I’m excited to bring you my third Planner Behind the Planner with Nicole from @plansthatblossomon Instagram! I’ve admired her work since she started her Instagram back in 2016, and its so much fun to see what she comes up with each week. She makes the most of each one of her pages, and keeps it super creative and still very functional. If you haven’t checked her out yet, be sure to find her on IG and see what I’m talking about (after reading the interview of course 
)!
She’s a master-doodler and it’s fun to see her doodle challenge pages and cute drawings decorating all of her layouts. You may have seen some of her layouts in the past inspiration galleries on the site including 51 Hot Food Journal Ideas and Master Doodling with 20+ Inspirational Doodle Accounts.
She’s in the process of setting up a blog, Etsy shop, and more, so you better stay tuned to her IG to follow along – I’m excited to see what she creates with her incredible talents!
Anyways – onto the questions…
A little about Nicole…
My name is Nicole!
I’m from central NY, but currently living in northern NJ.
I am a product designer, and I am 32!
How long have you been journaling? What is your favorite part about it?
I’ve been “officially” journaling since October 2016.
I love how it helps with productivity while also pushing me to be creative every day.
If you could only have 3 journaling supplies (not including your journal), what would they be?
I would have my Alvin Draft/Matic Pencil.
“I love how it (journaling) helps with productivity while also pushing me to be creative every day.“
Have you always been a “planner” or is it something you recently realized you needed in your life?
I’ve always been a planner, but this has definitely helped organize my life.
It’s the system I always needed but never knew existed!
Do you use any digital planning?
I add appointments and events in my calendar on my iphone, and then transfer them to my journal.
I only do this because its easy to store and my phone is always on me.
What is one piece of advice for anyone beginning their creative planning journey?
It’s easy to get caught up in the social media pressure, but the bottom line is, you should create something that works for your life, and only do it if you truly enjoy it.
What is one book that has changed your life?
I love reading, so it’s hard to choose just one!
I’d say it’s a tie between “What Alice Forgot” – Liana Moriarty,
and “The Light Between Oceans” – ML Stedman
What is something unique that your followers don’t know about you?
I absolutely adore award shows.
Celebrities and fashion… I can’t get enough!
What are some of your favorite spreads in your journal?
I’m a strong believer in keeping positivity at the forefront of your journal.
In addition to planning and sketching, my journal acts as a source of motivation when I need it. I often add motivational quotes directly from my own health and fitness posts.
Looking back at these spreads empowers me. They make me question what I have going on in my life right now. They help me to put things into perspective.
Who are your favorite inspiration accounts you follow?
I’m not sure how I can even choose, this community is fantastic!
I’m such a huge fan of so many accounts these days so excuse me for going overboard or for forgetting any! @lifebywhitney, @inkbyjeng, @craftyenginerd, @nicoles.journal, @writeitonthewall, @my.life.in.a.bullet and @my_blue_sky_design inspired me to start creative journaling. I owe a lot to all of them for the endless inspiration!
My current favorite accounts are @this.scrapjournal, @the.petite.planner, @isabelhoops, @bujowithbecky, @cardigansandchamomile, @bumblebujo, @rachelmaybujo, @metro_boulot_bujo, @journautical and @journalsanctuary.
“My one piece of advice would be to create for yourself above all else.“
What are you currently learning or working on and what would you like to learn?
I want to learn how to do everything, but that is pretty overwhelming!
Mostly, I would love to learn brushlettering.
I can mimic a lot of fonts, and kind of “fake it ’til I make it” – but I’d like to officially learn how to use all of these fantastic brush pens I have.
What is your favorite social media network & where can we find you online?
I am currently only active on Instagram, but will be setting up Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, Etsy, YouTube, and Blog very shortly!
Lots of work to do – I’m very excited about expanding!
That’s It!
👇Please – let me know in the comment section what you think or anything else you want to ask Nicole – I’d also love your suggestions on future questions you’re dying to know from other pro-planners. 👇
If you wanna stay informed about future Planner Behind the Planner posts (PBTP), be sure to subscribe to my newsletter or follow along in my Instagram story. There’s a featured story there with all of the interviews (or you can head to the PBTP archive).
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I love this interview! I like hearing the thoughts and ideas behind those whose ideas and doodles I like and admire. I find myself a bit uncreative at times and looking up doodling ideas. But I think bujo is bringing out the creative in me!! This interview was so wonderful. I, too, want to learn everything and find it overwhelming and like hearing that I am not alone. Whew!J
I love the music spread, may have to try that myself!
I love this. I have to “google” doodles when I feel like drawing them in my journal. I can never think of anything :l
Thank you for showing us all of these layouts and how you come up with stuff.
I love those bookshelf reading lists. They are fantastic. This one inspires me to start one in my journal.
I LOVE her advice “create for yourself!” I think too many times, we are worried about living up to standards and what should or shouldn’t be in our planners, that we lose sight of what is important….creating what works for US! Thanks for sharing! LOVE the Instagram!!!
So many great ideas! Thanks!
Thank you so much for doing these! I love hearing about how other people journal and seeing different ideas of spreads!