When it comes to updating your planner, what’s your style? Are you the person who goes into real detail, filling out every nook and cranny on your planner? Or are you the type who will just collect holiday planners, keep them inside your drawer, and not really fill them out at all? Otherwise, you might consider yourself a “mindful planner.”
Either way, these Erin Condren creative notebooks are a surefire way to bring glamour and style into your organizing. Erin’s planners are designed so you never have to overthink stuff when you need to simplify your planning process, even with a detailed design on the planner.
If you belong to the latter who do mindful planning, there are actually actionable strategies on how to execute this right. Read on to find out. But first, what is mindful planning?
What Is Mindful Planning?
The best definition of mindful planning is planning that strikes a balance between zooming out and zooming in while planning, aware of the bigger picture and conscious about the smaller details.
A mindful planner is one who:
- Acknowledges and accepts uncertainties in their planning
- Presumes a plan is initially “wrong and inaccurate”
- However, seeks resolution to these uncertainties
- Is confident to reinforce best practices but encourages stakeholders to prepare for the worst-case scenarios
- Accepts constructive criticism
Here are some real-life examples of mindful planning:
- A mom who plans for the week’s meals: Each person’s schedule and meals are well-thought-out.
- A teacher writing a curriculum: She has the students’ needs in mind.
- A freelancer blocking the weekend for rest: While there could be work, they prioritize rest to prepare for next week’s agenda.
So, How Can You Incorporate Mindful Planning Into Your Planner? Here Are Some Tips
1. Start With Your Why
Mindful planning isn’t about squeezing more into your day—it’s about being more thoughtful with what you allow in. Before picking up your planner, pause and ask: “What do I really want out of this day, week, or season of life?”
2. Build in Emotional Check-Ins
To bring mindfulness into your planner, check your emotional state daily, just like checking the weather on your phone. Ask yourself: “On a scale of 1 to 10, what is my mood today?
3. Separate Time Blocks With Purpose From Time Blocks With Pressure
Time blocking should be done with purpose and intention in mind, not with a focus on output. When you mistakenly do the latter, you are only putting pressure on yourself. Not good when tinkering with your planner.
4. Embrace the ‘White Space’
Similar to appreciating silence in such a chaotic world, embrace the “white space” on your planner. When there’s nothing to write, don’t write anything.
5. Make Space for Gratitude and Wins
At the end of each day or week, use a section of your planner to write down one thing you’re grateful for and one win—no matter how small. Gratitudes are self-affirmations.
6. Spot Tools That Encourage Reflection
The tools you use for planning matter more than you think. A thoughtfully designed planner can help you stay more connected to your goals and your mindset throughout the week.
7. Integrate Self-Care
Is your planner just all about work, work, and work? Stop and ponder for a while. Self-care is self-love. Mindful planning means giving self-care the same weight as work meetings or grocery runs. If something refuels you—like yoga, therapy, or even just going to bed early—it deserves a spot in your planner.
8. Don’t Be Afraid to Adjust
A mistake that planners commit is that they become so attached to what’s on their planner that they get frustrated when things don’t go their way or as planned. When you practice mindful planning, you are open to embracing change.
Treat Mindful Planning as a Ritual, Not a Task
Instead of squeezing planning into the five minutes before bed or while multitasking, try making it a small ritual. Light a candle, put on calming music, or pour your favorite tea. Let this time be about connection—not just preparation.
Treating planning as a moment to slow down and center yourself becomes a daily act of mindfulness that supports you far beyond your to-do list.
Mindful planning isn’t about having a perfect schedule. It’s about creating space for awareness, choice, and self-compassion in your day-to-day life. When done with intention, your planner becomes more than a productivity tool—it becomes a personal space for growth, presence, and care.
Let it be your pause button in a busy world.
Please Note: I always strive to provide accurate and helpful information, but just a quick heads-up—I’m a blogger, not a doctor, lawyer, CPA, or any other kind of certified professional. I’m here to share my experiences and insights, but please make sure to use your own judgment and consult the right professionals when needed.
Also, I accept monetary compensation through affiliate links, advertising, guest posts, and sponsored partnerships on this site, however I am very particular about the products I endorse and only do so when I am truly a fan of the quality and result of the product.
