From doodling on the pages with my favorite poems, to using them solely to keep track of work, the way I’ve used planners have changed a lot over the years. But I think that’s also because the designs have changed so much that they’ve become more than just a way to keep track of our schedules. Planners are super useful for keeping your life organized, productive, and fulfilling as well! Belle de Jour played a huge role in bringing about that change.

If you’re not familiar with their story, BDJ started 14 years ago when its founder Darlyn Ty-Nilo couldn’t find a planners that perfectly suited her needs. She wanted something that was more than just a calendar in a notebook, so she designed it to also have sections that encouraged her to pursue both personal and career success. And so, that’s what made BDJ planners stand out from all the other planners in the market (and offered by coffee shops). Designed primarily for women, they included other functions that help with keeping track of habits, budgets, and even periods! The designs are also cute and stylish, which makes them more fun to use and carry around.

For 2020, the theme is “The Universe Is In Me” featuring galactic-inspired designs for their BDJ Power Planners. Apart from the BDJ Classic (P589) which features the illustration style that they’ve become known for, I was pleased to find more subdued options that better suit my personal aesthetic.

The BDJ Limited Edition (P598) is a matte laminated hardcover with gold foil stamping of intricately-drawn geometric shapes. For a more luxe option, the BDJ Leather (P680) simply has a generous sprinkling of stars. If you like better control over the build of your planner, the BDJ Disc Bound (P995) allows you to move the pages around and really customize the planner to your needs.

If you’ve been guzzling coffee like crazy to get a “free” planner, I strongly recommend getting a BDJ Planners instead. Not only does it actually come out cheaper (gasp!) but only BDJ can offer you the Perks of Being a Bella. Each planner comes with a BDJ Lifestyle Card that you can use at their many partner establishments to get exclusive discounts all year long. It also comes with a special coupon booklet that gets you even bigger discounts as well as freebies - last year’s Bellas got free brow shaping from Browhaus, for example!

Travel bugs might prefer the Navi Journal (P598), which features a more gender-neutral design and has special features to help achieve wanderlust goals. Don’t ever lose your checklists, itineraries, or other important travel info ever again as you can log them here and store documents inside the back panel pocket.

Need some extra motivation? The Everything Is Possible Journal (P598) helps you prioritize and organize tasks while lending wisdom through its inspirational quotes. You might think that’s cheesy, but being reminded that struggling is something that we all experience is a wake up call that we all need from time to time.

If you’re constantly busy and stressed out, the Focus Journal (P498) reminds you to clear your mind of noise and reassess your priorities. I really like how it advocates for making a habit of gratitude, and even the page designs are minimal and uncluttered.

Are you a fan of bullet journaling? The Essentials Planner (P380) is a slim volume with dotted weekly pages in addition to the box monthly calendar format. It’s perfect for people who love the free flow of a bullet journal but don’t want to be bothered with having to draw in their own calendar. I mean, that’s cute too, but this is a time-saving option.

They also have Petit Planners (P350) for people like me who can’t live without one but don’t want to lug a heavy notebook around. It has the same functionalities as a regular-sized planner but in a much-edited version that keeps it light and easier to tote around.

Finally, we come to my favorite in the collection: the Calendar Pad (P250)! “Out of sight is out of mind” can sometimes ring true for me, so I like being able to see my schedule on constant display. The galaxy design is also meant to be colored in, which is perfect for encouraging creativity. I already have this one up on the board above my desk!

As someone who’s very picky about design, I really appreciate BDJ taking the time to really consider what people need and coming out with a lot more planner options. Each element and details seems to be carefully thought out so that the planners are easy and fun to use. They also encourage users to not just be organized with their schedules and improve productivity, BDJ reminds us to take control of our narratives and ensure that our lives are well-lived.

Do you use a planner? How does it help you lead a more fulfilling life? Which of these BDJ planners is your fave?

Belle de Jour planners are available in National Book Store, and online on I Love BDJ.

Photography by Nicole Quindara