Planner Deinfluencing | Items you DON'T need! 

QOTD: Which of these products are you most guilty of overbuying? 🙊🙊

"You don't need more stickers" *proceeds to flip through book of SO MANY BEAUTIFUL STICKERS I WANT NOW*

I've been steadily emptying out my sticker book and there's nothing more exciting and terrifying at the same time. I was also an anxious sticker hoarder but doing a sticker no-buy until I have a mostly clear sticker book has really helped me in a lot of ways, especially creatively. So thank you for this.

I'm just getting back into journaling again after not doing it for a really long time. I've been watching a lot of journaling RU-vid videos and seeing all of the fun ways that people journal so I started buying stickers and washi tape and pens, highlighters, etc. I could already see that I'm jumping in too fast and trying to buy everything. I already have regretful purchases. Your video has helped me to see I need to slow down and really find out what I like and what my goals are for my journals, before making anymore rash purchases.

I really appreciate videos like these. I have been part of the planner community for a couple years and part of the fountain pen community for a little longer - the FOMO is real and it's hard not to get caught up. I am trying to focus on things that I'll actually use and to use up what I already have!

The call out for the notebook with "there's nothing I have to say" ! hahahah

Omg why you gotta come for me like this 🤣 organizing planner supplies has become a secondary hobby at this point haha My addition: fountain pens/fountain pen ink. You can only use so many and they also dry out. And you probably will be using black most of the time anyways lol

I like seeing videos like these. It reminds us that we don’t need to buy everything that we see, specially during planner season. Planning is a fun hobby, but not if we have to end up working through retirement because we spent all of our money. Lol

I LOVE how you started out video, trying to be careful with your words as to NOT offend. That being said, aren’t you SOOOO HAPPY to see we are all agreeing with you. Thing is, literally ANYONE n EVERYONE in this community is guilty of one or more of these. Being as feeling pressured or, KICS Syndrome (kid in candy shop) it’s a “ooo aaaahhhh, look how pretty” type thing more than not. I have buyers guilt ALL THE TIME. Especially if I find I throw it to the side n don’t use what I buy. Truthfully you hardly can tell how useful/useless something is until you try it. But there are so many duh moments (duh, that makes no sense) when you see them. Thankfully I’m having more of those moments now than when I started. Regardless thank you so much for this, with everything so costly now, it’s good to see we are not alone.

*proceeds to pull out the most beautiful, desirable version of every single thing she’s telling me I don’t need*

I love that you are talking about this. I think the over consumerism trend is over and it’s great that ppl are waking up to just use what you have, thrift more, and be more mindful of over buying and consuming things we don’t need… esp expensive things like all these brands.

You are speaking directly to me🙂 guilty of all the above. It’s an addiction.

Yes. I recently started out wanting a Hobonichi weekly and was gonna spend a lot of money, then downscaled and downscaled and realized that I could stitch a notebook with a weekly layout and put it in my trusty old travellers notebook. Made dividers with some gorgeous old urban sketching watercolors and I could not be more pleased with the end result. Cost: $0

GREAT VIDEO!!! I had a 2024 NO BUY LIST which included notebooks, art supplies and pencil boxes (cases). I will do this annually from now on. I noticed half way though the year that I never used or reached in to my back stock of notebooks at all! I took about three unused notebooks, made quick belly bands for each saying 'never used, included the type of paper (blank, dotted etc), and free to a good home", I also took any old stickers I had and put them in to little packages (just folded paper or small envelope) and labeled them "Free Stickers" ... dropped them off at one of the free libraries in my city. The first time I did this I also let a note asking if anyone found it helpful or if anyone would be interested in me putting more items like this in the library. I did not expect an answer to be honest BUT, I GOT A FEW! Every one being for it. I spread my donations around to other boxes so not just one area was getting populated with my "problem".

A good video When I first joined the planner community I was really tempted to go all out and buy things I knew deep down I wouldn’t use I made a promise to myself to buy things I know for sure I’m going to use, every time I get the urge to buy something I put it in my shopping cart and leave it for 10 days if I still want it after that and have a use for it I’ll buy it My biggest struggle is washi tape And for the planners I found when you limit yourself to 1 or 2 planners you get to enjoy them to the fullest( I wanted multiple weeks for this year but settled on one only and I feel like I’m using it and enjoying it to the max since I’m not spreading myself too thin into multiple planners)

Just wanted to add those little sticker tweezers. They always make me laugh because they seem so impractical 😋

Kinbor is a great alternative for Hobonichi that is a fraction of the price. It has incredible paper (better than TRP, IMO - it’s white, a bit crisp, super thin, and takes ink well), no quotes, a few extra spreads that are super functional, etc.

My small add-on for people who need a lot of features in a daily planner. I spent a long time in basic planner, and really struggled. I agree that most people don’t need an expensive name brand planner to get by- unless you know it’s going to work for you. My special little brain benefited massively when I found Hobonichi. Sometimes your brain needs an expensive market item, and it is what it is, haha.

After buying so many stickers , now I cut whatever I like from newspapers and it also works pretty well.

But I LOVE notebooks! I started planning in 93’, my sophomore year of high school, I had a 5-star zip around cover either a weeks or tn size. Then I got an Eddie Bauer Rings Personal size. By 1999 living in CA I discovered Filofax and Franklin Covey, got 4 planner ring covers, still own two of them, plus the Eddie Bauer from high school. Didn’t use stickers back then, just very simple, clean, true MINIMALISM, and functional all the way. Fast forward to 2017 hello WASHI! Used on my Gallery Leather Monthly, for the next 3 years. Hello 2020 Leuchtturm and Bullet Journals and Happy Planner… 2023 Sticker Sub Kits on my radar…first ever was: The Rosey Life Planner Nov 23’ Miss & Meow January 24’ (not subbed just buy as I go) Graceful Muse Paperie Summer 24’ Sterling Ink Sept 24’ Harriet Wright Designs Oct 24’ Yep 2024….if I had to take inventory I’d say I have a small shop…well and I kind of do literally…selling things here and there but honestly I pretty much use all I have, except the old school stuff, with many notebooks in line to choose from next 🤗

About the pens... I agree with you but I love my sarasa clip vintage colors set! I love every color and I use it all very often to journal

This is great! Thanks for bringing a topic as important as this

Preach it Sista! I agree 100 percent with what you said!

Such an important video..I wish the was more talk of the overconsumption in the community. I am guilty of most of these. This video should be compulsory viewing periodically.

You are so right. For me the notebooks, stickers, pens 😂😂😂😂😂 thank you for this reminder and video ❤❤❤

This is so true. I work in commercial offset printing and I love paper. Luckily I get a lot of it for free. I also love multicolor pens and have honed it down to the two brands I really love. I cycle out colors seasonally, and I do not need to purchase any pens for the next 5 years. I destashed my overstock with friends which was great. I do use lots of highlighter colors for work and personal and I can attest that the 15 pack of Mildliners I purchased in December 2016 are still going strong. 🤣I have not had any issue with them or the Tombow fountain pens drying out. Stickers... oh my. I do use mine and I have a rule that if my little exandafile is full... no buy. It's the only thing that keeps me in check. One thing I like to do is also use them on gift wrapping or on notes to my coworkers, etc.

I’m guilty of almost every category except covers haha! One thing that really helped me recently is calculating my expenses for rest of 2024 and how much I’ve spent already on planners/stationary/stickers!! Have the stop the tmz stickers, those $3 sheets add up fast!!

This was great, thank you! 😂 I laughed so many times throughout the video because I’m guilty of all of it. I enjoy the hobby and have a nice collection of things but I’m trying to only buy what I really use and need now. So, in all seriousness, great video and timely since we are in the middle of the seasonal frenzy. ❤

Thank you for these words of wisdom. I might have to save this and play it over and over.😊 8:41

How and when did you get into my house? Did my husband put you up to this videos?

A binder clip is 1.25 at the store formerly known as the Dollar tree store

Love this topic 👍 great tips!

Great video! I stopped buying binder clips a while ago.😅 I realized that I only used them every once in a while. Buying a new cover for every new planner could get expensive. I've been trying to reuse my leather ones (some of the cost me over $200 each) and leather is made to go through a lot of wear and tear.

I'm good with that one planner cover that I still keep 4 years ago 😆

I really wish I had seen this last year when I first started planning!

Guilty as charged on some of these…especially the pens. My recommendation would be to buy 1 of a type of pen to see if you actually like it (as opposed to everyone on YT saying it’s the “best pen EVAHHH”) and buying the whole set of Uni One’s only to find that you hate them and never use them. Also, no one needs a 3x5 nylon bag for $170. A lot of areas also have meet ups at coffee shops or libraries where people swap craft items like journaling things, yarn, etc. That can be a great place to de-stash and find some fun things that aren’t just sitting around gathering dust. I have a young niece who loves stationery as much as I do, and so she is gifted a lot of things when I realize (like the Uni One’s) that I don’t want them and am not going to use them. You can also donate to a school, a hospital, nursing home, etc, any extra things that you aren’t going to ever use. Or sell them on Mercari (people apparently will pay huge amounts of money for trendy items like Coffee Monsterz Co, etc…I also saw some price gouging of Hobonichi covers on eBay, no surprise there. But, people also find bargains, or you could make some cash back!)

Pentel pens are generally so expensive! They're amazing (I have a neon yellow one since I was in high school. I turn 40 this year and IT STILL WORKS) but they're almost $8 each. I've discovered that for most planner needs, a 100 colour cheaper set is more than enough.

Thank you for sharing! I know what I buy and why, but I succum to impulse purchases often. As all consumer goods, the planner companies are designed to sell. It is hard to resist the temptation to collect which is different then using items.

Am I placing huge orders this planner season? Yes. But … I had to talk myself out of buying a lot more. Don’t need more washi, PET tapes, stickers, notebooks … cute sushi accessories from Hobonichi 🥹 I also keep telling myself that if I still want it next year, Hobonichi will restock them. There’s spring launch, too. Surely they’ll restock. Surely.

Saying what we all need to hear

This year I’ve been on a low spend for planner materials so I could use them up. I still allow my self to buy things but mostly I’m using what I have and it’s been so great to use the items I’ve had for years. The reality is stickers and washi tape along with markers have a shelf life and if you don’t use them you won’t get the value of what you payed for them. I think I’m guilty of all of these btw. The other items I might add are: decorative paper clips, fountain pen ink (really goes with your pens), and washi tape (I remember you mentioning stickers but I’m not sure you said washi tape I was doing chores at the same time) the reality is that stickers and washi tape have a shelf life and if you don’t use them they can loose there adhesives or fad (I have some white stickers that are now yellowing) or in the case of washi tape especially get to sticky you can’t get it off the roll. Love the video thanks for sharing.

For those who use one color of the Pentel energel, I found out that I could get a whole box of the same pen. Then I found fountain pens. I love them.

I have mechanical pencil 0.5 mm for over 25 years, brand Faber-Castell. It was expensive, but worth every cent. I just want to say there are some stationery items worth to buy and pay a little extra. Such is e.g. fountain pen. Highlighters and coloured pens I buy at Temu, they suits for me. Planners I bought cost just 3-5 €.

You are absolutely right! I write a lot, and I have completed 24 traveler’s notebook inserts this year. But I still have a ton of unused inserts and I always want to buy them when they are on sale.

nooo, i need more convincing why i don't need another notebook. this is the hardest for me 😭😆

Thank you so much for this video , i really need it 🙈💗

Just wanted to share, as I kept eyeing up the hobonichis, but found a cheaper option instead! I got a tomoe river paper journal on Amazon for around £15 and I’ve really enjoyed it. Just incase anyone wants to try the paper or something, worth trying the cheaper option first!

Brilliant video! I write, guilty as charged, of buying new Hobonichi products from the new release. I love them but I don’t *NEED* them. Also stickers: you gave me guilt by showing your sticker folder as I have multiple folders, both A5 and A6ish full of stickers, countless collections of sticker books from particular companies and artists. If stickers were accepted as currency I’d be insanely rich! Can’t argue with anything else you said. I enjoy (and keep) many of the expensive purchases but they’re not all necessary. Finally, you didn’t mention selling things like notebook covers if you have far too many. There are lots of buy and sell Facebook groups for planners journal covers etc, depending on your location, where you can both declutter and get some money back in the bank,by selling leather covers, Hobonichi covers and so on that are still in good condition. You can also choose other ways of selling, like certain apps (I’ve heard that people use Vinted for example), eBay etc.

Agree! Great list, I do use all of my energel pen colors but I understand I'm an exception not a rule.

Lol so many of these things are impossible to resist. I have more washi tape than I can possibly use up in this one lifetime. I didn't know the Mildliners dried out easily, so thanks for letting us know (I'll get 5 instead of 20).

I was really tempted to buy a hobonichi, because I want to test it. But on the other hand I didn‘t wanted to leave my filofax ring planner. And the hobonichi is so expensive. A while ago I bought TRP in A4 to test it and a few days ago I had the idea to look for some printables in hobonichi style. I made some test prints and so far I really like it. So I‘m going to print my own inserts on TR-paper for next year. So I saved about 50% of the price. When I reuse the printable for multiple years even more. The TRP I have will be put to good use. And my filofax will also be used another year (I already use it for a couple years now). But I‘m definately guilty of buying to much Washi tape. I need to use this more. Thanks for your video.

I definitely overspend. In generally I overspend spend when it comes to all things stationary. One other reason for the overspend is readying for when I am retired and no longer will have the income to purchase these things. What I know will be wasted is some of my pens and highlighters. I am sure some will dry out before I get to them. But all my covers and notebooks should last me years into retirement.

I love stickers, but I don’t know how anyone affords multiple sticker books, like RR or HP. They can run $30 a book!

Too late 😂. They got me already 😂

I started using unbranded stuff for planning and journaling but when I finally tried some top brands, I swear it was just soooo different esp when it comes to quality. So maybe I would try to take my time saving up for “expensive” stuff 😅

Also I only use LUXARY planners. I’m talking like 70-100 bucks each and I use 7-10 planners at a time. I just spent $3700 in August on preorders for 2025 and sticker books and kits and covers and all the things

This was so necessary!! 😄

Thanks 🎉

I come as a friend, I come as a friend! I don't know how to tiptoe around this, or if I Even need to, so I'm just going to ask point blank like if I were with my friends hanging out. I plan. I think. Dog- Vet, 12PM. Take mom to airport- 10AM. Credit Card Due- 28th of the Month.. Am I missing something with stickers and fancy pens and everything else other planners use? To me, it's a book where I write down things I have to do. I'm...confused I guess is the best phrase.. Is everyone else like some super-planner novelist and I'm just boring? LOL

may i suggest you flip your markers upside down? With that they stay "fresh and juicy" for longer.

I use a @publicgoods bag of chips clip to hold my notebooks open 😅but I totally fell for the mildliners. They’ve not dried out probably because I keep them in a zipped bag horizontally.

😊 very good video

Great video and I am guilty of ALL of this.

Except for Energel in color yellow (which only exist in the biggest set possible) I use multi-color energels easily. I do journal though with them... Not to mention Energels don't dry out, unlike some cheaper and especially pastel colors that tend to dry out before you can use the full set :(

Ok, but I need some kind of AI to play this video at me automatically any time I am online or in a store looking at planner supplies. I already knew all of these things but my brain magically forgets when I see something I *must* have 🤓

i wanted to get the hobonichi weeks but bought a muji one instead at more than half the price of a hobonichi! they have the same monthly/weekly format

I bought a planner clip same size as travellers clip, gold and brown enamel bear shape TEMU $6

You probably don’t need a stencil (or 8). I swear, I only use the tiny square that makes for neater check lists. And while I do like that, I wish I didn’t buy 10 different stencils will all kinds of options to figure that out.

OMG, I fell into the gel pen trap and now I have 25 colors and gel pens!

Those stickers are beautiful! Where did you buy them?

What is the name of the hobonichi blue and white cover with flowers? Its so pretty!

i appreciate this video so much! i was wondering, though, what do you think about pencil boards? i was thinking of getting one, but i'm not really sure if it's an absolute must

guilty as charged with all of above 🙄

3:36 Gromit! I was not expecting a guest star... where do I find Aardman Animations stickers? I will have to Google that because that IS LIFE!!

The TN clip was my regret. Overpriced for what it is and there are lots of other fun designs at half the price.

what is this? A binder clip for ANTS?! 😂💀

lmao i don't even use pencil cases

I just bought another notebook… Not proud of it… 📚

You think you have failed!!!!!! You haven't seen my pens and markers!!!!!

My money my life will buy whatever I want

I can’t hype up MUJI planners enough !! They have the same weekly spreads and the paper quality is beautiful. They are a really affordable option that I have used for years 🤍🤍

I use a @publicgoods bag of chips clip to hold my notebooks open 😅but I totally fell for the mildliners. They’ve not dried out probably because I keep them in a zipped bag horizontally.