Planning Things I love...

Here are some tips to make your planning more enjoyable using simple tools like highlighters and paper clips to keep everything neat and organized. Today, I'll share my favorite items that I use regularly to enhance my planning experience!

Tip One: The Planner I use an A5 rings planner system to stay organized. I chose this style because it allows me to add various inserts, have different layouts, and provide space for journaling, record-keeping, and appointments. My main planner is divided into five sections: notes, calendar, financial, wellness, personal, and business. Organizing these areas consistently has greatly supported both my family life and career progression.

Tip Two: Pens Black pens are a staple in my life, thanks to Corporate America. My favorite pen tip is 0.5mm, but I'm enjoying experimenting with different types. Currently, my top choices are Writech 0.7mm and Villa Beautiful pens.

Tip Three: Washi Tape Washi tape brings me joy because it adds a fun vibe to any page. It's incredibly versatile, whether you want it to be a subtle accent or the main attraction. My favorite use for washi tape is hanging pictures without putting holes in the wall. Washi tape is truly multifunctional!

Tip Four: Stickers Planner stickers are essential for me. They not only add flair to my plans but also help differentiate tasks and keep me creatively engaged. Even though my life isn't as romantic as a Bridgerton episode, my planner makes me feel like it is, thanks to the vibes I create with stickers. This positive energy stays with me throughout the week as I execute my plans.

Writing down your plans is one thing, but making them visually appealing makes the execution feel more empowering.

Tip Five: Sticky Notes and Notepads Sticky notes and notepads are essential for keeping your planner organized and jotting down information without committing it to a timeline or category. I keep my sticky notes in the inbox section of my planner, which is at the front and where I turn daily to ensure no open items need immediate attention.

Tip Six: Paper Cutter I use a large paper cutter for cutting down inserts and crafting dashboards, and a portable one for cutting washi or stickers on the go. These are handy when you don't have room to carry scissors, as they can be shaped like an ink pen or a cute kitty, making them easy to store in a pencil case.

Tip Seven: Highlighters Highlighting is invaluable for segmenting notes or plans. When you have a busy day, it's easier to see how heavy a task is if it's organized by color, making time blocking simpler. Mildliners are my favorite, and their array of colors makes me never want to buy another brand of highlighter.

Tip Eight: Planner Inserts Having a cohesive insert system in your planner is crucial because it's the framework for your ideas and plans. Choosing a layout that works best for you is key. I use Go Getter Girl Daily Planner for my day-to-day plans, which includes gratitude, a timed planning section, and room for to-dos and habit tracking on one page. In my main A5 planner, I use Paper Standards inserts with a monthly layout on one page and a huge to-do list on the back, plus a vertical weekly layout that splits the days into morning, afternoon, and evening. These inserts work together to keep me accountable and aware of what's important.

Tip Nine: Paper Clips Paper clips are my little guilty pleasure. I prefer minimalist styles that make a statement without getting in the way. Most of my current rotation of paper clips are coffee-inspired, but Oliclips with beautiful colors are always a favorite. Anything that dangles is also something I love for my planner—it’s so cute!

Tip Ten: Planner Storage Planner storage is a huge addition to this hobby. I have pen organizers, pouches for my notepads, and storage bins for all the in-between items. My favorite planner storage item is my planner cart, which holds my current obsessions, books, and all the crafty things I mentioned earlier.

Thank you for reading and learning about the tools that make planning fun and functional for me on a consistent basis! Did I leave off anything you can't plan without?