How To Stay Organized During Self-Isolation
For some back story when my family and I realized COVID-19 was worsening we made the decision that I would reside with them in our little town until it felt better to return to the city. This meant saying goodbye to the city and my apartment. Admittedly, it was the safer choice.
In all honesty, the transition for me was not the greatest. I was pretty much thrown out of whack. I wasn’t eating normally, I stopped getting up at the same time, and I stopped using my Filofax. For me, using some kind of planner has always been my thing. I am a self-proclaimed planner geek. Ever since grade 2, I have been successfully using a planner. Although back then my to-do list consisted of getting a permission form signed and having my parents read/sign my planner….Oh how far we’ve come. During these uncertain and perhaps adjusting phases of life I have never quite realized just how productive and motivated my agenda makes me feel. So if you’re someone who has potentially fallen off the bandwagon during self-isolation and are looking for a simple fix to your lack of productivity, grab yourself an agenda (or notebook) and get planning.
After years of trying out various styles of planners, Filofax has blown the rest out of the water. It is customizable, reusable, and simply beautiful! Although they can be pricey, the quality of these planners are absolutely outstanding. From the leather to the hardware, you know it’s built to last. Despite this, agendas are super personal and what works for one may not work for another. So with that being said, I thought I would share with you three different planners that are definitely worth a try and will get you checking everything off your to-do list.
My Favourites:
Filofax is a London based company that dates back to 1921. Since then, it has continued to produce timeless personal organization systems. Fun fact, did you know Filofax originated from the phrase “file of facts”? The traditional organizer is a six ring binder that can be customized to your preference. From the size, to the cover, to the inserts, you are able to create the perfect planner that will suit all your needs. Due to the price and quality, this is what I would consider an investment planner. It’s the planner that will be reused year after year and still look beautiful and timeless. Although Filofax produces hundreds of styles, my favourites are The Original Patent Personal Organizer and my current planner, the Lockwood Personal Organizer. I always opt for the Personal Size binder solely because I use mine as a wallet and find this size is perfect to tuck away in my purses or backpacks.
From notecards to stickers, this amazing stay at home mom went on to develop the much loved Erin Condren Life Planner. Although the traditional coil bound planner is less customizable than other planner styles, it is without a doubt the perfect ready-to-use planner. Despite the inside being as is, the cover is a whole other story. From hundreds of covers to choose from, you are bound to find one you love. And if you're feeling like it, you can even have your name beautifully added to the front cover. Erin Condren also offers beautiful speciality planners for nurses, brides, and teachers that provide you with unique layouts that will cater to your lifestyle. They truly have an amazing selection that will suit everyone. The Erin Condren is without a doubt the perfect ready-to-use planner.
An internationally recognized brand that started with an amazing mother-daughter duo. This is a disc-bound style planner, a style whereby the pages are punched in such a way that you are able to pull the pages out and arrange to your liking. When it come to the layout, my favourite is the vertical layout which is perfect for structuring your day and getting tasks done. And if you’re feeling a little creative, do pickup some decorative stickers that are made specially for the Happy Planner. Creating monthly spreads is my absolutely favourite thing to do with this planner, and a perfect way to kill some time whilst in isolation. Being super affordable and coming in various sizes, the Happy Planner is a great option for those testing the planner waters. This is the planner that made me fall in love with planning.
These are just three of my favourite planners, all at different price ranges. Planners are something that are super personal to each individual and it’s so important to find one that makes you excited to plan your day. Although I loved being creative with my Happy Planner and creating new spreads each month. I now find the simplicity of the Filofax perfect to tackle my to-do lists.