Finally picked a simple monthly layout over my fancy spreads

I spent like three weeks going back and forth between a vertical weekly layout and a basic calendar grid for my monthly page. The vertical one looked so cool on Pinterest with all those color coded sections, but every time I tried to plan my week it felt cramped. I went with the calendar grid instead, just a plain box for each day where I write appointments and deadlines. After a month of using it I realized I actually check my journal every day now instead of ignoring it. The white space helps me focus on what matters instead of getting lost in decorations. I even stopped buying those washi tape sets because I don't need to fill empty spots anymore. Has anyone else had that moment where getting simpler actually made your bujo more useful?

3 comments

3 Comments

ivanross9d ago

A little decoration helps me get more done" sounds like something I'd tell myself while adding a third washi tape border to a page I never actually wrote in. Glad the fancy sprinkles work for some people though.

the_grace9d ago

Did you find yourself actually getting more done with less decoration, or did it just feel more peaceful to look at? I'm curious if the shift was more about productivity or just finally admitting that fancy layouts stress you out. Cause I see a lot of people chasing the aesthetic and missing the whole point of having a planner in the first place.

ray_campbell469d agoMost Upvoted

Actually, I kinda disagree. A little decoration helps me get more done because it makes me want to open the planner in the first place. Plain spreads feel like homework, and I just ignore them. I tried a barebones layout last year and stopped using it by February because it looked boring. Adding a bit of color or a sticker here and there keeps me engaged, and that's the whole point for me. The aesthetic isn't the goal, it's just the bait to get me to actually use the thing.