Mid-Winter Planning Hacks to Keep You Going

Let’s not sugarcoat it: mid-winter is a vibe, and not always the good kind. The sparkle of New Year’s resolutions has faded, the daylight is still missing in action, and suddenly, your planner feels more like a to-do list of broken promises than a tool for motivation.

But fear not! With a few cozy tweaks and fresh mindset shifts, your planner can still be your winter survival kit. Here are my favorite mid-winter planning hacks to help you stay inspired (and maybe even have a little fun while you’re at it).

Embrace the Power of a Mini Reset

Just like your space might need a good decluttering mid-season, so does your planner.

Take 15 minutes to:

• Remove unused pages or spreads that are stressing you out

• Add fresh tabs or labels

• Re-decorate a section you’re bored of

  
  

I recently redid my February section with a soft, pastel theme and a few new inserts—and I’m obsessed. It made me want to open my planner again. Sometimes, all you need is a quick glow-up.

Create a Monthly Vision Board Spread

Instead of focusing on what you haven’t done, take a minute to look at what you have accomplished. Cue: your Monthly Vision Board page.

Use this spread to track and celebrate small victories—like drinking enough water for once, or remembering to budget before impulse buying on Etsy (guilty).

Add a sticker, doodle, or a short description each time you hit a small milestone. It's a mini vision board that focuses on what you've already accomplished. Not only does it look cute, but it also trains your brain to celebrate progress, not perfection.

Use Cozy Themes to Make Planning More Inviting

If your planner feels cold and blah, give it a winter makeover. Try:

• Soft color palettes (think snowy blues, warm taupes, cozy pinks)

• Hot cocoa checklists ☕

• Cute cozy vibes in your decor or stickers

Break Goals Into Warmer Bites

If big goals feel frozen in place right now, break them down into seasonal mini-goals—what I like to call “snowball steps.”

Try:

• Focusing on ONE thing each week (like updating your budget or creating a morning routine)

• Adding fun names to your weeks like “Frosty Focus Week” or “No-Flake Zone”

• Using motivational stickers or reminders in your planner for a little pick-me-up

  
  

Smaller, warmer steps = more momentum.

Make It Social (Even if You’re in Pajamas)

Winter can feel isolating, but planning doesn’t have to be. Join a hashtag challenge, post your weekly spreads, or share your goals in your stories.

I love a good planner community challenge. Tag me @planning_with_sally if you know of any new and exciting challenges. We can motivate each other without ever leaving our fuzzy socks.

Light Therapy for Your Motivation

Okay, this one’s real: lack of sunlight = lack of energy. If you can, try:

• Getting outside for 5–10 minutes each morning (I like to visit tanning salons during the winter)

• Sitting near a window while you plan

• Using a light therapy lamp during your planner sessions

  
  

Even planning prompts like “What’s one thing that brought me joy today?” can boost your mood. I swear by this during gloomy weeks.

Create a February Intentions Page

You don’t need to wait until spring for a fresh start. February is the perfect time to recalibrate.

Set up an intentions page with space for:

• One focus per week

• One habit to build

• One kind thing to do for yourself

I like to create a goal page for my monthly intentions. It's quick and easy and really helps plan out the rest of the month so I can get the best out of my planning sessions.

Watch My Mid-Winter Reset Routine

Want to see how I breathe new life into my planner when I hit the winter slump? Check out my Mid-Winter Reset on YouTube.

I walk through:

• Refreshing my planner layout

• Setting new February intentions

• Using cozy stickers and winter color palettes

  
  

It’s Okay to Plan in Pajamas

Your planner isn’t judging you. If you’re getting stuff done while wrapped in a blanket burrito, you’re winning.

Keep it simple, keep it warm, and keep showing up—even if your stickers are slightly crooked.

Next week’s post: “Creative Ways to Track Progress”