Months ago, a kind listener to BLP suggested a matchmaking episode. Inspired by shows like What Should I Read Next, a BLP matchup could feature someone in search of the perfect planner, with exploration of likes/dislikes/the previous system and then several options delivered at the end.
I decided to go for it, and to start with longtime podcasting partner and friend Laura! Laura is a longtime planner (in that she definitely plans in a conscious and regular way!) but she does not actually use a planner. Rather, she’ll use any spiral notebook she can find in the Target discount aisle. I am not knocking those notebooks but I felt maybe she’d be more inspired and find more enjoyment in a more comprehensive planner system.
So, here we go!
Her desires:
Weekly pages
Checkbox areas for each day
Large list areas for the week
Not TOO feminine or froufrou
No need for a lot of extra tracking pages or other bells & whistles
Generally sits on top of desk
My suggestions:
1- Week On One Page Weekly from Whitney English
2- Leuchtturm1917 weekly planner notebook
3- Erin Condren Undated Focused Weekly
4- Custom Golden Coil Weekly (weekly layout example)
Her pick? The Whitney English! I actually bought her this planner (I wanted to!) and it arrived at her door yesterday.
Sooooo pretty! I will be excited to hear how she uses this planner.
I am up for doing this again, perhaps closer to beginning of the calendar year. So if you are in desperate need of a planner matchmaking session – let me know!
PS: Solo parenting weekend was okay! I set the bar really low which helped (NO fancy cooking or household projects and very short to do lists!). More tomorrow!
Sponsor Note:
This episode is sponsored by PrepDish. In addition to the Super Fast menus that I love, Prep Dish has gluten free, Paleo & Keto options, so there is truly something for everyone. Try two weeks of this easy and convenient meal planning service free by using link: prepdish.com/plans!
13 Comments
Can’t wait to give this a listen! As a fellow “notebook from Target” planner (although I do go for the fancier notebooks because I love pretty notebooks and hate spiral bound), I’d love to hear a follow up report in a few months — does Laura stick with the system, or go back to the notebook?
This was fun to listen to! I’d be up for a matchmaking session in the future! I hadn’t heard of option 1 or 4! Will be curious to see what Laura thinks and whether she sticks w/ it. I’m currently using a Leuchtturm 1917 bullet journal and have use them since 2017. But I think 2022 will be the year to get an actual planner instead of a bullet journal. I’m leaning towards the W222 but will have to check out the options you presented to Laura as there are some similarities between how we use a planner.
Oh no I need a new planner and that is PRETTY. I usually spend about $10 on mine since my system is not remotely fancy and I always finish them completely. But that’s so pretty….hmmm.
Oooh! Fun! Would love to have you serve as a matchmaker for me if this project continues!
I am currently using a combo of Ink + Volt and Nicole Meline’s “envision” for more speculative future planning.
Fun episode! If you continue to do these matchmaking episodes, you could eventually create a planner matrix where anyone could tick off the features they want and it would show the best ones for them to choose from!
Loved this episode! My thought was Plum Paper Planner – Notes & Days option. Looking forward to a follow-up 🙂
Fun episode, especially “knowing” your style as well as Laura’s! My style is similar and I have never been able to stick with any one system. I’m going to download a few of the sample pages from the selected one just to see if I want to spring for it this summer.
I love this!!! I think I was the listener that suggested this! 🙂 I would love to nominate myself but I’m really happy with my planning system right now. But that Whitney English planner looks amazing!
I’m so excited that she chose the Whitney English planner! I was thinking of that one before you mentioned it. I’ve used it and it’s really a nice planner. I especially loved the large gusset on the pocket. It does fold back too, it seems a bit awkward at first but it just needs to be broken in a bit. I hope Laura loves it! Can’t wait to hear what she thinks!
I need to listen to this episode – I have very similar needs/wants and I’ve been eyeing that floral Whitney English one!! I might bite the bullet given this strong recommendation.
Whoa! I can’t believe how long its been since I have checked out your blog and Laura’s! I have always loved planners but I didn’t know there was a whole custom and fancy planner world until I read about Inkwell Press and Erin Condren on your blog many years ago. I’ve been an IWP fan ever since. I was checking out Laura’s blog today after many months of not reading any blogs and I was giddy when I read that you started a podcast around planning! I am excited to check it out!
aww!!! Welcome back 🙂 🙂 🙂
I really enjoyed this episode. I’ve been in a real planner rut lately, and the episode inspired me to change it up. I’d been using the Wonderland 222 a bit this year, but I have been feeling like I need a fresh start. I also decided to try the Whitney English planner that starts in July 2021 and just put the order in this morning. Thanks!!