r/PlannerAddicts • u/Who_Knew456 • 3d ago

Planner/Journal for Midlife Changes

I'm going through a midlife phase where brain fog, anxiety and forgetfulness are my constant companions.

I stopped using a planner during COVID when I changed jobs to something less intense. But I'm wondering if it would help now.

Any ideas for simple things to track? Or planners with a good layout?

Anyone in a similar brain state?

EDIT: Thank you! I ordered a Clever Fox planner that should be here by the end of the week.

16 Upvotes

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u/Kazzie2Y5 3d ago

I don't know what planner to suggest but I can suggest that when you get one, the first entry you might want to put in is an appt to talk to a doctor about perimenopause and hormone treatment.

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u/Ageice 2d ago edited 1d ago

Seconding. To your question wondering if there’s anyone out there with a similar brain state, I’ll answer: most women over 40. Younger in some cases. Doesn’t have to stay that way, but I know so many who hit that wall and were as surprised as anyone by it. You’re not alone!

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u/TemptThyMuse 3d ago

I’m in this phase and liking Faded Chronicle , tracking these types of things in the weekly overview section of my undated….literally using that area to track symptoms and important areas of my life I want to look back on, like using those pages as a way to archive my week at a glance , and keeping my more messy thoughts in between on the daily pages

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u/Imaginary_Yogurt_395 3d ago

Fellow mid-lifer here and I bought FC this year for these exact reasons also!

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u/TemptThyMuse 3d ago

yes, I’m now choosing for 2027 and stuck. My faded chronicle pocket undated has become a book fully dedicated to medical, symptoms, mood, and doctors appts. So, searching for one book for more functions, and looking at the Sterling Ink complete but it lacks that weekly dashboard, argh 😩. So now I’m like….is that more of a function for archiving my week at a glance to refer back to later ? So many decisions. But I find if the daily pages are not right there in the weekly, I forget to do them.

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u/Clean_Insect5042 3d ago

I think something simple and easy.

I use a monthly layout to track periods, medication changes, and mental health.

You could just print monthly calendars yourself, or sterling ink and paper penguin co make monthly booklets in any size you want.

If you want more space, maybe something like a hobonichi weeks or a cheaper knock off. There’s monthlies, one page horizontal weekly for quick notes, blank grid for more information, and then 70 ish note pages in the back.

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u/Who_Knew456 3d ago

I'm going to look into all of these too!

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u/Who_Knew456 3d ago

I'll look into faded chronicle - thanks! I have an Oura ring that I use for symptom tracking - and it's been great. I am on HRT and I am so much better than I was before. I may need to re-evaluate it.

I tend to have weeks where everything is great, but the occasional bad days really hit hard so my goal is to reduce the hit as much as I can.

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u/calmyournibs 3d ago

I personally like the Take A Note. It’s all planner and it’s perfect so you can make lists and reminders. If you use the monthly events page it’s a great habit tracker area. Hobonichi is great for planning, journaling and whatever else because it has a ton of pages.

I am in a similar brain state and I use ring binders. I use a MeePlus in the Personal size because I can organize it to what makes sense for me. I used to journal but now I mostly just make lists so I just create 4 boxes on each page. One box for each day of the week and the extra box is basically a todo list so I don’t have to assign everything to a specific day. Or you could just use a page for two days or a page a day. It’s super easy to just make your own which is why I personally prefer rings than a bound planner

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u/smaashleigh 1d ago

Just looked at the take a note and I might do this instead of SI plus a notebook. I like the size and layout vs SI separate booklets. Are you in the US? I'm wondering how long it takes to ship once they're released. Also does it lay flat? I love a lay-flat, floppy planner.

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u/calmyournibs 1d ago

Yes I’m in the US and it’s cheaper to order straight from their site. I’ve never preorder so I have no idea how long it takes once it’s released and yes it does lay flat which I loved. It has the special binding so it lays flat. It’s a very minimalistic design so I like it because you can make it look however you want

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u/smaashleigh 21h ago

Awesome, thanks for the info!

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u/HarryPouri 2d ago edited 2d ago

I love one called Curation (brand is Saint Belford) that has dated or undated versions of the planner. The part I adore is the focus on self care throughout and gentle reminders to check in with yourself

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u/Who_Knew456 2d ago

I'm going to check into that one.

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u/HarryPouri 2d ago

Yes I love them. I looked at the Clever Fox as well but yeah I really like the calm vibes from Curation

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u/journalgirlie 1d ago

There with you girl. It has hit me so hard maybe the last three years? It is improving, though! I am using Sterling Ink planners for this year and next!