Create a Simple Weekly Planner Setup in Your Erin Condren Monthly Planner

Do you ever forget what your tiny planner icons actually mean, or ruin a perfect grid because your pen smeared right as you highlighted it? I understand how frustrating it is when you just want a simple weekly planner setup that actually works for your life. Today, I am sharing my favorite functional hacks to solve these exact problems.

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How do I draw a simple weekly planner setup?

To draw a simple weekly planner setup in an Erin Condren notes page, count the total lines and divide by 7. Because there are 28 lines on an Erin Condren notes page, each day gets exactly 4 lines. Use a Micron pen and a ruler to draw horizontal lines for perfectly spaced, smear-proof daily boxes.

grab the free cheatsheet

Overwhelmed by blank lined pages and terrified to mess them up? I get it. Grab my free Week on One Page Layout Guide right here to get five simple, functional grids you can draw yourself. No complex math or perfect handwriting required.

Functional Hacks for a Simple Weekly Planner Setup

Create a Flip-Out Icon Key

Take a blank sticky note and attach the adhesive edge to your planner’s title page, folding it over. Then you can write your icon definitions on the back of the flap. This creates a hidden reference guide that doesn’t cover up your main pages or waste valuable writing space.

Use a Micron Pen for Grids

When drawing your grids, use a Micron pen (size 8 for thick lines, size 5 for writing). Because of the special waterproof ink formula, it will not smear when you highlight over it later.

Use the “First 3” Date Trick

Keep your headers neat by using the first 3 letters of the day alongside the date number (e.g., MON 2). This avoids awkward spacing with longer words like Wednesday.

Let Go of Chronological Order

Don’t stress about writing your tasks in a perfect morning-to-evening timeline. Just get them on the page! For example, your brain knows a morning task happens in the morning, even if it sits at the bottom of the list. Remember, planning is a tool, not a rule.

My Functional Tool Kit

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What is your favorite way to keep track of what your planner symbols mean? Let me know in the comments below!