Keep It Together: Looking Inside My 2021 Simplified Planner

Posted January 21, 2021 by shooting in Planning / 24 Comments

For those that are new, Keep It Together is a monthly link up (every third Thursday of the month) where we talk about planners, scrapbooks, and any other form of memory keeping. Please do link up any post – old or new – in the linky below. Thanks to my co-hosts Rebecca Jo and Alexandra!

A Look at My 2021 Planner

I decided to go away from the Happy Planner this year and try something new. I went with the book bound edition of the Simplified Planner. First thoughts? I’m really loving it! I like that it opens up like a book and it’s a perfect size.

Here is a look at what I’ve done so far in terms of decoration, etc.-

Here is the first half of the monthly spread for January. As you can see, I’m still using Happy Planner stickers. There aren’t a ton of decorations in terms of stickers (and no washi tape) but I’m going to keep adding things as the month ends. I don’t want to fill up too many of the squares until the month is over in case I need that space for something.

This is the other side of the monthly layout. Each month has a Simplicity Tip at the top, which is kind of fun. I don’t know that I’ll utilize most of them but it’s a cute touch and goes with the overall brand of Emily Ley (who created the Simplified Planner).

Here is a look at one of the weekly spreads. I really love that it has two sections – one with just lines and the other with lines and a circle so you can add and check off tasks/to-dos. Unfortunately, Saturday and Sunday doesn’t include the task side and the first paragraph side is much smaller. That would be my only complaint – otherwise, I think it’s set up well and I’m really trying to use these pages to give more details about my life, the world, etc. I keep all my old planners so I like having all these moments included to look back on.

Here is a look at part of my monthly calendar for February. This one is fun to decorate. As you can see, I have a couple of virtual baby showers to attend which is exciting!! I’m also having carpal tunnel release surgery next month on my right hand. I need it in both, but I thought one at a time would be best in terms of healing time, etc. Everyone I’ve talked to has said that people they know who did both hands at the same time couldn’t even go to the bathroom by themselves, and I don’t want that!

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How is your 2021 planner coming along? Are you using it more than you did last year? Obviously my pages aren’t as pretty as Rebecca Jo’s, but I’m doing my best. I want the pages to be happy and fun. It really feels like a planner and journal in one and I love that.

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24 responses to “Keep It Together: Looking Inside My 2021 Simplified Planner

  1. Looks like a nice planner! I like how you have the inauguration on there! 🙂

    I hope your surgery for the carpal tunnel goes well!

  2. Ooh so fun! I am glad that you are loving the new planner so far! My SIL really loves Emily Ley! I hope that you continue to enjoy it! I love that you add journaling! Such a good idea! XO – Alexandra

  3. I like your planner – are those happy planner stickers? I think I have the same ones!

    I typically do a bujo layout so I start off with a completely blank slate. I’ve been changing it up slightly every month until I find out what works for me.

  4. Awww I love what you did with the planner! Also I really like the fact that it lays flat. I still like the spiral bound planners but find they’re very annoying to turn pages, especially later in the year when they start to get “worn.”

    I’m so glad to hear you’re getting the surgery for carpal tunnel but just bc you’ll have some relief. I’m sorry to hear it’s painful tho and can’t imagine not being able to use both hands at once! Let us know how everything goes!!

  5. Your planner looks great, I’ve tried the Happy Planner but didn’t get on with it. Now I’ve just got some nice basic Iconic weekly planners.

  6. I love your stickers! I’ve been preparing my 2021 planner for my upcoming school semester (starting next week!) and I’ve been torn between splitting my materials online and on paper. I’ve recently gotten into Notion as a planning tool, but there’s just something special about having a record of my own handwriting that might make it worth it to continue in my current agenda. Thank you for sharing 🙂

  7. Happy Planner stickers work for EVERYTHING! I use them in journals every day.
    I was eyeing that same layout Simplified planner for work.
    Its good for a change – I’m loving my Passion Planner. I need to start NOW on my post for next month so share 🙂

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