Creative Ways to Track Progress (That Actually Feel Good)

Let’s talk about progress—not the Pinterest-perfect kind, but the real, messy, in-progress kind. The kind that sometimes looks like a full checklist and other days looks like “I drank water and didn’t lose my planner.”

Tracking progress can be fun, creative, and super-empowering when you make it work for you—not against you. So, if habit trackers feel like homework and goal charts make you sweat, this post is here to bring you gentle, joyful alternatives.

Habit Trackers That Don’t Feel Like Homework

We’ve all had that one habit tracker page that stares at us with a sad row of blank boxes. The key? Keep it low-pressure and fun.

Try:

• Doodle trackers (color in a flower petal for each day you stretch)

• Tiny mood dots or symbols instead of full-on logs

  
  

My favorite hack? Use a tracker with only 3–4 habits max. Anything more becomes a part-time job.

Monthly “Done Lists” Instead of To-Do Lists

This one’s a game-changer: Instead of writing what you need to do, track what you actually did.

Enter the Done List. You:

• Flip to a fresh spread

• Title it “Look What I Did!”

• Add to it as the month goes on

  
  

It shifts your focus from pressure to progress. Plus, it’s super satisfying to flip back and see how much you’ve done—even if it was mostly snack-related.

Use Visual Spreads to See Progress Over Time

Seeing progress in color = instant dopamine. Try:

• Bar charts for savings, workouts, or habits

• Mood mandalas that grow day by day

• Color-coded task logs (my fave is pastel by theme)

  
  

My go-to for this year has been the bar charts in my Budget Planner. They have helped me keep track of my spending and how much I need to pay for each purchase.

Gamify Your Goals

Progress doesn’t have to be serious. In fact, when it feels like a game, it becomes way more fun.

Ideas:

• Level-up spreads (every goal = XP!)

• Milestone rewards (planner stickers = treasure chest)

• Habit bingo (I like using Passion Planner's free Bingo printable)

  
  

You better believe I reward myself when I hit goals. My favorite reward... paid days off from work to relax and enjoy a Caturday with Burt. Zero shame.

Mood & Energy Tracking for Insight, Not Judgment

Tracking how you feel can sometimes be more valuable than what you do. Why?

Because your energy levels affect how you plan, show up, and follow through.

Try:

• One-word reflections each day (I include an emoji)

• Highlighting your energy level 1–5

• Weekly mood check-ins: “What helped? What drained me?”

  
  

This gives you insight to plan smarter, not harder.

Use Photos or Art to Capture Progress

Not every win can be logged in a checkbox. Use your planner to memory-keep:

• Add a weekly photo or polaroid-style sticker

• Do a visual journal spread

• Make a mini collage at the end of the month

  
  

This is also a great excuse to post your progress pages on Instagram (hello, content!).

Progress Doesn’t Always Look Like Progress

Sometimes, the biggest step forward is not quitting. Even if things look slow, scattered, or off-track, progress is still happening.

I remember a month when I barely filled in my tracker, but I kept showing up. That mattered.

Use your planner to tell your full story—not just the wins, but the effort. Because effort is progress.

Show Off Your Progress Pages

Let’s see those creative tracker spreads and mood logs! Tag me @planning_with_sally.

Sharing = accountability + inspiration.

Track What Feels Good

You don’t need to track everything. Just pick one method that speaks to you this month, and go from there.

Your planner is yours. Make it reflect your pace, your style, your magic.

Next week’s post: “Budget-Friendly Date Ideas for Valentine’s Day”