Dated VS Undated Planners: Which Is Best For You?
Finding the perfect planner isn’t just about picking a pretty cover or your favorite color scheme, even though I can attest this is definitely the first thing I notice in my planners.
But apart from good looks, it is important what is inside and whether it fits your needs and life requirements.
The world of planners, the big question you have to answer for yourself is this one: dated or undated planners? Each option has its own perks and pitfalls, and making the right choice can have a huge impact on how effectively you plan and whether you can stick to planning or leave it after a month.
Stick around as we break down the pros and cons of each, so you can figure out which type is the best fit for you.
Finding a planning system that works for you is important and can be life-changing. Once I started a Bullet Journal, I started seeing my life change, and 5 years later, I reached a life goal of mine.
So whether you choose a dated or undated planner, it is essential that you pick a format that works for you and makes your life easier, not something overwhelming that you’ll drop in a few months.
In this post, we’ll look at the pros and cons of each format, and I’ll give you some ideas and things to think about to choose the best one for you. Let’s dive in!
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Dated Planners
Let’s start by talking about dated planners, since these, I believe, are the original and more traditional style for planning.
Dated planners come with pre-assigned dates for a specific calendar period, such as January to December of a given year. You’ll often find pre-marked weeks, months, and even marked major holidays.
I’m pretty sure you know what a dated planner is, so let’s just look at the pros and cons of this format.
Pros of Dated Planners
These are very popular for a reason, so here are =just a few pros you can expect when using a dated planner.
- Ease of use: open it up, and you’re ready to go! There’s no extra prep involved since all the dates are already laid out for you.
- Build structure: dated planners offer a clear structure to follow and encourage regular use to build this new habit.
- Convenient details: many dated planners include extras like pre-marked holidays, moon phases, and sometimes cute reminders for events like “Daylight Savings Begins!”
Cons of Dated Planners
Every system comes with its own drawbacks, so here are a few things that you lose when using a dated planner.
- Wasted pages: life gets busy, and some pages inevitably go unused, which can feel wasteful. This can bring too much guilt, and you can definitely contribute to your leaving planning altogether. Been there, done that!
- Rigidity: if you’re someone who starts planning mid-year or randomly stops using planners (hey, it happens), dated planners can feel limiting.
- Shelf life: once the year ends, so does your planner’s usability. That can feel like a bummer.
Ok, this is all pretty straightforward. But what about undated planners?
Undated Planners
Undated planners are a blank slate! They leave date fields open, allowing you to fill them in yourself.
These are actually my favorite type of planners. They are not perfect, but they give me more freedom, making them better for my needs.
But you might think otherwise, so let’s look at the pros and cons, and you can decide for yourself.
Pros of Undated Planners
These, I think, are mostly about providing the structure while also giving a lot of freedom to your planning.
- Flexibility: you can pick up your planner anytime, whether it’s January, May, or even a random Wednesday in October. No wasted pages, no stress.
- Customization: undated planners give you the creative freedom to plan YOUR way, while still giving some basic structure.
- Cost-effective: bought an undated planner and forgot about it for six months? No problem! Just pick it back up where you left off and keep going. No more guild for missing pages or having to skip a few months.
Cons of Undated Planners
There are drawbacks to everything, so here is what you give up if you choose an undated planner.
- Extra effort for setting up your pages: you’ll need to manually add dates, which can feel tedious, especially if you’re filling out the calendar for the whole year.
- Potential for procrastination: without a pre-set structure of needing to plan each week or you miss a page, it can be easy to forget to plan regularly or keep up with your entries.
- No pre-made extras: most undated planners don’t come with pre-marked holidays or events, so you’ll need to pen those in yourself, allowing you to forget some things.
Now you know all the basics for dated and undated planners, let’s see which one is best for you.
Dated VS Undated Planners: Which To Choose?
I think the pros and cons of each have already given you some idea of what format works best for you. It’s always personal, so I can not really give you a certain definite answer.
I always say that the best thing to do is to try for yourself and see if it works for you, and if it doesn’t, you need to make some changes.
But don’t worry, here I put together some questions for you to answer to figure out the format that might be the best for you.
Deciding isn’t always easy, but asking yourself a few key questions can help you find the perfect match:
Consistency of Use
Will you be using your planner daily, or do you know you’ll occasionally take breaks?
I recommend planning every day, but it all depends on your needs – maybe just creating a bit list for the month and setting monthly goals is enough for you, and you don’t need a weekly spread to plan every week.
- If you love sticking to a consistent daily or weekly planning system, a dated planner is your MVP.
- If you’re more of a “planner on demand” kind of person, undated will work better.
Start Time
Once you decide to try planning, you should go for it the moment you make a decision! Are you starting this planner adventure in January, or maybe halfway through the year?
- If you’re kicking things off in January, a dated planner is perfectly created for that.
- But if you’re starting mid-year (or randomly throughout any time), undated lets you begin whenever inspiration strikes.
Structure vs. Flexibility
Do you prefer a tightly-organized routine, or do you thrive on flexibility?
- Dated planners are great for people who love their schedules neat, predictable, and anxiety-free.
- If you crave a planner that grows with your workflow and mood, you can’t go wrong with undated.
Personalization
I love customising my planner and for me it’s one of the best parts of planning, but it takes time and it’s not for everyone.
How much do you want to customize your planning process?
- While dated planners offer convenience, most come with set layouts that leave little room for creativity.
- With undated planners, you can completely personalize every single week or month (the dream!).
When it comes to planners, there’s no one-size-fits-all. Dated planners are perfect if you crave structure and an easy starting point. They help you stay on track, map out your schedule seamlessly, and make planning feel like second nature.
On the other hand, if you’d rather march to the beat of your own drum, undated planners allow you to pivot freely, customize endlessly, and plan on your terms. Plus, they’re forgiving when life gets a little unpredictable!
At the end of the day, the best planner is the one that makes you feel excited to map out your goals and tackle your to-dos. Whichever you choose, make sure it reflects your lifestyle and brings joy to the process.
More Resources
I love all things planners and planning, so let’s look at a few more blog posts I have here to help you dive into this world.
Check these posts next:
- 9 Essential Benefits Of Using A Planner
- Planner VS Bullet Journal: Which Is Better
- 11 Ideas On What To Do With Old Planners
>>> Will you be choosing a dated or undated planner? Let us know in the comments!
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And remember: Keep Bullet Journaling, and Don’t Be A Blob!
