Planning 2020 - Flexible and Adaptable!

Let’s tackle the elephant in the room. We’re all dealing with events that we never imagined would occur in our lifetime. Plans we had are cancelled or postponed, we can’t really make many new plans and the whole world is worried about an invisible threat. How can even consider sticking pretty stickers in our planners at this time? Well, I think this is the ideal time to brighten up every day with a sticker or two and I’m going to give you a few ideas about how you can use your planner when you might feel you don’t have much to plan for.

Planners 2020 - 3 months in

This year brought me 2 new planners, a Happy Planner Horizontal and a Hobonichi Weeks.  Both planners have encouraged me to try new layouts and setups which I have really enjoyed.  My EllieBeth Stash has been growing steadily and it’s really lovely taking the time to find the perfect collection to use in my planning.  One of my favourites has been the oh so pretty Serendipity collection and I am waiting with bated breath for the arrival of Kindness and Wish - which I believe are so inspirational and apt for today’s planning.  Take care everyone, stay safe, stay healthy, stay home.

Spring into Action!

With Spring finally here and the beautiful sight of the snowdrops, tulips and daffodils popping up every where, it reminds me that Spring is a chance for new beginnings, fresh starts and an opportunity to try new things. This spring is definitely one that we will remember for years to come and routines will change however that’s no reason to damper your spring spirits!

Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained

We’ve all done it, right? We’ve all decided that every day/week/month for the next week/month/year, we’re going to [insert goal/intention/resolution]. If you’re anything like me, you’ve also failed at doing whatever it was you said you’d do as frequently as you said you’d do it. Failed … ugh … I hate that word! Let’s get rid of it. Let’s remove it from our vocabulary, at least when talking about ourselves and our objectives.

Trying something new - The Passion Planner Daily

Ok, ok, ok! I know that I said I had definitely decided on my planner for 2020 but I’d bet my Filofax Malden AND my Hobonichi Cousin on the fact that none of the planner people reading this will be at all shocked by to find out that I am currently trying something new.

A Week in My Planners

At the moment, I am fully embracing the view of who cares if I have multiple planners or not! As long as I get things done, and enjoy what I'm doing, should it matter. With that in mind, here is a week in my planners! 

It all starts on a Sunday…well, some of it starts on a Thursday, but the purposes of today it all starts on a Sunday......

Horizontal vs Vertical Planning

This is my first year using a Horizontal Classic Happy Planner (HP), previously I have always planned in a vertical layout. 

I really enjoy the Happy Planner and Erin Condren (EC) format / Layout and thought it would be interesting and fun to do a Horizontal - HP / Vertical - EC side by side comparison. 

Ways With Washi

As you may remember from my previous blog post and from my Instagram handle @vixwashiwizardry, I love washi!  I've lost count of the number of rolls I own but it's in excess of 300.  But washi's not all about rolls now, it's about strips, sheets of strips, like the A5 washi strip sheets from EllieBeth Designs.  They're really versatile and handy to carry on the go in your planner.  They are so colourful and used on their own, or with rolls, they can be used in a number of creative ways.

Which day does your week start on?

Isn't it funny how people like to start their week on different days? Take for instance my Erin Condren Life Planner, it begins on Sunday for its monthly view but I prefer to start on a Monday. Using the monthly date numbers I can easily fix this by re-dating the whole month in no time at all. This sheet is brilliant, it comes with enough to date 6 months worth so two sheets and my planner is done for the year (unless you have an 18 month planner obviously ).

Planning derailed? Use what you love!

I'm in a planner funk - my New Year setting up and planning was derailed by a hospital stay and my planner MOJO has not returned yet. In an attempt to inspire my love of all things paper and planners  and get me back on track, able to focus and set up my planner systems and goals for the year I decided to go back through my planner layouts and find some that I really liked and why they sing to me.

2020 - One Month In

As is with anyone else, as the year comes to an end, I am always so encouraged to get my planners sorted, get my resolutions down and excited by the “get me life together” enthusiasm. As with most people, come end of January and into early February and the planner ideas are slightly fading, the resolutions (well!) they are on a note somewhere and almost forgotten and I carry on with all the habits I had the year before.

Planning with Watercolours

Have you ever looked at planners decorated with paint and thought how great they looked but been put off trying to decorate your own planner for fear of it looking wrong? Don’t be afraid to experiment and add a bit of colour to your planner. If it doesn’t work the way you wanted it to there’s always a sticker to cover it. There IS no right or wrong when you're being creative and your planner reflects your own style.

Here's a look at how I watercolour my Hobonichi weeks.