Hello! If you’re reading this, it probably means that you’ve gotten your hands on a copy of my Extraordinary Rituals planner! So yay! Welcome!
It’s always been a pet peeve of mine when planners and notebooks have a “How-To” guide taking up pages and pages of real estate that I have to look at every time I open it, so I really didn’t want to do that with mine. And I want you to make it yours! Do what you want with it! But after the first release, I did get a few requests for tips, and I do understand that for some, having examples and explanations helps as a jumping-off point — so that’s what I’m here to do now. Let’s go through the planner section by section, shall we?
Yearly Promises
Even though the planner is quarterly, I like to start out with Yearly Promises. Re-writing your promises to yourself a couple of times a year is a great way to check in on your progress! I’ve never been super into New Year’s resolutions, but last year my mom found this list and I really loved it. I’ll be making it a yearly ritual from now on. Here’s what mine looks like.
Big Dreams
This is pretty self-explanatory, but write down your bucket list! What do you want out of life??? Add to it constantly! Again, re-writing it quarterly proves to be a huge motivator.
Projects to Tackle
I don’t know about you, but I thrive on projects. I have a lot of them that I want / need to do, so it helps keep me sane when I write them down. And it’s oh-so-satisfying when I cross one off!
Adventures to Take
I know this seems similar to Big Dreams, but for me, this is a smaller-scale list and tends to be more ephemeral things happening around town that I don’t want to forget to buy tickets to, etc. But you do you and use how you see fit.
Books to Read and Books I Read
Again, self-explanatory. I know not everyone is a big reader, but selfishly — I am, and I made this planner to suit my specific needs ;)
Wishlist
Big and small — write it down so that when Christmas or your birthday come around — or you just wanna treat yo’self — you remember what you really really want.
Notes + Lists
Obviously the lists I’ve included aren’t all-encompassing and you probably have some things of your own that you like to keep track of. Do that here!
Medical Info
- Doctors: I like to have my doctor’s names and phone numbers here so I don’t have to go hunting for my insurance cards every time I need to make an appointment.
- Upcoming Appointments: I list things here that are out of scope of this planner so I don’t forget — and I transfer them to the new planner when the time comes.
- Issues to Address: You know when your doctor asks “Anything else you want to discuss” and you KNOW there was, but you forgot?! Ugh, the worst. Write them here as you think of them for your next appointment!
- Medications: Again, in case of emergency and so I don’t have to go hunting for pill bottles.
Yearly Overview
I’m so excited about this addition to the planner! Don’t get overwhelmed by all the blank spots — use only what you need (or make more if you want)! Along the right hand side, write your big projects, or things to tackle for the year. Then, plan it out month by month! This will help keep you on track as you get into the more granular pages, which I’ll explain as we get there. Forgive the messiness of my example, we didn’t have this page in the last iteration! (But also goes to show that this doesn’t have to be perfect and things WILL shift as the year goes on.)
Before every month, you’ll notice a blank page spread. I like to use my planner as sort of a scrapbook as well, so this is what I use these pages for. But they’d also be great for sketching, note taking — anything you’d like!
Monthly Overview
You’ve all used a calendar before, so I’m not going to explain *that* to you ;) What I will explain though, is breaking down your monthly projects and weekly focuses. Take a look at the yearly overview you just made, and transfer all the applicable projects to the list at the top right of your month. Then, week by week, figure out what aspects of those projects will you be able to tackle? Write those down under Weekly Focus. For example: In July, my main projects were working on this planner update, and organizing my hall closets. So my weekly focuses included purging and organizing my craft supplies, buying containers, and compiling notes for my lovely designer. It helps to break things down into manageable chunks so you don’t look at the project as a whole and get totally overwhelmed. And things don’t always go as planned! I thought I would finish my hallway in July, but I didn’t, so I just added a little arrow into August in my Yearly Overview. Easy peasy.
Monthly Rituals
Oh boy, this is where we really get into the nitty gritty! I’m not going to go into detail now, because this topic gets it’s whole own post! Right here!
Monthly Weight
Ugh, I know. But if I don’t keep track of this, things get out of hand. Super simple — write your weight scale along the right-hand side of the chart, and every day (or however often you want), plot your actual weight on the chart. If you’re not someone who does this, go ahead and use it for something else! It could also be used as a savings tracker, for example.
Weekly Overview
At the top of this page, transfer over your monthly project(s) and weekly focus(es) on over from your Monthly Overview. Slot them into the days as you see fit! Also use this space to transfer over appointments, events, etc from your calendar view. I like to do those two things, and then go back and layer in the yoga classes I’ll be able to take depending on my schedule. Also, another place for notes!
Daily Overview
You’re here! You made it! This is where you live day-to-day. Here are some suggestions on how to use the different sections.
- Morning Reflection: Write down your dreams, daily gratitude list, free-flow journaling. Whatever you’re inspired to do to get your brain moving and your blood flowing.
- Affirmations: I write a single (different) statement every day. You can read more about my thoughts on this practice here.
- Main Focus: If you were only able to get one thing done during this day, what would that thing be? Focus on it. It doesn’t always have to be super serious or productive, either. Sometimes on weekends or when I’m feeling particularly stuck in my ways, I’ll say something like “go where the day takes me” or “enjoy the small moments.”
- What Today Looks Like: What’s on the docket? What are your to-do’s? What do you hope to get out of today?
- Food: Self-explanatory, I hope! For the H2O, each water droplet signifies a glass of water. I’m an overachiever and like to drink more water than they say you need, so the little bubbles are for the extra glasses.
- Self Care: What did you do for yourself today? Did you work out? Meditate? Take a bath, a walk, a nap? Make sure you’re taking time to take care of yourself.
- Happy Moments: There may be a little overlap with Self Care here, but for me, I like to write my happy moments down during the day as they happen, and they tend to be smaller, very specific things that I may have forgotten about my the end of the day.
- Evening Reflection: Did you learn anything today? What does tomorrow have in store? Again, freestyle whatever feels right for you.
Monthly Reflection
This may seem redundant, but I find it really valuable. While you certainly CAN just go back and look at old pages, there is something to having prompts that encourage reflection — otherwise it might not happen. This helps cultivate gratitude and self-awareness.
- What were your happiest moments this month?
- What did you accomplish that you’re most proud of?
- Did you cultivate any new rituals?
- Where do you see room for improvement next month?
And there you have it. I hope you enjoy your planner and that you get as much out of it as I do! Please let me know if you have any comments, questions, or suggestions. Comment here, email me at missamylovesla@gmail.com, or find me on social media @alwaysmissamy ❤