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As we near the end of the year, many of us that enjoy paper planning are already preparing our planner and journal systems for 2026. I’m really excited for the new year because I’ve finally discovered a system that truly works for me; one I enjoy using and can stick to for the entire year. In this blog post, I’ll be sharing the stationary I’ve chosen for 2026 and my approach to how I will be using each one.
So, what’s a journal and planner ecosystem anyway?
A journal and planner ecosystem is a setup where all your journals and planners work together to support your life, goals, and routines. Instead of scattered notes and separate calendars, an ecosystem brings everything together. Your prayer journal speaks into your planner, your habit trackers reflect your monthly goals, and your daily pages flow from your bigger vision. It’s a personalized system that helps you stay organized, grounded, and focused, all while making space for reflection, creativity, and purposeful living.
My Planners
Home Management Planner
My home management planner from Sterling Ink pretty much serves as my command center for keeping every day running smoothly. This planner is where I track upcoming appointments, due dates for bills, daily to-do’s, records of any and all homeschool information, home project plannings, and meal plans. It’s the tool that helps me stay on top of everything and ensures that both my household and homeschool responsibilities are taken care of.
Personal Planner
My personal planner is also from Sterling Ink and this is where I manage everything that fuels my creativity, growth, and ministry beyond home and homeschool. I’ll be using it to organize content ideas, deadlines, project notes, and collaboration and partnership information. It will also hold trackers for the things that nurture me personally like Bible study and hobbies. This planner is my intentional space for vision, creativity, and spiritual nourishment separate for my responsibilities of family life.
My Journals
Everything Journal
I chose an A5 Emshoi Grid Journal from Amazon as my everything journal and it’s the most free and creative space in my entire system. I use it for literally anything and everything; junk journaling, memory keeping, morning pages, and random brain dumps to clear my mind. It’s where I let my thoughts and emotions flow as they come without rhyme or reason. This one gives me the freedom to document my life in a way that feels authentic and expressive to me.
5 Year Diary
This year was the first time I’ve ever kept a 5 year diary but I wanted to give it a try and it did not disappoint. I purchased an A5 – 5 Year Notebook from Sterling Ink. I will say, this is definitely the most meaningful journal in my entire system. It serves as my family memory and scripture keeper. Each day, I write down a highlight of the day and important things that happened. On days when nothing “memorable” happened, I write down a scripture verse so that one day, my children can look back on and not only remember pieces of our lives, but also find encouragement in Gods word. At the end of the journal, I keep a small photo diary of each month with pictures I’ve snapped throughout that month. This journal has become a sort of legacy of our everyday life and our faith.
Reading Journal
My reading journal (also from Sterling Ink) is one I don’t use every day, but return to whenever I finish a book worth reflecting on. It may take me a few years to fill its pages, and I love that about it. Each time I finish a book, I write down my thoughts, and a short honest and raw review of what I thought of the book. Over time, this journal will become a curated history of my reading life, filled with thoughts, lessons, and literary moments that have shaped me.
Final Thoughts
As I step into a new year with this journal and planner ecosystem, I’m grateful for the creativity and purpose each one will bring to my daily life. Whether it’s managing our home, nurturing personal growth, or preserving family memories, every notebook has a meaningful place in my rhythm. If you’d like to see how all of these pieces come together in real time, be sure to watch my full journal ecosystem video on YouTube, where I walk through each planner and journal and share how I set them up for the year ahead.
$10 off for first time Sterling Ink buyers
If you’re new to Sterling Ink and want to try their planners or journals for yourself, I have a special treat for you! First-time customers can enjoy $10 off their purchase using my exclusive coupon link. It’s the perfect way to start building your own planning ecosystem with high-quality, beautifully designed stationery. Treat yourself or start the new year with tools that truly elevate your planning routine!
Click here for your coupon!
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