The Real Planner Spotlight is a series where we feature how our customers are using their Balance Bound Planners — getting messy and real, planning their days with our four signature sections, carving out time for self-care, and making the flexible layout of the Balance Bound Planner work for them. In this edition, we are thrilled to welcome Amanda Hendrix to the blog.

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Name: Amanda Hendrix

Age: 33

Location: Suburbs of Austin, TX

Occupation: I run a DIY & home decor website called Love & Renovations. I share my DIY projects, lessons, and occasionally failures on my blog and Instagram page, and I love empowering other homeowners to try new things in their homes. 

Instagram handle and website URL: @loverenovations and www.loveandrenovations.com

Your current Balance Bound cover design: This year, I went with the Charcoal Linen [wire bound] cover. I love the simplicity of it, and in a year where I want nothing more than to slow down and focus on still small moments, it feels appropriate. 

On an average week, who are your “others” — the people you care for and/or make time for?

My husband and our two sons, a couple of my closest friends, and my parents.

On an average week, what do you do to take care of yourself? What do you need to do to ensure that you set that non-negotiable time aside?

When I first started using a Balance Bound Planner, this was practically foreign to me. Adding to-do list items just for myself?! 

But, I’ve grown to cherish those little lines where I focus on me. Most weekdays, they include a reminder to take some quiet time to journal and pray, as well as a reminder to go for a run. I’m the type that loves to cross things off of my to-do list, so having these daily reminders is motivating for me, and has really helped me take the time for myself that I need!

Oh, and there’s also a weekly reminder about my date with my two best friends to watch The Bachelor together! Two of us sit on my couch and my third friend calls in on Skype. We’ve had this tradition going on five years now and it’s one of the most cup-filling parts of my week. 

How do you use the four sections each day?

I use it as a list of the non-negotiables in my day. The top section is all about work (so it’s generally the most full) and the others are used as reminders for things I need to take care of. The “others” section in particular is hugely helpful to keep me on top of all of the school things and other family events and needs I don’t want to forget. 

How do you use the free space at the bottom of each page?

It varies, but most days I use it as a reminder of all the things I want to talk about over on Instagram. At the beginning of each week I plan out a few things I want to cover each day, and it helps me stay engaged and not forget anything important! 

How do you use the free page on your weekend spread and/or the blank notes pages in the back of the planner?

I generally designate one free page each month for a brain dump of aaaaall the things I need to do that month. Then, when I’m planning my weeks I check the list and pull things from it. It’s helpful for all of the tasks that need to get done but don’t have a specific timeline.

I also generally use pages to sketch out ideas, take notes, or make lists of things I need to buy, make, or create. I love having the flexibility of those pages each week! 

Were there any “a-ha” moments or revelations you’ve had as a result of using the Balance Bound Planner?

The biggest thing for me has been seeing where my time is prioritized. On weeks where I notice my “work” and “others” lists are fully stacked but my “self” section looks really sparse, it’s a good reminder to slow down and take a minute to recharge. 

I also love the limited space in each section. I’m the type that wants to fill in every last line, and forcing myself to prioritize my to-do list and only put down the most important tasks has made me more productive overall! 

Any other tips, tricks, planner hacks, or details about your planner/photos that you’d like to share?

I find I have the most success when I take the time to plan my weeks ahead. At the end of every month I write a reminder to fill out my planner for the month ahead — and at the end of each week there’s a reminder to plan the next week! So, any recurring activities or to-dos are in my planner long before they arrive, and it helps keep me on track.

When I sit down each Friday morning to plan out my next week, I also take the time to review anything that didn’t get crossed off my list that week and transfer it to my list for the weekend. It’s also a good time to evaluate if those things need to be done, or if I can let them go! 

Oh, and I love using some multi-colored pens (you know the ones we loved as kids, where there are four or five colors in one pen?) so I can color-code my planner. I designate a color for each category and use that color anytime I’m writing a task for that category — whether it’s in the weekly spread, in the calendar, or on a blank page!

WHERE CAN PEOPLE FIND YOU?

@loverenovations on Instagram and www.loveandrenovations.com online.

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Thank you so much for sharing, Amanda!

If you’d like to contribute to the Real Planner Spotlight series, please drop us a note.

Ready to test out the Balance Bound Planner to see how it can work for you? Enter your name and email address in our footer below and we will send you a FREE, abridged, weekday, printable layout to test for yourself. And don’t forget to explore the shop.