Here are some key aspects I discovered while researching online. Starting with Cognitive Offloading,  defined by P.I. Lilian Cabrera as "the limitations of many of our cognitive functions." She explained that when the cognitive demands of a task increase, we can either continue relying on our internal memory processes to remember information, or we can “offload” the demands into the external environment. By offloading tasks, deadlines, and appointments onto a planner, we free up mental space, reduce cognitive load, and improve our ability to focus on what truly matters, one task at a time. Another exciting aspect is that offloading our tasks into a planner gives us a Sense of Control. When we meticulously plan and organize our tasks, we feel in command, foster a proactive mindset, reduce stress, and boost overall well-being.

Each year my planner system changes.

I used a classic yearly planner for many years, one of those you can find at the drugstore, affordable and simply functional. Some years back, I discovered the bullet journal method by Ryder Carroll (a great audiobook, by the way), and since I've always been a creative person, it was a no-brainer for me. I loved incorporating creative spreads and intricate layouts, although not really the actual system requirement. I love that system; it was my way of planning and staying creative for many years. Then I came across the Hobonichi products. I was intrigued by the tiny Hobonichi weeks that hold an entire year of monthly pages, weekly and blank pages, additional informational pages, and trackers, all in a tiny 3.75”× 7.4”× 0.4", Wallet-Size planner. Then I discovered more from this Japanese company, and needless to say, I fell in love.  However, I constantly search for new planner styles and layouts to accommodate my current projects and my needs, and to keep it fresh.  So maybe next year I'll try something different, but for now, I figured, why not share with you my current system and how I am using it? 

So basically, I use three planners every single day, sometimes, I use about five, but I only really need one. Ok, Ok, I can explain...

To plan my entire life, I use Hobonichi weeks. This small planner allows me to have an entire year in a small compact book that I can store away without compromising valuable space (we are RV-living full-timers; more on that here.) So, as you know, living small requires intention when we decide to keep "stuff,"  and the weeks is perfect to help me organize my life without compromising. 

Then comes my new favorite this year. The Hobonichi Cousin. The Cousin is an a5 book, which is double the weeks' size. But, Oh, how much I love the pages on this notebook/planner. It really has everything you need to plan and organize your life.  Monthly pages, trackers, weekly pages, and daily pages for the entire year. Yes, the size is a tad too big for what I will like to keep around for a long time, but I think that because I love the planner so much, it is worth the compromise. 

After that one, this year, we were bombarded with the Common Planner by Catherine from Sterling Ink. She mimicked the hobonichi cousin layout but added her own twist to some other pages, like a well-thought-out goal-setting page, and added "undated" daily pages. She started offering this planner in a b6 format, but now she has a wide selection of sizes and styles to choose from. In my case, I chose this one for work and business-related planning and tracking. And while the paper is exquisite (It has tomoe river paper, like the hobonichi planners), the size and the binding style have not been my favorite for this type of planning. I prefer the flexibility to add, remove or customize sections as the business and projects advance throughout the year. More on that in a second. 

I want to point out that two years ago, I planned my entire life in just one book, so having multiple planners is never a must if you are trying to create a habit or change your life with the help of this tool. I chose to customize my system to what worked for me, and still a work in progress. 

When I started adding more planners to my system, was because I wanted to separate areas of my life into different planners, and that approach works wonderfully for me.  For my business/work planner, I am thinking of going back to an a5 rings planner next year for all my work and business planning, like I mentioned before, It gives me the flexibility to change and rearrange as needed, and I love that. Here is one A5 ring planner  that I really loved and that is super affordable (plus it comes with a good selection of inserts to get you started).