Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Your use of these links is greatly appreciated!
Are you looking for a way to grow in faith daily? It’s one thing to say you’re going to set down spiritual daily habits. It’s another to be reminded to practice those habits. And that’s exactly why I switched to the Blessed Is She Planner from Day Designer.
I began seriously using a planner several years ago and quickly developed a planning process. However, last year it became clear that the planner I was using was no longer serving me.
In 2023, I switched to the Blessed Is She Planner, after resisting for several years. Now that I’m using it, I won’t be switching for a while!
Here are the reasons I switched to the Blessed Is She Planner from Day Designer.
01. Liturgical Planning
First and foremost, I switched because I wanted a planner that would help me plan for the liturgical year and guide me in spiritual growth. When I prepped my Day Designer planner, I found myself adding solemnities and saints’ days wishing they were already there.
While Day Designer lists all the national and secular holidays, the Blessed Is She Planner includes solemnities, saints’ days, and only the most prevalent secular holidays.
In the 2024 BIS Planner, the calendar is color-coded to match the liturgical year. (It’s easy to know when Lent and Advent begin!)
02. Pre-Planning Spread
One of the BEST things about the BIS Planner is the pre-planning spread. Now that I’ve used it, I don’t think I can go without it!
Each pre-planning spread includes:
- Meal Planning
- To Do/Follow Up checklist
- Perforated (tear out) grocery list
- Prayer intentions
- 1-page for notes
If you’ve followed my planning process, you’ll know the first step is to brain dump. This spread is the perfect place to do it!
In contrast, the daily Day Designer planner has little space for notes and no pre-planning. I didn’t know what I was missing before, and there’s no going back now!
03. Planning Spread
I thought I would miss having a daily agenda, which is why I was hesitant to switch to the Blessed Is She planner. However, seeing my entire week in one glance has made me more prepared for the week ahead. Day Designer does have weekly planners in addition to daily, but there are big differences.
The BIS Planner is a tool for growing your spiritual life. Not only does it provide the liturgical calendar, but I’m reminded daily to pray a rosary, read scripture, and pray a devotion.
I didn’t use the “Dollars” or “Due” sections of the Day Designer planner, and that’s okay. These were signs that I needed to find a different planner.
Both planners include top things to do for the day and a space to write down daily gratitude.
04. Scripture & Saints’ Quotes
One thing I love about Day Designer is the inspirational quotes on every page from proverbs to famous people. The BIS Planner is similar but it weaves saint quotes and scripture throughout based on the planner’s spiritual focus for the year.
For example, 2023’s focus was “He thirsts for you.” 2024’s focus is “You are standing on holy ground.” Every quote and scripture in the planner draws back to the spiritual focus.
05. Intention
Day Designer’s prep pages include goal planning and setting an ideal week. This is something I love but I get most of this by using the PowerSheets. (Especially now with the 2024 PowerSheets update.)
In contrast, prep in the BIS Planner includes:
- Holy Days of Obligation & Novena start dates
- “How to make a Holy Hour”
- Prayers
- How to pray the Rosary
- Examination of Conscience
- “Start Your Month in Prayer” journaling pages
Again, the focus of the BIS Planner is on spiritual growth. For me, my ideal week and yearly prep needs to be rooted in prayer.
Cons
No planner has absolutely everything, although, to me, the BIS Planner comes pretty close. There are two items that aren’t included that Day Designer does include.
- Planner Stickers – I’m not a huge sticker fan but I know others are. There are stickers available to purchase separately (and the BIS Planner has a pocket for safekeeping).
- Snap-in bookmark – since I have to flip back and forth between the pre-planning spread and the planner spread, a bookmark is helpful. Day Designer includes a snap-in bookmark with every planner but BIS does not. Again, this is easily remedied by using an old snap-in or purchasing one separately. (There’s one available from Cultivate What Matters, linked here.)
Why you should switch to the Blessed Is She Planner
If you’re looking for a planner to help you grow in faith, I highly recommend the planner for Blessed Is She. It’s not only a tool to help you stay organized: it’s a way to learn and grow in your spiritual life.
Get the Blessed Is She Planner here >>>
Leave a Reply