A few years ago I discovered the concept of creative planning. It’s basically the marriage of scrapbooking and planning, which have always been two of my favorite things. I don’t have time to be creative anymore and my planner is the PERFECT place for me to indulge in snippets of creativity.
If you are new to the world of planning you might find the entire concept of creative planning overwhelming. I love the idea and everything about the planning community, but it can admittedly get to be a bit much when you start to feel like you need EVERY SINGLE NEW THING that comes out for sale.
Here’s a tip:
You don’t.
It’s so easy to get caught up in the “buy, buy, BUY and then buy duplicates” mentality. Sometimes I have to take a little break from my planner instagram (@plannerhappiness) because it can all get to be a little bit too much. I feel like I need to keep up with everyone else and it can ruin my love of the hobby.
I enjoy creative planning for the creative aspect but ALSO it has (unexpectedly) become a huge tool for me to deal with stress and anxiety. It’s been life changing.
You really only need a planner and a pen. But if you want to get a tiny bit fancy, get yourself a sticker book, a pad of sticky notes, a roll of washi tape, and some highlighters.
I have a confession to make. I spent most of the past few years trying to find a planner style that worked perfectly. I tried Erin Condren, Day Designer, and every layout style of The Happy Planner®️. Vertical, hourly, horizontal…you name it. And I couldn’t find planner peace. I’d use the planner religiously for a few weeks and then I’d sheepishly go back to to-do lists and post it notes and the planner would get lost in the shuffle.
Until a couple of months ago until I discovered the new Happy Planner®️ dashboard layout. I’ve used this planner and this layout every single day, week, and month without fail since then.
This is my Super Mom planner. The dated inserts don’t start until January so I am using the six month undated extension pack from Michael’s in the mean time.
I like to write my appointments along the left side of each box and then write my “to-do” items along the right side.
I like adding an inspiring quote in the blank spot at the beginning of the week.
Some weeks I add sticky notes.
I use highlighters to cross off each item I complete.
Now. Let’s talk about decorations. I like a little bit of pretty in my planner but I tend to get stressed when there is TOO much. I’m totally a white space girl. The formula that works for me is this. Washi tape down the center of the week, label stickers for meals, and floral stickers clustered here and there.
Here’s the exact same formula in another week.
Have you tried a little bit of decoration in your planner? If so, link me up to a photo. I’d love to see!!
xoxo
S
