During end of last year, I’ve written a post detailing my planning tools that I would be using for this year. This post is a follow up post on how I’ve used my simple, non digital planning tools. Perhaps this may give you some idea in your planning process and journey.
This is a short video of my setup for 2025:
My planning tools were simple and consist of fully planning on paper. I planned to use a calendar, 2 monthly spread planners (A4 and A5) with a spiral notebook as my planning for my blogs and social media channels.
Year reflection: What happened, what worked and what did not.
What happened:
There was a change in my life which shifted my focus away from blogging and online work. For most part of this year, I have not been active in creating new blog post and have reduced making videos. The only thing that remained consistent is my Pinterest updates which I prepared and scheduled in advance.
Desktop calendar
For many years, I use a desktop calendar to update important dates, appointments and deadlines. Each year, I make it a point to purchase a calendar. This has worked out fine and I have continued to list down important appointments and dates using a Frixion erasable pen. It takes my mind off from worrying if I’ve missed any important dates because I would have the dates listed down in my calendar.
I’ve written a previous post on why I still continue to use a physical calendar instead of going fully digital.
A4 and A5 monthly spread planners
Originally the A4 size planner was meant to hold my blog and social media planning plus scheduling. However I quickly switch back to the A5 size planner. The A5 size planner has acted as a blog post planner and social media scheduler. Even though I have not been active in updating my blog, my Pinterest account has been active and I update all the pins on this planner.
Important reminders such adding and removing certain posts and pictures – I would also update in the A5 planner. Reason I use the A5 planner is because it is very portable, and can be easily slipped into my carry on bag.
Whereas for the A4 planner, I’ve initially used it to keep track of highlights of the day, ie more of personal use. As I am not really someone who like to write a diary or personal entry, this has not been consistent. Still, there are a number of personal incidents happening which I would like to remember, hence I would likely continue again. Just that next year, instead of selecting anything dated, it would be better to just use an undated book so that the entry can vary in length and is not dependent on the date.
Social media planner
Using a simple inexpensive spiral notebook which I bought from a 20 baht store, I use it to write down more elaborate planning which require multiple steps, something in which the A5 planner cannot cater for.
The main learning I wish to share is that each of us would have individual and unique planning style. Before creating the social media planner, I’ve watched countless videos on this subject to hopefully come out with something effective which I could use. You may also be in the same situation – overwhelmed by the number of information and ideas available out there.
When we are new, we can try to apply the ideas that can resonate with. The most important step is to start doing, and then be open and willing to adapt and improvise along the way. We need to follow our own preferance and style, something that we can only discover as we go along. Eventually we would be able to create our own customized style that we can stick to.
I no longer use the monthly spread that I draw out as per above. However, I use the social media planner extensively in lists. For example, I have a page where I compile listing of songs that I would like to use for my YouTube Shorts. Hence each time I create a video and do not know what song to use, I would refer to that page for inspiration.
I’ve also got a checklist of to-dos and follow ups that I need to do after every blog post and/or video is being published. This is very useful especially if one is handling multiple accounts, blogs or channels. We really cannot rely on memory alone to remember what we have done and what we have not.
My plan for next year
I’ve already placed an order for next year’s desktop calendar and is waiting for it to be shipped over to me. I would also be purchasing an A5 monthly size planner which is something I’ve consistently used for many years. Whereas for personal entries and social media planners, I would continue to use a notebook.
