Thanks to Oriental Trading for sending me some new washi tape to facilitate and sponsor this post.
This year, I’ve decided to track my big plans. I’ve tried doing this on a much smaller scale in the past, but this year, I’m trying to make sure that I keep track of the good, the bad, the big, and the small throughout all of 2018. A huge part of that is my newfound hobby: using a planner. Yes, I am now a planner addict. I purchased several different planners for different purposes and am using them to help me stay motivated with my short and long term goals.
I’m not really big of New Year’s Resolutions, because I find that they are usually unrealistic and idealistic. I am totally a realist, and it would just annoy me to put forth huge goals and aspirations for the WHOLE year, especially since I’m a little ADD and have a hard time planning that far ahead. Instead, I’m giving myself smaller, bite-sized goals and tasks.
I mentioned that I had gotten several planners for myself. That’s true, and I have already worked on different configurations to decide what will work best for me.
This year, I bought myself planners for:
- Fitness
- Budget
- Regular Life/To-Do/Schedules
- Meal Planning
The first 3, I have actually consolidated to be on the same set of discs (like rings, but more versatile for people who like to change their minds!). Some people would call this “frankenplanning” as I have pretty much turned it into it’s own chunky thing rather than using them exactly as I purchased them.
I have this master planner divided by month, so I have my fitness tracker for the month, followed by my budget planner for the month, followed by my regular planner for the month. Then it moves to the next month in the same order for the rest of 2018. This is keeping me on top of things I don’t normally face on a daily basis.
I like being able to make mini goals for myself and tracking them through the weeks and eventually months. I had a no-spend week earlier this month, and it was great being able to track that and how it felt. I saved so much money by just not having the option to impulse buy! My fitness tracker keeps me motivated because I can see how hard I’ve been working almost EVERY day. The regular planner is a great place for me to put my immediate to-dos, as well as add scheduled things to the overview calendar.
My other planner is used for the sole purpose of meal planning. One of my goals for this year is to spend less money and eat healthier food by just planning my meals. I’ve used many meal planning services and LOVE having those recipes already picked for me and the shopping list available and so on. However, I find myself veering off of that path as the year goes on because some of my kids are picky or I just don’t feel like everything suggested and don’t want to mess with it.

Pictured: Primary Patterned Washi Tape Set, Black & White Flourish Washi Tape Set, Art Zone Coloring Stickers – Flowers, Primary Solid Colors Washi Tape Set, Basic Alphabet Sticker Pack
I’ve chosen to be realistic in my planning, incorporating some family favorites every week with a few new recipes thrown in. I’m even trying my hand at planning my breakfasts and lunches so we’re not just throwing something together last minute for every meal.
What keeps me motivated to keep using my planners? STICKERS AND WASHI TAPE. I have all kinds of goodies set aside to decorate my planner. The washi tape is a versatile planner accessory that can also be used for other crafts. In fact, I have a friend who used washi tape on top of an old table and sealed it to give it the cutest striped look that really popped. I’m not even half that creative, so I just stick to using mine on my paper planner.
I was that kid in 5th grade with the hundred-page sticker book for collecting every sticker on the planet. Now, I get the grown-up equivalent with my washi tape and stickers. It was meant to be!
I love how using just a few products can spruce up my planner, which makes it fun. Since it’s fun, I’m encouraged to use it. Since I am encouraged to use it, I actually find myself reaching my goals because I’m spending the time to plan it and then revisit it. I know when things need to get done. I know what I need to shop for. I know where my money is going. I know what food we have in the pantry. This has been a really good shift for me and a wonderful way to get focused for the new year.
How do you keep track of your plans, goals, and appointments?

Love the idea of a planner for meals. We have always kept a meal plan on a dry erase board in the kitchen but with me trying to schedule more specifically with THM, I may need to consider an actual planner.
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