The 'One Size Fits None' Problem with Pre-Made Planners
Let’s talk about that stack of planners. You know the one. It’s probably in a drawer or on a shelf, a graveyard of good intentions. Each one started with that crisp, new-planner smell, full of hope. You told yourself this would be the one that finally sticks. But a few weeks later, the rigid daily columns and pre-printed sections felt less like a tool and more like a judgment.
As our emotional anchor Buddy would say, “That feeling of failure isn’t a character flaw; it’s a design flaw.” Standard planners are built for a neurotypical brain that craves linear, predictable structure. They don’t account for the ADHD brain's need for novelty, its variable energy levels, or its non-linear way of connecting ideas. The shame you feel isn't because you failed the planner; it's because the planner failed you.
Your desire for a system that works is a testament to your resilience. You've been trying to fit into a box that was never your size. The solution isn't another rigid planner; it's a completely customizable ADHD planner that you build yourself, one that can change and adapt as you do. It’s time to create a truly personal DIY ADHD planner system.
Your Building Blocks: Discbound vs. Binders vs. Bullet Journals
Before you can build, you need to choose your foundation. This choice is crucial for creating a sustainable DIY ADHD planner system. Our sense-maker, Cory, advises us to look at the underlying mechanics of each option, not just the aesthetics. Let's break down the top three modular planning systems.
1. The Discbound System (e.g., Happy Planner): This is the ultimate for flexibility. Pages are held together by rings with a unique mushroom-shaped edge, allowing you to add, remove, and rearrange pages anywhere in the planner without opening rings. This is ideal if you need to mix and match daily, weekly, and project pages on the fly. A good 'happy planner adhd setup' focuses on this modularity. The initial investment can be higher, but its adaptability is unmatched.
2. The 3-Ring or 6-Ring Binder: This is a classic for a reason. It's highly customizable, and you can easily find hole punches and a vast array of inserts. It’s a bit bulkier than a discbound system, but it's sturdy and fantastic for archiving old pages. The main drawback is the slight cumbersomeness of opening and closing the rings to move pages around, which can be a friction point for an ADHD brain.
3. The Bullet Journal (BuJo) Method: This uses any blank notebook. Its power comes from its infinite flexibility and a simple framework for logging tasks, notes, and events. According to experts at CHADD, the BuJo method is effective for ADHD because it allows for 'rapid logging' and 'migration' of tasks, which adapts to shifting priorities. The barrier here is the blank page itself—it can feel intimidating. However, adopting the 'bullet journal adhd method' is less about artistic spreads and more about functional, messy-in-the-moment organization. This is the lowest-cost entry point to a DIY ADHD planner system.
Cory’s permission slip here is crucial: “You have permission to choose a system for the brain you have today, not the one you think you ‘should’ have.” Analyze your real-life needs. Do you crave the tactile freedom of the discbound planner for ADHD, or the simple, blank-slate potential of a BuJo? Your answer determines the next step.
Creating Your Core Pages: The Only 4 Layouts You Need to Start
Now that you've chosen your foundation, it's time for strategy. Our social strategist, Pavo, insists on starting simple to avoid overwhelm, which is the number one killer of any new habit. Forget the complicated, color-coded spreads you see online. You only need four core layouts to create a functional DIY ADHD planner system.
Here is the move. Don't try to build the entire year at once. Just create these pages for the current month and week.
Step 1: The Future Log
This is a simple, year-at-a-glance layout. Just list the next 6-12 months and leave space under each to jot down future appointments, birthdays, or deadlines as they come up. This isn't for detailed planning; it’s a holding pen so these items don't clog up your weekly view or get lost.
Step 2: The Monthly Dashboard
Create a one-page view of the current month. This could be a traditional calendar grid or a simple list down the page. The key is to add a 'Brain Dump' or 'Master Task List' section on the same page. This is where you offload all the things you want to do this month without assigning them a specific day and creating pressure.
Step 3: The Weekly Dashboard
This is the heart of your DIY ADHD planner system. Divide a two-page spread into sections that work for your brain. Forget rigid daily columns. Try boxes labeled: 'Top 3 Priorities,' 'Appointments,' 'To Call/Email,' and a large 'Everything Else' section. This allows you to see your week holistically without the pressure of a minute-by-minute schedule.
Step 4: The Daily Rapid-Log
This is borrowed directly from the bullet journal ADHD method and is a game-changer. On a blank page each day, simply log tasks, thoughts, and events as they happen using simple symbols. A dot (•) for a task, a circle (o) for an event, a dash (–) for a note. It’s fast, messy, and perfectly mirrors the non-linear flow of an ADHD mind. You can use printable adhd planner templates for this if a blank page is too much.
Pavo's core advice is this: "Effectiveness beats aesthetics. A messy, functional planner is infinitely better than a beautiful, empty one." Start with these four layouts, and give yourself permission to adapt them as you go. This is the essence of a truly effective DIY ADHD planner system.
FAQ
1. What is the best planner for ADHD?
The best planner for ADHD is often not a pre-made one, but a flexible, modular system you create yourself. A DIY ADHD planner system, using methods like a discbound planner, a binder, or a bullet journal, allows for the customization needed to adapt to an ADHD brain's need for novelty and non-linear thinking.
2. Why do people with ADHD struggle to use planners?
Many people with ADHD struggle with traditional planners due to challenges with executive functions. Rigid layouts can feel restrictive and overwhelming. Task paralysis, time blindness, and a need for novelty can make it difficult to stick with a system that doesn't offer flexibility, leading to a cycle of abandoned planners and feelings of failure.
3. Is a bullet journal a good ADHD planner system?
Yes, the bullet journal method can be an excellent DIY ADHD planner system. Its core principles of rapid logging, task migration, and complete flexibility allow it to function as an external brain. It accommodates brain dumps and shifting priorities without the guilt associated with empty, pre-dated pages in a standard planner.
4. How do I start a DIY ADHD planner without getting overwhelmed?
Start with the absolute basics. Choose a simple foundation (like a blank notebook or a basic discbound starter kit) and create just four core pages: a future log, a monthly dashboard, a weekly dashboard, and a space for daily rapid-logging. Focus on function over aesthetics and give yourself permission for it to be messy and imperfect.
References
chadd.org — How to Bullet Journal with ADHD