How GoodNotes Planners Changed My Life (And Might Save Yours Too)
I was never a planner person. Actually, scratch that—I was a planner collector. You know the type. The one who buys a new planner every January with the enthusiasm of someone who swears this is the year they get their life together. And by March? The planner is buried under a pile of Amazon returns and half-read self-help books, collecting dust and regret.
But then I found GoodNotes. And suddenly, planning wasn’t just something I attempted—it became something I loved. The irony of using a digital planner to finally commit to planning is not lost on me, but here we are.
So, if you’re also drowning in abandoned planners, sticky notes, and chaotic to-do lists written in the margins of your old receipts, let me introduce you to the magic of GoodNotes planners. They might just save your productivity (or at least make you feel like you’ve got it together).
Why GoodNotes Planners Are a Game-Changer
GoodNotes is basically the Marie Kondo of note-taking apps—it sparks joy while keeping things ridiculously organized. Unlike traditional planners that either get lost, forgotten, or end up as expensive coasters, a GoodNotes planner stays on your iPad, perfectly organized and always at your fingertips.
It’s like carrying your entire life in a sleek digital notebook, minus the back pain from lugging around a real one. And the best part? You can scribble, erase, and move things around without the soul-crushing permanence of ink.
Here’s why people (including me) swear by GoodNotes planners:
- They’re customizable – You can make it as minimalist or as extra as you want. Love simple layouts? Perfect. Want a hyper-decorated spread that looks like an art journal? Go wild.
- They save trees – If you’ve ever felt guilty about buying yet another paper planner, digital planning is your eco-friendly solution.
- They sync across devices – Which means you won’t forget your planner at home because, let’s be real, your iPad is practically glued to your hand anyway.
- They let you actually use that Apple Pencil – If you bought an Apple Pencil just to feel fancy but never actually use it, GoodNotes will change that.
Free GoodNotes Planners (Yes, FREE)
If you’re anything like me, you love a good freebie. And thankfully, there are tons of free GoodNotes planner templates out there. You don’t have to spend a dime to get started, which is great because, let’s be honest, planners can be weirdly expensive for something that’s supposed to help you manage your money better.
Here are some amazing places to find free GoodNotes planner templates:
- Pinterest – Just type in free GoodNotes planner and prepare to be overwhelmed in the best way possible.
- Etsy (Yes, really!) – Some shops offer freebie downloads, usually as samples for their full planner sets.
- GoodNotes Community – People share free templates in forums and groups because planner people are some of the kindest, most organized humans on the planet.
- Notion & Digital Planning Blogs – Many bloggers give away free planners to lure you in (and it works).
And if you do decide to spend money on a paid template, don’t worry—most are still way cheaper than the $50 paper planners I used to impulse buy at Target.
How to Make Your Own GoodNotes Planner
If you’re feeling extra creative, you can design your own custom GoodNotes planner from scratch. It’s surprisingly easy, and bonus: you get exactly what you want. No more flipping through planners thinking, Ugh, why is there a budget tracker but no daily gratitude section?
Here’s a quick breakdown of how to make a planner in GoodNotes:
1. Decide on Your Layout
Think about what you actually need. Do you want:
- A daily, weekly, or monthly planner?
- A meal planner?
- A fitness tracker?
- A mood journal where you rate each day on a scale from sunshine to total disaster?
2. Create Your Pages
Use apps like:
- Canva – Super easy for making aesthetic planner pages.
- Keynote or PowerPoint – Weirdly great for digital planners.
- Procreate – If you’re artsy and want full control.
3. Import It to GoodNotes
Once you’ve designed your planner, save it as a PDF and import it into GoodNotes. From there, you can add hyperlinks, stickers, and whatever else makes you excited to use it.
And voilà! You’ve got a planner that actually fits your needs.
How to Use GoodNotes as a Planner (Without Giving Up After a Week)
Having a planner is great. Using a planner is where things get tricky. Here’s how to make sure your digital planner doesn’t suffer the same fate as all those abandoned notebooks from years past.
1. Make It a Habit
Set a reminder to open your planner every day. Even if you just scribble down “survive today”, it’s a start.
2. Keep It Fun
Use digital stickers, color-code things, and add doodles. Planning should feel like an activity you enjoy, not a chore.
3. Don’t Overcomplicate It
Some people love making elaborate planner spreads, but if that’s not your thing, keep it simple. Your planner is supposed to help you, not stress you out.
4. Sync It with Your Life
GoodNotes works best when it complements your actual routines. Use it for work, personal goals, grocery lists, or even just daily brain dumps.
The Verdict: Is a GoodNotes Planner Worth It?
If you’ve ever bought a fancy paper planner only to abandon it, if you love writing things down but hate messy notebooks, or if you just want an excuse to use your Apple Pencil more, then yes, a GoodNotes planner is absolutely worth it.
It makes planning feel less like a responsibility and more like a creative outlet. And who knows? Maybe this will finally be the year we all get our lives together.
Or at least pretend we have. And honestly? That’s good enough for me.
