When I was in school I used to have a planner. But it was more than a planner. It was a diary, planner, timer – all in one. I remember that I loved leafing through it in boring classes, that I drew doodles, that I glued quotes into my planner and that I really really didn’t like anyone touching it or going through it. I mean it was personal. But I also remember that everyone wanted to have a look.
I kept all those planners. They are all up on a shelf unter my desk – the one I am currently sitting typing those lines.
After school I downgraded my planners and for a couple years I used a tiny one from moleskin. I always asked St. Nicholas to bring me one so I had enough time setting everything up.
But then I realized I actually don’t use it anymore and put everything in my phone anyway. So the planners got smaller and they are almost unused.
Last year however I felt like I need one of those diary planners back in my life and bought a “Ein guter Plan” through crowdfunding. I only used it to journal my three happy things that happened and about three sentences about the day. I liked the mindfulness chart for every day and drew up a few more bullet journal inspired charts.
While I liked the planner I feel like it is not quite what I need. First I thought I will start a bullet journal but lets be honest: I probably won’t make it far.
So I am looking for a planner that is my perfect companion. One that has pre-printed most of the things I need but enough space to individualize it.
I am currently looking at the following planners*:
Klarheit – Life Coach and Planner
Facts:
Size: A5
Color: white and black
Price: 34,90 €
What I love:
– Coaching section with 32 pages for reflections, goals, action steps
– unfold-able 12 month timeline to plan out goals – would work hand in hand with the goal setting from the “Unravel your year 2017” book
– monthly review to stay on track and reflect on successes
– weekly goal setting
– after 6 month there is a section to reflect and regroup
– 40 blank pages
– the company blog shows how to use the pages and gives ideas
What I am missing:
– the book cover looks a bit boring and seems not of as high quality as similar products
What I don’t need:
– I don’t care that I can number/date the weeks on my own. I guess if you only use it in weeks you work the 52 weeks last longer than a year and might be helpful for some people.
Starryday Planner
Facts:
Size: A5
Color: black, mint, pink
Pages: 224
Price: 16,90 €
What I love:
– weeks start with a “dump list” for all tasks
– entire page per day with top 3 tasks to get done, timeline and task manager for ABC prioritizing as well as a section for notes and a habit tracker
– seven extra habit tracker page
What I am missing:
– the planner only has 26 weeks… I am a bit confused by that so I guess you need two to get through the year.
– I am not really impressed with the used font/layout. It’s just not my style and a bit cheesy in my opinion.
Business Planner by weekview
Facts:
Size: A5
Color: white and black
Paper: 90 g/m
Price: 24,90 €
What I love:
– lots of lists for goals, projects, tasks with overview pages
– monthly overview pages for project planning with ABC tasks
– habit tracker per month
– quarter project overview
– ABC prioritizing for the week, timeline, upcoming week preview, note area
– goal setting pages
– lots of sticker, labels etc. available
What I am missing:
– I am not impressed with the layout. It seems bold and uninspiring.
What I don’t need:
– the goal setting pages are set for 2023 – too far for me
Planner / Workbook Pink Edition by Jo & Judy
Facts:
Size: A5
Color: rose/gold
Pages: 256
Paper: 80 g/m
Price: 28,90 €
What I love:
– the project section for every week
– clean and feminine layout and colors
What I am missing:
– lists, trackers, coaching…
What I don’t need:
– The address book pages – its all in my phone so no need for that.
– The budget page that is next to the project page. I have my finance in order and I usually have a pretty good overview so this wouldn’t help me much.
While the design of Jo & Judy is the most impressive the structure of the planner just doesn’t work for me. The business planner might be a bit too much for what I plan to use it for. And the starryday planner is only half a year (I really can’t wrap my mind around it).
So I guess the Klarheit Planner is my best choice. But I am open for suggestions so please share if you have a better option!
Happy weekend,
Tobia
*Some links in this article are affiliate links. Meaning if you buy through this link I get a small provision. This would help me cover some of the costs for this blog. Thank you, I really appreciate it.
6 comments
Great overview of the planners you are considering. I would love to purchase a planner to keep my life organised, but I feel like there isn’t one available that really fits me, if you know what I mean. I don’t want to waste money or add to clutter. Maybe one day I’ll find the perfect one, but who knows? :-/ Hopefully one of the planners you mentioned ends up working out for you; I know how nice it would be to feel organized and feel like you have your life on paper. :)
Thank you Mandy,
I do know what you mean. I don’t think I will find the perfect one where nothing is missing. I probably would have to write that one myself. I’ll go with the next best thing and will tweak. Hope you will find one too. Nothing better than having an uncluttered mind.
Thanks for stopping by
Tobia
I still haven’t gotten a planner for the new year… it’s a hard choice ;)
San recently posted…Five holiday gifts for athletes
I know me either. I wait for gifts to open and then I’ll order. But it’s late… hope you find a great one.
Nice collection you’ve put together. I love using paper calendars as well and it’s really hard to find the right thing that works for yourself. I usually use the online calendar to organise my daily meetings, and the paper version for me adds on to this more like a diary. What has worked best for me in the last couple of years were verso calendars with the seven days on one side (where I’d note only the highlight moments of the week) and a blank page on the other side for all the notes and extra thoughts. For next year, I’m excited to test “Ein guter Plan”, which a friend gave me for my birthday. Love the idea of integrated coaching and inspiration… :)
I am surveyor will enjoy “ein guter Plan”. I liked it a lot and it is still a contender – but now sold out…