Just a side note while watching, you are my favorite planning reviewer/planner. I love that you include your thought process, what works/doesn’t work for you, and you don’t just edit the video to make it look like a spread was preplanned and executed in perfection. The other “favorite” you are for me is in how you consistently try new techniques and layouts. Some planners are incredibly predictable - a big sticker in the bottom left corner, sticker scraps to outline the spread as a sort of frame, a box cluster in the middle of the right page, two box clusters on the left, and sticker scraps lining every box. When the only basic difference is the color scheme and theme, I don’t feel like I’m growing. When watching your videos, I learn to be brave and try out new ideas and layouts. I learn the hows and whys of design. Thanks for being real. A true “influencer” you are!
SUGGESTION: For the little box at the top left above the daily boxes, I white out the letters and write an affirmation or message of encouragement. It has been SO helpful. It keeps me focused and encouraged on something positive all week!
Idea: you could create a "key" on a half sheet for symptoms & new meds so that you can put color dots or initials on the small spaces to track health issues.
It’s so funny, you’re going from a big vertical to a classic dashboard, and I’m going from a classic vertical to a big dashboard! I’m excited to see you use it because this is my first year trying a dashboard and you hit the nail on the head with the not-as-cute thing lol
Wow. I admit I am pretty surprised at your changes, but I think it's great that you, as usual, are so self-analytical. At the end of your examination, you've decided to try some new things to solve some old issues, and I really admire that. It's making me think. You know I've long followed your journey and grown with you, and this is another chance to consider things. This is a grand new adventure, Mary Ellen. Thank you for bringing us along. Happy and Peaceful Holidays to you and Missy Bumble, and the rest of the 4-footed and 2-footed family.
I’m so excited you are using the dashboard for your catch all. I’ve been using dashboard as catch all for a few years now Can’t wait to see how you decorate. Almost all planner influencers use dashboard for work, so I couldn’t relate.
It was a big jump when I switched from vertical to dashboard last year and although I miss my old layout dearly, planners work best when they serve you in your current season of life! I believe in you making this new system yours and at least big vertical layouts aren’t gone from your content permanently ❤
I LOVE that you have done some self-reflection and are changing things up for YOU! Things become less fun when they arent being truly functional for us and become more of a task or chore. So excited to see what this year brings for us as viewers. 🥰
I'm using the 2024 Happy Planner Monthly/Weekly Classic, "Stress Management/Calm Life" for next year but am turning it into a goal planner for the exams that I'm taking. The checklists at the top of each day is for checking off study tasks and the bigger lower area is for gratitude statements (but I may make the area horizontal so that I can write more). I've been using a dashboard layout and before that it was the Gratitude Planner but there was way too much space and stickering each day was becoming a huge time waster but what I liked was how much room there was to write gratitudes. Rather than "I'm grateful for my friends" I'll write "I'm grateful for [person such and such] because they helped me sort out an issue that I was having." This way I connect more deeply to why I'm grateful for that person. 💕☺
Sometimes we fall in love with the planners and they aren’t the most functional for our needs. Thank you for being honest, this helps a lot of us reevaluate what we really need!
Having a master to do list is the exact reason I chose the dashboard layout for the past 4 years. Love it! I am a vertical thinker as well. I cannot work with a horizontal planner at all. The dashboard still works really well for me because you can list within the days as well as the left page. Decorating dashboard is also a big challenge and it’s so fun!❤ good luck. Excited to see how it works for you.
I love this for you! I’m so glad to see you making changes that will help you be more productive this year. That’s the whole point of planners anyways. I just switched from a dashboard layout to a vertical for more creative freedom. I’ve been wishing for more dashboard layouts from you for years. How funny that just as I switch, so do you. I can’t wait to see all that you do this year!
Dashboard can be really fun to decorate - not as fun as vertical, but still really fun! I've found some peace with it, though I alternate between vertical and dashboard (I just buy 2 planners basically and swap in the guts as I see fit). The only thing that REALLY gets me about the dashboard is that box at the top left of the right page (with the letters of the days of the week) - I find that so insanely hindering. I have nothing to note 'per day' (I don't meal plan or divide any task up across 7 days) and it's really hard to cover up those letters without it looking like a cover up. I don't know why they don't just make that a blank box.
I love how you will color coordinate your themes for each spread . It will look so much more cohesive rather than random abstract . How many journals do you keep in a year? And do you have a budget planner since I'd love to see it because I love tracking our finances.
I love your planner lineup. I'm going the opposite of you. I've been using Classic size for years. This year I'm trying a Big for my Catch-all in a Dashboard layout. I've mostly done Classic Vertical because of the ease of decorating, but Dashboard fits my functional needs better. In previous years, I've bought several planners...6, 7, 8 (one year I had 12!) and this year I'm simplifying. I have the Big Dashboard for Catch-all, a Classic Faith planner, and a Classic Wellness planner. I have left-over vertical sheets from previous years that I will repurpose for tracking my food, symptoms, etc. from a colectomy surgery I had earlier this year. I thought about doing a Reading Journal/Planner, but for me, it feels like busy work. However, I get inspired when I see Ilysse's, so we'll see. I'm still deciding on that. I have a really old horizontal that I could use. Most of this year was spent being sick, resulting in that surgery, and the rest of the year was spent in recovery. So, my word for 2024 is Self-Care. Part of taking care of myself is simplifying. I'm so excited for January! By the way, thank you so much for primarily sticking with Happy Planner. I've had to stop watching videos of so many Content Creators because they've stopped using HP and are using their own or someone else's. I will probably always use Happy Planner as my primary and need Creators to influence my creativity.
Welcome to the classic dashboard group Maryellen. I say this as I'm switching from classic to mini dashboard for my catch-all. I use that left top box to list all my (evening) meetings/teleconferences for my various civic organizations.
As someone who loves the dashboard as a daily catch all, I’m with you. The left is SO functional! On the days, I’ll put the few appointments I have,but I tend to split the day in half and use the other half for notes
The reason I hate habit trackers is because I hate flipping pages. I like jotting down everything on the same page, today. If I really want a recap, all the data is there, I just have to compile it onto a month or a year at a glance page. For instance I track my water, I don't need a month at a glance to know I don't drink enough, just by flipping through a few pages. And I feel good about keeping the data on every day, instead of finding the tracker page and beating myself up for not filling it in every day. 💖🌞🌵😷
What is fun with the classic size is that most of the "speciality" layouts are classic too! It looks to be a lot easier to customize! I Use a big and I'm always dissapointed that there are almose no extension kits...
don't be scared, it's an adventure. i went from a full letter size to a half-letter size (Levenger Junior) in January of 2023. i was so overwhelmed by my planner, downsizing was the best idea i made at the time. i'm contemplating a different layout to consolidate several categories into a letter-size again. i'm open to it not working, and i'm cool with that. the printable is resizable, so it's easy.
Love this, ME! As a follower of yours since I got interested in planning/happy planner mid 2022, my first purchase was a classic dashboard 18 month planner, Teeny Florals because it was on sale. Then I watched you vids and heard how much you disliked and found the dashboard difficult. So I started 2023 using a classic dated vertical and a big undated vertical. I didn’t really need 2 planners, because like you, I am a planner with not much to plan 😝 So for 2024, I went big vertical again but only one for planning. But I did purchase another just because I liked it, the bright travels big 18 month planner and I am using this as a pictorial travel bucket list of countries I would like to visit. So I love that you are downsizing and embracing the unknown of the dashboard. Maybe I will use a big dashboard in 2025? Look forward to your spread videos. ❤
So excited to see these new planners at work. I also need motivation to get back on board with my planning so am keen to see how it goes for you and maybe try some of your ideas for myself. Enjoy the holidays xx
I understand the functionality over just making something pretty. I am switching to passion planner this year. I couldn’t have multi planners because I have one life and need to see all components in one place.
I’ve always been an EC planner combined with a DIY A5 weekly/daily Archer & Olive, one book for each quarter. Love decorating them exclusively with kits from Let’s Plan It a fabulous Canadian shop. Never tried Happy Planners before but found your channel and decided to try it next year. You got me really excited about using the big vertical so I bought one for next year and about 20 HP sticker books!! Now I’m thinking it was a big mistake 😂. I think I might go back to what was working for me and give the HP stash to my little granddaughters, 7 and 9. They love stickers!!
I get it. I am a person that creates a junk journal and writes in it but nothing that I track, no goals, nothing “formal.” Which is the magic of junk journals for someone like me. I decided I needed to be more “formal” which is why I am here. I know a lot of junk journal people that love the HP paper and will purchase the journals when on big time sale just for the paper. I purchased 3 dot grid notebooks that I plan to use as a daily junk journal. Anything goes, I will put the date at the top and then be as creative as I want. If I feel like writing I will if I don’t I won’t. If I decide to skip a day, great there are no dates. Other than that I am using a Big Vertical for stuff I need to remember. Who knows, I might junk that up too. 🤷🏼♀️ 💕
Love your videos, as always. I love your goal page utilization idea.. I’m a classic vertical gal… never tried a dashboard, but some of those planners are cuter in ‘24, so…. And, I totally agree! The HP formats are still my pref, but the 2024 designs are just not doing it for me. I know they want to not be the same , but I think most planners have their vibe and really only want a “variation on a theme.” I love seasonal themes for the monthly dividers! Not too busy, but some variation on that. Some like neutral, some more bold. It feels like their design team is just all over the place. (They are Stephanie-less!). … Happy and healthy holiday ❄🎄🥂🥂🥂☀
I am SO excited to see your use of the dashboard layout -- that's what I've been using for years and have always been functional rather than decorative so I'd totally love to see how you jazz it up!
I think it’s great that you are switching it up! You will have time to do what you love to do! ❤ you are definately peachy in the coming year! Love the color palette! ❤️ Use your stash! The horizontal and dashboard planners are a great way to decorate using your washi tape! Have fun! 🥰 I decided to use two planners! Went through my stash- I have a personal insert I will use for work and personal appts and to track my steps in a ring binder and still undecided if I’m using my classic HP or Carpe Diem A5 inserts for memory keeping! I’m using my stash! That’s it- easy Peasy! ❤
Loved to hear your thought process & how you are refreshing things up. Can't wait to see all the setups & all the gorgeous spreads. I have my lineup & setup all done before I went on my vacation . As an International planner, i need to plan way ahead or I will be left with nothing.
I've been frankenplanning for the last four years. I have one set of discs with three months from a Classic Vertical, then one month from a Fitness or Wellness, and this year I'm switching from a month of Budget planning to a Dashboard planner. I like the Vertical for my catch-all. I have Birthdays and holidays in the top box, Appointments and meetings in the middle box and Todos in the bottom box. Having three months with me means I can plan ahead if I need to but not too far ahead (I have no problem making plans for October in March). :) I only have one month of the Fitness/Wellness and Dashboard (house keeping) planners because I don't plan in these areas more than a week in advance. I also chose muted colors for my 2024 lineup. I want the dividers from the three planners to match so I usually pick a theme. It's hard in September when I'm watching the release and try to find planners matching and either the Fitness or the Housekeeping planner needs to be an undated so the dividers fit together. But at the end of the year I have a neverending planner because as October ends and I pick it out I can put in the month of January and keep up with my three months planner. The strange thing is I haven't made any plans for either January or February...
This is exciting news for your channel. I have selected my planners for 2024. Most are HP and most are either discounted 18 month planners that cover the year or redated planners. I bought the Star Lover classic for my catch all. It’s just so pretty. I am building my budget planner using HP big monthly calendars and printables that I have designed or accumulated. I’m excited about them and hoping to be very productive myself. I also created a reading journal by repurposing a HP mini bullet journal style that I have in my stash. I look forward to seeing the way you use your new lineup.
Ive had to really simplify because trying to keep up with multiple planners was too much. Having everything in one planner is how its currently working for me, just to stay functioning. I gave up on working on my habits lol
Good for you. You are figuring what works and what doesnt. Me as a newbie is glad to know that I am able to change things that dont work and not feel like a failure. Im still in the process of trying things. You are the person that I follow the most because you share your thoughts and what works and what doesnt and not feel like a failure if it doesnt. To me that is a growth process. I really dont want consider myself a failure if Im not able be consistent in some areas. TY Mary Ellen for everything you share with us ❤❤ CONGRATULATIONS On your engagement. Ia so happy for you. 💍🍸🎉
I love that you’re starting a reading journal. I started one this year and also fell down the reading journal rabbit hole on UA-cam 😂 im planning to buy the wedding planner in February or April to start planning my wedding
I used to use a BIg for memory type planner. I loved it so much, but, for storage purposes I had to go down in size. This is the only planner I will always keep and freeing up the storage space was very important. I have been a fan for the Dashboard for my Daily Planner/Catch all for years and I love it. For my style of planning, it is perfect. The master list, shopping list and the lines on the daily part make this a winner for me. Love your line up.
Hello first time watching!! So first, I think for the side-horizontal days they’re a great space for memory keeping vs planning in my opinion. Maybe keep Planning on left page and memory keeping right page? Secondly I have a lot of planners…..if you include bullet journals, moleskin, archer and Olive plus “regular” planners. I think lots of people who love stationary probably do, hard not to with all the awesome covers and styles. Last I love the peachy cover and really like it with the rings…or to be cheeky green rings so it looks like a peach 🍑😊.
I LOVE that you're switching things up! I love your planning process and I've learned A LOT from you over the years. I am considering using the recovery dashboard planner (I'm in the middle of a divorce) so I'm excited to see how you decorate! Best wishes for 2024!
I haven’t chosen anything and I have to break down and just do it. I use TWO planners right now: My household catch all and my dog show planner / memory keeper. I am thinking about a bullet journal just to try it but I don’t want to mess up my nice Archer & Olive journal so I haven’t set it up LOL. I need the two for sure and may just figure out a way to integrate the bullet journal as a “daily” brain dump of the day with decoration accordingly. I shoot and work a lot of photographs and I’d like a way to add my Canon Ivy prints to the day in Archer & Olive. I’m mildly overwhelmed but it’s coming together. Thank you for the information in this video. Very very helpful. It’s ok to step out of the zone because you can always change it back. I needed to hear that.
Love the peach theme. Very cohesive. I am also using the Mom/daisy dashboard planner and decided to use the Recovery planner for fitness, mental health, weight lifting and workout tracking.
I didn't change anything this year. I have a classic vertical and goal one. Idk what it is called. It came in the goal getter mystery box. I love the layout and my wheels started turning when I seen it. I know it's just 4 months but I'm hoping to be able to get a extension packet later. I was going to get a daily planner but I can take filler paper (which I have plenty of) and make those into daily sheets. By the way... Thank you! You have helped me improve on decorating my pages. You said in the beginning trust the process. You are so right! ❤❤❤
Rooting for you as you switch from the vertical to the dashboard. I made the switch this year and I love it! Maybe you could do a daily gratitude in the top box with the M-S labeled.
Great video - I’m always impressed at your thought process for selecting your planners. Like you, I don’t have a busy life (adult kids too) but I love using my planner. I’m sticking with the 18-month big dashboard that I started in July - but after watching your video - I realise I probably only need a classic & I wouldn’t spend so much time wondering what to fill it up with. I bought soooo many sticker books during COVID (locked down a lot in Melbourne, Australia) & I want to use them, but fall into the trap of repeating the same sort of layout in the dashboard - all the time - so I bore myself a bit and stop using it.
I really love that you are changing it up to meet your needs. They are always evolving, so it’s good to adapt! I’m trying a skinny classic dashboard for my work planner and I’m hoping to use the day of the week side as social media planning and just marking when products are made/ready to list. It’s also a great side to use your decorative lettering skills for appointments and such throughout the week instead of trying to make stickers work there. This year I’m trying to make some of my own pages to add. I have made a notebook from old happy planners) that has happy planner daily checklist/planner pages for the few times I have a really busy day or just need to brain dump tasks/ideas. I’m also making some pages similar to the guided journals that happy planner has, but simplify and combine items for what I actually would use. I’m also going to use my side bar on my main planner as a catch all to do list. Because I had the same issue as you, I like a general to do list in one spot to tackle as I can. But there are a few tasks that need to be done certain days or more habit style tasks to check off daily on each day section still. I also like the “upcoming” section in the dashboard, so I’ll be adding a section in on my vertical for that.
Awesome changes. I've been using the classic dashboard for 4 years now and find it perfect for my needs. I use a bullet journal for creative journaling, and a classic vertical for health/exercise. I also have a reading journal (A5 archer and olive dot grid) and a square dot grid for monthly memory keeping.
For the Monday to Sunday little box at the top, I go back and forth with that one. Sometimes I use it to track my weight, or fitness like u said. A tracker. Or dinners. But I never stick to the dinner I put there. Hmmm.
I started junk journaling end of last year and fell in love with it. Haven’t kept up with it as much as I’d like but that’s the best part, NO RULES. I can journal whenever and however I want. It’s been a journal and a memory keeper. So I am totally hoping you go down the rabbit hole of junk journaling!! I’m sorry, but I think you’d love it and it is SO freeing! 🤗🤗 I am also simplifying planning and went with a MäksēLife planner this year. I want to make progress on my goals and I’m so tired of having the same ones. Time to get them done and I am hopeful that having it all in one will help me focus. I recently started reading again and I have to admit I like your idea of a book log/ journal 😬😬 Looking forward to planing and journaling with you in 2024! 💕🫶
16:42 If you wanted to still do the different set ups for each week, could you scan the pages into the computer then print them double sided as you need them? Then you just have to hole punch them. Printer paper is also thinner but you can buy slightly thicker paper at staples that is not cardstock
I randomly woke up in October and decided the vertical wasn’t cutting it anymore, and I’ve switched to a dashboard and no regrets! I also have a few other things I’m trying to work out with a couple others. But I’ve also gone all KoaP, too with other small creators
I picked a Happy Planner big size vertical undated planner for my daily catch all. I will be using a Happy Planner classic size notebook as my book reading tracker. At this point, that is all I should need. Congratulations on your re-engagement and upcoming wedding!
I moved back to a big daily with some different hp daily sheets and a classic with an hourly extension pack. As it goes on functionality seems most important and decorating becomes minimal. Hope your changes work for you!!
Loved this video! At this point I'm going to be transformer planning for the first time. I have a hard time keeping up with more than 1 planner so I a going to be combining three of Kell of a Plan's planners. I love all the covers so that's why I'm going to try the transformer method. I will use Watercolor Florals (vertical layout) as my catch-all and add the KOAP Faith planner for my Bible study and prayer, and the KOAP Reading planner for my personal reading - and for my library work (I'm our church librarian). Your use of the monthly planner pages for a monthly to-do list made me stop and think maybe I need to add something like that. I'll see how it goes. Thank you for all the ideas! Yes, I'm finding that I need to find ways to make my planner more functional - something to motivate me to get things done!
I am so excited for your 2024 videos! I switched to super functional last year and have struggled with keeping things cute. I LOVE the way you're setting up your month with those added pages, and I've always thought the dashboard planner was a fantastic layout. My 2024 lineup is a Plum Paper "ME" weekly, the Makselife quarterly companion for goal-setting, an Erin Condren checklist journal for health/wellness/habits, and a Cognitive Surplus dot grid for journaling.
Figuring out what’s not working and what you need is essential. I moved from a big vertical to a (customized) big dashboard last year at the last minute because the vertical wasn’t working the way I wanted. This year I’m considering modifying to an even more customized dashboard or back to a vertical because there are some hiccups in how it’s working. I have the opposite problem as you in that I have too much going on, but I still want to be able to decorate. 😁
I switched to dashboard mini for my main planner... then I can carry my lists with me. I still have a hard time decorating like with the vertical or horizontal but I'm all about those lists!!! My work planner is a mini vertical that I put in with my main planner one month at a time. Cuts down to one planner where I can list everything. :-) I can't wait for some decorating tips for the dashboard!
i've had my planner lineup since october and have even begun using it, but i've been thinking about wanting to switch up everything as well, and i really think this is what's going to urge to me bite the bullet so to speak and do it. to the shopping carts, i go.
So far for 2024 I’ve got my skinny mini budget planner. I may pick up a classic planner with a dashboard layout. So much easier for me to work with. I’ll do my guided journals as well.
Great ideas! I have been thinking about starting a reading journal. I can't wait to see how you set yours up! Good for you for switching things up and making it work for YOU.
I totally agree about the New Year being the perfect time for a fresh start & mixing things up. So far, my journalling plans for 2024 are a Big Vertical Happy Planner as a creative journal, the Classic Happy Planner meal planner for meals/food, a leuchtturm1917 as a bullet journal for habit tracking & daily to dos, & a "Novel Companion Ultra" planner from Little Inklings for reading logging & tracking. There is just something about getting new planners & getting all set up for the new year that brings me a lot of joy & satisfaction.
I can't wait to see what you do with the plans and notes planner. I am planning to use a classic checklist layout, but also have a dashboard layout that I can swap in if I want to change things up. I also started using a monthly layout to keep track of running to do lists. So far I am really liking that as well. I love watching your videos and seeing your creativity. I am more of a functional planner, but I try to get a little decorative.
I love this! I use the skinny classic. I can still add tiny stickers and it’s super easy. I use 4 different ones for a frankenplanner. I use a big dashboard for my coaching business. It’s rare that I do the big planner for memory planning. I am also a mom of older kids. Good for you! It’s exciting to switch it up!!
I love your thoughtfulness in selecting your planners for 2024. I have been using the classic dashboard for over 5 years as my catch-all & really love it, though I find it difficult to decorate to the extent that I want to. So - I use a Big Vertical layout for decorating only! My Big Vertical is like a creative planner for me - the thought of approaching a blank page terrifies me!! I loved your idea of using the monthly goal section from a guided journal and the task list from the monthly planner as add-on pages to your dashboard. I will be interested to see how you end up using those pages. Hope you & your family are enjoying a wonderful & safe holiday season!!
I am like that with my work planner, all over the place. Notes in several places and none in my planner (classic vertical currently, switching to a classic dashboard) so I have to search for notes to finish some projects.
Love this video, all of your choices & how much thought you put into it! I have the Coastal Stripe Simplified and I love her dearly lol. Ive also been on the fence about switching from verticle to the dashboard, i just havent been able to make the jump. Looking forward to seeing how you use it!
I tried several different planner layouts to track health and wellness but I found that I was getting bogged down with too many unnecessary details so my solution was to make a simple spreadsheet for the specific things I needed to track with the amount of space I knew I needed for each item. The spreadsheet has worked very well for me because it’s simple and straightforward. I made copies and punched them for a discbound notebook. It was a game changer for me. Just a thought. Thanks for sharing your awesome lineup. I’m excited to see how it works for you in 2024! 😊
Just a side note while watching, you are my favorite planning reviewer/planner.
I love that you include your thought process, what works/doesn’t work for you, and you don’t just edit the video to make it look like a spread was preplanned and executed in perfection.
The other “favorite” you are for me is in how you consistently try new techniques and layouts. Some planners are incredibly predictable - a big sticker in the bottom left corner, sticker scraps to outline the spread as a sort of frame, a box cluster in the middle of the right page, two box clusters on the left, and sticker scraps lining every box. When the only basic difference is the color scheme and theme, I don’t feel like I’m growing. When watching your videos, I learn to be brave and try out new ideas and layouts. I learn the hows and whys of design.
Thanks for being real. A true “influencer” you are!
Thank you so much! What a thoughtful comment!!
SUGGESTION: For the little box at the top left above the daily boxes, I white out the letters and write an affirmation or message of encouragement. It has been SO helpful. It keeps me focused and encouraged on something positive all week!
I love that idea
Idea: you could create a "key" on a half sheet for symptoms & new meds so that you can put color dots or initials on the small spaces to track health issues.
It’s so funny, you’re going from a big vertical to a classic dashboard, and I’m going from a classic vertical to a big dashboard! I’m excited to see you use it because this is my first year trying a dashboard and you hit the nail on the head with the not-as-cute thing lol
Wow. I admit I am pretty surprised at your changes, but I think it's great that you, as usual, are so self-analytical. At the end of your examination, you've decided to try some new things to solve some old issues, and I really admire that. It's making me think. You know I've long followed your journey and grown with you, and this is another chance to consider things. This is a grand new adventure, Mary Ellen. Thank you for bringing us along. Happy and Peaceful Holidays to you and Missy Bumble, and the rest of the 4-footed and 2-footed family.
I’m so excited you are using the dashboard for your catch all. I’ve been using dashboard as catch all for a few years now Can’t wait to see how you decorate. Almost all planner influencers use dashboard for work, so I couldn’t relate.
It was a big jump when I switched from vertical to dashboard last year and although I miss my old layout dearly, planners work best when they serve you in your current season of life! I believe in you making this new system yours and at least big vertical layouts aren’t gone from your content permanently ❤
that is why I designed my own inserts. You can make it just how you want them just a thought.
How exciting it'll be to see you decorate the dashboard layout, I'm looking forward to it!
I LOVE that you have done some self-reflection and are changing things up for YOU! Things become less fun when they arent being truly functional for us and become more of a task or chore. So excited to see what this year brings for us as viewers. 🥰
I liked the idea of trying to use set colors for each month.
I'm using the 2024 Happy Planner Monthly/Weekly Classic, "Stress Management/Calm Life" for next year but am turning it into a goal planner for the exams that I'm taking. The checklists at the top of each day is for checking off study tasks and the bigger lower area is for gratitude statements (but I may make the area horizontal so that I can write more). I've been using a dashboard layout and before that it was the Gratitude Planner but there was way too much space and stickering each day was becoming a huge time waster but what I liked was how much room there was to write gratitudes. Rather than "I'm grateful for my friends" I'll write "I'm grateful for [person such and such] because they helped me sort out an issue that I was having." This way I connect more deeply to why I'm grateful for that person. 💕☺
Sometimes we fall in love with the planners and they aren’t the most functional for our needs. Thank you for being honest, this helps a lot of us reevaluate what we really need!
Having a master to do list is the exact reason I chose the dashboard layout for the past 4 years. Love it! I am a vertical thinker as well. I cannot work with a horizontal planner at all. The dashboard still works really well for me because you can list within the days as well as the left page. Decorating dashboard is also a big challenge and it’s so fun!❤ good luck. Excited to see how it works for you.
I love this for you! I’m so glad to see you making changes that will help you be more productive this year. That’s the whole point of planners anyways. I just switched from a dashboard layout to a vertical for more creative freedom. I’ve been wishing for more dashboard layouts from you for years. How funny that just as I switch, so do you. I can’t wait to see all that you do this year!
Dashboard can be really fun to decorate - not as fun as vertical, but still really fun! I've found some peace with it, though I alternate between vertical and dashboard (I just buy 2 planners basically and swap in the guts as I see fit). The only thing that REALLY gets me about the dashboard is that box at the top left of the right page (with the letters of the days of the week) - I find that so insanely hindering. I have nothing to note 'per day' (I don't meal plan or divide any task up across 7 days) and it's really hard to cover up those letters without it looking like a cover up. I don't know why they don't just make that a blank box.
I love how you will color coordinate your themes for each spread . It will look so much more cohesive rather than random abstract . How many journals do you keep in a year? And do you have a budget planner since I'd love to see it because I love tracking our finances.
Just one journal per year. I don’t have a budget planner, budgeting is definitely not my strong point
I love your planner lineup. I'm going the opposite of you. I've been using Classic size for years. This year I'm trying a Big for my Catch-all in a Dashboard layout. I've mostly done Classic Vertical because of the ease of decorating, but Dashboard fits my functional needs better. In previous years, I've bought several planners...6, 7, 8 (one year I had 12!) and this year I'm simplifying. I have the Big Dashboard for Catch-all, a Classic Faith planner, and a Classic Wellness planner. I have left-over vertical sheets from previous years that I will repurpose for tracking my food, symptoms, etc. from a colectomy surgery I had earlier this year. I thought about doing a Reading Journal/Planner, but for me, it feels like busy work. However, I get inspired when I see Ilysse's, so we'll see. I'm still deciding on that. I have a really old horizontal that I could use. Most of this year was spent being sick, resulting in that surgery, and the rest of the year was spent in recovery. So, my word for 2024 is Self-Care. Part of taking care of myself is simplifying. I'm so excited for January! By the way, thank you so much for primarily sticking with Happy Planner. I've had to stop watching videos of so many Content Creators because they've stopped using HP and are using their own or someone else's. I will probably always use Happy Planner as my primary and need Creators to influence my creativity.
Can I just say…thank you…for jumping right into your video. I have been skipping intros these days so that was refreshing to see! 🎉
I dropped my intro a couple of years ago and try to get straight to the point as much as I can!
Welcome to the classic dashboard group Maryellen. I say this as I'm switching from classic to mini dashboard for my catch-all. I use that left top box to list all my (evening) meetings/teleconferences for my various civic organizations.
Use gold metal discs on your main classic dashboard planner with that new peach cover!
As someone who loves the dashboard as a daily catch all, I’m with you. The left is SO functional!
On the days, I’ll put the few appointments I have,but I tend to split the day in half and use the other half for notes
The reason I hate habit trackers is because I hate flipping pages. I like jotting down everything on the same page, today. If I really want a recap, all the data is there, I just have to compile it onto a month or a year at a glance page.
For instance I track my water, I don't need a month at a glance to know I don't drink enough, just by flipping through a few pages.
And I feel good about keeping the data on every day, instead of finding the tracker page and beating myself up for not filling it in every day. 💖🌞🌵😷
What is fun with the classic size is that most of the "speciality" layouts are classic too! It looks to be a lot easier to customize! I Use a big and I'm always dissapointed that there are almose no extension kits...
This change sounds very exciting. I can't wait to see how it all comes together. These are great ideas. Thank you for the inspiration.
don't be scared, it's an adventure. i went from a full letter size to a half-letter size (Levenger Junior) in January of 2023. i was so overwhelmed by my planner, downsizing was the best idea i made at the time. i'm contemplating a different layout to consolidate several categories into a letter-size again. i'm open to it not working, and i'm cool with that. the printable is resizable, so it's easy.
I find the Big is so much easier for me to see lol
Love this, ME! As a follower of yours since I got interested in planning/happy planner mid 2022, my first purchase was a classic dashboard 18 month planner, Teeny Florals because it was on sale. Then I watched you vids and heard how much you disliked and found the dashboard difficult. So I started 2023 using a classic dated vertical and a big undated vertical. I didn’t really need 2 planners, because like you, I am a planner with not much to plan 😝 So for 2024, I went big vertical again but only one for planning. But I did purchase another just because I liked it, the bright travels big 18 month planner and I am using this as a pictorial travel bucket list of countries I would like to visit. So I love that you are downsizing and embracing the unknown of the dashboard. Maybe I will use a big dashboard in 2025? Look forward to your spread videos. ❤
In the weekly space, you can add what your watching or reading daily. 😊
So excited to see these new planners at work. I also need motivation to get back on board with my planning so am keen to see how it goes for you and maybe try some of your ideas for myself. Enjoy the holidays xx
I understand the functionality over just making something pretty. I am switching to passion planner this year. I couldn’t have multi planners because I have one life and need to see all components in one place.
28:35 😍😍😍
I’ve always been an EC planner combined with a DIY A5 weekly/daily Archer & Olive, one book for each quarter. Love decorating them exclusively with kits from Let’s Plan It a fabulous Canadian shop. Never tried Happy Planners before but found your channel and decided to try it next year. You got me really excited about using the big vertical so I bought one for next year and about 20 HP sticker books!! Now I’m thinking it was a big mistake 😂. I think I might go back to what was working for me and give the HP stash to my little granddaughters, 7 and 9. They love stickers!!
I get it. I am a person that creates a junk journal and writes in it but nothing that I track, no goals, nothing “formal.” Which is the magic of junk journals for someone like me. I decided I needed to be more “formal” which is why I am here. I know a lot of junk journal people that love the HP paper and will purchase the journals when on big time sale just for the paper. I purchased 3 dot grid notebooks that I plan to use as a daily junk journal. Anything goes, I will put the date at the top and then be as creative as I want. If I feel like writing I will if I don’t I won’t. If I decide to skip a day, great there are no dates. Other than that I am using a Big Vertical for stuff I need to remember. Who knows, I might junk that up too. 🤷🏼♀️ 💕
The cover color you chose is almost Tiffany! And who doesn't like that??? 😂
You could use the menu section for daily gratitude.
Before you said dashboard I was saying please do dashboard! I am really excited to start watching these
Love your videos, as always. I love your goal page utilization idea.. I’m a classic vertical gal… never tried a dashboard, but some of those planners are cuter in ‘24, so…. And, I totally agree! The HP formats are still my pref, but the 2024 designs are just not doing it for me. I know they want to not be the same , but I think most planners have their vibe and really only want a “variation on a theme.” I love seasonal themes for the monthly dividers! Not too busy, but some variation on that. Some like neutral, some more bold. It feels like their design team is just all over the place. (They are Stephanie-less!). … Happy and healthy holiday ❄🎄🥂🥂🥂☀
for the health tracking, you can also add note pages between the yearly overview for impromptu journal entries or observations.
I am SO excited to see your use of the dashboard layout -- that's what I've been using for years and have always been functional rather than decorative so I'd totally love to see how you jazz it up!
I think it’s great that you are switching it up! You will have time to do what you love to do! ❤ you are definately peachy in the coming year! Love the color palette! ❤️ Use your stash! The horizontal and dashboard planners are a great way to decorate using your washi tape! Have fun! 🥰
I decided to use two planners! Went through my stash- I have a personal insert I will use for work and personal appts and to track my steps in a ring binder and still undecided if I’m using my classic HP or Carpe Diem A5 inserts for memory keeping! I’m using my stash! That’s it- easy Peasy! ❤
Love all the Peach!!!! Would love you to do a video of your digital planner!
I love Amanda's Favorites for reviews!
Loved to hear your thought process & how you are refreshing things up. Can't wait to see all the setups & all the gorgeous spreads. I have my lineup & setup all done before I went on my vacation . As an International planner, i need to plan way ahead or I will be left with nothing.
I use the dashboard and it is efficient. True that is difficult to decor but you have a lot of creativity so you’ll be fine 😊
I've been frankenplanning for the last four years. I have one set of discs with three months from a Classic Vertical, then one month from a Fitness or Wellness, and this year I'm switching from a month of Budget planning to a Dashboard planner. I like the Vertical for my catch-all. I have Birthdays and holidays in the top box, Appointments and meetings in the middle box and Todos in the bottom box. Having three months with me means I can plan ahead if I need to but not too far ahead (I have no problem making plans for October in March). :) I only have one month of the Fitness/Wellness and Dashboard (house keeping) planners because I don't plan in these areas more than a week in advance.
I also chose muted colors for my 2024 lineup. I want the dividers from the three planners to match so I usually pick a theme. It's hard in September when I'm watching the release and try to find planners matching and either the Fitness or the Housekeeping planner needs to be an undated so the dividers fit together. But at the end of the year I have a neverending planner because as October ends and I pick it out I can put in the month of January and keep up with my three months planner. The strange thing is I haven't made any plans for either January or February...
This is awesome! Love the changes for you! I'm excited to see all the fun new content
This is exciting news for your channel. I have selected my planners for 2024. Most are HP and most are either discounted 18 month planners that cover the year or redated planners. I bought the Star Lover classic for my catch all. It’s just so pretty. I am building my budget planner using HP big monthly calendars and printables that I have designed or accumulated. I’m excited about them and hoping to be very productive myself. I also created a reading journal by repurposing a HP mini bullet journal style that I have in my stash. I look forward to seeing the way you use your new lineup.
Ive had to really simplify because trying to keep up with multiple planners was too much. Having everything in one planner is how its currently working for me, just to stay functioning. I gave up on working on my habits lol
Good for you. You are figuring what works and what doesnt. Me as a newbie is glad to know that I am able to change things that dont work and not feel like a failure. Im still in the process of trying things. You are the person that I follow the most because you share your thoughts and what works and what doesnt and not feel like a failure if it doesnt. To me that is a growth process. I really dont want consider myself a failure if Im not able be consistent in some areas. TY Mary Ellen for everything you share with us ❤❤ CONGRATULATIONS On your engagement. Ia so happy for you. 💍🍸🎉
I really liked how you used your journal recovery layout! That was my favorite!
I love that you’re starting a reading journal. I started one this year and also fell down the reading journal rabbit hole on UA-cam 😂 im planning to buy the wedding planner in February or April to start planning my wedding
You could make a chart to abbreviate symptoms. H= headache, JP = joint pain
Just examples but it would help you with smaller spaces
I used to use a BIg for memory type planner. I loved it so much, but, for storage purposes I had to go down in size. This is the only planner I will always keep and freeing up the storage space was very important. I have been a fan for the Dashboard for my Daily Planner/Catch all for years and I love it. For my style of planning, it is perfect. The master list, shopping list and the lines on the daily part make this a winner for me. Love your line up.
Hello first time watching!! So first, I think for the side-horizontal days they’re a great space for memory keeping vs planning in my opinion. Maybe keep Planning on left page and memory keeping right page?
Secondly I have a lot of planners…..if you include bullet journals, moleskin, archer and Olive plus “regular” planners. I think lots of people who love stationary probably do, hard not to with all the awesome covers and styles.
Last I love the peachy cover and really like it with the rings…or to be cheeky green rings so it looks like a peach 🍑😊.
I LOVE that you're switching things up! I love your planning process and I've learned A LOT from you over the years. I am considering using the recovery dashboard planner (I'm in the middle of a divorce) so I'm excited to see how you decorate! Best wishes for 2024!
I haven’t chosen anything and I have to break down and just do it. I use TWO planners right now: My household catch all and my dog show planner / memory keeper. I am thinking about a bullet journal just to try it but I don’t want to mess up my nice Archer & Olive journal so I haven’t set it up LOL. I need the two for sure and may just figure out a way to integrate the bullet journal as a “daily” brain dump of the day with decoration accordingly. I shoot and work a lot of photographs and I’d like a way to add my Canon Ivy prints to the day in Archer & Olive. I’m mildly overwhelmed but it’s coming together. Thank you for the information in this video. Very very helpful. It’s ok to step out of the zone because you can always change it back. I needed to hear that.
I use the lines above the days for daily movement.
Yup, me too! I'm using an Archer & Olive traveler's for a reading journal. Thank for the video!!
Love the peach theme. Very cohesive. I am also using the Mom/daisy dashboard planner and decided to use the Recovery planner for fitness, mental health, weight lifting and workout tracking.
I didn't change anything this year. I have a classic vertical and goal one. Idk what it is called. It came in the goal getter mystery box. I love the layout and my wheels started turning when I seen it. I know it's just 4 months but I'm hoping to be able to get a extension packet later. I was going to get a daily planner but I can take filler paper (which I have plenty of) and make those into daily sheets. By the way... Thank you! You have helped me improve on decorating my pages. You said in the beginning trust the process. You are so right! ❤❤❤
Rooting for you as you switch from the vertical to the dashboard. I made the switch this year and I love it! Maybe you could do a daily gratitude in the top box with the M-S labeled.
Great video - I’m always impressed at your thought process for selecting your planners. Like you, I don’t have a busy life (adult kids too) but I love using my planner. I’m sticking with the 18-month big dashboard that I started in July - but after watching your video - I realise I probably only need a classic & I wouldn’t spend so much time wondering what to fill it up with. I bought soooo many sticker books during COVID (locked down a lot in Melbourne, Australia) & I want to use them, but fall into the trap of repeating the same sort of layout in the dashboard - all the time - so I bore myself a bit and stop using it.
I used the dashboard for many years. And have been using daily sheets. I bought time block washi tape. It was a game changer.
I really love that you are changing it up to meet your needs. They are always evolving, so it’s good to adapt!
I’m trying a skinny classic dashboard for my work planner and I’m hoping to use the day of the week side as social media planning and just marking when products are made/ready to list.
It’s also a great side to use your decorative lettering skills for appointments and such throughout the week instead of trying to make stickers work there.
This year I’m trying to make some of my own pages to add. I have made a notebook from old happy planners) that has happy planner daily checklist/planner pages for the few times I have a really busy day or just need to brain dump tasks/ideas. I’m also making some pages similar to the guided journals that happy planner has, but simplify and combine items for what I actually would use. I’m also going to use my side bar on my main planner as a catch all to do list. Because I had the same issue as you, I like a general to do list in one spot to tackle as I can. But there are a few tasks that need to be done certain days or more habit style tasks to check off daily on each day section still. I also like the “upcoming” section in the dashboard, so I’ll be adding a section in on my vertical for that.
Awesome changes. I've been using the classic dashboard for 4 years now and find it perfect for my needs. I use a bullet journal for creative journaling, and a classic vertical for health/exercise. I also have a reading journal (A5 archer and olive dot grid) and a square dot grid for monthly memory keeping.
For the Monday to Sunday little box at the top, I go back and forth with that one. Sometimes I use it to track my weight, or fitness like u said. A tracker. Or dinners. But I never stick to the dinner I put there. Hmmm.
I started junk journaling end of last year and fell in love with it. Haven’t kept up with it as much as I’d like but that’s the best part, NO RULES. I can journal whenever and however I want. It’s been a journal and a memory keeper. So I am totally hoping you go down the rabbit hole of junk journaling!! I’m sorry, but I think you’d love it and it is SO freeing! 🤗🤗 I am also simplifying planning and went with a MäksēLife planner this year. I want to make progress on my goals and I’m so tired of having the same ones. Time to get them done and I am hopeful that having it all in one will help me focus. I recently started reading again and I have to admit I like your idea of a book log/ journal 😬😬 Looking forward to planing and journaling with you in 2024! 💕🫶
Looking forward to seeing how the reading journal goes. I absolutely love mine
16:42 If you wanted to still do the different set ups for each week, could you scan the pages into the computer then print them double sided as you need them? Then you just have to hole punch them. Printer paper is also thinner but you can buy slightly thicker paper at staples that is not cardstock
I randomly woke up in October and decided the vertical wasn’t cutting it anymore, and I’ve switched to a dashboard and no regrets! I also have a few other things I’m trying to work out with a couple others. But I’ve also gone all KoaP, too with other small creators
The best way for me too, is the classic lay out!! Just love it. I have a great stencil from Etsy, that is really nice for books.
I picked a Happy Planner big size vertical undated planner for my daily catch all. I will be using a Happy Planner classic size notebook as my book reading tracker. At this point, that is all I should need. Congratulations on your re-engagement and upcoming wedding!
I moved back to a big daily with some different hp daily sheets and a classic with an hourly extension pack. As it goes on functionality seems most important and decorating becomes minimal. Hope your changes work for you!!
Loved this video! At this point I'm going to be transformer planning for the first time. I have a hard time keeping up with more than 1 planner so I a going to be combining three of Kell of a Plan's planners. I love all the covers so that's why I'm going to try the transformer method. I will use Watercolor Florals (vertical layout) as my catch-all and add the KOAP Faith planner for my Bible study and prayer, and the KOAP Reading planner for my personal reading - and for my library work (I'm our church librarian). Your use of the monthly planner pages for a monthly to-do list made me stop and think maybe I need to add something like that. I'll see how it goes. Thank you for all the ideas! Yes, I'm finding that I need to find ways to make my planner more functional - something to motivate me to get things done!
I am so excited for your 2024 videos! I switched to super functional last year and have struggled with keeping things cute. I LOVE the way you're setting up your month with those added pages, and I've always thought the dashboard planner was a fantastic layout.
My 2024 lineup is a Plum Paper "ME" weekly, the Makselife quarterly companion for goal-setting, an Erin Condren checklist journal for health/wellness/habits, and a Cognitive Surplus dot grid for journaling.
I look forward to seeing your 2024 content!
Figuring out what’s not working and what you need is essential. I moved from a big vertical to a (customized) big dashboard last year at the last minute because the vertical wasn’t working the way I wanted. This year I’m considering modifying to an even more customized dashboard or back to a vertical because there are some hiccups in how it’s working. I have the opposite problem as you in that I have too much going on, but I still want to be able to decorate. 😁
Excited about your changes, especially the journal. Love the idea of no dividers and free form. Can’t wait to see what you come up with!
I switched to dashboard mini for my main planner... then I can carry my lists with me. I still have a hard time decorating like with the vertical or horizontal but I'm all about those lists!!! My work planner is a mini vertical that I put in with my main planner one month at a time. Cuts down to one planner where I can list everything. :-) I can't wait for some decorating tips for the dashboard!
i've had my planner lineup since october and have even begun using it, but i've been thinking about wanting to switch up everything as well, and i really think this is what's going to urge to me bite the bullet so to speak and do it. to the shopping carts, i go.
So far for 2024 I’ve got my skinny mini budget planner. I may pick up a classic planner with a dashboard layout. So much easier for me to work with. I’ll do my guided journals as well.
Sooooo excited for the reading journal content 🤩😍🤩😍🤩
I am so happy for you and Mike 😁
Great ideas! I have been thinking about starting a reading journal. I can't wait to see how you set yours up! Good for you for switching things up and making it work for YOU.
I totally agree about the New Year being the perfect time for a fresh start & mixing things up. So far, my journalling plans for 2024 are a Big Vertical Happy Planner as a creative journal, the Classic Happy Planner meal planner for meals/food, a leuchtturm1917 as a bullet journal for habit tracking & daily to dos, & a "Novel Companion Ultra" planner from Little Inklings for reading logging & tracking. There is just something about getting new planners & getting all set up for the new year that brings me a lot of joy & satisfaction.
So happy that you decided to have a Reading journal! I’ve just started mine and I’ll watch your videos for inspiration
I love the dashboard. I need to re-evaluate my sections too. I use that small section for my "one good thing"/gratitude of the day if you need ideas.
That’s what I was thinking! I’ll probably switch it up a lot thouvh
I can't wait to see what you do with the plans and notes planner. I am planning to use a classic checklist layout, but also have a dashboard layout that I can swap in if I want to change things up. I also started using a monthly layout to keep track of running to do lists. So far I am really liking that as well. I love watching your videos and seeing your creativity. I am more of a functional planner, but I try to get a little decorative.
I love this! I use the skinny classic. I can still add tiny stickers and it’s super easy. I use 4 different ones for a frankenplanner.
I use a big dashboard for my coaching business. It’s rare that I do the big planner for memory planning. I am also a mom of older kids.
Good for you! It’s exciting to switch it up!!
I like the idea of using the front section for a health tracker. I think I will try that too.
I love your thoughtfulness in selecting your planners for 2024. I have been using the classic dashboard for over 5 years as my catch-all & really love it, though I find it difficult to decorate to the extent that I want to. So - I use a Big Vertical layout for decorating only! My Big Vertical is like a creative planner for me - the thought of approaching a blank page terrifies me!! I loved your idea of using the monthly goal section from a guided journal and the task list from the monthly planner as add-on pages to your dashboard. I will be interested to see how you end up using those pages. Hope you & your family are enjoying a wonderful & safe holiday season!!
Use blank paper for classic journal.
I’m so glad!!! I bought this for next year!!!
You should try the hemlock and oak bound daily planner. It has an awesome timed section
I looked at that one, but I was afraid that the paper would be too thin for me
@PlanningwithBumble it's 120gsm it's actually thicker than simplified it's 80 pound paper and it's AMAZING. Thr best paper I have ever felt.
@@Thesweetlifeofaplannergirl darn!!! Maybe next year
@@PlanningwithBumble they also have a classic diskbound option you can print thier layout out on paper and try put the layout and see if you like it.
I am like that with my work planner, all over the place. Notes in several places and none in my planner (classic vertical currently, switching to a classic dashboard) so I have to search for notes to finish some projects.
I am so excited to see you use your new planner lineup
i think the passion planner daily would be good for you :D
Hope the changes help you! I can’t wait to see the content. Sending you a big hug during this difficult holiday season. ❤
Love this video, all of your choices & how much thought you put into it! I have the Coastal Stripe Simplified and I love her dearly lol. Ive also been on the fence about switching from verticle to the dashboard, i just havent been able to make the jump. Looking forward to seeing how you use it!
I tried several different planner layouts to track health and wellness but I found that I was getting bogged down with too many unnecessary details so my solution was to make a simple spreadsheet for the specific things I needed to track with the amount of space I knew I needed for each item. The spreadsheet has worked very well for me because it’s simple and straightforward. I made copies and punched them for a discbound notebook. It was a game changer for me. Just a thought. Thanks for sharing your awesome lineup. I’m excited to see how it works for you in 2024! 😊
I’ve considered this before too, but I really need the creative outlet, it’s what keeps me using it