• faith
  • life
  • motherhood
  • books
  • family
  • home
  • food
  • travel
  • Nav Social Icons

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • blog
  • about
  • Beautycounter
  • podcast
  • design
chelsea eubank

chelsea eubank

stories + graces of everyday life with God

  • about
  • podcast
  • Design
  • Shop
  • clean beauty
  • contact

My Mini Binder Set Up

03/16/2016 · In: life

Last month, upon a recommendation from a friend, I read Anne Ortlund’s book Discplines of a Beautiful Woman. In one of the chapters, she talks about how she stays organized using a mini binder. I’d never thought of this idea, but decided to adventure in. It has been super great! I took a good bit of inspiration from her stories, but I also tweaked it to match my own ‘needs,’ and wanted to share it with you. Today you can spend oodles of money on designer binders and refill paper, which is nice, but I still think Anne’s inexpensive system is simple and helpful.

Being a mini binder, it’s small and easy to slip down in my bag for work, and not obtrusive to take into the doctor’s office or car repair shop (I say from personal experience).

It has been great for keeping all the many open tabs of my brain in one happy place.

IMG_6865-edit

Calendar

I ordered custom mini binder calendar pages from Amazon, and they are fabulous. Sections for notes, a pretty design, all kept in the front of my binder.

IMG_6872-edit

Monthly Meals

This is a fun page, that I found at Thirty Handmade Days.

I told myself that in 2016 I wanted to try and develop a habit of planning ahead a little better for meals. Utilizing ingredients at home instead of wasting them, etc.

IMG_6877-edit

Lists

The next section is a place for both big and small to-do lists. Some of my lists include:

  • House goals like buying curtains, finding a nice kickback recliner, and organizing our upstairs bonus room
  • Monthly to-do’s
  • Wellness goals like spinning twice a week or drinking more H2O
  • Gift ideas for future holidays or birthdays
  • Personal shopping lists

IMG_6870-edit

Prayer (not pictured)

I added a section for prayer requests. This prompts me to pray if I’m sitting in a waiting room, because the specifics are right there, a few pages over.

Notes

I added a section for blog brainstorming for whenever ideas come to mind I want to flesh out. Even as the digital ages becomes ‘better and better,’ I will always be a pen and paper girl.

In this section are random journal entries, or pages covered in quotes I’ve heard or read and enjoyed. Stories or moments of a date with my husband or a meeting at work that I wanted to remember.

IMG_6880-edit

I also bought a couple folders where I put bills I want to pay, grocery lists, printed recipes, blank cards to write letters, etc.

It’s nice to have a printed calendar, space for random journaling, a place for all my miscellaneous lists, and a way to remember people in prayer all in one neat small place.

It might not be for everyone, and it might seem silly, which all the technology we have today, but I have to say I am enjoying it.

If you’re interested in the mini-binder idea, here are a couple other helpful links:

  • Thirty Handmade Days – This is quite the post on using binders to organize life
  • Grace Works
  • A Bowl Full Of Lemons

By: Chelsea Eubank · In: life · Tagged: goals, home, life

you’ll also love

preparing for a new year
moments of Christmas I don’t want to forget
llama llama, christmas lights and friends

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ashton Morgan says

    03/16/2016 at 11:09 pm

    Looks fun and simple! I like it! I’ve been trying to figure out a new planner system this year and haven’t quite gotten one I like. Maybe I should try this one :)

  2. Kimberley says

    03/17/2016 at 4:23 am

    Wow. This seems like a really awesome idea. I think I will have to create one for myself. Thanks for sharing.

  3. Miranda says

    03/17/2016 at 2:15 pm

    This is awesome. I need to try this :)

  4. heather m. says

    03/17/2016 at 4:44 pm

    I love how you said it corrals all the open tabs of your mind! LOL! And I’m a fan of pen and paper as well so this looks right up my alley!

  5. Audrey White says

    03/18/2016 at 2:03 am

    My mom always had a binder similar to this when I was growing up! I use my planner so much, and this is definitely inspirational!

  6. Brittany Bergman says

    03/18/2016 at 1:29 pm

    What a great idea! I love that this has space to catch all the miscellaneous papers that pile up on my kitchen table.

  7. Selja says

    03/19/2016 at 4:13 pm

    Love the idea! I’ve been trying to get more organized in the last couple of weeks, but it seems take a couple of attempts to find the best ways to do it..!
    Your logo is so beautiful :)

  8. Chelsea B.E. says

    03/24/2016 at 7:05 pm

    Yes! Brittany, it has been a serious sanity saver. :)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Next Post >

Week 10/52: Waffles, Fair Trade, and Spurgeon

Primary Sidebar

Search

I'm Chelsea... a wife, mom and friend passionate about cultivating a rich life with God.

This blog is equal parts family stories, faith reflections and creative delight.

I read a lot. I eat peanut butter every day. I like shopping secondhand. I love hosting people in our home.

Writing helps me pay attention, and paying attention keeps me grateful.

Glad you're here!

Series on the Blog

  • Reading and Listening
  • Current Read
  • Joy Triggers
  • Instagram Archives
  • Clothe Yourself With
  • Perspectives
  • Truth To Consider
  • grateful list
  • A Few Things

THE PODCAST

the email

archives

topics

abiding anna art & design beautycounter biblical truth birthdays body image books clothe yourself series crushing on current read faith family fear food goals God God's presence grace gratitude him holidays inspirational words Jesus joy triggers julia Kids learned life life with God love marriage me motherhood music photography prayer reading and listening recipes reflection simplicity social media spiritual growth travel wisdom

Footer

Listening

  • BEMA
  • Pray the Word
  • Church of the City
  • Elisabeth Elliot
  • Raising Boys and Girls

Reading

  • Jasmine Holmes
  • Henri Nouwen
  • Justin Earley
  • Helen Smallbone
  • Darrell Johnson

engaging the Church & kindling love for God one testimony at a time

Listen in as people just like you share about their life with God.

Check out my podcast!

Copyright © 2023 · Theme by 17th Avenue