You’ve taken the first step and purchased a planner.  You might be asking yourself “what is next now that I bought a planner?”   Planner Basics is a great article to give you a starting point and questions to ask yourself on the tools you will need to get started.

In addition to the tools, here are some suggestions to help you on your planner journey.

1. Right or Wrong – There is no right or wrong way to plan. What works for one may not work for another.  The main objective is to ask yourself is it currently working for you.  If it is, that is all that matters.
2. Budget – Create a planner budget and know the amount you are allowing yourself to spend on this new hobby/venture.
3. Keep It Simple – Keeping it simple at first is the best way to find out what you need with your planner. Writing down the basic appointments, hours, habits, etc. is the best way to start.  It also allows you to decide if you want to use stickers and which type you will need.
4. No Comparison – Many times new planners will join FB Groups, Instagram, and Pinterest accounts. This is a wonderful idea to help give you inspiration and to get new ideas.  I know the struggle and how easy it is to compare your planning and decorating style to someone else’s.  Please DO NOT compare your style to someone else.  Remember #1 – There is no right or wrong way.
5. Sales – This is a very important one. Just because it is on sale does not mean that you need it.  You will need to have some will power and discipline to know what supplies you need and stick to the budget you created.  Social media is a serious enabler, but remember just because everyone else is getting it, doesn’t mean you have to.
6. Do Your Homework – If there is a product you are interested in, do the research. Ask your friends or other planners if they have any recommendations or experience with an item.  Chances are someone is familiar with it and their input can save you a trip to the store and your pocketbook.
7. Decorating Style – Will you be a functional sticker planner or a decorative? Will you be white space or no white space planner?  These are additional questions you need to ask yourself.  One week, you may try no white space and see if that works.  Discovering your decorating style may be a bit of trial and error. However if you try different styles each week you will find your own groove.
8. Have Fun – Above anything else, remember to have fun with it. Especially if you are decorating.  No matter what your style is.  Planning can be very mundane and that is why decorating and finding your style keep it fun so you will be inspired to look forward to planning instead of dreading it.
9. Too Far – Once you fall in love with decorating your planner you will be tempted to decorate in advance. This is not always a good idea and I always suggest not decorating no more than 2 or 3 weeks.  Life is constantly changing and we do not always have control over it, and not everything has to be set in stone.
10. Jump In – Don’t wait to get started. Once you know what you want, take the plunge and start.  If you make a mistake there is always white out, washi or a sticker that can cover it.  Ultimately just remember that this planner is all yours and no one needs to like it but you.

For me, planning is my oasis.  It allows me to be creative and relax at the same time.  Because I make the time to plan I am forced to remove myself from electronics and take the pen to paper.  Who doesn’t need a break every now and then?

Be gentle with yourself and don’t expect to have perfect weeks in your planner.  There will be good days and bad days and it will reflect in your planner and planning process.  If you need to take a break from your planner, that’s okay.  Again go back to step  #1.

Welcome to the planning world, soon to be planner addicts!

I wish you the best planner experience with lots of Happy Planning.