Falling Out of Love with Your Planner? Here’s How to Fix It
Reignite your love for planning with these simple tweaks—no need to start over!
Remember when planning used to feel exciting? The fresh inserts, the perfectly curated layouts, the joy of setting up your new planner for the year… But then, somewhere along the way, the spark faded.
Planning started to feel like a chore. You might even be avoiding your planner altogether. Sound familiar?
You’re not alone. This is what I call Planner Passion Plateau—when your once-beloved planner no longer inspires you. The good news? You don’t need a brand-new planner to reignite the spark. You just need a refresh.
Here are three simple ways to fall back in love with planning—without starting over.
Step 1: Do a Planner Reality Check
Before you assume you’ve outgrown your planner, let’s take a step back. The real problem might not be your planner—it might be how you’re using it.
✔ Trim the Excess
Take a few minutes to audit your planner and remove anything that’s adding stress rather than helping you.
Unused sections? Let them go.
Overcomplicated trackers? Simplify them.
Pages that feel like “planner clutter”? Out they go.
If you’re in a ring-bound system like me, this is easy—just remove unnecessary pages. If you’re in a bound planner, choose not to carry certain layouts forward in future setups.
✔ Make Sure Your Inserts Still Fit Your Life
Planning is not one-size-fits-all. Your needs change, and your planner should adapt. Ask yourself:
Are my inserts the right format for my current season?
If your days are meeting-heavy, a daily layout with time slots might work better.
If you’re mostly handling errands, a simple to-do list or weekly spread may be all you need.
✔ Leave Room for Flexibility
One of the biggest planner mistakes? Over-planning. It’s tempting to schedule a “perfect” week on Sunday—but what happens when life throws you a curveball?
Instead of rigidly assigning every task, try using page flags or moveable task tabs for non-urgent tasks. This allows you to adjust without feeling like you “failed” your plan.
📌 Take action: What’s one thing in your planner that’s not serving you? Trim it now!
Step 2: Bring Back the Excitement
Once we’ve fine-tuned what’s inside the planner, let’s add a little novelty—without overhauling everything.
✔ Swap Out a Dashboard or Cover
A simple way to refresh your planner is to change the first thing you see when you open it. Try:
A new dashboard (if you have a stash, rotate them monthly!).
A seasonal planner cover (I switch mine for winter, spring/summer, and fall).
✔ Try a New Accessory or Insert
Sometimes, a small tweak makes all the difference.
A new pen (if you haven’t found your perfect one yet!).
Functional stickers to add visual clarity without overwhelming your pages.
A different weekly layout to break the routine without redoing your entire system.
✔ Create a Mini Rotation System
I like to rotate my functional stickers by color each month—keeping things fresh while maintaining a system that works. If you use planner accessories, set up a mini rotation so you have something to look forward to each month!
📌 Take action: Choose one small planner tweak to refresh your setup today!
Step 3: Make Planning Feel Good Again
Now for the best part: Turning planning into a self-care ritual instead of just another to-do list.
✔ Set a Weekly Planning Ritual
If you want planning to be something you enjoy, make it an experience.
Set aside dedicated time for a weekly reset.
Grab your favorite drink—coffee, tea, matcha, whatever you love.
Light a candle or put on background music.
Put your phone on DND—make it your moment.
✔ Focus on What You Achieved (Not Just What’s Left to Do)
Many of us fall into the trap of only looking at unfinished tasks. But what about what you did accomplish? Take a moment each week to:
Reflect on wins from the past week.
Move forward only what truly matters.
Let go of the things that no longer align with your priorities.
📌 Take action: Pick a day & time for your weekly planning reset and commit to it.
Final Thoughts: Your Planner Should Work for You
Planning isn’t about creating the perfect system—it’s about creating a system that supports your life. If you’ve been feeling uninspired, try one of these small tweaks to bring the excitement back.
And if you’ve ever fallen out of love with your planner, I’d love to know: What helped you get back on track? Drop a comment below!