Monthly Planner Reset: How I Set Up My Planners for September 🍂✏️

September always feels like a little mini New Year to me. 🍎✨
It’s that sweet spot between summer and fall where everything slows down just enough to get organized again. I like to start each month by giving my planners a little reset—a chance to clear the clutter, add some color, and set myself up for a smooth transition. 🍂📖

Step 1 – Clear the Old 🧹📄

First thing I do? A clean slate.

I remove the old pages in my content planner and double-check that the rest of the info is still relevant.

For my regular planner, it’s easier: I just turn the page. I also set aside all the sticky notes I’ve put there throughout the previous months to mark important dates and tasks. It’s oddly satisfying to see a tidy, blank spread waiting for a fresh start. 🌸

✨ Pro tip: Don’t forget to transfer any unfinished tasks or in-progress notes so they don’t get lost in the shuffle!

Step 2 – Pick a Color Palette 🎨💛

Each month has its own vibe—its feel, its colors—which are totally personal. For me:

March = purple & gray 💜🌫️
July = yellow & teal ☀️🌊
August = deep green & sky blue 🌿☁️

For September, I’m leaning into warm, cozy tones—muted greens, mustard yellow, and a touch of rust. 🍂 (Don’t know which colors to pick? Close your eyes—what do you see when you think of September?)

I go through my monthly sticker kits to find one that matches my September vibe, then pull some washi tapes that feel like early autumn. 🍁

Finally, I look at my Tombow swatches to find matching markers (I love Tombows because they don’t ghost as much on Tomoe River Paper ✏️✨).

Step 3 – Layout & Goals 📆⭐

Since I usually work with undated planners, the first step is writing in the month and dates. Sometimes I use stickers, sometimes I hand-letter them—it depends on my mood. 🎀

Next, I mark payments or bills I already know about. I doodle a tiny icon in the date squares and add a short note with the amount. 💵🖊️

Then…the fun part begins! 🎉

In my regular planner, I decorate first (backwards, I know! 😂). I place stickers where events, appointments, or fun things are happening, and then add a few just-for-fun deco stickers to make the page happy. 🌷✨

After decorating, I fill in the details and finish with a short list of goals. Since I’m still in the early stages of my careers, I focus on things I’d like to accomplish this month instead of strict number goals. 🌟

If there’s space, I’ll also add a motivational or calming quote to inspire me throughout the month. 🌸🕊️

In my content planner, it’s a lot quicker. I break out my dot pens 🟣🔵🟢 and I color-code by platforms, adding a little legend at the bottom so everything’s easy to track.

Step 4 – Functional Meets Fun ✨🎀

If you want to keep coming back to your planner every day, it has to feel like yours. Make it fun and personal!

My husband doodles a tiny memory from each day 🖼️✏️
I love adding stickers (shocking, I know 😅) but I balance it with clean space for writing
Sometimes I doodle in the empty squares just to keep it playful 🎨💌

For my content planner, I stay a bit more structured. Color-coding and detailed plans keep me from staring at the page every morning wondering, “What should I post today?” 💡📲

As you can see, I am quite late in filling out September’s plan. 😅

👉 Remember: your monthly spread should never feel stressful. Have fun and follow your gut!

Final Thoughts 💭

And that’s my little September reset! It only takes about an hour once I’ve picked my monthly kit and colors, but it really sets the tone for a productive and cozy month. 🍂

Do you do a monthly reset too? What’s your go-to stationery item for September? 🖊️💌