I hopped from Hobonichi to Sterling Ink, then hopped sizes to find my sweet spot. I think planner hopping this year helped me zoom in on what I need vs want in a planner. For me, I’ve discovered that I love the height of an A5 but not the width, so a standard tn size is perfect for me. I prefer clean, simple pages now so I can make the pages as busy or plain as needed/desired. Last thing I learned (to keep this from being a novel lol) is that I really only need a weekly and undated daily so I can use just one book if I really want to.
That’s so amazing you were able to narrow it down so much! Planner hopping can be so valuable in that way sometimes you really don’t know until you try it. Thanks for sharing 💕
@@torionpaper I totally agree! Once I allowed myself to move around without feeling guilty or wasteful, that’s when the hopping around got fun. Thanks to hopping around, I pretty much know what I want for my planner next year. I’ve decided that this is just gonna be my year of hopping and playing around with all the options in the style I like and trying out all the sticker shops lol.
I’m also moving from the Hobo Cousin to Sterling Ink…it’s all the things I like about the Cousin with arrangement, look, organization, lots of blank grid pages…that I want. Really looking forward to it and I’m definitely getting the A5 and after seeing launch #1, probably a passport or another of the really small ones for EDC in my purse. I really love the balance of organization and structure, without a lot of visual ‘noise’ like Sunday is red, quotes on every page, and not enough blank pages. Enough structure to keep me organized with plenty of room to be creative with. It also is closer to a BuJo feel without having to create everything yourself. This was my first year with Hobonichi, and it took a lot of getting used to the TRP from 160gm A&O and Notebook Therapy. I’ve tried the ring planners (if you really like them, I’d recommend Plum Paper…tons of individualization and much better paper than EC.) So, Sterling Ink is something where I don’t ‘need’ anything else but that (but I have several nice notebooks unused if I want to have something specific…like an all health journal/record/tracker which I have a notebook mentally designated for that. I love your method of “what tools do you need in your toolbox!” That is a great way to make a decision among many choices…like buying a house or a car, or a career or so many things where the options can be overwhelming and you’re struggling to make a choice. Thanks for this video!!
I like the idea of making a list of needs to help organize your thoughts. I think advice I wish I’d had earlier on would be: Really be sure about the size of the planner. Use cut up paper to simulate the layout to see if it works (I would never have purchased a5 slim had I just checked). You can easily rearrange sections of your planner to replicate layouts from other planners- you don’t need a whole new one. Ex- if you like the goal planning section of sterling ink, but you have a cousin- just add them in the back notes pages. You could tip in trackers etc. Sometimes what you need is just a notebook- a full on planner isn’t the answer to all of the things you’re trying to do. I’ve seen people get 4+ dated planners with very specific purposes and then abandon most of them because they skipped too many days. Maybe consider using a good ole notebook to keep several of the specialized subjects (not day to day planning) in one place. Oh and do not buy a fancy leather cover until you’re certain about that planner/size.😂
Yes all such good advice! The size one is huge too. I feel like it is almost impossible to get a true indicator of size online and if you can recreate it you decently should. Thanks for being here and sharing ❤️
I’ve definitely felt the anxiety ramp up lately as well, I think because the Hobonichi announcements are about to start! I think I’m weirdly more stressed because I’m happy with my current system - I’m stressed about succumbing to FOMO 😅 Love the FF method!
Right!! You are so spot on, even after recording this video I started stressing out and getting the planner scaries for like NO hahah. I hope August treats you well 💕
I am so glad that you touched on not only the methodology of how to filter through decision making and figuring out a planner system that works but the fact that we can also leave a bit of freedom to experiment. I think there is already way too much planner guilt and shame that gets associated with buying new things when really it's also such a great outlet to bring joy. Sometimes the point of a planner system or journal is to satiate the desire for expressing creativity. That's also *if not equally * as important as buying a planner for function and productivity 😊
Thank you so much for this! I think there should be wayyyy more freedom to experiment in the community, but it has this weird stigma behind it. I appreciate you being here
Great video, I loved the step by step process for how to think - and especially the acknowledgement that you need to decide ahead of time if you are experimenting this year, or sticking with tried and true methods. Will definitely do this ahead of my 2025 shopping :)
Thank you so much Rachelle! We will see if my little lizard brain can actually stick to the plan or if it just gets too excited by all the launches 😂 thanks for being here 💗
I love this video! Certainly looking for a process/planner change for 2025. This is a great way to start narrowing down which planner will work for me.
A6 is my goldilocks size, no matter how much I love the real estate of bigger books. Bigger books get put down and never looked at again. Smaller sizes make me feel cramped and anxious. I love grid, 2.5mm ideal, 4mm maximum, and if it’s not a dated preprinted layout then I need numbered pages, because if I do it myself in one go I’ll burn out and hate the book (and probably make a mistake and hate it more)… but if I don’t I’ll never do the rest of the pages. I love the idea of rings/discbound, but I’ve tried a few times and know better- in reality it drives me up the wall after a few weeks, because my planning/journaling isn’t disposable to me, and that’s what I end up doing if I’m not in a bound book. I barely use monthly pages but I still need a monthly calendar as a reference to help my brain with the passage of time. I like the mini overview of the first column of TAN, combined with Alistair tasks/habits on the left page, and 3 columns to use as needed on the right, as a weekly dashboard, and then a second spread for journaling or more detailed daily breakdown, more like traditional bullet journaling. I also need a fair chunk of grid pages at the back for notes, doodling, and collections. Current plan for next year is A6 sterling ink 520pg grid notebook w/ page numbers, testing what I think is my ideal layout in the back pages of my current planner since it’s the same grid spaces and size. So far so good, and once my notebook gets here, I’ll start setting up in pencil (if I change my mind, i can happily use it for something else).
This is amazing! Sounds like you have a really good idea of what works for you and what doesn’t. I also think a6 is such a great size, thanks so much for sharing ❤️
My for sure purchases are 1. FOR MY EVERYDAY CARRY my Travelers Company Notebook -the dated monthly -the undated Daily Diary it’s 64 pages total -then the grid notebook for ( notes and journaling on the go if necessary) 2. The Hobonichi Day Free -will allow me to continue my short story collection ( For project planning and outlines) MY STRONG YES but NOT ENTIRE SURE IS … 1. A5 Sterling Ink Horiztonal Full Year it’s new to the 2025 Collection -for home life and overall catch all … it’s A STRONG YES especially since I used that same layout in my TN Horizontal Compact I was hoping for a A5 Size
This sounds like such a great lineup!! I think the SI horizontal is suuuuper tempting and seems to have a lot of people very excited this year. Thank you for being here 💕
Oh girl, you really hit the nail on the head with this one! 😊 you are so right about getting off social media.. it is confusing the heck out of me 😂😂 I am so struggling and have been watching your journey the last couple of months. The last couple of years, I have been digital planning and started this year out that way also but decided I needed to go back to paper and I am loving it BUT I think I have been in every size (except A6 🤷🏼♀️) since then. I am in love with the lighter thinner papers such as Tomoe River but am struggling to find the exact right fit. Right this minute, I am in a personal size wallet style TN with a hobo weeks and a journal for my dailies. I love it as an edc because it fits well in my purse and it doubles as my wallet, HOWEVER, like you, my dream is to be in 1 book. I am really wanting to try rings but don’t want to go much larger than the personal tn that I am carrying now and every personal rings I have found seem super huge. Any suggestions?? 😮😮
Ah thank you so much for sharing! I too struggled really hard with picking a comfortable size too. Honestly personal has been like my perfect size this year, I think the cover plays a huge role in that though. I definitely have a more compact personal rings cover compared to something else like moterm. I take mine everywhere with me in my purse and don’t think the size feels too big. Depending on how chunky you like your books maybe you would like a compact personal planner? I know plotter is huge right now but I know Filofax has some more affordable compact books maybe that would help? You’ll definitely have to let me know what you end up going with and how it all works out for you!
@@torionpaper I tried the Filofax Malden compact personal and I stinking loved the size and layout of it but I absolutely could not deal with the zip closure 🤦🏼♀️. I will check out Plotter! Thanks!!
GREAT video. For me I have a B6 AE classic daily. I plan in it and have been since last month. I do daily journal prompts and realized I want to write more some I ordered the AE weeks daily that should be in next week. I’d really love a B6 size with monthly weekly and daily spreads. I’d like to plan and journal in it.
Thank you! Those all sound like amazing options and that’s you’ve kinda got a little system figured out for yourself which is great. Thanks for being here 💗
I like your tools idea- I have confused myself 🙃 in my stash a5 rings (which I love) in a few layouts/undated to choose from. This yr I thought hcousin would be my answer based only on everything in one place and future storage, nope not my best move. I new by June It wasn’t for me. I did love the paper. I fantasise about hweeks working for me because of the portable Ness of it, truth be known I work from home, and I don’t take my planner anywhere, but I am a list maker and it would be handy to bring it( I have redated one) but I just need some ‘familiarity & softness’ too… funny how the mind wanders- Definitely not buying more. Thank you for your guidance. Love your videos
Thank you so much for sharing this! Sometimes things work and sometimes they don’t and that’s okay 💕 my system changed up so many times this year due to life events so I totally understand where you are coming from! Familiarity and softness are also something I really aim for in my books
I’ve used hobo cousin and weeks. I find peace with the weeks but feel I don’t have enough writing space. My brain doesn’t work with the hourly layout of the cousin and dated daily pages… I gasped when you showed the PaperTess designs.. I will be trying the B6 for 2025
I loooove the cozy feeling of the weeks but agree it’s not enough space. I’ve really enjoyed the papertess, you will definitely have to update me if you get one and let me know how it goes for you!
1 planner hop... makselife flagship back to bullet journal... thinking i might try the makselife printables and paste them in my bujo... i like the makselife goal system alot but bullet Journaling is the only planner system that works for me.
Oo I’ve never heard of them! I’ll have to check out their printables. Bullet journaling is such a good option and is so customizable for your needs. Thank you for sharing! 💕
Very nice explanation, think it helps simplify what we all go through around this time of year! However, I am still stuck as I did not use many of the planners I got for 2024 with the intention of finding my planner style and what works for me. So, now I really don't know what to get for next year, since I don't know what does and doesn't work for me yet. 🤔 I've narrowed down a couple things for my work planner as that's the only one that I did write in more consistently. But for personal, I am still all over the place. Anyone else feel like they don't have enough going on to plan, but really want a reason to use stickers and fountain pens and all the goodies that come with the process? Love the setup process and creating layouts, guess it's the functional aspect that I'm getting hung up on? If you feel the same, come join me in limboland, we can be confused together! 😄😁
This is so relatable and completely valid! I think there are so many other people who feel similar. Thankfully we still have a few more months so maybe you can just take some time in August/September to figure out the basics. Maybe if you’re unsure of what you want/need in your planning, think instead about what brings you the most joy? Which aspects of planners or notebooks do you find yourself gravitating towards simply because they make you happy. I hope this helps, best of luck for your 2025 planning!
I spent SO MUCH money this year planner/notebook hopping bc I didn’t know exactly what works for me. I finally figured out my EDC but decided I want to add a health planner next year 😅 Something I started last week was trying out two different layouts-a daily and weekly. I cut printer paper down to a pocket-size daily and a Hobonichi Weeks, then drew the respective layouts. Even doing that for just a week (and journaling about it obsessively every day lol) has helped me decide what I want
I hopped from Hobonichi to Sterling Ink, then hopped sizes to find my sweet spot. I think planner hopping this year helped me zoom in on what I need vs want in a planner. For me, I’ve discovered that I love the height of an A5 but not the width, so a standard tn size is perfect for me. I prefer clean, simple pages now so I can make the pages as busy or plain as needed/desired. Last thing I learned (to keep this from being a novel lol) is that I really only need a weekly and undated daily so I can use just one book if I really want to.
That’s so amazing you were able to narrow it down so much! Planner hopping can be so valuable in that way sometimes you really don’t know until you try it. Thanks for sharing 💕
@@torionpaper I totally agree! Once I allowed myself to move around without feeling guilty or wasteful, that’s when the hopping around got fun. Thanks to hopping around, I pretty much know what I want for my planner next year. I’ve decided that this is just gonna be my year of hopping and playing around with all the options in the style I like and trying out all the sticker shops lol.
I’m also moving from the Hobo Cousin to Sterling Ink…it’s all the things I like about the Cousin with arrangement, look, organization, lots of blank grid pages…that I want. Really looking forward to it and I’m definitely getting the A5 and after seeing launch #1, probably a passport or another of the really small ones for EDC in my purse. I really love the balance of organization and structure, without a lot of visual ‘noise’ like Sunday is red, quotes on every page, and not enough blank pages. Enough structure to keep me organized with plenty of room to be creative with. It also is closer to a BuJo feel without having to create everything yourself. This was my first year with Hobonichi, and it took a lot of getting used to the TRP from 160gm A&O and Notebook Therapy. I’ve tried the ring planners (if you really like them, I’d recommend Plum Paper…tons of individualization and much better paper than EC.) So, Sterling Ink is something where I don’t ‘need’ anything else but that (but I have several nice notebooks unused if I want to have something specific…like an all health journal/record/tracker which I have a notebook mentally designated for that. I love your method of “what tools do you need in your toolbox!” That is a great way to make a decision among many choices…like buying a house or a car, or a career or so many things where the options can be overwhelming and you’re struggling to make a choice. Thanks for this video!!
I like the idea of making a list of needs to help organize your thoughts. I think advice I wish I’d had earlier on would be:
Really be sure about the size of the planner. Use cut up paper to simulate the layout to see if it works (I would never have purchased a5 slim had I just checked).
You can easily rearrange sections of your planner to replicate layouts from other planners- you don’t need a whole new one. Ex- if you like the goal planning section of sterling ink, but you have a cousin- just add them in the back notes pages. You could tip in trackers etc.
Sometimes what you need is just a notebook- a full on planner isn’t the answer to all of the things you’re trying to do. I’ve seen people get 4+ dated planners with very specific purposes and then abandon most of them because they skipped too many days. Maybe consider using a good ole notebook to keep several of the specialized subjects (not day to day planning) in one place.
Oh and do not buy a fancy leather cover until you’re certain about that planner/size.😂
Yes all such good advice! The size one is huge too. I feel like it is almost impossible to get a true indicator of size online and if you can recreate it you decently should. Thanks for being here and sharing ❤️
I’ve definitely felt the anxiety ramp up lately as well, I think because the Hobonichi announcements are about to start! I think I’m weirdly more stressed because I’m happy with my current system - I’m stressed about succumbing to FOMO 😅 Love the FF method!
Right!! You are so spot on, even after recording this video I started stressing out and getting the planner scaries for like NO hahah. I hope August treats you well 💕
@@torionpaper thank you - you too! ❤️
I am so glad that you touched on not only the methodology of how to filter through decision making and figuring out a planner system that works but the fact that we can also leave a bit of freedom to experiment. I think there is already way too much planner guilt and shame that gets associated with buying new things when really it's also such a great outlet to bring joy.
Sometimes the point of a planner system or journal is to satiate the desire for expressing creativity. That's also *if not equally * as important as buying a planner for function and productivity 😊
Thank you so much for this! I think there should be wayyyy more freedom to experiment in the community, but it has this weird stigma behind it. I appreciate you being here
Great video, I loved the step by step process for how to think - and especially the acknowledgement that you need to decide ahead of time if you are experimenting this year, or sticking with tried and true methods. Will definitely do this ahead of my 2025 shopping :)
Thank you so much Rachelle! We will see if my little lizard brain can actually stick to the plan or if it just gets too excited by all the launches 😂 thanks for being here 💗
I love this video! Certainly looking for a process/planner change for 2025. This is a great way to start narrowing down which planner will work for me.
I’m so excited to see what you end up choosing!! Either way I know you’ll make a great choice 💕
A6 is my goldilocks size, no matter how much I love the real estate of bigger books. Bigger books get put down and never looked at again. Smaller sizes make me feel cramped and anxious. I love grid, 2.5mm ideal, 4mm maximum, and if it’s not a dated preprinted layout then I need numbered pages, because if I do it myself in one go I’ll burn out and hate the book (and probably make a mistake and hate it more)… but if I don’t I’ll never do the rest of the pages. I love the idea of rings/discbound, but I’ve tried a few times and know better- in reality it drives me up the wall after a few weeks, because my planning/journaling isn’t disposable to me, and that’s what I end up doing if I’m not in a bound book. I barely use monthly pages but I still need a monthly calendar as a reference to help my brain with the passage of time. I like the mini overview of the first column of TAN, combined with Alistair tasks/habits on the left page, and 3 columns to use as needed on the right, as a weekly dashboard, and then a second spread for journaling or more detailed daily breakdown, more like traditional bullet journaling. I also need a fair chunk of grid pages at the back for notes, doodling, and collections. Current plan for next year is A6 sterling ink 520pg grid notebook w/ page numbers, testing what I think is my ideal layout in the back pages of my current planner since it’s the same grid spaces and size. So far so good, and once my notebook gets here, I’ll start setting up in pencil (if I change my mind, i can happily use it for something else).
This is amazing! Sounds like you have a really good idea of what works for you and what doesn’t. I also think a6 is such a great size, thanks so much for sharing ❤️
Love the toolbox analogy!
Appreciate you! Thanks for being here 💕
I really like your FF method. Definitely will be using this for 2025.
Thank you so much! Thank you for being here 💕💕
My for sure purchases are
1. FOR MY EVERYDAY CARRY
my Travelers Company Notebook
-the dated monthly
-the undated Daily Diary it’s 64 pages total
-then the grid notebook for ( notes and journaling on the go if necessary)
2. The Hobonichi Day Free -will allow me to continue my short story collection
( For project planning and outlines)
MY STRONG YES but NOT ENTIRE SURE IS …
1. A5 Sterling Ink Horiztonal Full Year it’s new to the 2025 Collection
-for home life and overall catch all … it’s A STRONG YES especially since I used that same layout in my TN Horizontal Compact I was hoping for a A5 Size
This sounds like such a great lineup!! I think the SI horizontal is suuuuper tempting and seems to have a lot of people very excited this year. Thank you for being here 💕
Oh girl, you really hit the nail on the head with this one! 😊 you are so right about getting off social media.. it is confusing the heck out of me 😂😂 I am so struggling and have been watching your journey the last couple of months. The last couple of years, I have been digital planning and started this year out that way also but decided I needed to go back to paper and I am loving it BUT I think I have been in every size (except A6 🤷🏼♀️) since then. I am in love with the lighter thinner papers such as Tomoe River but am struggling to find the exact right fit. Right this minute, I am in a personal size wallet style TN with a hobo weeks and a journal for my dailies. I love it as an edc because it fits well in my purse and it doubles as my wallet, HOWEVER, like you, my dream is to be in 1 book. I am really wanting to try rings but don’t want to go much larger than the personal tn that I am carrying now and every personal rings I have found seem super huge. Any suggestions?? 😮😮
Ah thank you so much for sharing! I too struggled really hard with picking a comfortable size too. Honestly personal has been like my perfect size this year, I think the cover plays a huge role in that though. I definitely have a more compact personal rings cover compared to something else like moterm. I take mine everywhere with me in my purse and don’t think the size feels too big. Depending on how chunky you like your books maybe you would like a compact personal planner? I know plotter is huge right now but I know Filofax has some more affordable compact books maybe that would help? You’ll definitely have to let me know what you end up going with and how it all works out for you!
@@torionpaper I tried the Filofax Malden compact personal and I stinking loved the size and layout of it but I absolutely could not deal with the zip closure 🤦🏼♀️. I will check out Plotter! Thanks!!
LOOOOOOOVE the toolbox analogy so much! ❤ great video!!!
Ah thank you so much! We looove a good toolbox 🧰 😅
GREAT video. For me I have a B6 AE classic daily. I plan in it and have been since last month. I do daily journal prompts and realized I want to write more some I ordered the AE weeks daily that should be in next week.
I’d really love a B6 size with monthly weekly and daily spreads. I’d like to plan and journal in it.
Thank you! Those all sound like amazing options and that’s you’ve kinda got a little system figured out for yourself which is great. Thanks for being here 💗
I like your tools idea- I have confused myself 🙃 in my stash a5 rings (which I love) in a few layouts/undated to choose from. This yr I thought hcousin would be my answer based only on everything in one place and future storage, nope not my best move. I new by June It wasn’t for me. I did love the paper. I fantasise about hweeks working for me because of the portable Ness of it, truth be known I work from home, and I don’t take my planner anywhere, but I am a list maker and it would be handy to bring it( I have redated one) but I just need some ‘familiarity & softness’ too… funny how the mind wanders- Definitely not buying more. Thank you for your guidance. Love your videos
Thank you so much for sharing this! Sometimes things work and sometimes they don’t and that’s okay 💕 my system changed up so many times this year due to life events so I totally understand where you are coming from! Familiarity and softness are also something I really aim for in my books
I love this!! It is perfect!
Thank you so much, I’m so glad it could be helpful! 💕
Price point and shipping is another one to factor in. I would like to have daily to do planner and a Daily journal.
Yes!! Such huge factors and probably one of the most important honestly
I’ve used hobo cousin and weeks. I find peace with the weeks but feel I don’t have enough writing space. My brain doesn’t work with the hourly layout of the cousin and dated daily pages… I gasped when you showed the PaperTess designs.. I will be trying the B6 for 2025
I loooove the cozy feeling of the weeks but agree it’s not enough space. I’ve really enjoyed the papertess, you will definitely have to update me if you get one and let me know how it goes for you!
What planner/notebook are you using in this video? I really like the grid paper on it! I think I’ll use the FF method to pick my new planner.
This is the B6 Papertess planner! I LOVE it
What is the planner/notebook you're writing in during this video please?
This is the B6 Papertessdesigns planner 💕
1 planner hop... makselife flagship back to bullet journal... thinking i might try the makselife printables and paste them in my bujo... i like the makselife goal system alot but bullet Journaling is the only planner system that works for me.
Oo I’ve never heard of them! I’ll have to check out their printables. Bullet journaling is such a good option and is so customizable for your needs. Thank you for sharing! 💕
I'm looking for a diary that I can draw in each day as a challenge but the hobonichi pages seem really thin, have you noticed much bleed through? 🥰
Yeah I don’t love the new Sanzen paper. In my A6 I was seeing a ton more ghosting and bleed through which is a bummer :/
Very nice explanation, think it helps simplify what we all go through around this time of year! However, I am still stuck as I did not use many of the planners I got for 2024 with the intention of finding my planner style and what works for me. So, now I really don't know what to get for next year, since I don't know what does and doesn't work for me yet. 🤔 I've narrowed down a couple things for my work planner as that's the only one that I did write in more consistently. But for personal, I am still all over the place. Anyone else feel like they don't have enough going on to plan, but really want a reason to use stickers and fountain pens and all the goodies that come with the process? Love the setup process and creating layouts, guess it's the functional aspect that I'm getting hung up on? If you feel the same, come join me in limboland, we can be confused together! 😄😁
This is so relatable and completely valid! I think there are so many other people who feel similar. Thankfully we still have a few more months so maybe you can just take some time in August/September to figure out the basics. Maybe if you’re unsure of what you want/need in your planning, think instead about what brings you the most joy? Which aspects of planners or notebooks do you find yourself gravitating towards simply because they make you happy. I hope this helps, best of luck for your 2025 planning!
I spent SO MUCH money this year planner/notebook hopping bc I didn’t know exactly what works for me. I finally figured out my EDC but decided I want to add a health planner next year 😅 Something I started last week was trying out two different layouts-a daily and weekly. I cut printer paper down to a pocket-size daily and a Hobonichi Weeks, then drew the respective layouts. Even doing that for just a week (and journaling about it obsessively every day lol) has helped me decide what I want