You’ve been looking to get organized and productive to reach your goals in 2022, and you are trying to figure out what to buy.

There are SO many options for planners out there, and especially when it comes to the Amazon marketplace.

Maybe you are just doing some initial research or looking for a gift for a friend.

We’ve got you covered.

In this review, we are going to discuss some of the options available on Amazon as well as the benefits and drawbacks. We are hoping to provide you with enough information to make a well-informed choice, and to answer the following question: is a planner from Amazon worth it?

This post discusses:

• What you might be looking for in a planner (key features)
• What may set some planners apart from others (uniqueness)
• What to look for when it comes to quality
• And more.

 Hemlock & Oak Planners                                                            

• Made in Canada & woman-led small business
• Light dotted graph grid, minimalistic layout designed in-house
• High quality materials with a focus on sustainability
• Achieving goals without burnout

Other Planners

 

• Vast majority is made overseas (even the big brands)
• Generic layouts
• Cheap materials
• Not thoughtfully designed
  
  

Do you currently use a planner for school, work, or to plan your busy life?

Whether you’re already using one, or looking to join the club, planners really can make life better. Tracking habits, setting attainable goals, and keeping track of your day on paper is something special.

Sometimes using a digital calendar just isn’t enough, and the guided layouts offered by planners may be more convenient for organization than blank notepads.

So, whether you are looking to try something new, or are just getting into it, this is a brief introduction to the world of planners.

When might you need a planner to help you get organized?

I found that my planner really helped when work brought new challenges. It helped me prioritize tasks, and also to carve out time for self-care.

As things got busy, I started neglecting healthy habits, so planning with these in mind let me dedicate time to things like stretching, hydrating, meditating, and spending enough time with friends and family.

Of course, I also used it to block out time for work, and to advance important parts of specific projects. Monthly overviews really helped me visualize deadlines and I was then able to better manage them.

What planner features should you decide on before purchasing?

You should consider several things before purchasing. These include, but are not limited to:

• Where a planner is made
• Is it coil bound, or sewn
• What kind of layout is it – weekly, daily, etc.
• Is it a Monday or Sunday start?
• What other pages exist? Are there any exercises to do in the beginning? Is there room for notes?
• What materials and colours are offered

There are so many different planners on the market, but some stand out more than others.

What are signs of a high quality planner?

We believe that quality comes from great materials, attention to detail, fair wages and ethical labour, as well as passion for great products.

While many larger brands can answer to shareholders, or be created purely for profit, there are also small businesses that truly care about the experience of their customers. These are the companies that try to create something truly special, which can make a positive impact on your life, whether that be better organized, improved effectiveness, or just an increase to your well-being.

North American materials and post-consumer waste content are also great. Choosing a company that incorporates these supports local economies and limits new materials entering the waste cycle.

What features should I think about before buying a planner on Amazon?

#1 – Where is it made, and is it high-quality?

Unfortunately, a lot of print products are produced overseas. That comes along with a significant carbon footprint during overseas shipping, questionable labour policies, and the support of non-local economies.

The factories are under different regulations and may use processes that are not used in North America. The materials used may be treated with coatings that make them environmentally unfriendly (e.g., stone paper).

You should think about whether you will use any markers or highlighters that could bleed through the paper, and whether the planner you are about to purchase uses high-quality paper. As well, whether that paper has any post-consumer waste content.

#2 – Is it coiled, sewn, and will the size work for what you need?

Some folks find plastic or metal coils might be annoying when writing, but they do come in various shapes and sizes.

There are also sewn planners with soft or hard covers. Hard covers generally have a timeless, classic look, and come in a variety of materials and colours. For sewn planners, you should be interested in how flat they lay, so that writing in them can be comfortable.

#3 – Does the layout suit your needs?

There are many types of planner layouts – blank, lined, grid-based, with Monday or Sunday starts, various prompts, and many different aesthetics. We recommend looking at the media available for several types of planners before making a choice. You can also check out a companies Instagram to see how their customers use their products, if you are looking for some inspiration.

#4 – Should you support the brand that created it?

Many big brands function largely to turn a profit, and quality may degrade over time as they pursue this.

After you’ve settled on the type of planner you are after, but before you’ve decided, it can be interested to do a bit of brand research. For example, check out a brand’s socials and see whether they have an active community for the type of product you’re buying.

Timeless layouts from Hemlock & Oak are designed by planner people, for planner people – even those who are just starting their planning journey.

If you’re looking to get ahead in 2022, the 2022 Signature Planner from Hemlock & Oak would be a great addition to your toolkit.

Hemlock & Oak Planners have features you should look for when it comes to quality organization:

• Made in Canada using North American paper
• Woman-led small business interested in sustainable products and planning without burnout
• Light dotted graph grid, minimalistic layout designed in-house
• High quality materials with a focus on sustainability
• Achieving goals without burnout