Three Colorful and Functional Ways to Customize Your Planner

I have been in love with my Raspberry Saffiano Filofax, as you probably know if you've been sticking around with me for a while.  Planning, for me, is something that is practical.  I don't do a lot of stickers, I don't do a lot of decorating....I do a lot of functional stuff in my planner.  I scrapbook in my Project Life albums.  I love black and white and don't like too much clutter in my planner.  I designed my own inserts because I knew what I wanted and I couldn't find it in inserts I found online.  However, I do like to see a little color and be inspired by my planner....after all it is where I keep all my creative lists and blog plans, so it has to inspire me.

Today I want to share with you three ways you can be creative, yet functional in your planner.

Washi Tape

You don't have to go overboard when it comes to washi tape.  I don't decorate, for the most part, my weekly pages.  I write in the things I need.  But washi tape is great for me when marking things on my monthly calendar.  I can mark when I will be home, when there are birthdays, when bills are due, what goals I will accomplish, etc.  I use it as a big highlighter rather than as a decoration.  It adds color and function.  However, if I do have something special - like my two days off this week!! - I mark them with washi tape too.

Project Life or Pocket Scrapbook Cards

I've mentioned how I use these types of cards in my planner before (peep this post) but I wanted to offer it up again and show you two ways to insert them into your planner.  I love using the 4x6 cards as inspiration in my planner.  Some of them have really inspiring quotes on them so seeing that in your weekly spread can really motivate you.  So I usually punch those and insert them right into my planner since I don't tend to use 4x6 cards in my Project Life spreads.  If you do like to use your 4x6 cards you can either do the tip below or find free scrapbook cards and print them on card stock, then punch.  That way you're not wasting your good scrapbook cards!

The smaller 3x4 cards I love to use in my Project Life albums so I don't want to directly punch into the cards.  I often write down my list then slip it into my album for the month - sometimes it's favorites, sometimes it's a wishlist, etc.  Just something to document what is actually going through my mind in that month/week.  So I take some page flags, snip them in half, punch the flag part, and put the sticky end on the back of the card.  Now I haven't ruined the card and the flags are removable!

Colorful List Pads

I loooove going to the Dollar Spot in Target and scooping up their list pads.  I also find some at places like TJ Maxx & Marshalls.  These add a bit of color to the black and white look that I love but also serve a function.  I like to make running lists and I always make a Sunday list to do things before I start the week.  So colorful lists pads add a bit of inspiration and color.  This neon pink & kraft paper one I got from TJ Maxx.

So there you have it, three easy ways to customize your planner with out sacrificing function.  The biggest thing I've realized since falling down the rabbit hole of planner stuff is that the only way it will work is if you use it.  If you're not into stickers, decorating, or having multiple planners...that's great, because you don't have to be! The only way a planner will work is if it is a reflection of you so don't be intimidated by the other planners you see.  You can draw inspiration from them but you don't have to do something that's not a reflection of you.  It took me a while to realize that, though I like to take pictures and share my planner on instagram, I'm not planning for anyone else....I'm planning for me.

How do you keep your planner functional?  Are you a decorator, or do you like just a little bit of color?

xoxo, Moe