When I was first introduced to the planning community, I was unsure on how to start using a planner. This was primarily due to feeling that I did not have enough plans to start using it. After exploring different planning styles, I was elated to find that I started using my planner every day—and filling it up! This week we’ve compiled fun and functional ways to use your planner—even with no plans.

Pencil In Your Everyday Routine

It may be easier to engage with your planner by viewing it as an archive of your everyday life. Document your morning and evening routines, block off your work schedule, any chores, coursework, and even meal plans. Very soon, you’ll find that even if you don’t have many plans, your planner will start to fill up with your personalized routine. The layout of the 2022 Dated Planner Inserts | Vertical Weekly Lined provides perfect space to start logging your daily life. Include the AM/PM Minimal Task Card Set in your planner to add minimalist (and luxurious) flair to your morning and evening routine.

Log Hobbies + Relaxation Time

Log your free time and hobbies such as reading, watching television, napping, etc. This is best done after your free time and at the end of your day in order to eliminate the pressure of sticking to a specific timeframe or interest. Take this method a step further by adding habit tracking to keep track of your progress with certain hobbies. You can seamlessly add habit tracking to your daily calendar with the convenient Arched Habit Tracker Sticky Notes | Crêpe. Or, opt for the One-Minute Habits Dashboard paired with the enchanting Circle Page Flag Trio | Palette Vol. 08. For example: I often pursue multiple hobbies, and as a forgetful person, I sometimes fall behind on my goals. By keeping track of my hobbies within my planner, I can fully engage with and stick to my hobbies and goals.

Explore Lifestyle Planning

It’s exciting to add various lifestyle inserts to a new planner! Cloth & Paper offers an assortment of options, such as Minimal Beauty Routine Inserts, Minimal Skincare Routine Inserts, and Reading Log Inserts. Expand your creative side by adding inserts such as these to your planner. (Or, if you enjoy bullet journaling, try various collections!). To fill your calendar, try adding tasks such as “complete meal plan”. This way, you’ve added an important task to your planner, and a reminder to stick to your routine.

Begin Journaling + Tracking Wellness

One of the most relaxing and useful planning methods I like to use is integrating journaling and wellness tracking into my routine! Even with little to no plans, wellness planning will quickly make use of your planner. Handy inserts such as the Journaling Inserts and Mental Wellness Inserts easily create an opening to make journaling a planning habit. Need some writing inspiration? Add the “Morning Mindset” Half Page Dashboard to either set of inserts for examples to kickstart your intentional and positive journaling.

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