There’s something about the last weeks of the year that makes me want to slow down, reflect, and, of course, make lists. As the calendar winds down and a new year waits just around the corner, I always find myself daydreaming about fresh pages, new routines, and all the small, ordinary moments that will soon be written down. Choosing a planner is one of my favorite end-of-year traditions. It’s a simple way to get excited about what’s ahead while still savoring where I’ve been.
One of my favorite little rituals at the end of the year is choosing a new planner for the year ahead. There’s something so satisfying about browsing through different layouts, flipping crisp pages, and imagining all the lists, plans, and memories that will live inside it. And I can’t forget all the stickers! I suppose it makes sense – I love lists, I love writing things down, I love tracking just about everything, and I definitely love pretty stationery.
Over the years, I’ve tried quite a few planners, including Ivory Paper Co., Plum Paper, Golden Coil, and a Day Designer planner that I use for work. As my life and routines have shifted, so have my planner preferences. Still, there are a few non-negotiables that remain the same year after year.
Here’s what I look for in a planner:
Dated pages.
My planner must be dated. I don’t want to fill in my own dates or number the monthly calendar. To be honest, I’ll probably procrastinate and then feel behind before I ever begin. I just want everything filled out and ready for me to use.
Spiral coil binding.
There are so many binding options out there – hardbound, softbound, disc, big coil – but a classic spiral coil is my favorite. It lays completely flat, I can fold it back to look at just one page, and it takes up less space on my desk. In my experience, bound planners never quite stay open without a little fight.
Lines that aren’t skinny.
I write big, so I need plenty of room. Tiny, cramped lines just don’t work for me. I also need lines because my handwriting has a mind of its own, and a little structure goes a long way. Plus, I simply think writing on lined pages looks neater.
No time entries.
Hourly layouts are not for me. I don’t track my day by the hour, especially since I work a 9–5 and use a separate planner for my job. If my personal planner had time slots, most of the day would be blank, and that just feels like a waste of good paper.
Good paper.
Speaking of paper, I need a planner that has good, thick paper. There’s nothing worse than writing on a page, only to flip it over and see your words have bled through. I’ve found that my preferred paper weight is 80# weighted paper. It’s durable, thick, and I don’t have to worry about shadowing or bleeding.
A5 size.
An A5 planner (5.8 x 8.3 inches) is my perfect in-between size. It’s small enough to fit in my bag if I want to take it with me, but large enough to hold all my lists, notes, and weekly plans without feeling cramped. It also fits nicely on my desk without taking over the whole space.
Only one year at a time.
I prefer a planner that runs strictly from January through December. Student planners that stretch from summer to the following winter just don’t work for me. I’d never use those extra months because they already live in the previous year’s planner. I also love knowing that every memory from a specific year lives in one single book.
Weekly spreads.
This is a newer preference for me. I used to swear by daily pages, but over time I realized I simply didn’t write enough to justify an entire page per day. I like tracking small things such as reading, gym time, knitting or crocheting in the evenings, but even that didn’t fill a full page. This year, I switched to a weekly spread and completely fell in love with it. It gives me just the right amount of space without any waste. My planner for next year will also be weekly, but with a vertical layout, which will be something new for me to try.
At the end of the day, choosing a planner is such a personal thing. What works for one person might not work for someone else, and that’s why there are so many planners out there! For me, the right planner lets me write things down, pay attention to my days, and move into a new year with intention. I can’t wait to hold my new planner in my hands and see all those fresh and empty pages ready to be filled.
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