Even with an abundance of productivity apps available in the market, it seems only a select few are as dependable as the paper planner. And quite frankly, there’s nothing quite like writing things down with good ol’ pen and paper.
However, choosing a good planner is a lot like choosing clothes to wear. There are no one-size fits all planners. We want to choose a planner that’s not only beautiful to look at, but one that fits comfortably into our hectic lifestyles.
So if you’re in the market for a planner this upcoming new year, here’s a list of the most popular journals as well as a breakdown of their unique features.
BulletJournal Planner
The BulletJournal method is a popular notebook planner system created by digital product designer Ryder Carroll, who found that standard planner layouts weren’t flexible enough for his purposes. Instead of using a pre-printed planner, you can use the BulletJournal’s template system to turn any notebook into a reliable planner by setting up different types of planner pages. The journal’s main pull? Its high potential for flexibility and customization.
Planner features:
- requires custom set up on an empty notebook
- design can be as minimal or as complex/creative as you want
- can be applied to any notebook you prefer, though there’s an official BulletJournal notebook that’s available in the market
- easy to insert pages such as habit trackers, grocery lists, project notes, etc.
This journal is for you if:
- you value high customization
- you like to use your planner to archive a variety of data
- you’re frustrated by the limited writing space most planners have
- can be as minimal or as complex as you want
- you’re interested in keeping your calendar, lists, and notes in a single notebook
Moleskine Planner / Leuchtturm Planner
Moleskine and Leuchtturm planners are for the no-nonsense people who just want to get their schedules and tasks in order. While admittedly steep in price, quality is king when it comes to Moleskine and Leuchtturm. The journals themselves are also beautifully designed.
Planner features:
- available planner types:
- daily by the hour spreads
- standard monthly and weekly spreads
- high quality paper and leather cover
- functional and aesthetically pleasing
- available in a variety of sizes
This journal is for you if:
- you have a no-nonsense approach to planners
- you enjoy a more streamlined function and aesthetic
Starbucks Planner
Starbucks planners are the bread and butter of college students and young professionals everywhere. Why? Because you might as well get planners while you drink the coffee you need to live, and rather conveniently there’s a Starbucks in nearly every corner of the world.
Planner features:
- standard monthly and weekly spreads
- a blank notes page for each week
- high quality paper and leather cover
- creative design elements on every page
- a year’s worth of Starbucks coupons
This journal is for you if:
- you enjoy having an artfully designed planner
- you proudly identify as a Starbucks fan
- you knock back Starbucks drinks like it’s your day job
MUJI’s Blank Planner
MUJI’s blank planner is the stuff of dreams. It’s an undated Hobonichi-style planner, so if you miss using your planner for a couple of weeks (or months), you won’t have to suffer the consequence of blank pages you’ll never get to use again. Simply pick up where you left off, and your planner won’t be mad at you for leaving in the first place.
Planner features:
- undated monthly and weekly spread
- a gridded notes page for each week
- a gridded notepad for extra notetaking
- high quality paper yet affordable
- minimal function and design
This journal is for you if:
- you take frequent breaks from using your planner
- you need a little flexibility but still want a structured, ready-to-use planner template
Honorable Mentions
- Kikki K / Typo Planner: Youthful and tasteful, these planners tend to come in quirky and fun designs. There’s one for every kind of personality. You can go for a glitter planner or even a Star Wars journal.
- Belle de Jour Planner: Belle de Jour is the planner for the girl who’s looking to live her best life. Like Starbucks, BDJ comes out with a brand new design every year. There’s also a BDJ community you can join online, if you’re looking to make more female besties this year.
- Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Planner: Not a Starbucks fan? Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s Giving Journal might be your best bet. Get your caffeine fix and do something good for your community.
- Your Company Planner: If you’re particularly proud of where you work, treat your company planner like a badge of honor. Company planners can be surprisingly well-designed and are often laid out to suit the needs of its usual employee.
- Generic Bookstore Planner: They’re affordable, they work, and if you look well enough, you might just find one that’s easy on the eyes. Don’t discount generic bookstore planners. You could always find a diamond in the rough.
And that’s it for our list of paper planners. Which of these do you think match your personality and lifestyle best? Comment your favorite planner down below!
