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Why + How I Created My Own Planner

September 19, 2016 by Blair Lamb Filed Under: Blog Business, Organizing, Product Recommendations, Schedules and Routines

How To Create Your Own Planner | BlairBlogs.com

After my previous planner stopped meeting my needs, I set out to find a new one (more on that in the video below). Lots of research led me to the realization that I would have to create my own planner if I wanted one that would suit my needs exactly. So that’s what I did!

How To Create Your Own Planner | BlairBlogs.com

Using Canva, I created a weekly planner spread that would suit my needs perfectly.

How To Create Your Own Planner | BlairBlogs.com

I then uploaded my design to OfficeDepot.com and had it printed and bound. I selected a spiral bound book with 65lb cardstock and a clear front and back cover. It took about a week to process, print, and ship–not too bad! Below is a photo of the online interface; it’s very easy to use. Given the number of sheets and all of my specifications, my book came out to be about $25 including shipping (I also had a coupon code).

How To Create Your Own Planner | BlairBlogs.com

Below is last week’s full spread filled in (this post and video were created on Wednesday, so it’s not complete in the photos)–this planner works like a charm! It’s exactly what I need and helps me stay on track throughout the week in a way that makes sense for my life and schedule.

How To Create Your Own Planner | BlairBlogs.com
How To Create Your Own Planner | BlairBlogs.com

How To Create Your Own Planner | BlairBlogs.com

In the past, it’s never crossed my mind to create my own personalized planner! It took spending lots of money on a gorgeous, fancy planner and seeing how it didn’t suit my needs to start brainstorming a simpler solution. If you’d like to see my ideal planner in more detail and hear exactly how I use it, you can watch the video below or on YouTube here.

Mentioned in video:

  • Simplified Planner (shop + my post on it)
  • May Books Shop
  • Plan To Eat (site (referral link) + my post on it)
  • Clean Mama (site + my post on it)
  • Cleaning Routine Series: Bathrooms (Monday)
  • Simplify Everything Podcast Episode #25
  • Canva (site + my post on it)
  • Office Depot spiral bound notebook printing

// If you use a planner, what kind of planner do you use?

Thank you for reading and watching! You can find me online on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter. If you’d like to be alerted whenever I publish a new post, you can follow me on Bloglovin’ or subscribe via email. Check out my fun tees in my Etsy shop and listen to my weekly podcast about simplifying life, Simplify Everything! Are you a blogger too? Check out my Blogger Mentorship Program.

How To Create Your Own Planner | BlairBlogs.com

Comments

  1. Candice Hohenwald says

    September 19, 2016 at 10:51 am

    I love this idea! I’m always looking for the perfect planner but they never end up working for me. So I have spreadsheets and use my phone and plain notebooks. That’s just too much to keep up with. I’ll have to try this!

  2. Grady says

    September 19, 2016 at 2:20 pm

    BLAIR! This planner is beyond ideal!!! I’ve never tried to make something some bold on canva but now I may have to try because WOWZA! I love this! You could honestly sell it – I really think it’s so beautiful and functional!

  3. Megan's Musings says

    September 19, 2016 at 2:57 pm

    You totally inspired me to do this also! I’m having too much fun designing it.

  4. Jessica Howard says

    September 20, 2016 at 7:20 am

    This is amazing. I just threw away a planner (that I paid extra to get monogrammed) because it no longer fit my needs. I never thought about designing my own! I will say, the Google Calendar app has saved me.

  5. mackenzie Draper says

    September 21, 2016 at 6:44 pm

    This is brilliant! I love the blog, this is the post that caught my attention haha 🙂 What format on Canva did you use? I was thinking the letterhead or US letter format might work best, but your pages seemed smaller. Is that because of the way the video is? In any case I would be interested to see what you used to try and make one myself! Thanks for the idea! 🙂

  6. Krysten Moore says

    September 29, 2016 at 8:30 am

    Thanks for the inspiration, Blair! I have abandoned my Simplified Planner for the same reasons… I just don’t plan my days by the hour, especially working in an office environment and most of my weekdays are planned out that way. I think I’d thrive with more open space for to-do lists and space for notes. Maybe I’ll attempt to create my own layout. Thanks again 🙂

    • Blair Lamb says

      October 13, 2016 at 9:51 am

      Hey Krysten! Thanks for reading + commenting! I hope you find a planner that works for you, even if you have to create your own! 😉

  7. Paige Lonquist says

    October 5, 2016 at 1:01 pm

    Hey Blair, I adore your style and your organizational skills! Maybe for your next Etsy product you could make planner for all different kinds of women (example full time bloggers such as yourself, moms, working women, or students)? Just an idea!

    • Blair Lamb says

      October 13, 2016 at 9:42 am

      Hi Paige! Thank you for your kind words! Love your idea, thanks for sharing! I’ve thought about releasing a planner in the past, but that market is so saturated that I don’t know if I’ll pursue it. Thanks for reading! 🙂

  8. Alli says

    October 6, 2016 at 1:59 pm

    I’ve been looking for a new planner for next year and I never would have thought to make my own!! I’ve been using an Erin Condren planner the last couple years of school (the original layout first and then the horizontal layout) but I’m graduating from college this December and starting my first full time job in January so I’m not quite sure what layout would work best for office needs. Any one have any suggestions? Daily v Weekly? Other sections to include?

    • Blair Lamb says

      October 13, 2016 at 9:40 am

      Hey Alli! Thanks for reading! I would imagine that a Daily layout would work best for an office job, but planners are so individual! It really depends on what your schedule is like and what your day-to-day looks like! 🙂

  9. BarbaraLee says

    November 1, 2016 at 9:59 am

    I love this idea. I do have a ? or 2. I might have missed it but am I to understand that the cover is from Canva but what about the other schedule pages.

Hey, I’m Blair!

Blair Lamb | BlairBlogs.com

Thanks for stopping by!
I'm a small town Texas transplant, wife, and mom to two. I believe in intentional living in lieu of the world's breakneck pace and write honestly with the hope of encouraging other women. Grab a cup of warm and enjoy!
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