“Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.” Psalm 25:4
It started in 2019
I first started using a planner in 2019, although it really seems like longer ago than that. We got two adorable little leatherbound day planners for free when we ordered something. My sister and I each took one.
We started printing things out and taping them into the planners, and even taped extra paper on the edges to fold out and give us bigger spreads. Both of us loved using those little planners, but we quickly discovered that they were much too small for what we wanted to do with them.
So, as very often happens to me, I had a brainstorm! I had a pretty lay-flat notebook that I had bought at Walmart and put away to use “someday.” I had later put a few music related things in that notebook but had never really done much more. Now I had a good way to put that cute notebook into use.
I got the book out, carefully unstuck the few things that were in it, and claimed that brown notebook with gold polka dots as my 2019 weekly planner. After editing a free online resource to fit what I wanted, I printed out some weekly layouts and cut and cut and glued and glued.
This was my planner for the rest of the year, but it was WAY too much cutting and gluing to keep up with. Sometimes weeks were arriving and starting to pass before I got my layouts and the pretty embellishments all put in. By the end of the year, I had made my plans and was working on a more practical planner for 2020.
Better in 2020?
My 2020 planner would still have cutting and gluing, but it would be the fun stuff! The actual planner layouts were printed out with the pages cut in half and punched to fit in a half-size binder. I also started working to get my layouts made ahead so that I would not be as pressured once the week arrived. When I do not have the pressure to get a layout done, it can be very enjoyable for me to sit and cut out layouts and glue them into my planner.
I got a lavender planner binder at Walmart that I put my custom pages in. At the back, I put in some bullet journal pages that I also got at Walmart.
That was my planner for 2020, and I was pretty happy with it overall. I did decide to make one small change (with big results) to my 2021 weekly planner: I bought sticker paper! Goodbye to the glue-smeared fingers that I inevitably had since I am pretty messy with that kind of thing…
My 2021 weekly planner
There have definitely been many changes along the way, but now 2021 is fast approaching. I am well underway toward having my 2021 weekly planner usable. So where did I get it? Honestly, I got an idea here and an idea there, and then created my own planner to fit my needs!
My hope is that this planner will also meet other people’s needs. Be on the lookout for more thoughts about planners coming up soon, as well as an announcement about where my 2021 weekly planner will be sold. The good news about this planner is that it is undated and can be used for as many years as you want!
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
I think there are many benefits to using a planner, and I hope to tell you more about that soon. It’s also important what planner we use. The message a lot of planners promote is not Christ-honoring. This is one reason that I wanted to design my own planner. I wanted it to be Biblically-based and centered around the Bible and God’s plans for our lives.
Question: Do you use a planner? If you do, what kind of planner do you use? And if not, have you ever thought about using one? I haven’t used one for very long, but I’m really glad I started. Planners are a fun topic, so I hope we can discuss our thoughts about them together in the comments!
In Christ,
Bethany
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
I enjoyed this post a lot, Bethany! A planner does need to be efficient for us to get the most out of it. I’m looking forward to your planner being available!
Thank you! Yes, if a planner is too complicated, then it can end up being a problem as much as it is a help.
Such a fun post, Bethany! Thank you for sharing your experience with planners. I don’t personally use one but 2 of my sisters do!
Thank you so much for stopping by, Rachel! I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. I haven’t used a planner for all that long, but I don’t plan on going back. 🙂
I have used a couple planners here and there, but none of them have quite worked for me. One time, I gave up and tried making my own, but recently I found a planner companion that really works for me as a complete planner. I love it and want to keep using it, although I’m trying to rework my personal plan so it will mesh with my sister’s and mom’s plan for this December.
A planner suited to your needs is truly a blessing! I continue to tweak mine as I think of changes I would like. This year I added monthly pages that I can use to plan blog posts. That’s wonderful that you have found a planner that matches with your life!
Thanks, Bethany, for the post! I’ve been using planners for at least 2 or 3 years now. It really is a big help. I keep the schedule of the whole family as well as my own. I’ve GOT to write things down, otherwise they don’t get done or I/we forget about them. Thanks for your posts on planners! I just use a very plain one and write down basic engagements and important to-do items for the day. I keep my to-do lists on other paper. This year I have also kept a record of how many times I exercise and how many letters I write (my goal this year was to exercise 300 times and write 200 letters/notes). I have been enjoying your blogs on planners! Thanks!
Wow, that’s a lot of letters and notes! I’ve been blessed to be the recipient of some of your encouraging cards this year. 🙂 I’m SO glad you enjoy the planner posts. They are something I want to post about frequently, if my audience enjoys them.
Yes, please keep them up! I DO enjoy them! Thanks! 🙂
You’re welcome! I’ll plan on it!