Planning With - For The Love of Planning
Welcome to our first in a series of features of inspiring women who plan. They’ll share their favourite planner tips and tricks, their planner aesthetic and how they get it all done. To kick the series off we have the lovely Kylie Cousins from @forthelovef.planning 🖤
So who is Kylie of For The Love Of Planning?
I am a 36 year old mother of one gorgeous little boy named Jasper. Our family of 6 (including 2 dogs and a cat) live just outside of Canberra in a little town called Bungendore. I was born in Canberra but spent most of my younger years travelling and living overseas with my mum who was in the military for most of my childhood. I also work as a Policy and Program Officer Department of Health and Aged Care.
In addition, I own and run a small business, making scented soy candles, with a vision to add calm accents to a minimalist decor. I started this business (Willow + Moss Candle Co.) while I was on maternity leave (all 3 months of it). I had an idea and I just started, growing and evolving my business as I went. This brand is a representation of me and my minimalist style, and I always aim to create soothing elements for the home that help people feel calm and centred. I have clinical anxiety and I know how important it is to have a process for decompressing and taking a beat. Lighting a candle and reading a book or taking time to organise plans can be so therapeutic for an overstimulated mind.
What Planner are you currently using?
I am currently using my Louis Vuitton MM Agenda (personal size) and I’ve got a really minimalist layout which is suiting me perfectly with the chaos of life lately.
How important is having a planner for you and why?
For me, if I don’t write it down, it’s lost. I get quite anxious if I don’t have organisation in my life and I thrive off structure and boundaries. Being able to plan my days, weeks and months is one of the small pleasures I indulge in when I get a few moments of quiet. I consider time with my planner as ‘me time’, a type of self care if you will, that is essential to keep my mind calm and balanced as the week progresses.
How would you describe your planner aesthetic?
Minimalist beige aesthetic (send nudes) !!
Do you use stickers in your planner?
Yes. I use matte transparent icon stickers for everything. I like to keep it simple with minimal writing wherever possible.
What are your all time planner (or stationery) essential items?
1. My ‘this week’ clear page marker is a non-negotiable. I use it to add notes to my week without having to take up room on my planner pages which I like to keep minimal. Clutter has always made me stressed and tense so I avoid it in all aspects of my life.
2. Mini icon stickers - irreplaceable
What are your top tips for staying organised with all the things in your life?
1. Whenever an action item pops up, write it on a post-it so it’s on paper and then you can add it to your planner when you have the time.
2. If you’re out and a plan/appointment is made, add it to your i-calendar so you have the important details for adding it to your planner when you can pay it the attention it deserves.
3. Check in with your planner at least every couple of days. There’s no point making lists and adding appointments if you don’t remember to look at them. This is why I like a smaller planner style, because I can take it with me and I have it whenever I need it.
4. (Because I’m a rule breaker) make it work for you. Your planner should be what you need it for, what you will benefit from, what will help you live your life more organised and on track.
What are you looking forward to for the rest of 2023, what will you be focussing on?
Getting back on track with my health, fitness and my mental well-being. I recently found out I have an auto-inflammatory condition and this has caused me to be insulin resistant. This diagnosis has required a lot of changes in in my lifestyle including diet, medication and exercise. I find my planner so helpful for organising and tracking my wellness goals and for planning time for self-care and to move my body.
Thank you so much Kylie for opening up and sharing with us. So nice to learn about the lady behind the gorgeous instagram account and how you like to plan. I wish you all the best in your health focus for the remainder of 2023, you’ve got this x
Here’s where you can find Kylie :
Insta : @fortheloveof.planning
Insta : @willowandmosscandleco
Web : willowandmosscancleco.myshopify.com
