I know I’ve mentioned it before but 2018 has been a bit of a funny one for me and that is in part due to being on someone else’s schedule for a good section of it. Without going into too much detail – all will be revealed as soon as I’m allowed… I spent a huge chunk of the year with a massive job dangled in front of me. Said job did eventually happen but only after being pushed back multiple times, by almost 6 months in the end. It meant I was constantly turning down work or cancelling things because this other job took precedent, only to have it pushed back with little to no warning. It’s just how the industry works and I’m relieved to say that it was all worth it in the end but I’m so used to marching to the beat of my own drum, it definitely threw me off kilter.

Anyway, all of that has me itching to schedule 2019 out in advance, working quarterly and setting goals and milestones along the way. I want to be able to track my progress and finish 2019 actually feeling like I’ve moved the needle forwards in my business.

Obviously, all of the above meant I needed a shiny new planner, right!?

I’ll admit that in the past I have been, what you might call, a serial stationary buyer. Rarely finishing one diary before impatiently moving onto the next. Lured in by fresh new pages and the promise of that ever elusive perfect freehand. Which, I’m useless at, by the way, as with everything else I write impatiently. Scrawling the words to get everything out of my head in the shortest time possible, racing against the clock for no reason whatsoever.

This year, however, armed with a steely resolve to stick to my good habits I’m bucking the trend and (even more) surprisingly I’ve been organised enough to have already purchased and started using the planner of choice.

I know, I hardly recognise myself.

If you’re like me and you usually forget about a new diary until roughly January 5th (before subsequently buying another 7 throughout the year), I’ve compiled a list of my top five 2019 planners and diaries, they’re all style and substance and they’re guaranteed to help you reach your goals.

BREAK THE LOOP’S TOP FIVE 2019 PLANNERS AND DIARIES

NUMBER ONE

This is the one I’m using and I love it! It’s the Kikki K daily diary in charcoal grey, you can buy it HERE, it’s great for being able to plan your day in detail without running out of space. Whilst searching for the link I noticed that they have the same one but in A4 which I also really like the idea of, being able to see the whole week in front of you. I guess it just depends on personal preference but I can’t recommend the A5 version enough. It was a bit of an impulse purchase when I was early meeting friends a few weeks ago but it’s an impulse purchase that I feel pretty good about!

NUMBER TWO

Passion Planner – I’ve been meaning to try a passion planner for aaages and as mentioned above, I always go to order one too late when it’s already sold out but seeing as we’re being organised this year, you’ll definitely still have time to grab one! I actually think that this is one of the best options for looking at your year as a whole, with sections for dreaming, planning and reflection.

I’d imagine it really helps to keep you engaged. You can order yours HERE.

NUMBER THREE

Another Kikki K planner (hey, if it ain’t broke…) – Their ‘Work Smarter Live Better’ journal, you can find it HERE and it’s similarly set out to the Passion Planner but in a cool monochromatic design.

NUMBER FOUR

Appointed are the most beautiful stationary brand. Seriously, everything is just so gorgeous, minimalist and stylish – THIS 2019 cloth covered planner does not disappoint! If you’re big into cool neutrals and a Scandi vibe then this is the luxe stationary brand for you.

NUMBER FIVE

Bullet Journal – I started a bullet journal last year and it was one of those that sadly, got cast aside… But, and this is a big but, it was most definitely me and not you (bullet journal). I was being way too much of a perfectionist and was allowing it to take up too much of my time before getting frustrated when it didn’t look exactly as I’d hoped. If you’re a *bit* more laid back than I am about such things, bullet journals are bloody brilliant!

I actually still use mine for basic / non-fancy content planning but the sky is the limit and the great thing about the bullet journal (if you’re not me) is that it’s 100% customisable so you can really make it work for you and your lifestyle. You can get hold of one HERE in about 100 different colour options.

So, there you have my favourite 2019 planners and diaries, do you have any to add to the list? Drop me a note and I’ll add it to the list!

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