How to Not Suck at Planning 

I think you are my soul sister. I am 71 years old and have always been a paper/pen nerd. Making lists for everything. 😂 I was just trying to talk myself into “something new” for the new year. But after watching your video, I am sure I have the perfect one that I already have. Thank you and have a wonderful New Year. 💕

I am thankful that I have a huge family, I can gift the ones that I look at but do not want to use.

I have wasted so much money trying to find the perfect planner, to be like all the ones I see on social media… all so beautiful and they just don’t work for me! I just need to write work schedule and appointments…. Those cheap 2$ planners have become my go to…I love to journal so I buy nice journals for that….Now I can watch the videos in peace knowing I’m not going to spend money on what doesn’t work for me…. Took me a long time to get here! 🥰 Great video!

I’m new to planning and only knew it existed through YT videos. I knew size would be important and I like a disc system so I can change and move things around. A dashboard layout worked, everything at a glance. I bought a planner on clearance just to try and it did work out. I think a to do list and appointments are the reasons I use it most. It really has helped me get things done. Even if I move the same task week to week it helps me remember each time I write it down. I also like some pretty things, that helps me want to use it. Thanks for this video

I've been using planners for decades (I'm an old gal), and you gave some excellent advice in this video. I really enjoyed it. Best advice - give yourself time to get used to your new planner or a new planning system - give it a chance. Wise advice. I look forward to watching more of your videos.❣

I’ve been following you since all your colorful Filofax covers on your shelf. I was in awe since I only had the ocher at the time. I’ve been around every corner of planners even throwing up my hands and not planning out of frustration. Then I found weeks. Then moleskin. I don’t need or want daily again in 2024 so I’m back using weeks in a cut down Midori and I feel like I’ve come home. Weeks fits my tiny life just fine. Truthfully I really only watch your videos otherwise I might end up buying a cousins. Yikes! Looking forward to another year with you. And yes pocket ocher is doing fine.

Loved this video. Thank you for walking us through the process of selecting a system that works for us. I seem to have found a system that suits me. No brand names, just books and layouts that make my brain and my heart happy. One for appointments and important notes, one for personal care, one for gratitude, one for morning pages, one for financial records, one for commonplace, and a general notebook for random notes. My brain needs separate categories to stay sane!!!

It took me a long time to find my system and that elusive “planner peace”… once I did, I’ve been using the same system consistently for years. My covers and the printable inserts I love are both from shops that are no longer even in business. But they work for me. I don’t need to keep looking or trying new things. This was a great video!

I have been all over the place. I have done B6 TN and rings, personal, personal wide both in rings as well as Hobonichi Weeks in 2023 and I’m trying it again in 2024. I like rings for the versatility but having to print every week and every month became a hassle. I still like rings but I’ve stuck with the weeks for a whole year which I find amazing. My struggle now (and frankly always has been) is perfectionism. I need to let go of the thought that it needs to look perfect. I can’t just write in it - I write with a straight edge so it looks nice!! I know - laugh! I do!! Thank you for the frankness and I really hope others understand what you’re talking about.

Oh Sam, I’m struggling so much for 2024. I’ve spent SO much money on so many different planners, and really feeling the guilt. Problem is I like so many; passport TN, Hobo Weeks & digital planning on my iPad. I hate the idea of having multiple places, but don’t know what to do. This year seems especially difficult.

Great video.!! I think it was perfectly timed to all the newbies and even to us, (lets all shop in our own shelves this year, for all that we have hoarded).!! Sooo many years ago, I started out with a cheap composition book from Walmart, all I needed were pen & paper, colored pencils, I even painted in it with water paints and I have looked back on it and it still looks great.! Than I went to a Disc Bound planner, then to rings…. to now, all the planners and covers. Hobonichi, Jibun Techo, Midori, Travelers Co., Chic Sparrow, Galen Leather etc.!! Another great video Sam.!!! 💖💖💖

Please remember to be kind to yourself everyone! I think most people have some buyers remorse stories and we learn from them. Also to anyone wanting to try out rings without a large investment, you can get a 'school style' A5 6 ring binder for < $10 if you just want to give it a try

Thank you for putting this video out. I found it incredibly helpful. I have always used planners, but around 2014 it was seeing someone’s Filofax pages decorated as a memory keeper/organizer that made me elevate. However it also also created a lot of planner stress.

Awesome video Sam!! It took me a awhile to find a system that worked. Through trial and error I found I love my mini Happy Planner! I am also a pen and paper girl I don't rely on technology for stuff lol. To everyone new to planning Just Do You it all comes together ❤ Happy planning everyone ❤

Great video Sam, thank you as always! Happy New Year!

This is the first of your videos I have watched. Yes - I've subscribed! This is so down-to-earth and pragmatic! THANK YOU!

Maybe because I'm a true Virgo, proud to say that I've had planner peace since I've been on my journey since 2016. Started with discs (enjoyed, completed them; my 2017 HP was nearly 5" thick) then moved onto and love coils since 2019. My whole life, I'm a lover of notebooks, pens and stickers, my biggest downfall. I love my TN's for travel and my other hobbies. I had a lull for a time so playing catch-up these days has been wonderful. Nice stumbling on this 😉.

Great advise!

I love this. I agree on all points. Another consideration for me is price point. I really like the concept of the Hobonici, for example, but I really don’t want to pay that price. I looked at what I like from that system and found many other inexpensive options that had that same layout. FF to now where I find that I prefer rings to a bound book because I walk to make less of a carbon footprint. At the end of the year, it’s easy to save my pages for as long as I want or just toss them in the recycle bin free of conscience. I like my journey in finding what works for me, but I think it’s important to make that journey about me. I like switching things up. I also don’t want to corner myself with feeling bad because something I thought I would like didn’t work for me. Your advice to set yourself up for success is pure gold!

I love the Red Reddington sticker you have.

The caption made me laugh out loud 😂

Love your video ❤ I know what I like now. Done this for at least 10 years. But it took me a while to find out what I love and needed in my planners. It's hard being new with all the planners out there. I'm a hobonichi weeks girl and it's been my favorite planner for 6 years now 🥰

Wish I would have seen this before buying all things but really like these videos - I made a list 😂of stuff that would work or like in my system. I have mostly been using my phone to place my tasks but I need to write it down

New viewer here! Hello! Absolutely love how you explained all of this! I have felt this way many times trying new systems and they didn’t work the way I had planned. I appreciate how you broke it down and it all makes sense to me. I am trying to do a no spend for 2024 to use what I have. Can’t wait to watch more videos.

Wisdom said.. thank you. Great thinking/

I like lather sized thin planner, month at a glance is enough along with blank pages for notes , to dos, lists, etc. I also like to add stickers and monthly tabs

What is the elastic band called there on your white Weeks and where did you buy it please? Thank you -

I love "seeing" all the things, but I don't have to buy all the things! I stick with what works for me, but my downfall is wanting "all the sizes" and pretty covers! I've been using planners for decades, so I am pretty set in my ways, but I love seeing what everyone else does! I am mostly guilty of buying more blank notebooks than I will ever use! I have a collection of covers (Moterm, Chic Sparrow, Etsy Sellers) in every size because I tend to switch them out seasonally. I use printables or undated refills when I am in discs, and undated inserts or blank notebooks when I am doing TNs or bound notebooks. I always commit to a full year, but during that year I will often start setting up the future planner, so I never get bored. I also hate wasting supplies/purchases (which is why I do the undated or printables or hand-drawn layouts.)

Thanks for this video! It’s definitely east to go down the planner rabbit hole with all the videos on YT, and some of the massive systems of 5, 6, 8+ journals and books and be overwhelmed. I’m still searching for what is going to work best for me, but I can definitely eliminate anything that’s ring bound, or spiral bound. As a lefty, rings and spiral bindings just annoy the crap out of me. Lol.

Great vid!! Where did you find your moon oli clip? I love it and would love to get one.

Bravo Sam, Bravo❤

I wish I saw your video before I purchased my 2024 planners. I now feel I’m stuck with planners that do not fit my needs.

😂 love the title of this video

I have tried so many planners in different guises. But my total planner peace is a pocket moleskin weekly notebook, I keep coming back to them, so I guess they are for me.

Would you by any chance know where I can find self adhesive pockets like the ones that come with the hobonichi weeks? I have switched to Sterling ink weeks size but really need that little pocket for the inside first page.

Love the pic of Red! Hehe. 😁 Shame that show had to end. So sad.

Everytime I find my perfect planner, it gets discontinued 🤦‍♀️