When considering the premium planning options from Erin Condren Life Planner and Day Designer, it’s no surprise that many ladies want to thoroughly weigh their pros and cons before making a purchase decision. After having hands-on experience with both planners, I’d like to share my genuine thoughts and review on how they compare, particularly in relation to each other – the Erin Condren Life Planner versus the Whitney English Day Designer.
Erin Condren Life Planner
What I Love about the Erin Condren Life Planner
One of the most exciting aspects of the Erin Condren Life Planner is its customization potential. Not only can you choose from an array of vibrant covers, but you can also personalize stickers and gift tags to make your planner truly unique. The layouts themselves are bright and cheerful, with a dedicated sidebar for setting weekly goals and taking notes, as well as ample space at the bottom for additional tasks, meal planning, or whatever else you need to keep track of.
The paper quality is excellent, and the laminated tabs ensure that pages won’t accidentally tear off. Additionally, the size is ideal – slightly smaller than the Day Designer, but still large enough to comfortably sit on your desk. What I find particularly delightful about this planner are the thoughtful accessories it includes. For instance, the removable ruler allows you to mark pages with ease, while the back pocket provides a convenient spot for storing loose items.
And let’s not forget the zippered pouch, which keeps everything organized and within reach. The yearly view for 2023 and 2024 on the back is also a nice touch, even if I don’t personally use it.
Erin Condren Life Planner Cons
Despite my initial excitement about this planner’s accessories, I never actually used it. The issue was the cramped writing space, which is divided into morning/day/night sections. With only a small amount of room available for each entry, it felt like trying to cram too many thoughts onto one page. While some people adore this layout – and it has gained widespread popularity in the Erin Condren planner community – it simply didn’t work for me.
However, there are creative solutions that can help maximize the space, such as purchasing custom stickers on Etsy designed specifically for this planner. Ultimately, the best planner layout is a matter of personal preference.
Whitney English Day Designer
Day Designer Pros
What I love most about the Day Designer is the unique combination of long-term planning and hourly scheduling all on one page. While I don’t always plan out every hour, I appreciate having a space to create a comprehensive to-do list that can be used as a roadmap for my day. The planner also comes with additional resources, including ‘Finding Your Core’ worksheets, which are specifically designed for creative entrepreneurs like myself.
Although these sheets may now be sold separately, they provide an excellent complement to the planner by helping users set and achieve their goals at a high level before breaking them down into daily and weekly tasks. The Day Designer also features daily motivational quotes, space to plan my top three priorities for the day, as well as sections for logging dinner, notes, and daily gratitude.
If you’re interested in trying out the planner, be sure to use my code, DDAFFILIATE10, to receive 10% off your purchase.
Day Designer Cons
The Day Designer format resonates well with me, but I do wish it had a to-do list layout for weekends instead of hourly breakdowns. Furthermore, I miss the accessories that come with Erin Condren Life Planner, such as nicely laminated tabs and additional goodies. However, there are plenty of after-market options available to enhance your Day Designer experience. One of my go-to sources is Faycreates on Etsy, which offers adorable stickers designed specifically for the Day Designer.
The latest versions also feature an inside pocket, a welcome addition. I’ve personally added some flair with giant gold paperclips and pocket dividers from Staples. Additionally, there’s a wide range of stunning cover options to choose from. The Emily Ley Simplified Planner bears a striking resemblance to the Day Designer, although I haven’t had the chance to inspect it in person yet.
Interestingly, I exclusively use the Today & To Do, a smaller version of the Day Designer featuring only the to-do list. This year, Whitney English introduced the Day Designer Mini, boasting the same layout and monthly tabs, but on a smaller scale. Have you ever used any of these popular paper planners? Which one do you favor most?