Image: Clock, ca. 1852, via The Met [open access, duh].
Welcome to a very special edition of The Things. Today, the focus is exclusively on something that I spend far too much time thinking about always, but especially at the close of each year: paper planners.
I have a few particulars when it comes to planners, even though by January 16th it’s usually abandoned in favor of more convenient options. I tend to favor the work of Japanese stationery designers, and I’m really a sucker for French or German text on the cover (how typical!) I like prints and illustrations on the cover but usually opt for more plain planners, when all is said and done. I prefer a weekly planner (as opposed to a monthly or daily choice) and I like a horizontal layout with lots of room for random notes and scribbles (and to-do lists that I carry over from week to week.)
And, like clockwork, come the end of November — which is when I began this draft — (or, God forbid, the middle of December!) I begin to absolutely panic about my choice for the next year.
Here are all the planners I can’t decide between, for 2023:
Likely best for true astrology heads (sadly, not me) but I am really drawn to the plain language suggestions given on most days.
I dislike a vertical planner layout but this is basically a little jewel (with a bonus, whimsical, made-up day each week.)
The tried and true classic (for me, at least). I typically go for the horizontal weekly layout (days on the verso, blank, lined page on the recto), but I’m liking this block layout! [There’s also the polka dot design, which might be this year’s frontrunner?]
Elegance personified! The obvious choice for me each year save that I seem to only be able to find it for sale in Australia (and, ofc, the black planner is out of stock).
How cute is that cover?
Every year I’m tempted by this planner, which has so much going for it. Typically, I feel that I ruin undated planners the moment I try to mark the date (anyone else?) so that is a(n evergreen) concern.
BONUS READER PICK: Agendio*
Multi-hyphenate extraordinaire and devoted Some Things reader Megan Dowd Lambert notes that highly customizable Agendio planners are like her “security blanket.” Extremely high praise from a clearly super organized and accomplished person!
*This is an affiliate link — Megan may receive some benefit if you make a purchase after clicking the above.
Ok, whew! Anything from this list speak to you? Have you found a holy grail planner that I somehow don’t even know about? Please comment or reply! Thank you for reading!