How I schedule my life as a SAHM

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I have always had a serious planner addiction. Since high school I was meticulous and Type A about the tidiness and organization of my planner. When I owned an e-commerce boutique, planners were one of our top annual sellers (I found most often to be true that people will love what YOU love if you’re authentic and discriminating in your selections). Even though from a professional appointments-and-meetings standpoint my life is less busy than many, I still have tons of to-do’s that I scribble on miscellaneous pieces of paper all day that I wanted to organize a little bit better.

**QUICK ASIDE** I have been learning more and more about the Enneagram and am totally hooked on this very tried-and-true personality model. In short, there are nine basic “types” and as I’m learning more and more about my type, this love of accomplishments and striking off a to-do list makes so much sense to me! I figured I had scientific validation to go ahead and pull the trigger on a fancy new planner since, you know, Enneagram said it’s OK.

With school starting up and a new baby on the way, it is important to me to feel like I have a good grasp on our family and my personal schedules before all hell breaks loose and I find myself missing appointments and letting tasks pile up because my brain (which is like a web browser with 55 open tabs) isn’t being told what to do in an organized fashion. Enter: my new Erin Condren LifePlanner! (CONFETTI! FIREWORKS! CHAMPAGNE POPPING!)

I’ve used the LifePlanner before, but I was really drawn to this one for this particular time in my life for a few reasons:

• The Hourly Layout: Stockton and I have a shared iCal. It is our schedule bible, and if an event is not in the calendar, it does not exist. You may not tell me you have a 7pm team meeting tonight if it’s not in the calendar. Nope. And it goes both ways, keeping us both super transparent with our scheduling needs. It’s all there, and it keeps us so sane and so peaceful. BUT, I’m not going to put “Fold the laundry at 10:00” or “Take BP meds at 2:00” or “Walk for 45 minutes at 8:00” on the shared iCal. The iCal is for important, family-concerning things. My new planner exists solely for the purpose of me being able to plan out my days with more purpose and efficiency (another trait that is characteristic of my Enneagram type). So this planner, while a little on the bulky side, will live by my computer at my desk, at all times, hence the size doesn’t bother me in the slightest. In fact, I like the sturdiness and permanence of it, as opposed to a flimsy paper calendar that would tear or crumple easily.
• The Accessories: Another way I intend to use this planner (especially post-baby) is to plan workouts and meals with greater intention and precision. I was able to buy an accessory that snaps into the binding that is a Wellness Log which you use a wet erase marker on so you can change it week to week. I am a very visual accomplisher, so I like to get full credit for my effort (::whoooooop, whoooooop, Enneagram alert, whooooop, whooooop::). By using the wellness log, I can plan and track: water, meals, snacks, activity and take notes as well. Another accessory I snagged are Erin’s signature dual-tip markers because I am nothing if not obsessed with office supplies and new pens might as well be ranked up there with a winning lottery ticket. Her planners are designed with super thick paper (I think 80 pound, but don’t quote me on that) so these markers look great on the page but won’t bleed through (ahhhhhhh::angels singing).
• There is truly a style for everyone. Whether you’re really whimsical, love to carry around pictures of your kids, or want a sleek and minimalistic cover design, she’s got something for everyone. Her trademark is definitely bold pops of color, but I went with a sleek and chic black leather looking cover with gold embossed initials. Simple, classic and very fitting for me. Also, there are other weekly breakdowns for the calendar that you can select when you’re designing yours. I chose the hourly layout, but there is also a vertical layout and a horizontal layout, so you can choose what works best for your scheduling needs. This brand may be one of the only planner brands that gives buyers these kind of options and I love them for it.
• Finally, I think Erin Condren is plain and simple a badass business woman, and there’s no ifs, ands or buts about it. I’ve followed her for years and her brand is SOLID. She’s total business woman goals, and back when I was in business for myself, I idolized her for her branding, packaging (this is such an important part of a business, especially e-comm), and overall mom-meets-business-savvy-maker appeal. Because I respect women in business so much, especially women who’ve climbed up from humble grassroots beginnings, I am delighted to support her business and share the EC love (and because I genuinely love her product and the level of personalization and special touches you receive).

Off to date night with my beau (which was in earnest the first thing I scribbled into my new planner because YAY DATE NIGHT!). Anyone else try the Erin Condren planner and have a positive experience?? Or have an Enneagram-related addiction to planning and accomplishing tasks??