Quarter One Planner Update-Fails & Current System

#planner #planning

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[pink_sparrow_]

Last year I started my planner journey and I wasn’t happy with it. It was soporific but the layout I was using didn’t work. I started in January with compact size Blooms 2 pages per day Franklin Planner in my beautiful croc embossed Moterm that I bought when I started my planner journey. My life has never been better! One planner does it all for me… work, personal, everything. I even keep track of my husband in it. I feel like I’m a machine in my everyday life and I just bought the archive folder for it too so I can keep my pages and reference when I need jt. I recommend Franklin to everyone now. I also use a mechanical pencil in it so I can erase and adjust when needed. Way better than a pen.

[dllorenzodet]

I was a bujo planner for about 6 years and I LOVED it. It allowed me the flexibility of creating a different setup for what my life was needing. I also hated that. There were lots and lots of weeks that were so crazy that setting up something was just that one more thing that I did not need in my life. For one year, I kinda did a bujo/ TN hybrid system. That never gelled. So, last year, I left and went to discs. I loved the flexibility--in theory--that if I had a week that I needed to grab a pre-printed insert, I could, and (again, in theory) I could then design other layouts that I printed or drew (a la a bujo), but that didn't work out because pre-printed always came with the previous/ next week on the back so I was constantly wasting. Same with the cutting out of my designs. And I never drew a layout in the discs. It just seemed like a waste of time since I had pre-printed pages AND had spent hours creating that perfect layout on Canva. But, I hated discs. They should be perfect for me. I don't have to redo permanent lists/ collections every new quarter/ year. I get to purchase or design inserts for how my life is going and (in theory) switch out as needed. But the papers kept coming off of the discs. The cover would pop off. It just did not hold up well in my bag. So, my last ditch was to buy a cover and I found a great cover. It just added so much bulk. I love the A5 size because it fits in my purses without taking up all of the space. It comes out easily in meetings without screaming "look at me; I'm a giant planner." It allows for writing as much or as little as I want and as BIG as I want. I have always been a big writer, but as I age and my eye doctor still can't figure out how to make me see "right, " I need bigger print to see what they heck is going on. The disc cover (just like back in the TN attempt) just added too much bulk and created a first world inefficiency that was just cumbersome enough that I stopped using my planner. I would set up the week and never look at it again. So, for 4/1, I decided to force a hybrid kind of moment: I bought a Clever Fox pre--printed planner from Amazon. It has notes pages in the back for some of my needed on-the-go lists/ collections. It has a "as close as I have found" weekly layout that meets my needs and I can do as much as I need with regards to decorating and it still be functional. I am a job-seeker and a small business owner. If I find a job and/ or my business grows, I know that I will probably go back to the typical bujo. I just like the flexibility too much. I know in my head that I should be accepting that as my life ebbs and flows, my planning needs and the responses to those needs SHOULD change. I just hate how much money I spent on the disc systems (I have a junior/ A5 system and a letter-size). It is over $500 for sure. I am doing my best to use stickers now with every set-up. I am still using the letter system for my business--forcing it, really. So, this was a VERY long narrative to say, "I get it and I see you." Peace.

[nichelleedwards]

I completely understand I have been through a stack of planners and still don’t feel settled. ❤ Remember muscle weighs more than fat. Give yourself some grace.

[tynacompton]

So sorry you're going through perimenopause. Honestly, people just don't understand how difficult it is on your physical and mental health. I finally got through it and am now officially in menopause. Take care of yourself, and know you're not alone in this. Hugs and prayers! 😊

[beth_between_pages]

My husband tells me I’m so “all or nothing”, like in my brain, I’m totally crushing it or a complete failure. He tries to help me shift out of this thinking, but it’s so hard. I don’t think you are failing with the different planners. I remember in another video you said that when you feel like things are out of control, you love to have the change in planner to give you something you can completely control while you are setting it up. That’s not a bad thing! It’s a coping mechanism. So when you see different planners, just honor yourself and say look at me being so flexible and able to cope with the changes life throws at me! (I know, I know.) Perimenopause is so hard. I felt like I was going crazy. I’ve made it thru now and I feel so much better. The good news is it doesn’t last forever.

As for a book rec, I really liked I Remember You (a ghost story) by Yrsa Sigurdardottir. I can’t remember if there are any curse words, but if there are I don’t think they are prevalent. I also liked The Watchers by A.M. Shine. I think that one is being adapted into an M Night Shyamalan movie this summer. Both have creepy vibes!

[ella_nym]

9:13 def experiencing a similar falling out with the weeks that breaks my heart because I've loved it so much. but for the same reasons you mentioned, it just stresses me out lately.

[solascripturamjc]

Hi Sam! Feel for you. As usual, I'm in same boat. Was looking at all my past planners and realized I'm completely MIA from around Oct-March. Lack of sunshine/short days make me like a mole and I write nothing. Plus, perimenopause doesn't help, as you understand. I find I'm very indecisive and that's not helpful to say the least. Thank you for the video!💖

[ziggy]

I’m in a similar place on many fronts. I’m still planner hopping. I’m dealing with perimenopause and have plateaued on my 15 month weight loss and fitness journey. I’m rethinking some things like ditching fasting and focussing on less meat and more plant based proteins as that has slipped. Peri really does a number on how your body uses energy and stores it as I know you are aware. Like you I’m easier on myself for planner hopping as I have the stash to go into something else easily to hand that works at the various junctions. Appreciate your honesty and openness because I do think how we feel about planning is linked to many non planning things. People suggesting what you need to do is well intended but in my experience rarely helpful! I can imagine being off here helps immensely too on wonky days and weeks. So I appreciate your update and I appreciate you. X

[bestlaidplans]

I actually love bouncing back and forth between planners. It's like a journey to figure out what I really want in a planner. As well as an exercise in not feeling 'bad' about not using certain planners and notebooks as much as I thought I would, or as much as I felt the planner/notebook 'deserved' to be used. I have a whole section in my bookcase just full of unused planners. Most of them undated fortunately, so I don't feel they are wasted. It's just not their time yet

[christinemcgregor]

Glad to see you back! I had kept checking and it was getting past a month. Seems like alot of other YouTubers are still bouncing between planners. But do whatever works for you when. I think changing planners, covers, making seasonal inserts thinks keeps things fresh and keeps us interested. I use a different colored pen every few days so I can use as many as I can and keep me focused. It's the same with my fitness routine, I just changed my running route after several months and it feels kind of nice to have a change of scenery.

[GailBrandt]

For your Weeks, you should try the Sterling Ink N2 (I think that’s the number). There are grids on both sides of the paper.

[maryw]

I hear you about our Ohio winter weather! Your honesty is appreciated! I get some good ideas from you when you're processing through your planners and the changes you make and why. I gave up my weeks planner and went back into rings, so you're not alone! Thank you for taking the time to share!😊

[MayJen-]

Did you look at the Sterling Ink B6? It has the months together in the front and unstacked weeks. I bought both the Wonderland 222 and the Sterling Ink and I just couldn’t do the stacked weekends. But I rather the months within the weeks with an overview, and the holidays and moon phases. But in the end the stacked weekends were a deal breaker with the W222.

[Elizkleincaz]

When I had the W222 planner a few years ago, I also didn't love the months sprinkled through. I ended up putting an oli clip clipping the month and week together. So one side of the clip is the current month, and the other is the week. That helped me feel less frustrated that I can't "find" the month/week. Tabs definitely help too!

[bella]

Hello, Sam! You are awesome and brave and allowed to change your mind as often as you please! Because you can! And: it's fun!🎉 🥳

[morganwentworth]

I have bought an embarassing amount of planners this year but the only one I've used consistently is the SI B6 full year. I track my time on the weeklies but there are some weeks when I just never get around to filling it out. I started the year with a dedicated journal but I just journal mixed in with my to do lists. It's not as aesthetic but it's better than not journalling ever. I do love using an undated W222 for my office job because I can use the stacked weekends as whatever lists I need. Every other planner has fallen by the wayside, it feels like.

Really feeling you on the weight loss. I also have a history of ED and a months-long plateau. Don't have anything to offer except solidarity ❤

[angiepayne]

Thank you for the update! Whatever works! I hate feeling down. I hope you feel better!🌞☀🌻

[kathyceresi]

No buy was not good to me this year so far, but I have discovered some great supplies😂. I have 2 malden and they are so different from each other. The duck-egg will never lay flat, drives me nuts. The Stone I got a couple of weeks ago is perfect, she lays flat, she's squishy and soft, I love her 💕 and the stone is quite a bit darker than I expected, but I think it's beautiful. Anyway I think I just got really lucky 😊 have a great day, welcome back.

[annamarie]

Sam, thank you so much for your video here. I am a new ring planner as of the last year… Started my own small business last July.

I just had my birthday last weekend and was hoping to get a gift subscription to Van der spek. I didn’t get that unfortunately but, I did get $100 Amazon gift. So I purchased the Malden from a reputable person that had good reviews. A little nervous, after listening to your tutorial about the Malden not being as good as previous. I hope, I enjoy it. I have been using some print pression planners. But they seem to be a little bulky. I hope that the Malden works well for me.😊

[retrowtures]

My planner is very put together and it’s not not crappy haha. I just lied. I’m with you sistah!