How I Use My Planner To Stay Sane
Today is supposed to be DIY Friday, I know. I have been working on a fun new project and I was on schedule to have it ready to share it with you today. That is, until my sewing machine broke! I am waiting for it to be fixed and will hopefully be sharing said fun new project next Friday instead.In the mean time, I posted on Instagram a few weeks ago to see if there would be any interest in a blog post about how I use my planner. As of right now, I am juggling 12 credits of school (my last semester!!!), a full time job, blogging 3 days a week, traveling and life. In order to keep track of deadlines, due dates and appointments I had to come up with a system that kept me organized and would also ensure I would get everything done.
In order to have a system, I need a excellent planner. I have been using a hard copy planner since I was a senior in high school. It's been the best way for me to keep track of everything and make sure I get everything done. I have now been using this same Kate Spade New York planner for two years. I love how many lines are allocated for each day and that there are lots of spaces for notes and other to do lists. There is also a pocket in the front of the planner that I out wedding invitations and announcements in. It just so happens that it is on sale and included in the 25% off sale that Kate Spade New York is doing. Use the code YESPLEASE when you check out!
Once I found the right planner, I needed a good way to keep track of everything. Last year I discovered Washi tape. I know I am way behind the times, but now that I have found it, I will never be without it. I have lots of different patters and colors which I assign to different topics. There is a color for work travel, personal travel, school assignment due dates, work meetings, reminders, doctor appointments, blog activities, other activities and other reminders. I have also assigned a different color pen for my personal to do list, school, work, and blogging.
In order to keep up with school, I have all of the assignments already in my planner to be done the week they are due. I also have deadline for work marked in my planner. As well as any travel, I already have booked. This makes planning for anything else much easier. Every week I sit down on Sunday or Monday and write down everything I have to do that week in the appropriate color. Sometimes things have to be done on a certain day, so it is written down on that day. I usually use the space on Fridays to put things I need to have done that week but doesn't need to be done on a specific day.
My planner goes everywhere with me. It's not the smallest planner but it meets my needs so I have to use it. I have been able to keep track of everything with this system. Like everyone else, stuff falls through the cracks. But when I use my planner with this system, a lot less slips through.
Before we moved into this apartment (move #7) I spent a lot of time deciding what I wanted my gallery wall to look like. I searched Etsy, Target, and Pinterest to find exactly what I was looking for. It took about 6 months to find everything I wanted with the right picture frames. Turns out, I love it! If you follow me on Instagram, you will have seen the gallery wall I have in the family room. Turns out, I have an obsession with gallery walls...