does anyone else share my unhealthy love for planners? i have always loved them. remember trapper keepers?? i begged my mom for a trapper keeper in second grade. she caved, even though it wasn’t on the supply list.

and the pen aisle? don’t even get me started. i was telling my sister about my love of these things in the car yesterday. we could not stop laughing. it makes no sense.

recently, i treated myself to a target trip after the kids went to bed. a new pen topped my list. you would have thought i was buying a new car. i stood there for at least 25 minutes, no exaggeration. for one pen. so many choices! the fine point sharpies were particularly attractive. did you know you can buy them individually in all sorts of colors now?

back to the planners. i do not need a planner. i have a calendar on my phone that i share with my husband.  things are color coded, which i love. everything is there. i do not need a paper planner. but every time i walk through the planner/journal aisle i have to stop to browse. this year i gave in. and i’m pretty happy about it.

if i really think about it, the appeal of a planner lies in the promise of being organized {which i love}, documenting {which i love}, and making and checking off lists {which i love}. have i mentioned i am a perfectionist to a huge fault?

here it is…my new planner…ta da! purchased at none other than target. i especially liked the vertical columns for each day and the way the to do columns are organized above and below each day.

confession, after i bought it, i couldn’t decide what to put in it. recopy my ical? use for a blogging/work calendar? maybe a daily to do list? all of these? none of these? i needed a plan for my planner!

i attempted to use the planner for everything. it was a mess. i don’t mind lots of writing in my planner. but when it’s not keeping me planned, then something needs to be done. i finally narrowed its purpose down to blogging and creative ideas only. my ical can be for the more boring life things. my paper planner can stay pretty and fun.

did i mention i didn’t even need a new planner?

*my love affair with planners continues. this day designer planner was perfect in its time, and since this post, i have a new favorite. it allows me to keep everything for my family and work all in the same place. check it out here, along with a coupon code if you’d like your own.

interested in reading more at notice the LITTLE things? 

join in noticing 10 LITTLE things in every kind of day and come along on my diy, parenting, and organizing adventures. click here to subscribe and receive access to my favorite FREE printables.