New to the Happy Planner? Girl, Let’s Get You Organized (Without the Overwhelm)!

If you’ve ever ghosted a planner by February (guilty 🙋🏼‍♀️), you’re in the right place. I’m spilling all the tea on how the Happy Planner can actually make planning fun — and dare I say…addicting. Grab your stickers and let’s do this!

HAPPY PLANNERPLANNER TIPS

4/10/20254 min read

New to the Happy Planner?

Here’s What You Need to Know

I've been where you are — overwhelmed, hopeful, and desperate to finally find a planner that could actually stick. The good news? You’re not alone, and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself. I’m here to help guide you through it!

That Girl…Or So I Thought

You want to be That Girl — the one who has her life so well organized it looks effortless. She has her to-do lists perfectly curated, never misses a birthday, and doesn’t leave Target without the one thing she went for (wild concept, right?). 🛒✨

Instead, maybe you’re more like I used to be — drowning in half-used planners, big dreams, and the occasional rogue grocery list written on a receipt. 🙋‍♀️

Every January, I swore, “This is MY year!”...and every February, my planner ended up in the black hole that was my purse.

Until one magical day...I fell into the Happy Planner rabbit hole. 🐇✨

My Happy Planner Lightbulb Moment

How had I not known this colorful, joyful world existed? It was everything I had been looking for: creativity and organization wrapped into one beautiful, sticker-filled book.

I was hooked.

And for the first time ever, I stuck with a planner for over three years! (Even surviving a new baby phase, which should honestly count as an Olympic sport.)

Here's the truth: life doesn't get less busy. But finding the right planning system can help you feel less stressed, more in control, and (bonus!) more creative along the way.

Why Happy Planner? The Disc-Bound Advantage

The Happy Planner is a disc-bound system, which means you can add, remove, and rearrange pages however you like.

Why you’ll love it:

  • Total customization

  • Easy to grow with your needs

  • A perfect blend of structure and creativity

It’s functional when you need it, artsy when you want it — basically, the best of both worlds.

Real Talk: My Planning Transformation

Am I a flawless Pinterest planner goddess? 😂 Absolutely not.

BUT...I am way more organized and intentional when I use my Happy Planner versus when I don’t.

Here's what actually changed for me:

  • I remember appointments (and friends' birthdays!) 🎂

  • I feel way less chaotic running errands

  • I make space for regular creativity — even just 10 minutes with stickers counts as self-care!

Also, confession time:
I totally write things down just to immediately check them off. (It’s called dopamine, sweetie, look it up. 😂)

Finding Your Perfect Size: Big, Classic, Mini, or Skinny?

Finding a planner that matches your lifestyle is KEY. Are you a "plan on the go" type? Or does your planner live permanently on your desk like a throne?

Happy Planner Sizes:

  • Big: Lots of space for writing (great for work or memory keeping)

  • Classic: The most popular — perfect for everyday life

  • Mini: Compact for on-the-go planning

  • Skinny Classic: A happy medium between Classic and Mini

Quick Tip: Think about where you’ll use your planner most often — at home, on errands, at work — and pick a size that fits that lifestyle.

You can also choose dated or undated planners depending on your needs. (Starting in the middle of the year? Go undated. Planning every day? Dated might be your jam.)

Give Me All The Layouts: Choosing the Right One For You

Different layouts = different vibes.
Here are a few popular ones:

  • Vertical: Great for breaking down your day into morning/afternoon/evening

  • Horizontal: More free-flowing — think journaling or longer lists

  • Dashboard: Organized by categories — ideal for busy schedules

  • Daily: One day per page (hello, busy bees 🐝)

  • Hourly: Perfect for super detailed schedules

The Happy Planner also makes special layouts for fitness, faith, teachers, wellness, and more.

Your perfect layout might change over time — and that's okay! Flexibility is your superpower, not a weakness.

🎯 Psst: If you want to try out different layouts without committing to a whole new planner, check out my Etsy shop! I have options ready for you to test drive.

Supplies to Get Started: Keep It Simple (Then Have Fun!)

The only thing you actually need:

  • A pen. Yep, that's it.

Other tools I use regularly:

  • Scissors ✂️

  • Exacto knife

  • Wax paper (for sticker commitment issues 😂)

  • Black pen & pencil

  • Ruler

When you’re ready to get extra fancy:

  • Stickers

  • Washi tape

  • Colored pens & markers

  • Stamps, scrapbook paper, ink pads, glitter (I mean, why not?)

Your Simple 3-Step Happy Planner Plan:

  1. Pick your planner size and layout

  2. Start with a black pen and one small pack of stickers

  3. Set a 10-minute timer to plan one thing this week

Baby steps = big wins.

Ready to Get Started?

Imagine a life where you finally feel on top of your schedule — with a creative outlet that makes you smile every time you open your planner.

Finding the right planner is a personal journey, but you don't have to do it alone. I'm here cheering you on every step of the way. 🎉

Next Steps:
👉 Grab your first printable layout from my Etsy shop
👉 Stay tuned — I'll be sharing even more tutorials, ideas, and inspiration right here!

Your future organized, confident, totally "That Girl" self is waiting for you. 💖

Let’s make it happen — one sticker at a time. ✨