My Planner & Goals for ‘25
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them at no extra cost to you.
I’m a planner at heart. I absolutely love planners, trackers, and anything that helps me stay organized while visually tracking progress. There’s just something so satisfying about seeing growth laid out in front of me! For 2025, I decided to go all-in and create a large bullet journal specifically tailored to my needs. I spent hours immersing myself in “BUJO” videos, gathering inspiration and ideas. But as much as I enjoyed exploring different styles, I made sure to design it in a way that works perfectly for me.
This is my first time making my own bullet journal, so it’s not perfect, but I am still proud of my work, and I hope that it can help you in the coming year, too!
Dear Future Me: To kick things off, I included a “Dear Future Me” section in my bullet journal. I created a DIY envelope and double-sided taped it onto one of the first pages. Inside, I wrote a letter to my future self that I plan to read on the last day of the year.
On the opposite page, I add in blocks for quarters of the year, where I can jot down what I need to do in those quarters of the year. It could be hobbies, goals, anything that I deem as important.
A Year at a Glance: This section is my go-to for all the key dates of the year. I’ve included holidays, birthdays, school breaks, and any other important events that are set in stone. It’s a great reference point that helps me stay on top of everything. Each time I start planning a new month, I’ll revisit this page to quickly see what needs to be included in that month’s calendar. It’s all about keeping things organized at a glance!
Savings: I’ve always wanted to incorporate a savings tracker into my planning routine but never quite followed through—until now. Since it’s part of my planner, I’m hoping this will keep me motivated and accountable.
Here’s how I set it up: I started by listing out the major expenses I anticipate throughout the year, estimating how much I’ll need for each, and breaking those amounts into manageable monthly savings goals. For example, let’s take Christmas. I expect we’ll spend around $1,000 for the holidays. With 12 months to save, I calculated that I need to set aside $84 each month. That would actually get me to $1,004—so I’ll treat myself to something small with the extra $4!
I’ve applied this same approach to other big expenses. Instead of scrambling to cover everything all at once, I’m spreading the cost out across the year. Right now, my total monthly savings goal adds up to $685. I know that sounds like a lot, but these are goals I’ve chosen because they’re important to me. Your numbers might look very different, and that’s okay.
The key here is flexibility. If I can’t hit that target every single month, it’s not the end of the world. Every bit I save gets me closer to my goals, and that’s what really matters. The closer I can get, the better prepared I’ll be when those expenses roll around.
Goals for the year: This section is all about the goals I’ve set for myself for the year ahead. These are personal and tailored to what I find important, so they’ll likely look very different from yours—and that’s perfectly fine! What matters is that they reflect what you want to achieve.
Each goal includes specific steps I need to take to make it happen. Breaking them down like this gives me a clear roadmap and helps me stay on track. I’ve also included a section for “Sky High” goals—these are the big, long-term dreams I’d love to reach eventually. By working on my current goals, I’ll be one step closer to those larger aspirations.
To keep myself motivated, I’ve made it visual: as I complete steps or reach goals, I’ll color them in. It’s a fun way to track my progress and gives me that little boost of endorphins every time I see how far I’ve come. It’s all about celebrating the journey as much as the destination!
Some of the goals include: Publishing three books, growing my following on social media, growing my following on this blog, growing my savings, and getting work done on my little cabin in the woods.
52 in 52: Technically, my challenge is more like 104 in 52, but since the tasks are split into different categories, I’m counting it as 52 for simplicity. Here’s how I’ve broken it down:
52 Things to Try in 52 Weeks: These are just random things I want to experience or do this year. They’re all about self-improvement, exploration, and feeding my curiosity. (Example: Make a puff quilt, go camping, make laundry detergent, etc.)
This are separated by a page that I have cut to make smaller, called a “Dutch Door.”
52 Ways to Improve My Space: This category focuses on making my environment better, more functional, and more inspiring. While the first list is about personal growth and mindset, this one is all about creating a space that supports me in every way. (Example: Create outdoor firepit, paint bookshelf, update entryway.”
The idea behind 52 in 52 is that it can be anything you want it to be. For instance, you could try 52 books to read, 52 foods to explore, or even… well, 52 positions to try during... You get the idea. 🙃
What’s great about this concept is that it’s completely customizable. You don’t have to follow my lists exactly—you can take inspiration from them and tailor the idea to your own goals and interests. It’s all about making progress in whatever areas matter most to you!
ABC Reading Challenge: The first page of this section is dedicated to my A - Z reading challenge for the year, and it’s exactly what it sounds like! I’ve picked out books corresponding to every letter of the alphabet, and my goal is to read them all by the end of the year.
If you’d like to join in on the challenge, I’ve included a link for you to check it out. That said, you don’t have to read the same books I’ve chosen! My list leans heavily toward thrillers and fantasy, with a good dose of smut sprinkled in—because, let’s be honest, that’s just my vibe. If those genres aren’t your thing, that’s okay. Create your own list, fill it with books you love, and make the challenge your own.
At the end of the day, the real goal here is simple: read more. Seriously, we should all be reading more! There’s nothing quite like getting lost in a story, discovering new worlds, or escaping to places that exist only in our imaginations. And no, I’m not just saying that because I spend half my life in made-up places. 😉
Actually, if you want to look more into this challenge, you can check out THIS blog post!
2025 Reading Tracker: The second set of pages in my reading section is dedicated to my “other” reading list. Yes, I’m tackling 26 books for my A - Z challenge, but let’s be real—those won’t be the only books I’m diving into this year. These pages are a space to track all the additional books I read throughout the year.
Here’s how it works: I’ll jot down the book titles, note when I started and finished them, and rate each one. I’ve also included a cute little bookshelf illustration, which I’ll fill with mini sticker books and other decorations as I go.
For me, this setup is more than just practical—it’s motivating. It’s aesthetically pleasing (at least to me), and seeing the bookshelf fill up over time makes me want to read even more. It’s a visual reminder of my progress and all the adventures I’ve experienced through the year’s reading.
Social growth tracker: On the left page, I’ve created a Posting Tracker to help me stay consistent. The goal is to post something every single day—or at least as often as possible. It’s a simple way to hold myself accountable and ensure I’m showing up regularly.
On the right page is my Growth Tracker, where I’ll monitor my progress throughout the year. At the start of the year, I’ve recorded baseline numbers for everything I want to track (followers, subscribers, blog views, etc.). Then, on the last day of the year, I’ll update those numbers to see how far I’ve come.
This setup isn’t just about measuring growth; it’s about learning what’s working. It will help me identify which platforms or content types perform best, where I should focus more energy, and what might need tweaking. It’s a practical tool for keeping tabs on what I consider important and making data-driven decisions to improve.
Book writing tracker: This section spans four total pages, with one for each book and a dutch door in the middle for an added touch of creativity. Even though my main goal is to write and publish three books this year, I’ve left space for a fourth—just in case I’m feeling ambitious and have the capacity to go beyond my initial plan.
Here’s how it works: each page is dedicated to a single book. It includes the steps I need to follow to bring that book to life, from outlining and drafting to editing and publishing. To make it even more fun and motivating, I’ve added little bubbles to track my word count milestones. Every time I hit a goal, I’ll fill in a bubble.
I love this layout because it’s aesthetically pleasing, which makes me want to keep coming back to it. There’s something incredibly satisfying about seeing progress visualized, and it inspires me to keep pushing forward. Whether it’s filling in the bubbles, checking off steps, or just flipping through the pages, this tracker is both functional and motivational—everything I need to stay on track for my writing goals this year!
I haven’t created the other three pages, but plan on doing those when I start writing the books for those specific pages, and creating them to aesthetically match the theme of the current book.
Monthly overview: Each month starts with a clear, organized view of what's ahead. I begin with a calendar layout where I’ll jot down all the important dates—holidays, birthdays, posts that need to go live, and personal tracking like my period. It’s also where I’ll mark appointments I need to make or ones I already have scheduled, as well as any days the kids will be out of school or attending virtual learning.
This calendar helps me stay on top of all the key events that I need to plan around and make time for. It gives me a snapshot of the month, so I can prioritize my schedule accordingly and ensure nothing important slips through the cracks. It's not just about keeping track of dates; it’s about keeping my life organized and moving smoothly.
Posting Tracker: The second page of the monthly section is a dutch door, and here’s where I keep track of all the content I need to post for the month. It’s a straightforward list that includes blog posts, social media updates, and any other content that needs to go live. For each item, I’ve included columns to note when it needs to be posted and a checkbox to mark if it’s already been done.
This list isn’t overly detailed, since I have a separate journal dedicated specifically to my blog. But it’s a quick and easy way to make sure I stay on top of my posting schedule. I can plan ahead, track deadlines, and check things off as I go. It keeps me organized and ensures that nothing gets missed—helping me stay consistent and focused throughout the month.
Spending Tracker: On the left side of the page, I have a Spending Tracker where I keep a close eye on my personal expenses throughout the month. This section isn’t for bills or fixed costs; it’s specifically for things like random purchases, going out to eat, groceries, or anything else that doesn’t fit into the standard budget. By tracking these, I can see where my money is going and find areas where I might want to cut back. Even if the amounts seem small, it’s helpful to have a visual reminder of my spending habits and how they add up over time. (I am also trying to make it a goal to not fill up this page throughout the month.)
Tracker: The other side of the page is dedicated to my Daily Tracker. This is a place to track habits, moods, and routines that are important to me. I track my morning and evening moods to keep tabs on how I’m feeling throughout the day. I also use it to monitor other daily habits that contribute to my well-being, whether that’s exercise, self-care, or productivity.
I like the idea of rewarding myself for consistently filling out this tracker, possibly with a small treat each month. It keeps me motivated to take care of myself.
You can customize your own daily tracker to include what matters most to YOU! Whether it's personal growth, wellness, or productivity, tracking your habits helps you stay accountable and make meaningful progress.
Monthly Favorites: This section is dedicated to keeping track of my Favorites for each month. While I’ll already be sharing a monthly blog post about my favorites, I like having a designated space in my planner to track them as well. This is where I’ll jot down the things that stood out to me each month, from my favorite book, movie, or show to my favorite personal care products, outfits, and even my top Amazon finds.
I’m sure my favorites will shift from month to month, as I discover new things, but these are the basic categories I plan to keep track of. It’s a fun way to reflect on what I loved throughout the month and maybe even get some inspiration for future posts. Plus, it’ll give me a chance to highlight products, media, and experiences that made a positive impact on me.
Comparables: The Comparables section is all about tracking my progress and growth throughout the month in several key areas. It’s a place where I can monitor my social media analytics, blog analytics, and other personal milestones. I start by tracking my numbers from the first day of the month to the last, noting the growth in areas like Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok, and this blog. I also have space to list my top posts on each platform, so I can see which content is resonating the most with my audience.
In addition to the social stats, this section includes steps for achieving my monthly goals. What are my top priorities? What actionable steps can I take to move closer to them? This helps keep me focused on my goals while giving me a clear path to achieve them.
At the bottom of the page, I track several personal metrics: savings, weight, reading, writing, and any new hobbies I’ve tried during the month. I’ll note whether I liked them or not, and how they fit into my overall progress. This section gives me a clear snapshot of how I’m doing across various areas of my life and what adjustments I need to make to stay on track.
Lastly, my Weekly Planner: The Weekly Planner is where I lay out everything I need to focus on for the upcoming week. I start by listing my top priorities—the tasks that are most important and need to get done first. It helps me stay focused on what’s essential and avoid getting distracted by smaller tasks.
I also track my word count for writing goals, so I can see my progress each week. Along with that, I have space to monitor my morning and nightly routines, ensuring I stay consistent with habits that contribute to my overall well-being.
Each day of the week has its own to-do list, where I can write out tasks for the day, from personal errands to work-related goals. There’s also a section specifically dedicated to my social media—what I need to post, when, and any other actions I need to take to keep things running smoothly on my platforms.
This section is dynamic and will change every week based on the color scheme I feel inspired by and the decor that fits my mood or attitude for the week. While the layout will remain the same to keep me organized, each week will have its own personal touch to keep me motivated and engaged.
And there you have it—my new bullet journal for the new year! I'm excited to fill it out before the year starts and then look back throughout the months to see how much I've grown and improved. There are so many things I’m looking forward to this year, and though there’s some nervousness about what may or may not happen in the next four (plus) years, I’m doing my best to stay hopeful and keep moving forward. I’m embracing the uncertainty and striving for the best outcomes.
One thing I’m particularly excited about is trying new hobbies—something I absolutely love. One of the things on my list is to make a puff quilt (maybe even 15 of them, who knows!). Whatever comes my way this year, I’m ready to dive in, and I can’t wait to share this journey with you!
I still have more journals to make—this is my desk bullet journal, obviously. Next up, I need to work on my purse journal, but that one is a simpler, premade one that I bought from Amazon. There's always something new to explore and document, and I’m looking forward to using both of these to help keep me organized and inspired throughout the year! Here's to a year of growth, creativity, and plenty of new adventures!
I hope I was able to give you encouragement and ideas of what you can add to your planner this year! Let me know if there is something that are must-haves for you in your planners and journals!
