Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan." As a busy, ambitious college student, I cannot simply hope for my ideas and dreams to fall into place on their own. A major part of staying on track towards my goals is keeping organized. Subsequently, I am a firm believer in owning a planner in order to manage my schedule, plan ahead, and decrease stress. And if I'm going to pour into it every day, spend endless hours making checklists in it, and open it about once per hour, it might as well be cute, right?
So if you're anything like me and can't live without a planner, or want to invest in a planner to help organize your busy life, here is your comprehensive guide to the best, prettiest planners around:
Lilly Pulitzer
If you're into seersucker, sailboats, and monograms, then this is the planner for you. The Lilly planner comes in several different patterns with preppy stickers to paste throughout. It has a horizontal layout that is set-up list style, which is perfect for college-age students whose schedules vary day-to-day and who do not have the normal daily routine of a job. It is a fun planner that can make even the dreariest winter months exciting.
Erin Condren
The Erin Condren planner is perfect for career-oriented women or mothers. The vertical layout, separated by morning, day, and night, is good for working mothers trying to organize morning routines, day jobs, and evening activities. The horizontal layout is similar in look to the Lilly Pulitzer planner. You can pick from many different cover designs and personalize it with your name and pictures. You can also customize it with the included colored labels and personalized notes, or pay extra for additional accessories. Erin Condren herself is incredible and inspiring; follow her on Instagram @erincondren!
Kate Spade
The Kate Spade planner appeals to the put-together, classy woman, but fear not: if you are not put-together, then this planner will help you pull off that look. It is simple and stylish, with a preppy twist. It has almost the same layout as the Lilly planner, and is easy to navigate. Many people swear by their Kate Spade planners, and will never make the switch.
Rifle Paper Co.
I just got a Rifle planner and am about three weeks into using it. So far, I am really enjoying it. It gives off a chic, vintage aura. The layout is horizontal with check-boxes for each day, which appeals to the checkbox-obsessed woman like me. It is no frill, which is good for someone looking to simplify a hectic life.
May Designs
Unlike the Kate Spade and Rifle Paper Co. planners, which are both spiral-bound and have sturdy, hardback covers protecting them, the May Designs planner is thinner and less sturdy. Nonetheless, it is easy for storing and transporting. It is sort of halfway in-between an agenda and a notebook, making it perfect for those who love to jot down the main events and make quick checklists. You can pick from a wide variety of designs and personalize it to your liking. The May Designs planner appeals to the preppy woman.
Be sure to take into account a number of factors when choosing your planner. The layout, cover design, and level of simplicity vary from planner to planner, and are suited for many women with different lifestyles.
Cheers to getting organized and staying sane amidst the chaos!
