Disclaimer. This is NOT (I repeat…NOT) a paid product endorsement. Please read my full disclosure at the end of this post. This is my planner and I love it, so I’m sharing the details.
UPDATE: A few years have passed since I first wrote about this planner and my obsession has only grown. For a more recent look at how I use it, see my updated post for a current spread.
Here’s an updated spread from 2015.
A few months ago I ordered an Erin Condren planner with the academic year calendar, and it’s become my single go-to calendar for both school (I’m a teacher) and life. Previously I juggled multiple calendars: an academic calendar received at the start of school, a separate calendar for non-school appointments after January, and sometimes my phone for other items. It was confusing. Consolidating everything into one planner has simplified my routine.
I’ll start with my favorite pens. I purchased the EC pens because I color-code my planner. I also use Paper Mate FLAIR felt-tip pens for their vibrant colors and minimal bleed-through.
The two-page monthly layout gives plenty of space for writing and fits stickers well. The first thing I added was the Alabama football schedule.
I use the daily layout differently than the printed morning/day/night sections. To keep things quick and organized I divided each day into three functional sections:
Section 1 (top): Non-school appointments, to-dos and reminders. I place non-school stickers here too—birthdays, vacations, doctors’ visits. I also list planned workouts in purple when I schedule the week.
Section 2 (middle): All school-related reminders, appointments and information. School stickers go here. I use blue ballpoint pens for this section because I tend to have blue pens readily available in the classroom, so writing down something in the moment is fast and consistent.
Section 3 (bottom): Food and blog planning. I write the weekly dinner menu and track other meals in green as a reminder to eat well. Blog topics I note in orange.
I especially appreciate the weekend layout. While Sunday is technically the first day of the week, I prefer seeing Monday through Friday first when I plan. I use Saturday and Sunday entries for events and also practical lists like grocery items. Because this planner sits on my school desk, it’s easy to jot things down quickly.
On a recent weekend I used the weekend blocks as a travel diary. My grandmother kept small notebooks of travel memories—where they stopped, gas prices, food recommendations, and anecdotes—which are priceless records of family history. Inspired by that, I write short notes about trips inside the planner blocks. When I later write blog posts, I combine these notes with photos to create fuller accounts of our travels. My grandmother would be proud.
Other practical features I love: I added an extra pocket in the back by transferring the double-sided pocket from an older planner to the new one, giving me two pockets to hold pay stubs, directories, substitute lists and coupons. The aluminum coil is sturdy and perfect for daily use.
Behind the pocket is a zip pouch, which I find invaluable for storing tickets, stamps, work schedules, address labels, and receipts.
In the back I keep personalized matching notepads—something that makes the teacher in me smile.
As 2013 approaches, I’m set. Even if I weren’t a teacher I’d still use this planner—likely repurposing the middle section for work or family needs. It’s very adaptable to different lifestyles. It took about three weeks to get comfortable carrying and using a single planner consistently, but now I can’t imagine being without it. I even bought a bag designed to carry this planner along with my camera and iPad because I use it so much.
I paid for this planner and was NOT reimbursed or influenced by Erin Condren. These opinions are my own after months of use. When I find a product I love, I share it with others—my family, friends, and anyone who reads this post.
