It started with The Daily Docket, created by Tsh Oxenreider of The Art of Simple (formerly known as Simple Mom — definitely prefer the new name). Then came the Day Designer, followed by 83742 niche paper planners available today with tantalizing covers and beautiful branding and really interesting (okay, to me) daily layouts (Happiness Planner, among others).
When I first started using the Hobonichi, all of that daily space was a bit baffling to me. Was I supposed to write a list every day, and check things off? Record memories? Attempt to be artistic? After 2 years of experimentation, my daily pages now look like this (yes, real pages):
weekday
weekend
Sections:
– AM routine (up top)
– Daily plan (on the left; often I have checkboxes for each patient on an outpt day) including any fixed appointments or meetings
– Dual to-do lists on the right (selected from weekly list)
– Eating record on bottom left (habit I picked up after I transitioned to paleo that I like — kind of forces me to think twice before mindlessly grabbing something and makes choices more intentional)
– Random notes & memories on bottom right
I create the dividing lines with a mildliner and write with a Uniball Jetstream 3-color which conveniently came with the planner.
Sooooo . . .for better or for worse (I realize this post is really letting my organizing/planner freak flag fly), this is my own personal Docket or Designer or whatever you want to call it. I am sure there will be more amendments to its structure as life evolves, but this is the early 2016 edition!
Also
A&C’s school had a snow day today (think snow machine and 70 degree temps). Mr. C’s first experience with the cold white stuff — and likely his last until next year!
10 Comments
I love planners and I love to see examples from women who have a lot to actually track. I’m using the Day Designer this year and so far I really like it (although I don’t fill in the boxes for money spent, gratitude, or dinner).
Do you put other things in those boxes, or just leave them blank? (Blank boxes would probably drive me nuts 🙂 )
Love your use of the planner. The only downside of a physically big panner to me is carrying it around! I have a smaller simple at-a-glance calendar I use to catch appointments and things. Then I use a black and red notebook for all of my lists. I can see the appeal of having it all in one spot though. Always so many decisions about planning….
BTW- fake snow days look so much better than real ones. (I hate snow/winter!)
That’s hilarious that you make fake snow in Miami. We got a dusting of the real thing earlier this week and may have more coming this weekend. I think I’d like snow more if it were always 70 degrees while it was happening…
Oh I love the Hobonichi and am SO GRATEFUL to you for your rec! I never would have found it otherwise. I don’t use mine in as stellar a way as you do, although I am working on it. One thing that works really well for my needs is to be able to take notes on the daily pages during school and therapy meetings I have for F. I love that I can keep all of my notes in one place and that it is the same place as my calendar.
I love the snow day! How awesome for those lucky enough to not have to experience the cold of the north. 🙂
Just wondering where you purchased your Hobonichi? I’m having a hard time finding them in stock anywhere. Thanks!
Nice appreciated work
I LOVE seeing all of the beautiful art and other things that people use the HOBO for but mine is really boring. when i make lists, my preference is to write it down and then highlight it when completed. Really struggling bc i am in love with the pilot hi tec c coleto gel ink but can’t find a highlighter that will work with it without smearing. Suggestions???????
I can’t even use a gel pen on Hobonichi paper without smearing so I am not sure! I’m assuming you’ve already tried Mildliners. Perhaps the Tombow brush pens worth a shot?!