I’ll be the first to say it! I never-in-a-million-years thought I would be a planner person. When I became a mom I was completely overwhelmed with new mom struggles. I didn’t even want to look at a to-do list or planner. They were like icing on the I’m-never-going-to-get-anything-done cake. This is the story of how a happy planner changed me and why it makes mom life better.
*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. That means if you click on a link and make a purchase I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only link to things I truly love and suggest! *
The Quote That Started It
It was an unsuspecting visit to Michaels. I don’t even remember what I was originally there for but I came across a section of planners for sale, saw a quote on the cover of a planner and it hit me like a ton of bricks.
I stopped and stared and thought about it. Then I had a realization.
The label above the planners said “70% Off” so even though I had never had a planner before that it would be a good time to start.
Well, apparently the sign was referencing planners from last year… how those even sell I don’t know… so I gave it back to the cashier and slumped home.
But the quote was on repeat in my head. It had awaken something in me. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. So I got online and found it again. Just seeing it again made me think some more and I knew what I had to do. I had to go back for it.
The next day I dragged my sister back to Michaels, found the planner, got my coupon out and paid about $20 for what has been a serious game changer to my life.
Back at home I ran my fingers over the gold colored cursive print on the front cover and changed my mindset.
I was done just getting by. Over the wishing for the phase to pass. Ready to take back my dreams. Because like my planner says on the front…
“Plans are dreams in the making.”
It’s More Than Just a Planner
Maybe I’m a little late to the planner game, especially considering I’m a teacher – BUT I’m here now! I had no idea how useful a planner could be – and not just for planning things!
As I started filling it up, I found the world of planner stickers. Whole booklets filled with over 1,000 stickers of quotes, boxes, list starters, and decorations. In the words of advice from the mom I met while looking at sticker books: “Be careful, those things are dangerous! I have 7 of them!” Nothing more truthful has ever been said of planner stickers.
My favorite part about the stickers? They are daily affirmations in colorful script! I love how my planner also serves as colorful daily inspiration and positive reinforcement to get it done and live it up.
The Happy Planner has everything that I was missing and more. Besides the obvious things that any good quality planner would have (beautiful layout, space for to-do lists and notes, etc. ) it makes you feel happy.
Every time I open my happy planner I get a sense of “I can be organized!” and “I can fill this up with anything I want! I will plan a happy life!” It makes me feel positive in my planning efforts.
When I look back on previous weeks in my planner I get such a sense of accomplishment seeing everything I have done. Some days I need that. Believe me, there are days when I need to remember ” I AM more than milk-tank-mommy!” It helps me SO MUCH to look back and see all that I have done and to then look forward and see all the fun and good that I am creating.
How the Happy Planner Changed My Mom Life
After having Dante I was completely overwhelmed with new mom struggles. I didn’t even want to look at a to-do list. They were like icing on the I’m-never-going-to-get-anything-done cake. I had a lot of really hard days especially when Dante was going through some notoriously difficult phases. (See my 6th month reflection). I was in survival mode and it wasn’t okay with me anymore.
After my inspiration at Michaels, I decided I was going to actually do the things I wanted – without waiting around for them to happen. I was ready to take back my dreams!
NO MORE was I going to be stuck at home all day with nothing exciting happening for weeks. NO MORE was I going to feel jealous of other moms doing fun things – I was going to do them too! (Annnnd my pretty planner was going to help keep me motivated and upbeat about it all.)
I learned a very important mom lesson. Mom life is hard. Its beautiful and amazing and full of reward. But it is also full of serious struggle and days on days of difficult phases and new hardships. Moms – no one but you is going to bring what you want into your life. You can’t depend on your kids, your husband, family, or anyone or anything else. Your hour of time to yourself, your day, your one thing you want to do – YOUR LIFE – is not going to happen on its own.
PLAN TO DO YOU.
You will thank yourself.
What I Use to Plan
The first thing I got was the big happy planner. They come in smaller sizes if you’re looking for for every day carry but lord knows my Mary Poppins mom purse is big enough for a big planner too. I also got a book of happy pretty stickers that matched the watercolor theme of my planner. The planner and at least some sort of happy stickers are all you need to get started.
With time I have also gotten more stickers, a planner cover, a planner hole-punch, and a rainbow set of Pilot G-2 0.7 gel pens.
I value what my happy planner does for me and to me it justifies my purchases. If you’re like me and on a stay-at-home-mom budget check the clearance and buy one add-on at a time. You can also find a ton of happy planner accessories on Amazon. Then tell me which ones you use and which are your favorite!
Happy Momming! ( And happy planning!!)
-Leah
