Jew World Order

We get it—you went to bed at some point during the holidays, woke up, rubbed your eyes, looked at your big ass wall calendar, and realized it’s somehow January 2023. ​​And, since most of us have been living in an ambiguous ether where all the days are one big eggnog blob and time ceases to exist, this rubber-band-like time warp can make for a rude return to reality once we hunker down for a new year and a new grind. Fortunately, there’s an analog solution to the modern problems of the digital age and our historically bad work-life balance: an old-school, paper-and-pen planner. 

Something happens when we physically write things down. There’s a certain sense of grounding—of reality—when we make our mark. We have become uniquely obsessed with writing out our schedule in a planner (with a Fisher Space Pen, of course) and visualizing our days, weeks, and months in a screen-free fashion. Plus, it’s helped us remember plans, stay on top of tasks at work, and know when to send those annual “happy birthday dude!!” texts to our high school besties that we haven’t seen since they started posting anti-vax propaganda on Facebook got married and moved to Utah.   

That’s why we cobbled together this short list of the best planners and notebooks for 2023, from minimalist Moleskines and mushroom themed planners to ultra-detailed appointment books. Peruse at your leisure—but don’t dilly dally, you’ve got a… [checks planner]… lunch date. (Nice.)

The best planner, period

If you want something timeless, it does not get better than Moleskine—and we are well-prepared to die on that hill. (Because, you know, we have a planner.) The Italian brand’s journals feel more and more buttery with use, are easy to keep closed, and look mighty fine laying on your desk. Moleskine is simply the OG, and one of the best must-have items on Amazon because it has been the beloved journal of choice of tenuously employed creatives (Picasso and Hemingway had Moleskines) and corporate bigwigs alike for a reason (we’d bet big money Patrick Bateman wanted one).

You want to make sure you don't miss ANY meetings

We don’t blame you—who doesn’t love a good ol’ meeting? God, they’re just the tops, right? Anywho, this is probably what you think of when you hear the word “planner.” It has a faux leather cover, and breaks your day into manageable, 15-minute periods for keeping track of all of your appointments. Visually breezy, and totally functional. Plus, it zips up so you can safely stash your Flamin’ Hot Fries.

It's a classic for a reason

The Smythson 2023 Panama Agenda. Mmm—doesn’t that have a nice ring to it? Besides oozing subtle sophistication, this English-made bad boy is made with sheepskin, has an elegant week-to-view layout, and features 128 leaves of gilt-edged, pale blue, watermarked paper. It’s perfect for whipping out at a fine luncheon or stately event, such as the moment during a drunk brunch where you all make plans to “do this more often.” Cop one in a classic black colorway, or one of the other 10 swish options.

You’re a minimalist

This 18-month planner by Poketo (which also makes a mean wallet) shines not only for its use of environmentally friendly, tree-free paper, but for its understated, minimalist charm. The clean grid calendar view is open-dated, so you can start (or stop) on any month you like—perfect for the folks who wait a little too long to get plannin’. 

A planner to match your Carhartt beanie

Hold up, king. You dropped your 2023 Carhartt-esque orange Papier planner at the skate park. Good thing its Sunny D colorway is easy to see, and has your name of choice printed on the cover.

You love Japandi design

There’s definitely fanfiction, somewhere, about an anthropomorphic Moleskin journal hooking up with the equally clout-heavy notebooks from the Japanese brand Delfonics. “But isn’t Rollbahn a German word?” Yes, my son. It means runway in German, and so-chic-it-will-make-your-Google-Calendar-jealous in our hearts. Every notebook comes with gridded pages, an elastic closure, and a very 1980s take on Japandi style.

You're trying to do your body right 

Maybe instead of a regular ol' stack of paper for writing down your meetings and birthdays, you need a planner that's a little more… active. A little bossier. Something to tell you to drink water, eat right, and get your damn steps in every day. That's where Ban.do's fan-fave wellness planner comes in, packed with check-in sections and tips for maximizing your feel-good moves every day and making sure you're staying on track to a better you. 

Who's afraid of a little rain?

Not you, when you use a Rite in the Rain notebook that has waterproof pages. A favorite with travelers and journalists, it will save your thoughts from getting washed away. 

The Groovival planner

It’s not too big, it features weekly and monthly overviews, and it’ll match your Lisa Says Gah clogs. Pair that with its insanely cute front cover, and you’ve got a perfect planner to ride the impending wave of twee revival. 

You love shrooms

Same, dude. Lean into the cosmic abyss with a little more organization this year thanks to The Paper Source’s mushroom party weekly calendar, which sure would make a great gift for the Deadhead in your life.

You want to come back to this restaurant next time

For travelers who need a planner/journal for keeping track of destinations past and future, Smythson's Travel and Experiences notebook is a fantastic fit. In a new place but don’t want to forget your favorite cafe? Had one-too-many pints to remember that perfect pub you sat in for most of the trip? Boom—thank us later.

Pocket planners

This is the perfect pairing for your pocket constitution! You know what they say: Know your rights, know where you have to meet Brad for lunch next Tuesday. This bite-sized planner comes with sections for your goals, important dates, wish lists, to-dos, and more. 

This thing is gonna be your bible

… You know, your secondary bible, of course. The Panama leather that this planner is made with borrows its telltale crossgrain texture from Smythson’s famous Panama diary, which was designed by the eponymous Frank Smythson in 1908. This model features a slip pocket, a week-to-view layout with notes pages, and gilt-edged, pale blue Featherweight paper. Yum.

Now, go forth and enjoy your more organized life. 

The Rec Room staff independently selected all of the stuff featured in this story. Want more reviews, recommendations, and red-hot deals? Sign up for our newsletter.

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