There has been so much happening this year. It took a while to get back to a normal feeling after going “home” for the holidays. But those that know me personally are aware of my post-it notes, lists, and yearly planners. Sometimes I list things in multiple places just to be sure that there aren’t any overlaps. I also have two phones — one personal, one for work — that also keeps me on top of my calendars. And let’s not forget about our good friend Alexa. I’ve set up a routine in the app that helps start my day….as long as I make sure to add things to my calendar. Which goes back to my planner.

I’ve been using planners since my college days. Universities used to pass these out at orientation and during welcome weeks. I’m a bit of an introvert, so writing is my best form of communication. So why not communicate with myself. This year, I searched for a new type of planner. The one I was using last year was good but the cover would always pull off while in my purse. And its not like my purse is a diaper bag. We are way beyond those years. When looking for a good planner that has everything you need to get through one’s daily routine, you search long and hard. Pricing is something I always consider as well as there are other things that must be considered as I’m the only income here. 

I checked one company’s webpage that allowed me to create a planner with exact dates, types of pages, and uplifting messages. This would be perfect for me; until I got to the checkout and saw with tax and shipping it almost cost me $100. Yeah, moving on. This put me in sticker shock that I went to Michaels and picked up a $5 bullet journal and decided I could do this myself. And I did for a while. But working in a fast paced environment, sometimes its best to have some things preprinted. I was excited about the opportunity to use my creative side to make monthly and weekly calendar layouts, but depending on the week I may not have had the time. Which defeats the purpose of a planner all together. So back to the drawing board AKA Michaels. Out of all of the craft stores, we love Michaels. There are two near us and we shop regularly at both. We get lucky some days when 50% off coupons print out of the register after a purchase or SPECTACULAR DOORBUSTER deals are happening just when we walked in to ONLY get a white pen. 

Michaels carries multiple planner lines but something about their display for The Happy Planner caught my eye and I started researching it. If you’re not familiar with The Happy Planner, let me share my favorite things about it.

1. There are various size planners for your specific needs
2. All are customizable for the creative planner, the functional planner, or both
3. The STICKERS
4. Not just planners – there are notebooks and love for the BUJO fans
5. POSITIVITY 

The Happy Planner is just that – a happy feeling for organizing your life, showing off your creative side, or like me sending positive reminders that I’m Enough! 

I purchased my first one in BIG size and realized it didn’t start until July. Yup, feelings hurt. So I went to The Happy Planner website, and purchased a yearly planner and was able to start immediately. I was hooked after filling out my first monthly spread. As I was planning for the weeks, I wanted to show more of my creative side. The stickers helped but I’m quietly an artist so I purchased the notebook with dot paper. I’m currently using this for habit trackers and savings calculators. 

I told you a lot has happened since the start of this year!

So I have three — oops I mean four. I got my latest as a Mother’s Day gift and I love it. This new one doesn’t start til July, but I couldn’t wait so I transferred months May and June to it and its my new friend 🙂 

Planning is important in my life. As a single mom, having a sense of calm in a room of organized chaos can make the days, weeks, months go by smoother. And as we are planning for summer adventures (countdown to school out is happening now), having a visual depiction calms my anxiety and makes me realize the wonderful experiences I am blessed to provide for us.

xoxo – Kelli

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