Planning Outside the Box

There’s something about the fall season that just feels like a fresh start. The season changes, the leaves turn vibrant shades of red, yellow, and orange, new activities are introduced into the schedule – life finds a new, but familiar rhythm. We start getting those new, fall feelings as soon as the aisles begin filling with school supplies and it’s time to pick out your new planner for the upcoming year! And while so much of the world has gone digital, there’s just something about putting pen to paper that makes everything feel a bit more put together. Even if you’re not a paper planner girl, you can still use a planner for so many fun reasons – making it more than just a daily planner, but a keepsake to look back on for years to come! Keep reading for our ideas on creative ways to use a planner in the coming season! 

Planning, Of Course 

Of course, the first, and most popular way to use your planner is... as a planner! Fill it with daily appointments, meetings, and to dos. Keep track of birthdays, soccer games, Bible study, date nights, and more, all in one, organized homebase. For many, we know that your planner is the essential tool that keeps your household running smoothly, so make it work for you! 

Gratitude Journaling 

Thank God for the blessings He has given you daily in the pages of your planner. We know that some days, the blessings are flowing, and you could fill pages with the abundant kindness that God is showing you, and then some days, it seems as though the well of blessings has run dry. Taking the time to sit down each day and name what you’re thankful for is a beautiful practice to adopt, and it forces you to open your eyes and look for the kindnesses, big and small, that God is showing you during this season. What a testament to be able to look back over the course of a year and see all those wonderful things on paper! 

Daily Memory-Keeping 

We’re petitioning to bring back scrapbooking, but in the meantime, daily memory-keeping in a planner is the next best thing! Find some time at the end of each day to reflect and jot down the highlights of the previous day. Whether it was a birthday celebrated, a trip taken together as a family, or just a sweet day at home, choosing to remember the big and small moments and document them is such an intentional way to live each day. 

Scripture Memory & Reflection 

If Scripture memorization or daily Bible study is a practice that you’re hoping to implement this year, maybe use your planner as a tracker for this goal! Write down your daily verse, Bible passage, or your takeaways from the day’s study in the space provided as a way to remember what you’re learning and also hold yourself accountable for maintaining the daily discipline! 

Habit Tracking 

We all know the benefits of habit tracking, so why not use your planner as the ultimate hub for your productivity? Use your daily spreads as a place to note the habits and practices you want to implement daily like a morning walk, quiet time, taking 30 minutes for yourself at the end of the day, etc. It can be a great place to keep track of your habits but also see where you can grow and improve. 

Letters to... Future Husband, Baby, etc 

Use your planner as a place to write letters to someone! If you’re in a season of singleness or even newly engaged, this could be a place to write letters and prayers to your future husband – you could even gift the whole planner to him as a wedding gift! Another creative way to use it is for writing letters to your children. Use your planner to document their first year (first steps, first word, all the milestones!) or as a space to share wisdom and encouragement for your upcoming high school or college grad. Turn a normal planner into a keepsake that will be cherished forever! 

You can shop our entire collection of calendars and planners to get started planning, memorizing Scripture, embracing new habits, documenting memories, and more today!