Do You Really Need Sections in Your Planner?

I'm stating the case for NOT having all those sections in a planner.

The planner world is full of beautifully organized setups, with neatly labeled sections for every aspect of life. But what if you don’t actually need them? After years of experimenting, I’ve realized that sections often add unnecessary mental load rather than clarity. Here’s why you might want to rethink them—and what to do instead.

Note: This article is based on a video I published to Youtube.

Why I Stopped Using Sections

At one point, I had everything crammed into one giant planner—work, home life, projects—all carefully divided into sections. But instead of feeling organized, I felt overwhelmed. The planner was too bulky to carry, and I a bunch of sections that weren’t even labelled.

So, I separated my work and personal planning, and then I noticed something interesting: even in my personal planner, I wasn’t actually using the sections. I wasn’t flipping to them, adding to them, or even remembering they were there. That’s when it hit me—I had added planner sections just because I thought I should, not because they were actually helping me.

The Problem with Too Many Sections

Many planner setups on YouTube and Instagram include a long list of sections:
✅ Inbox
✅ Future log
✅ Monthly planner
✅ Weekly spreads
✅ Notes
✅ Trackers
✅ Finances
✅ Fitness
✅ Medical records
✅ Cleaning schedules

And the list goes on…

If this system works for you, great! But if you’ve ever found yourself feeling guilty for not using a section, or if you’ve set up a section "just in case" without knowing whether you’ll use it, that’s a sign it might be adding unnecessary complexity.

The Essentialist Approach to Planning

Inspired by Essentialism by Greg McKeown*, I now focus on what truly matters. Instead of predefined sections, I structure my planner by months—everything I need for January stays within my January section, and the same for February, March, and so on.

This method keeps me focused on what actually needs attention right now rather than getting distracted by an endless list of things I think I should be tracking. It also eliminates the guilt of having empty sections!

How to Decide if a Section is Worth Keeping

Ask yourself:
🔹 Am I actively using this section? If you haven't flipped to it in weeks, you probably don’t need it.
🔹 Is this section supporting my current goals? If it’s not something you’re actively working on, it may be better off elsewhere.
🔹 Would this information be better in a different format? Some things are better kept in a notes app, a dedicated journal, or a spreadsheet instead of cluttering your planner.

Giving Yourself Permission to Simplify

If you love sections and they work for you, fantastic. But if they feel like an obligation rather than a tool, you do not need them. Planning should support your life, not weigh it down with extra maintenance.

So if you’ve been holding onto sections out of habit or FOMO, consider this your permission slip to let them go. You might find that a simpler, more focused system gives you more clarity and peace of mind than a planner full of sections you never use.

As always, I’m cheering you on planner friend - one day at a time
Chloe x

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