Planner Topics
March 9, 2025
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Want to stay organized in 2025? A monthly planner can help you manage your time, track goals, and reduce digital distractions – all while reflecting your personal style.
Here’s what you’ll get from this guide:
Quick Comparison:
| Feature | Erin Condren LifePlanner™ | Hobonichi Techo | Plum Paper A5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price Range | $45+ | $40 | $38 |
| Layout Options | Vertical, Horizontal, Hourly | Weekly | Customizable |
| Paper Quality | Premium | Tomoe River | Standard |
| Best For | Customization & creativity | Simplicity | Flexibility |
Set up your planner with clear goals, recurring tasks, and creative touches to make it both functional and inspiring. Let this guide help you organize your year with ease!
Choose a planner that combines practicality with your personal style. Here’s a breakdown of popular styles and features to help you decide.
Planners come in various formats to suit different needs. The Erin Condren LifePlanner™ offers three layouts: vertical for breaking tasks into categories, horizontal for journaling, and hourly for time-blocking. Prices start at $45, featuring top-notch paper and customizable covers.
For those who prefer simplicity, the Hobonichi Techo ($40) has a clean weekly layout with Tomoe River paper, ideal for both writing and decorating. The Plum Paper A5 ($38) offers customizable sections, making it a flexible choice.
"Planners should transform according to the shape of your life." – Pia Ceres
Once you’ve explored different styles, focus on these factors to find the best match for your needs:
Use these criteria to compare planners effectively.
| Feature | Daily Layout | Weekly Layout | Monthly Layout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Detailed scheduling | Balance of detail and overview | Big picture planning |
| Time Investment | High (daily updates) | Medium (weekly planning) | Low (monthly review) |
| Space for Notes | Extensive | Moderate | Limited |
| Price Range | $35–$68 | $30–$45 | $13–$29 |
If sustainability is important to you, AT-A-GLANCE® offers monthly planners made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper. These come with durable twin wire binding to prevent snags and keep pages secure.
For added flair, Dark Moon Paper provides themed sticker kits like "Lilac Dusk" and "Winter Hygge", letting you personalize your planner without losing functionality. U.S. orders over $35 qualify for free shipping.
Set up your 2025 planner with these essential strategies.
Make sure to include sections for:
Once you’ve outlined these elements, tweak your layout to create a clear and visually appealing structure.
Design your monthly spread by first marking fixed commitments, then layering in flexible tasks.
| Period | Focus | Color |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | High-priority tasks | Blue |
| Afternoon | Meetings & collaboration | Green |
| Evening | Personal activities | Purple |
| Weekend | Family & leisure | Orange |
"A well-organized planner keeps you focused and motivated", says Jane’s Agenda. You can use washi tape to visually separate different sections for better clarity.
A structured approach to goals helps transform your plans into actionable steps. Turn your aspirations into results with thoughtful goal planning.
"I think it’s very important to have a feedback loop, where you’re constantly thinking about what you’ve done and how you could be doing it better".
For each goal, follow these steps:
Habit trackers are a practical way to monitor daily progress. Creately provides customizable templates that can be tailored to fit your needs. Combine measurable metrics with personal reflections for a well-rounded view of your achievements.
Personalizing your planner can make it both functional and visually pleasing. By blending practical planning with creative touches, you can create a tool that reflects your style while keeping you organized. For example, Dark Moon Paper’s themed sticker kits – like "Starlit Sakura" and "Winter Hygge" – add flair to your pages without sacrificing usability.
Striking the right balance between decoration and practicality is key. Washi tape is a versatile tool that can enhance your planner in many ways:
| Usage | Benefit | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Page Headers | Easy visual navigation | Use thin tape aligned with text |
| Section Dividers | Clear organization | Apply vertically between columns |
| Important Markers | Highlight key items | Add small flags or tabs to page edges |
| Memory Keepers | Preserve special moments | Attach photos or memorabilia securely |
High-quality washi tape is ideal for structuring pages while keeping them functional. Beyond decorations, your planner can also be a space for personal reflections, turning it into a creative outlet.
Combine planning with reflective journaling to gain clarity and insight. The Fractal Journaling method, for instance, helps break down complex projects into smaller, manageable steps while keeping your layouts visually appealing. Let your planner grow with you by allowing collections and layouts to evolve naturally.
Here are some tips for meaningful layouts:
This approach ensures your planner remains both practical and personal.
You can express your creativity without overcrowding your planner. Dark Moon Paper’s functional sticker kits – featuring checklists, headers, and trackers – are great for adding structure without overwhelming the design. Seasonal themes can be incorporated thoughtfully, ensuring essential planning space remains clear. When using artistic tools like watercolors or markers, consider the paper thickness to avoid damage.
For a clean and balanced design:
These strategies allow you to create a planner that’s both stylish and effective.
Using a planner consistently can transform it into a powerful productivity tool. A staggering 88% of people don’t have an effective time management system, which shows just how crucial it is to develop strong planning habits.
Good planning starts with consistent routines. As James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, puts it:
"Stop waiting for motivation or inspiration to strike you and set a schedule for your habits"
To make planning a natural part of your day, try these simple steps:
| Time of Day | Planning Activity | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Review daily priorities | 5–10 minutes |
| Afternoon | Check-in and adjust | 2–3 minutes |
| Evening | Prepare for the next day | 10–15 minutes |
Pair your planning with habits you already have. For instance, review your priorities while sipping your morning coffee or plan for tomorrow as part of your bedtime routine. Once your habit feels second nature, consider adding digital tools to make the process even smoother.
A balanced system that blends paper and digital tools can make planning more effective. Writing down your goals, for example, boosts your chances of achieving them by 42%, making paper planners a great tool for goal-setting and task management.
Here’s how to create a hybrid system that works:
As James Clear advises:
"The first step…is deciding what you want to make time for. Every day, you’ll choose a single activity to prioritize and protect in your calendar"
To keep your system running smoothly, make time for regular check-ins.
To stay on track, schedule monthly reviews that help fine-tune your planning strategy. Sabrina Hersi Issa, CEO of Be Bold Media, suggests setting aside "Personal Inventory Days":
"Whatever I feel like I need to do to keep my life operations tight, I execute on this day. Take stock of what you want for yourself, get really honest with yourself, for yourself, and no one else. Be unapologetically focused on what your needs are and write it down. Write down your goals, make a plan, and then put it somewhere accessible you can easily pull up and reference in the future."
During these check-ins, focus on:
These regular reviews will help you stay organized, motivated, and ready to tackle your goals.
A planner isn’t just a calendar – it’s a tool to help you stay focused on your 2025 goals while reflecting your personal style. Pick one that suits your daily routine and make it your own.
Opt for high-quality materials like durable paper that prevents ink from bleeding, storage pockets for small items, and fun sticker sets such as Winter Hygge or Starlit Sakura. These extras can make your planner both functional and stylish.
Once you’ve set up your planner, try these strategies to stay on track:
Let your planner grow with you. Combine practical organization with creative elements to stay motivated – consistency will make all the difference.
Stickers Made for Planning
Our custom stickers are a fuss-free way to brighten up your planner pages with perfectly-sized designs that add a spark of personality to every layout.
Why use planner stickers?
Planner stickers make organizing easy, fun, and personal! Add color, creativity, and structure to every page, transforming your planner into a tool that reflects you. Perfect for tracking, decorating, and staying inspired daily!
Hello and welcome!
I’m Rachael Snow, a lifelong artist and entrepreneur, and I started Dark Moon Paper to blend my love of art, technology, and the mysterious beauty of the world around us. My sticker kits are meant to set the mood, tell a story, and give you a little escape from the ordinary.
I work from my cozy studio tucked away in the beautiful woods of Oregon, surrounded by nature and a dark night sky full of stars.
