Is It Time to Set Up Your Planner for Next Year?

Is it NEW Planner Season?? H*LL YEAH!!!!

Have you heard of those people who love LOVE? well, I am the girl who loves journals, notebooks and planners and her google and notion planners too!

So this is my favorite time of the year! The end of the year is creeping closer (I saw creep, coz, did you see it coming? Did you? LOL!). There’s a buzz in the air, a mix of holiday cheer and anticipation for a fresh start. But wait—have you thought about your planner for next year? If you’re debating whether to dive into planning mode or hold off, here’s why now might be the perfect time to get your next year’s planner set up.
Also, it’s never to early to buy a diary, dream of a planner layout and design (or be inspired) a new spread! ♥

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Why Start Planning Now?

1. Reflect and Reset:
   The end of the year is a natural time for reflection. What worked well? What could be better? Setting up your planner allows you to channel those reflections into actionable goals for next year.
   
   This is especially fun if you have been Journaling regularly and can flip back to read and mull over the year that you’ve had.
   This year I have been journaling more regularly, and here is Why – 5 Reasons to Journal Regularly.
   
2. The Early Bird Advantage:
   Planning ahead means being able to take the time to explore diary options, layouts, and decide how you want your new year planning and tracking to look like. Deciding on the way you want to be organized can make a big difference to how much you actually get done. In my own experience, deciding on my weekly layout and goals and habits trackers meant I actually got stuff done this year!
   
   Also, if you want to buy some of those cute and fun or super functional planners – well, then, you need to get in early to snag the best planners before they sell out. Whether you love sleek minimalist designs, vibrant layouts, or customizable templates, getting yours early ensures you start the year with something you love. and, there is something for everyone! I love how versatile the planners available are these days.
   
3. Holiday Chaos Buffer:
   Let’s face it: End of December can be a whirlwind of gift shopping, parties, and family gatherings. Starting your planning now means you won’t be trying to squeeze it in between festivities.
   
4. Visualize Your Goals:
   Seeing your goals on paper (or screen) brings clarity. Whether it’s personal milestones, career ambitions, or simply sticking to a better routine, setting up your planner helps you start visualizing the year you want to create.
   Here I also use some stickers and washi (in my diary) and cute icons and gifs (my notion.io) to make it a visual delight when I revisit, as I hope to do throughout the year so I can track, stay on track, and see these goals come true 🙂

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How to Choose the Right Planner

1. Think About Your Needs:
   Are you a daily to-do list kind of person? Or do you prefer weekly spreads that give you room for notes? Consider what layout best supports your style.
   
2. Digital vs. Paper:
   Digital planners offer convenience and sync across devices, while paper planners give a tactile, creative experience. Can’t decide? Hybrid planning is trending, combining both for ultimate flexibility.
   I myself use a paper planner, notion.io and google calendar to manage my work and personal life and my gazillion interests and hobbies.
   
3. Customization Options:
   Many planners now come with modular features—habit trackers, goal-setting sections, budgeting tools—so you can tailor them to your life. If you are unsure, look up instagram and youtube and you will be wow-ed with all the options and creativity that abounds.
   On a practical note, you can see how people are using the various features and see which you think would work for you – try them out.
   
   The best thing about your planner?
   Its your planner – and you can do whatever you like inside it, and you can change your mind and try something different at anytime! I love the flexibility of changing my planning styles depending on the phase and mood (and sometimes the weather) I am in!!! What do you think?

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Pro Tips for Planner Setup

1. Start with the Big Picture:
   Map out major events, like birthdays, vacations, or work deadlines. This provides a framework for the rest of your planning.
   I find it super helpful to use a 2-page annual planner which simply has 12 boxes, and I make a note of major events, and important due dates (hello loan closure big payment due date!).
   
2. Break It Down:
   Use monthly and weekly sections to detail smaller goals and tasks. If “declutter the house” is your January goal, break it into manageable chunks like “organize the closet” or “donate unused items.”
   I know it seems tedious, so I do this when I am in my A-type personality mode, and my brain is going va-va-vroom.
   
3. Make It Fun:
   Add color coding, stickers, or motivational quotes or your own doodles and artwork. Your planner doesn’t have to be just functional—it can also be a source of inspiration.
   This has led to my very fun hobby of buying washi tapes and stickers! I am always falling in love with a new sticker set!

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Still on the Fence?

If you’re prone to procrastination (aren’t we all at times?), consider this: setting up your planner is an investment in you. It’s not about rigid schedules but creating a roadmap that helps you live with intention. It is also about feeling good about your day, your week, and generally what you are doing with your life. I love flipping back to my days and seeing my tasks listed and ticked off. I especially love seeing the little breaks I took to chat with a friend, watch the new episode (I also use my google calendar so I am not late to a new release!) and took an hour to read in the sun 🙂

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your favorite coffee, find a cozy spot, and start setting up that planner. 2025 is almost here—let’s make it a year worth planning for.

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Do you already have a favorite planner or planning style or layout that totally works for you? Share in the comments below! Let’s inspire each other to kick off next year on the right foot.

This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Dr. Preeti Chauhan.