STYLE Savvy: In With the New

Lisa Hess auditions a new star for her time management show. 

Next week, I'm auditioning a new planner after using the same attractive (expensive) undated planner for more than four years. Unfortunately, this planner has become difficult to find. I still have one or two that are unopened and ready to be pressed into service, but eventually I'm going to need to make a change, so I decided that I might as well start now while I have Plan A at the ready if Plan B proves catastrophic. 

Yes, I know that sounds a bit dramatic, but the reason I've been using the same planner for so long, despite its price tag, is that it works. While its style drew me in (it's cute), its function kept me hooked. And, in time management, as in organizing, when I find a tool that works, I don't look back. 

Not All Planners Are Created Equal 

The new planner is much cheaper and, while cute, it lacks the same panache embodied by my tried-and-true tool. Both planners have that lovely new planner smell and essentially the same layout, which is the only reason I'm giving the understudy a chance. The main difference between the two tools is that the new one has a two page per day spread, with the second (right-hand) page providing ample space for a long to-do list.  

To be honest, I can't decide if this is a good thing or a bad thing. One of the things I like about my current planner is that it helps me fight the urge to attempt doing everything in a single day — there simply isn't enough room on the page to write it all down. But, since the first (left-hand) page has the same layout I'm used to, I'm hoping the added page will be an advantage. That extra list-formatted space offers a lot of possibilities and I'm looking forward to exploring them. 

’Tis the Season 

I've actually had the new planner for a while and have been trying to decide on the best time to give it a try. As we enter the season of lists (Thanksgiving, Christmas shopping, Christmas decorating, Christmas baking, Christmas to-dos), it seemed like a good time to break out the Post-it flags and see what this new contender can do. 

Change can be hard, even when it’s as small as trying a new tool. But change can also lead to growth and new perspectives, and perhaps even a solution we like better than the one we’ve been using.  

For now, this planner is auditioning but has not yet been cast in a permanent role. Stay tuned. I'm sure I’ll have a lot more to say after I’ve seen what she can do. 

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Copyright 2025 Lisa Hess
Images: Canva