My Thoughts After a Year of Using the Happy Planner

Having used the planner for an entire year, I can now share my insights. Overall, I absolutely loved my experience! There were just a couple of elements I wasn’t thrilled with, but aside from that, I’m delighted with my choice to go with the Happy Planner!

What I Didn’t Like About the Planner

Let’s discuss the less favorable aspects first. There weren’t many negatives about this planner, but a few elements didn’t quite align with my preferences.

The Undated Calendar Can Be a Pain

Unfortunately, I mistakenly bought an undated version of the Happy Planner.

That was clearly MY mistake!

This format works well if you plan to start using the planner mid-year; however, I was taken aback by the need to apply all the month and day stickers manually. While it wasn’t a huge hassle (it only took me about an hour), this year I made sure to buy a pre-dated planner. So, if you prefer to avoid the task of labeling the months and days yourself, ensure you pick a dated planner!

The Large Planner Can Be Inconvenient at Times

I initially chose the large Happy Planner, and it served me well throughout the year while sitting on a table in my office. I don’t regret selecting the larger size, but this year I’ve opted for the regular size Happy Planner, making it easier to carry around the house when necessary.

In my previous video titled “Setting up the Happy Planner,” I mentioned that I wasn’t accustomed to using the weekly view of planners. My prior planners have always featured a full monthly view.

The Weekly View Took Some Getting Used To

Throughout the year, I struggled with the weekly view and ended up primarily decorating it instead of jotting down important tasks. This year, I have a clearer plan for utilizing the weekly layout. With my blog keeping me busier than ever, I aim to use this section for blog scheduling, reserving most of the monthly view for family and school-related activities.

Those are the negatives, which aren’t truly detrimental – just aspects to adjust to when transitioning to a new planner. Now, let’s explore what I love about it!

What I Love About the Planner

In summary, I thoroughly enjoyed my planner, and I’m excited about using the new one. Here are some of my favorite features:

It Kept Me Super Organized

The Happy Planner genuinely helped me stay organized all year long, ensuring I didn’t overlook any significant dates or events. I appreciate the monthly view, where the daily squares are spacious enough for both important notes and decorative elements.

It’s Oh So Pretty

Is it just me, or are these planners incredibly beautiful? The covers simply put a smile on your face! The colors and themes are stunning, and the inspirational quotes are both uplifting and motivating.

It’s Very Durable

The planner has held up remarkably well; the covers remain in excellent shape, and I never encountered any issues with pages tearing. Admittedly, since I had the larger planner, it didn’t get moved around too much, but I was still impressed with its overall quality.

My Favorite Add-Ons to the Happy Planner

Definitely the fantastic sticker packs!

Sticker Packs

Not only are they charming, but they are also extremely useful! I purchased several last year, with the Mom pack being the most frequently used. I utilized a significant portion of it. The Productivity pack was the next most popular.

I still have stickers remaining from all my packs, so this year I only bought two more: an additional Mom pack for essential stickers like doctor appointments, and a smaller productivity pack to complement my leftover supplies.

Pocket Folders

The only other addition I bought was a new pack of pocket folders, as the ones from last year would be oversized for my now smaller planner.

Washi Tape

I didn’t purchase additional washi tape since I still have plenty in my collection.

A Pack of Pens

I managed to fit in a pack of my favorite pens as well. Last year, I tried the Paper Mate InkJoy pens but found them unsatisfactory as they tended to glob ink at the tip when not in use, leading to unwanted smudging. I returned to my tried-and-true Paper Mate Flair pens, which I’ve loved for years, and the new color options are just stunning!

My New Happy Planner

My new smaller Happy Planner retains all the fantastic features of its larger counterpart, just in a more compact format. I appreciate the monthly goal pages for jotting down notes, birthdays, and important items at the start of each month. It also boasts a sturdy cover and the signature rings that bind everything together.

This year, I love that my planner is dated! It features a two-page spread that showcases a yearly overview for 2018 and 2019, and I won’t have to spend an hour labeling the months and days!

What’s Going to Happen to My Old Planner?

I plan to transform it into a binder! With its appealing covers and beautiful pocket folders, I’ve added paper for notes and will be purchasing a hole puncher to include my own pages. This binder will serve as a hub for my blogging materials.

So, as I conclude my reflections on a year with the Happy Planner, I can confidently say I’m still a devoted fan and am eager to maximize this year’s planner!

Do you use a planner? Which one is your favorite? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!