Have you got one of the dated planners from Archer & Olive? Perhaps you plan to use it as a regular diary, but have you considered other ideas?

Hello, it’s Alex (@TheJournalCorner) from the Archer and Olive ambassador team.  Today I am going to share some inspiration for the dated planners from Archer and Olive.  Just because they are pre-printed does not mean they need to be used as agendas or traditional diaries (but that is fine too of course!). We are going to look at a few less common ideas for using the pages in your planner to keep memories, for positivity and even the weather!

Supplies needed

For these pages, one of the dated (or undated) planners will be needed.  I am using the Abstract Wellness Dated Planner but there are also vegan leather ones available at Archer & Olive here.  In addition to the planner, there are some extras I enjoyed using if you want to get more creative.

• Archer & Olive planner - dated (or undated)
• A selection of coloured pens like these calliographs 
• Black writing pen
• Washi Tape
• Decorative stickers like these

If you are looking to purchase anything from Archer & Olive, please use ‘Alex10’ to save 10%. This is an affiliate code, so it allows you to support creators like me too.

What is a Wellness Planner

In summer 2023 Archer & Olive launched a dated ‘Wellness Planner.’  This built on their previous dated agendas, but added additional elements.  These included some pre-printed trackers for sleep and habits.  It also included mindful colouring pages and prompts to set goals for the month ahead.  I also love how there is a page for monthly reflections too.

The paper is the usual high quality 160gsm from Archer & Olive and the one I am using is wire-o-bound so there is plenty of potential for expansion as I add to the pages!

Alternative Uses for a Planner

Of course a dated planner will save time as it’s pre-printed and a fantastic tool for day to day organisation.  But in 2023 I used dated planners for very different reasons.  Consider some of the uses below:

• Memory Journal
• Daily Nature Observations
• Health & Fitness Tracker
• A quote a day/lettering practice
• Commonplace Journal
• Life Journal
• Participating in daily art challenges
• Medication/symptom tracker/notebook
• Content Planner
• Weather tracker/record

For me the main advantage of using a dated planner for some of these is the higher chance I will keep more consistent.  Having pages already setup and by date definitely helps me keep accountable and make journaling more of a habit.

Creating a Memory Journal

Writing a few lines a day is a lovely way to keep a record you can look back on in the future.  I try to include notes on the small things I would otherwise forget.  You could focus on your mood, events in the news or the milestones of family. The space for each day, whether in the A5 or letter sized planners, allows you to summarise what you have been up to. 

I add mementoes collected from places we visit, stickers and washi to decorate the page but of course you can include (or not) whatever you want! 

Try a Commonplace Journal

During 2023 I used a dated planner as a Commonplace Journal.  Historically this is a compilation of information noted down as we come across it.  It grows as a personal collection of knowledge, insights, observations and inspiration.  Hopefully it becomes meaningful content that you wish to revisit.

The dated planners are an excellent way to start such a journal as they helped me kickstart a habit of adding elements as I found them.  This may have included new washi, news headlines or song lyrics, perhaps a film watched or book finished.

I particularly enjoyed adding quotes or information from newspapers and magazines that I would otherwise lose or not keep.  

The trackers are still very relevant here and can be used as part of your commonplace pages to help you establish better habits or prioritise self-care.

Using a Planner as a daily agenda

Of course many of you would have purchased the dated planners to use as diaries to keep organised in work or home life.  But even then you can use them in different ways.  

Have you tried time blocking in your planner before? Dividing up your day into categorised ‘blocks’ can really help with productivity.  As a mum of 3 I also like to colour code activities by child to help us keep organised!

I love how there is still space in the wellness planner to add Washi and sticker decoration too.

Nature Observations & Weather Tracking 

If the way you use your planner leaves the monthly overview empty, consider using it as space to track something.  The individual boxes could include notes on your mood, sleep, symptoms or even the weather!

Printable

For a list of ways to use your dated planner, take a look at this printable.

 Or check out my video on the topic here:

Summary

I hope you have found this idea for your journal useful and can put it to use this winter.   For more journal inspiration come and say hello @thejournalcorner. We always love to see your creations, so please tag @archerandolive or use #aoshare on Instagram.

The Archer & Olive blog has several articles that you may enjoy further on this topic.  There are ideas to add more creativity into your planner here and how to cope with ‘missed days’ here.  To see how I used my dated planner in 2023 take a look at this article.  If you are a teacher looking to use the planner check the inspiration shared here.