Facebook and Instagram have been trying REALLY hard to sell me a planner, or a journal, of some kind. And I only encourage them because I can’t resist clicking the links and ogling the pretties. Now I’m going to inflict my targeted advertising on you! I was originally going to do a laundry list of all 30+ — and I went to all their websites for “research” — but I can feel my readership falling asleep as I type that. So I’ve narrowed it down considerably.
With the intention of finishing up 2019 strong, I’m going to follow one of the following three-month(ish) habit-promoting guided journals and/or planners. I just can’t decide which one. So you tell me!
Baron Fig Clear Habit Journal
$24 (plus $3 shipping)
“A notebook based on science. A combination dot grid notebook, daily journal, and habit tracker. In collaboration with James Clear.”
This one seems a lot simpler than the others on this list, although it does also show some reading material in the images. James Clear is a familiar-sounding name to me — I think I was on his mailing list at one point. The dot grid portion appeals to me, since I’ve been a committed bullet-journaler for years. It has guides to help with dividing the page by half and thirds; how cool is that? The cover is black with a logo on the front, not that exciting but fine.
Bestself Self Journal
$31.99 (15% off code and free shipping)
“A 13-week planning, productivity, and positivity system for inevitable goal success.”
I think this one was on Shark Tank or something, I dunno. It’s a simple navy or charcoal cover, both very appealing. It’s got month, week, and day views that remind me of the Code & Quill one below. It seems very practical, it just doesn’t leap off the webpage and grab me. Maybe that’s a good thing; I don’t want a gimmick, I want something practical that I’ll use.
Habit Nest Morning Sidekick Journal
$29.90 (15% off code plus $3.99 shipping)
“This journal is a life coach, accountability partner, and teacher all in one. It provides the perfect research-based strategy for becoming an early riser and teaches you everything you need to know about the habit-building process.”
Habit Nest was kind enough to send me a 15% off code for starting the checkout process to find out how much shipping would cost, so they might be leading just for that. Mornings have always been my Achilles’ heel. I’m (mumble) years old, and a mother, and I still drag myself out of bed minutes before I have to leave for work like a sleep-deprived teenager. This could be the most challenging one for me, but also the most necessary.
Code & Quill – The Habit System Planner
$35 (free shipping)
“A 3-month planner with three simple sections: Month, Week and Day. The layout guides you every step of the way.”
This one has the prettiest cover, to be sure. It appeals to my design aesthetic with the ampersand, even if it is just their logo. I like the monthly, weekly, and daily pages, which they are kind enough to show you on their website. It feels like a practical system I could follow, without a lot of fluff and woo-woo (you know what I mean). They also have a pretty cool numbering system at the top of each weekly page that tracks how far you’ve gotten.
Bonus: Dailygreatness Original
$29.95 (in stock Dec. 6)
“Dailygreatness Original combines daily tools for self-mastery including goal and appointment planners and weekly progress check-ins.”
It’s kind of a bummer that this one isn’t available until December, because it was a strong contender. The orange floral cover isn’t the greatest, but it’s fine. I like all the motivational quote pages, although they really are committed to that orange motif. I’m leaving it on the list in case I come back to this post and want to try a different one.
So, Dear Reader, what’s the verdict? Which of these is going to best start me down the road to positive habits for the Roaring 2020’s? Or have you heard of/used one that the algorithm hasn’t already blasted me with? Tell me, quick! I have just enough time to order one before October!
(P.S. Half the point of this post was playing with WordPress’ new block editor. I scoffed, but I have to admit it’s not half bad once you get the hang of it. A little clunky, but pretty powerful. I can’t explain why some of my blocks have padding and others don’t, but what can you do?)
Lauren B. Lentini 
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