How To Actually Use Your Planner When Life Gets Busy

If you’ve ever bought a planner with the best of intentions, only to have it collect dust after a week or two… you’re not alone. Honestly, most of us in the “wannabe planner” club have been there. We start off strong, but then life happens—kids get sick, work explodes, routines get thrown off—and suddenly the planner feels more like a guilt trip than a tool.

But here’s the thing: your planner can work for you (without making you feel like you have to be a totally different person to use it). It’s not about filling every page perfectly or sticking to rigid systems. It’s about giving yourself a little structure so you feel less scattered and more in control—even on the messy days.

So let’s talk about some simple ways to actually use your planner and make it part of your real life.

Step 1: Know What You Want It For

Not every planner needs to be all things. Do you want it to hold your daily tasks (work, home, business, etc.)? Keep track of your kids’ schedules? Be more of a memory log? Once you know what you want it to do, it’s easier to stop comparing your planner to those Instagram-perfect spreads and just let it do what it’s meant to do for you.

Step 2: Find the Right Fit

Planners are not one-size-fits-all. Some people love the simplicity of a weekly page, while others need all the extras like goal trackers and habit logs. Digital planners are great if you want something you can take with you everywhere; paper planners feel more tactile, especially if you love pen and paper. The key is choosing one that feels good or even fun to use—not like another to-do.

Step 3: Make It Part of Your Day

Your planner shouldn’t live where you aren’t. Build it into your routine and put it somewhere you’ll see it:

• In the morning: glance at your top three priorities for the day.

• In the evening: jot down anything you want to remember for tomorrow (and brain dump what’s swirling in your head).

This isn’t about a long ritual—five minutes can make a difference.

Step 4: Don’t Treat Every Task the Same

When everything feels urgent, nothing gets done. I love the Eisenhower Matrix for sorting out what actually matters. It’s something I learned at work and have moved it into my personal life. To use it, divide tasks into:

• Do now

• Schedule for later

• Delegate (if you can)

• Let it go

Even just scribbling a little “do now” or “schedule” next to your planner tasks can keep your brain from spinning. Need a place to brain dump? Get the Imperfect Catch All freebie!

Step 5: Break It Down

Big projects look scary when they’re one giant line item. Instead of writing “design a planner”, break it into smaller steps: choose the type of planner, choose the layout, choose the colors, etc. It’s way less overwhelming, and you’ll actually check things off, which always feels amazing!

Step 6: Add Some Color

This doesn’t have to mean fancy stickers (unless you want it to). Even simple color coding, blue for work, pink for personal, green for family, can help you glance at a page and know exactly where your energy needs to go.

Step 7: Stay Flexible

Life will mess up your planner. Cross things out, move them around, rewrite them. Remember: A planner is meant to support you.

Step 8: Reflect a Little

At the end of the week (or month), take some time to review your planner: what got done, what didn’t, and what you want to carry forward. This can help you think about what’s working and what’s not.

Step 9: Use Your Digital Tools Too

Your planner doesn’t have to hold everything. Keep appointments in Google Calendar if that’s easier, track your period in a period tracking app, and use your planner for the things you want to see on paper. Hybrid planning is totally valid.

The Bottom Line

Your planner is not supposed to be perfect. It’s just a tool to help you manage what’s on your plate. The more you use it consistently, even in small, imperfect ways, the more it becomes a habit. And over time, you’ll notice you feel lighter, calmer, and more organized.

If you want a planner that’s designed to be flexible and mom-life friendly, check out my Imperfect Weekly Planner. It’s built for the days when you’re on top of it and the ones when you’re just doing your best.