How to Fall (and Stay) in Love With Your Planner

We all love a good planner. For some of us, it’s an extension of our brain. We live, breathe, and always advocate for having a planner, whether paper or digital. Having a planner is basically like the friend that is always there to help you be productive, stay organized, and manage our time well.

But like real friends, we can grow distant from our planners as well. Sometimes life gets in the way and we fall out of love. The real magic is forming a long-lasting bond with your planner. Let’s talk about how to fall and stay in love with your planner.

The First Encounter: Finding Your Perfect Match

Just like our friendships and romantic relationships, the key to a lasting connection with your planner starts with compatibility. You and your planner need to go together like peanut butter and jelly. Like macaroni and cheese. You get the point! There are countless types of planners out there, from sleek minimalist designs to vibrant and artistic ones. Consider your personal style, needs, and preferences when choosing the planner that speaks to you.

When I first started my “intentional” planner journey, I tried anything and everything. Every time I encountered a new planner account on Instagram, I would buy the same or a similar set-up. So I’ve tried it all, from Erin Condren to Happy Planner, Emily Ley, Passion Planner, Poketo, and more. Finally, I had to be real with myself. Although I love looking at sticker kits and colorful planner layouts, that planning style simply does not work for me long-term. I found planner love when I finally chose the planner layout that was for me.

Take your time when you are looking to start a new planner system. When you take your time to address your needs and truly understand what you want, you’ll fall in love (and stay) in love with your system.

If you need help searching for a new planner system, check out this blog post I wrote about finding the right planner for you!

Commitment is Key: Regular Dates and Check-Ins

To maintain any healthy relationship, consistency is key. Set a regular date with your planner—a time each day or week—to sit down together and review your goals, tasks, and appointments. Use this opportunity to reflect on your progress and make any necessary changes. Seriously…the more consistent you are with your planner, the more efficient your planner will be (and the more you’ll fall in love with it).

Your “date” with your planner does not have to be like a long, eight-course dinner at the most expensive restaurant in town. Sometimes, you might only have enough time in the morning to check and update your planner for 5 minutes. As always, the time you spent is less important than what you do with that time.

If you’re struggling to stay consistent, I love making a habit out of my planner check-ins. If you watch my YouTube videos, you know I’m a weekly planner. That time each week is important for me to accomplish goals and stay up-to-date on my goals.

If you need some help with being consistent, you can also try planning along with your favorite planner content creators on YouTube (like me)! For example, here’s a quick video you can use. Grab your planner and come plan with me!

Get Creative: Personalize Your Journey

I know I talk a lot about decorative vs. functional planning. But planners aren't just practical tools; they can also serve as creative outlets. So you don’t have to choose one style over the other one!

Express yourself and infuse your planner with your unique personality. Add colorful stickers, affirmations, or drawings to make it truly yours. Occasionally, I need a little color in my planner. I usually grab a highlighter or sticky note to add some color on my plans in these moments. The more you invest in personalizing your planner, the more attached you'll become to it.

Personalizing your planner will help you appreciate your planning journey and fall in love with your planner system.

Celebrate Wins: Cherish Accomplishments Together

Like any relationship, celebrating milestones and accomplishments is important. Your planner is the perfect partner to share those victories. Whether it's checking off completed tasks, reaching a goal, or simply surviving a hectic week, take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate your progress. Your planner likely plays an important role in that progress too! Seeing your planner as a tool in your progress will make you reach for your planner more often. Once you start reaching for the planner more often, it’ll become a permanent staple in your routine.

Sometimes, Love Isn’t Enough

So what happens when you fall out of love with your planner?

Honestly, it happens a lot. I think the key is knowing and understanding why you no longer love your planner. Are you tempted by planner accounts on social media? if so, you need to remind yourself of why you’re planner and ask whether you truly need that new planner you saw on someone’s Instagram.

Other times, you just fall out of the love with your planner because it no longer serves you. That’s okay! If you need a different planner in life because you got a new job or need to start tracking your medical habits, then it makes sense that you fell out of love with your planner. Make the adjustments you need to fall in love with your planner system again.

Just Remember — It’s a Journey

Falling in love with your planner is a personal journey filled with excitement, creativity, and growth. By finding your perfect match, committing to regular check-ins, personalizing your planner, celebrating wins, and embracing imperfections, you’ll fall in love with your system.

What planner system are you in love with at the moment? Add it to the comments below!