I recently bought one of Emily Ley’s Simplified Planner (well, two, as they have also come out with a Teacher Planner). I do not usually buy planners; for the last ten years, I have made my own planners that were tailored to my specific organizational needs. Time has become of the essence, however, so I needed to find a planner that would be just as useful.
I am only like three weeks in, but the Simplified Planner, I think it is it. There are five specific reasons why I am loving it so far:
1.) THE DAILY VERSION IS TRULY DAILY.
One of the best things I Have ever learned came to me in eleventh grade. It was in American Literature, and we read portion’s of Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography; it was here I learned about his hour-by-hour daily planning system, where we start each day wondering “What good shall I do this day?” and end it asking “What good did I do today?” Since then, I have followed a similar style of planning, and the Simplified Planner embraces the same concept in a fun, beautiful way. There are also other options, too: Daily or weekly, academic (August-July) or yearly (January-December), and cover designs for everyone.
2.) IT’S NOT JUST A PLANNER; IT IS A HANDBOOK.
If you know anything about Emily Ley, you know she believes less is more, because it allows you to enjoy MUCH more. This planner has little nuggets all throughout it to help its user strip away what is not need and infuse their days with what matter most.
3.) THE STICKERS.
So many stickers. So much color-coding. I can’t even handle it.
4.) THERE ARE RESOURCES GALORE.
It’s a planner, what could anyone possibly need for resources? How about videos on setting up your planner? Printable to help you maximize your time? A blog to let you get to know the brains behind this beautiful planner? Emily Ley thought of it all, and she Kindly shares it with us. It’s beyond great.
5.) PINEAPPLE POINTS.
If anyone visits Emily’s site and reads a little bit, they see her affinity for pineapples. The pineapple is a symbol hospitality (Emily is in Florida), so it has become a big part of the brand, such as with their Pineapple Points. Pineapple Points is the rewards system for dedicated customers that allows them to accumulate points for future discounts. It’s a nice way to save a little on the items we love (which includes everything from the books Emily has written—she has four—to the pens to the stickers. Oh, the stickers…)
Anyone who is fussy about their calendars and takes their planners very seriously, I cannot recommend the Simplified Planner enough. I love mine, and I am loving the year it is already allowing me to create.
Kayla Lee is a Minnesota-based wedding and elopement photographer who provides services to elegant, authentic, sentimental couples who not only choose their own adventures, but also live them to the fullest.
