mine, too! I used to paint in them but I hated waiting for it to dry, so I started carrying around pastels in my bag.
I love using ticket stubs and such, it's an easy way to trick myself into write about the story behind whatever I tape/glue.
Good idea! I think if I keep using a planner as a place for unmotivated things, I naturally start avoiding it. Becomes a bureaucracy of all the things I don't enjoy.
Yup, this. Instead of looking forward to it or looking at it as a fun activity, I would feel like shit every time I opened it up. Opening myself up to using it creatively has really helped me a lot.
Tip: You will lose your favorite pen eventually. Carry a spare.
Never!
Actually I'm the Queen of pens. I usually have no fewer than 3 "7 year pens" and a pack of Staedtler Triplus coloured pens within a 3 foot radius. Haha
....7 year pen? What are those?
I used to be a Pen Queen. Alas, I've lost/misplaced/loaned so many over the years that I've actually turned into the One Pen Thief Everyone Hates. Even when I'm not trying! I used to leave for work with two pens in my pocket and return with five.
the seven year pen scroll down and 'read more' for the story of the seven year pen. I just adore them. I haven't lost one yet and have had a couple for around 5 years going strong!
Whaaaat, that's crazy, brb checking out that website right now :D
Totally planning on buying a couple replacement cartridges when the time comes.
There are replacement cartridges?! (๑♡⌓♡๑)
I don't have the funds for it right now, but I am definitely bookmarking this page.
1.99 for XL replacement cartridges. The pens write beautifully too. Very smooth.
It's really lasted you 5 years? That's so impressive.
Mmhmm!
The best system is one you'll use! Don't let anyone else's idea of what you should be doing affect what you know you actually will! I use a bullet journal, carry it everywhere, write down everything , and am constantly changing my process from week to week (or day to day). This is what work for me, so just keep trying until something works -- even if it's just writing a weekly have-done list.
Yeah, I definitely keep mine simple so it doesn't feel so much like another chore to tack on. I also use it to journal my thoughts and challenge myself, so it's less of a pressuring planner and more like I've always used notebooks (hence the glory of bullet journaling). There are to-do lists in there, but there are other things as well. That's what keeps me coming back.