Something I’ve been asked a few times by readers is what they should use if they don’t have a lot of stuff to plan and don’t want a big 2 page weekly spread. I’d say small notebooks (such as traveller’s notebooks), mini bullet journal notebooks (like Mi Goals) or the Recollections Creative Year journals are another good option.

Recollections Creative Year Journals

• Size: 5.75″ wide x 8.25″ high
• 6 holes pre-punched for use with ring bound or just use on their own
• Gold detailing on the edges of the pages
• Bright white paper
• 2 page to do lists spread
• Monthly goals & anything list pages

There are more of these mini notebooks but the I thought the to do and goals would be the best alternatives to a traditional weekly planner.

Let’s take a closer look!

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If you like these notebooks, my sister stocks them in her planner supplies shop, Carefully Crafted (to do journal and goals journal).

To Do Notebook

There are 15 monthly goals pages – an odd number for a planner.

If you use a normal weekly planner and there isn’t any space for monthly planning you could use the To Do notebook. However I don’t think this could replace a planner – it’s more of a companion notebook.

Goals Notebook

The main difference between the to do and the goal notebook is the goal motivation and goal planning pages. There are also notes pages at the back.

Love the gold foil eding on the pages!

Monthly goal planning…

Followed by 5 weeks worth of weekly goal planning

Then the goal motivation and steps to reach your goal page.

The planner lasts 9 months – random timeframe…

Pros of the Recollections Creative Year Journals

• Very light, you probably won’t notice any extra weight with this in your handbag
• Affordable
• Could customise and use as a daily or weekly planner

Cons of the Recollections Creative Year Journals

• Hard to find outside of the USA
• Wide margins as intended for use with ring bound
• Short duration – you’d probably need a few of these notebooks to last an entire year
• The binding style means the pages don’t easily lay flat on their own

Would I use these Journals?

No. These notebooks are ok but there’s no tabs, there aren’t enough notes and list pages and they have an odd duration. Who makes a 9 month planner?

I think this planner would be best suited for someone that only uses a planner on occasions where things get hectic (e.g. a student in the lead up to exam block), or as a second planner if you want to keep work and personal separate without carrying around 2 big planners.

Planning tips

• Making printables: 10 Reasons why I use Photoshop instead of free software 
• Ballpoint versus gel pens: which are better for planning?
• Why I plan my day using planner stickers (and why you should too!) 

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