I would consider myself a seasoned memory planner, it's been my planning method of choice for over 4 years now. The best part is there's no "right" or "wrong" way to plan, as it's totally personal to you (and for you), but I am aware that the term "memory planning" is a bit of an oxymoron! Let's go over what memory planning is, how to get started and some tips and tricks.
What is Memory Planning?
At its core, memory planning is basically scrapbooking. It's a way of preserving your memories (events that have already happened) in a planner! Unlike forward planning, where you plan what you aim to get done, you document what actually happened. Not only do you get to preserve memories of the week, using stickers to memory plan is a relaxing and therapeutic way to unwind.
Getting Started
Choosing Your Planner: The first step is choosing your memory planner. I highly recommend a planner with 1.5-inch wide columns, like the Erin Condren Vertical Life Planner or any 7x9 standard vertical planner. This specific size has a bunch of space so you won't have to miss out any of your plans (N.B. "plans" is still used to refer to events when we're speaking about memory planning, despite the plans in question being past tense)
Selecting Your Tools: The sky is really the limit! You can choose stickers, washi tape, stamps, pens and photos to decorate your memory planner. At Plannerface, I offer a wide range of products tailored especially for memory planning. Choose weekly kits themed around seasonal or life events to match your own week, or if there's nothing specific going on, I have an "anytime" section where kits are - you guessed it - suited for any time!
Memory Planning 101
1. Reflect on Your Week: Before you dive right in to decorating, it's helpful to take a moment to think about the week. What were the highlights? Did you try something new, were there any special moments? Feel free to be as detailed or as vague as you like - whatever will jog your memory in the future when you're looking back on the week. If you're finding it difficult to remember, you might want to try jotting down things during the week - my memory planner pads are perfect for this.
2. Choose Your Theme: With your week in mind, pick out a weekly kit that reflects the vibe. Was it a chill at home week? The cosy Sloth Mode kit would be perfect!
3. Decorate: Now for the fun part - decoration! When using a weekly kit, you might find it useful to lay down the base first. This includes the bottom washi, date covers, sidebar section and possibly full boxes. You can see an example of how I do this on my channel. Next, fill in the details of your week using boxes, icons, scripts and / or pen.
4. Make It Personal: The beauty of memory planning is in the details. I love using custom script stickers to create personalised stickers of my activities and plans, as sometimes you just can't find the right sticker for the job!
Tips and Tricks
- Start Small: If you're feeling overwhelmed, begin with a mini kit or just focus on one aspect of your week, like just personal life or a reading log.
- Mix and Match: Don't be afraid to combine products from different kits or incorporate other elements like photos or tickets for that scrapbooky feel. If you're just starting out, oops and grab bags are the perfect way to start building your collection at a bargain price.
- Engage with the Community: Check out planner-related Instagram hashtags and the Plannerface Facebook group to connect with fellow memory planners. It's a great way to share ideas, get inspired and be part of a supportive community!
Memory planning is more than just writing down the week's events: it's a creative outlet, a form of self-expression and a way to preserve memories for a lifetime. Your planner is essentially a storybook of your life! If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments. If you're finding the new terminology a little overwhelming, I've put together a glossary of planner terms to help you out. Happy planning!
