This page may contain affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and make a purchase then I will receive a small commission. You can see my full disclosure here.
Are you having trouble deciding which Erin Condren LifePlanner to use for 2020? I spent a lot of time going through the pictures to decide which one I wanted. Keep reading to see why I chose the Coiled Neutral Vertical LifePlanner.
I know I’m not the only one who has spent some time on #teamundecided when it comes to the new Erin Condren LifePlanners for 2019-2020. There were a lot of changes this year, and even many of us who have been using a certain style are rethinking what to use for our next planner.
I’ve been really struggling with this decision. There were some major things that I loved and really disliked about the different layouts.
So I thought it might be helpful if I went through my thought process and how I was able to decide which planner to purchase.
The Process
I spent a lot of time debating and going back and forth about which style would work best for me. I have been using a Vertical Colorful LifePlanner, and even before seeing the sneak peeks of the new version, I started tossing around the idea of using an hourly. It still might be something that I do in the future.
Coiled vs. Binder
This was an easy decision for me. I love the idea of the new LifePlanner Binder! But I have had planners in binders before, and honestly, they just drive me crazy. They are more bulky than I prefer. And although I can’t speak specifically for the new Erin Condren binders, generally I don’t like how the rings wear out and start to separate over time.
Plus, with a binder you can’t flip the planner over on itself to make it easier to manage. When the binder is open, it would need more space on the desk or table. And my desk is far too small for that.
Vertical, Horizontal, or Hourly
Like I mentioned earlier, this is something I’ve been debating for awhile. Even when the 2018-19 LifePlanners went on sale during March and April, I was considering getting the hourly to try out.
I have used a horizontal Happy Planner before, and the horizontal layout really doesn’t work as well for me as the vertical does. I really love how the horizontal layout has lines, and I have considered using it as an academic planner.
I’ve tried hourly planners before. However, my days are spent less with scheduled activities, and more with general to do lists. But I’ve been seeing how many people are using the hourly version, and how they don’t even pay attention to the times. So I have wondered if it would be a good option to use an hourly to be able to plan vertically, but with the structure of having lines. And like many others, I was disappointed that they took out the half hour lines. I really liked the spacing of the lines better with the half hour lines. That wouldn’t be a deal breaker for me though.
When it came down to it, I really just wanted to make sure I knew I would be happy with the layout of my planner. I knew I could make the other versions work, but not being happy with how I plan in certain layouts is what has caused me to abandon other planners in the past. I know I like planning in the Erin Condren Vertical LifePlanner, so I knew that was the one I should pick. If you are at a point where you don’t feel like the style you picked last year is working for you anymore, then definitely consider switching it up. But if you have something that works for you, stick with it. You’ll end up happier and more content with planning if it is something you are comfortable with.
Colorful vs Neutral
This was, by far, the hardest part of the decision for me. I love my current colorful version. It is simple, but still pretty. If there are weeks when I don’t feel like decorating, I can just use pen. And I like that each month has one color. I like to use that color in my spreads and find other colors that go with it.
I’ve heard so many people comment on how the neutral isn’t really neutral, but more “pastel.” And I have to say, I absolutely love the colors in the neutral version! I prefer color over black, gray, and white, so it doesn’t bother me at all that they are more pastel colors than neutral.
Another thing I prefer about the neutral is that the notes page in the new planning spread (in the picture below) has dot grid, and the full page is available to write on. When I saw the colorful version (which has no lines or dot grid, and has a thick colorful border), I didn’t know what I would use it for. When I write I really need line or guides of some sort to be able to write straight. I’ve heard people mention other ways to use it, like adding pictures. But that’s not something I would end up following through on. I knew I could get much more use out of the dot grid page in the neutral version.
The biggest downside to the neutral for me was the lack of color on the weekly pages. Monthly pages are easy to add color to with all the sticker kits that are sold. Plus I can always make my own stickers on my Silhouette if I can’t find a kit I like. And even in the colorful monthly pages, there was not that much color. I probably would have ended up covering it anyway.
But the plainness of the weekly pages worried me. I really like color on my weekly pages. And I also know myself well enough to know that I’m not going to create or buy a kit for every week. The part I loved about the colorful version was that there was color on the page without me having to actually do anything.
But I really hate that notes page with the thick colorful border.
So to compensate for not having the colors on the weekly pages, I will use washi tape, Erin Condren Dual Tip Markers, Mildliners, and stickers to add in color. I’m also watching for thinner washi tapes that can be used where the colorful header bars usually are. I actually did my first order from Simply Gilded for that very reason. And I have to say, there’s a reason they are so popular!
My final choice (if it wasn’t obvious by this point)
I’m so happy with my choice to get the Coiled Neutral Vertical Erin Condren LifePlanner! I love it so far and I can’t wait to start using it in July! In fact, I’m so impaitent that that I have already set up July in my new planner.
I also chose to get the 18 month option, even though I tend to think in years of January-December. This is so I can test out how I can use the new spaces, before the year “officially” starts.
And I will probably continue planning in my current LifePlanner for awhile, and just use the new one to experiment in for now.
Have you decided yet?
Do you know which planner you are going to be using? And do you plan from July-June or January-December?
If you haven’t decided yet, let me share with you my number one tip for choosing your perfect planner.
Finding something that will work for you is the most important thing! It can’t be based on what you see other people doing, because other people don’t have your life and schedule. Think about YOUR schedule, YOUR needs and YOUR stage in life – then base your choice around that.
Let me know in the comments if you have any questions. I would also love to hear what planner you are going to use, or are currently using. Why does that particular planner work for you?
