Here’s your first look at the new Erin Condren Focused Planner for 2023-2024. See the new covers, the weekly layout, and find out what has changed for the Spring 2023 launch.
If you’re an Erin Condren Focused lover, you’re probably on pins and needles for the new 2023 spring launch. I was sent one of the new planners early, and I have been going through it for the last week to see how it compares to last year’s Focused planners.
Here’s a full tour of the new 2023-2024 Erin Condren Focused Planner so you can decide if it’s worth putting in your cart on EC Insiders Launch Day, April 24, 2023. There’s also a video version of this walkthrough at the end of the post for a better look inside, along with all the new Focused accessories and pens.
First Look At The ’23-’24 Erin Condren Focused Planner
This year, there are two different covers for the Focused Planner: Blue Stripe and Mustard Mosaic. I have the Blue Stripe, and I think both covers give a vintage mid-century modern kind of vibe. They look and feel very classy. In the past, the Erin Condren Focused collection has been very minimal with only solid covers or the Pinstripe design from 2022. I’m excited to see some patterned options this year that still maintain that minimalist look.
Erin Condren Focused Planner Cover, Coil, & Tabs
First, let’s take a look at the cover because it deserves its own highlight. I know Erin Condren has had vegan leather covers before, but this is a whole new level. This cover is so buttery smooth! The front has the lines and date cut out (I can’t tell if it’s embossed or engraved) and the back is solid with only the Focused logo. Keep in mind that Focused Planner covers are permanent and cannot be interchanged like LifePlanner.
This cover looks and feels very high end, and I think this would be a great planner for work or personal life. It feels like it will hold up well, but I think I’ll put it inside a folio just to keep it safe from scratches and scuffs that can be caused by putting it in and out of my bag. I got the gold coil, and these tend to hold up well too, but I prefer the folio to keep it from getting hung on my bag.
All tabs in the Focused Planner are in a dark gray color, and there isn’t a variation per month. This gives it a clean and minimal look. The tabs are laminated so they’re extra sturdy and each month name is in its entirety, not abbreviated.
Inside The Erin Condren Focused Planner
Cover Page
Opening the planner, you’ll see a nod to the old Pinstripe design from 2022 on the interior cover, along with the cover page. There’s no vellum sheet like there is in the LifePlanner because the Focused collection is all about minimalism and staying, well, focused. There’s ample room on both the interior cover and the cover page to customize it if you’d like.
Year At A Glance
The next pages are the Year At A Glance pages. The Focused Planner is only available in the 12-month layout, so it starts with July 2023 and goes through June 2024. You can’t add extra months to start with or choose an 18-month fill. I really like this Year At A Glance page because it gives you a lot of notes space below to use however you prefer.
Holiday Lists
Next, you’ll find three pages of holidays that span from July 2023 through December 2024. I am beyond impressed with the holiday list this year. It goes far past the “traditional” U.S. holidays and includes special days for all religions, cultures, LGBTQA+, and disability awareness. It feels very diverse and inclusive, and I think the EC team did a fantastic job this year.
Year Overview
Following the holidays is another type of Year overview. In the LifePlanners, you get two pages for this, but in Focused, there is only one page. Each month has five lines below for writing appointments, occasions, planning your year, or outlining content to create. There is also a vertical line that separates each lined section to allow for dates or checkboxes to be used next to your list.
Monthly Calendar
Now we jump right into the first month in the planner, which is July 2023. The monthly calendar page is behind the monthly tab and is a two-page spread. The mini months are in both top corners, and the right side of the page has a lined notes section that spans all the way to the bottom.
Monthly Planner Page
After the calendar is the Monthly Planner page. This has three sections with lines on the lefthand column, and a checklist section and unlined box on the righthand column. This is my favorite page of the Focused planner because it allows me to draft out my goals and to-do’s for the month. Then I can reference it every week to see what still needs to be done and plug them into my calendar. On the page beside the Monthly Planner is a dot grid page for additional planning.
Weekly Horizontal Layout
The weekly pages of the Erin Condren Focused Planner are in the Horizontal format and do not come in any other variations. The EC team has said before that they don’t have plans to offer the Focused collection in other layouts, but I personally think the Horizontal layout is perfect for minimalist planning. You get five lines per day, along with an unlined section beside it so you can divide up your day into categories.
The mini month is in the top lefthand corner, and the bottom righthand page has a lined Notes section and checklist section. I use these to draft out everything I need to do in the week, then plug them into the days to decide what I have time for. It helps to plug them in by priority so I know all the important things have been scheduled before I plug in the “extra stuff.”
Notes Pages
At the end of each month, there are two Notes pages. This is one of my favorite things about the Focused Planner versus the LifePlanner. LifePlanners have an illustration on the front of each tabbed month which I kind of think is wasted space. In the Focused collection, there are no illustration pages, so you gain extra Notes pages for planning and reflecting at the end of each month.
At the end of June 2024, you get four additional Notes pages, a Contacts list, and the Year At A Glance for July 2024-June 2025. These pages are little different than the ones in the front. Under each month are four lines with circle bullet points for quick future planning, along with lines at the bottom of the page for additional notes for the year ahead.
Erin Condren Focused Planner FAQ
Can you personalize the cover of the Erin Condren Focused Planner?
Yes, personalization is available for coiled Focused Planners for an additional fee. The Focused Ring Agenda cannot be personalized.
What sizes are available for the Erin Condren Focused Planner?
The Focused Planner is available in two sizes: 7×9 coil-bound or A5 ring-bound.
What cover options are available for the Erin Condren Focused Planner?
In the 2023-2024 7×9 coiled Focused Planner, you can get Vegan Leather covers in either Mustard Mosaic or Blue Stripe. There is also an Eco-Friendly cover option in Eco Blush Half Moon or Eco Black.
Has the 2023-2024 Erin Condren Focused Planner weekly layout changed from last year’s layout?
No, the layouts, page orders, fonts, sizes, and paper are exactly the same as the 2022-2023 Focused planner.
Does ink bleed through paper in the Erin Condren Focused Planner?
Most ink will not bleed through the paper. All Erin Condren planners are made with 80# paper which is very thick and easy to write on.
What makes the Focused Planner different than Erin Condren LifePlanners?
The Erin Condren Focused collection is much more minimal than the LifePlanner collection. There are no illustrations, designs, graphics, or decorations inside. The front page does not have a vellum overlay, the back does not include a folder pocket or stickers, and a perpetual calendar is not included either. Focused Planners are solely intended for minimal and distraction-free planning. In exchange of all the decor in a LifePlanner, a Focused Planner comes with more lines on weekly pages, more Notes pages, and more functionality.
When can I order the new 2023-2024 Erin Condren Focused Planner?
All new Erin Condren Focused and LifePlanners are launching on April 24, 2023 with early access shopping for EC Insiders.
