This was a tough one. I am not even sure why it was on a list for people with ADHD. It seems more geared toward trauma, depression, and anxiety. I know people with ADHD can also have those but this was more than just a planner. This is meant more for someone in therapy and taking multiple medications.
At first flip through, I realized I would never use a lot of the included sections but I tried to spend some time in each section but it was very overwhelming. So I tried to stick to only the planning pages and I used it for two weeks before throwing in the towel.
I did not like the planning pages at all.
First, you cannot turn the pages if you use all three included bookmarks. I first tried to mark the monthly section, notes, and today but had to remove the monthly and notes in order to flip the pages. Instead, I moved the monthly pages to the daily page section so everything I was using was together.
I did like how the monthly spread had the habit tracker down the side column. I actually filled it in for each day I used the planner! I thought the boxes were a good size for a monthly view as well. Even with their rating system, I felt there was enough room to write in what I needed.
I HATED the daily pages. There wasn’t really a good spot for a to do list or other notes I like to put in my daily, such as my husband’s work schedule or dinner. I ended up using the Top 5 Goals as my to do section and when I had more than 5? I wrote in the time section.
I never used the affirmation, notice, kind words, or grateful boxes. I feel a couple of those boxes would be better as to do list spaces or blank so I can note schedules or dinner plans. There was also a spot to check if you took your morning or evening medications. I did it for like two days then gave up on it.
This feels like another one of those planners you need to look at every night and “journal” in. I’m not always good at reviewing my planner once I’ve checked out for the evening so I usually play catch-up the next morning. If you are good at doing a nightly check in this might be better for you than me.
Final Verdict:
The CanPlan Mental Health planner feels like a very specialized planner for a very specific person. I was not that person. It is way more than just a planner. There are prompts and questions you can write out your answers to. There is space for therapy notes and trigger responses. It definitely felt more aimed to depression or anxiety, not just ADHD.
If you are looking for a daily planner, this is not it. The daily pages do not have enough room for actual planning. It leans more towards a journal/mood tracker than a planner.
It felt like too much for someone with ADHD.
I was a little surprised by the paper. It felt very thin and smooth, like basic office printer paper but it held up well to a ballpoint pen, gel pen, and mildliners. My Tombow dot pen did seep through so you want to be careful with anything more inky/juicy than pens and highlighter.
Would you use the Can Plan Mental Health Planner? What did you like about it? What do you think you would dislike about it?
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