One year my aunt and uncle gave me a play office set for my birthday, sort of like those faux-kitchen sets many children have, except instead of plastic hamburgers and sunny side up eggs, there were play pencil organizers and a really important pad for taking notes. It was easily my favorite present that year. One can only imagine the response to the annual pre-birthday inquiry that yielded the gift; “So what’s Annie into these days?”

That tragic delight has naturally given way to an unfettered near-fetish for agenda books. There is an art to choosing one, you see. For many years I was steadfastly loyal to Moleskine, which I still hold are solidly reliable, cleanly designed things. Now I’ve moved on, less picky about brand, and much, much more neurotic about such details as page layout, font size, and such. I abhor the use of doodles and inspirational quotes in the corners of the pages because I find them mightily distracting, and after a rocky year with a book bound in unruly rigidity that almost didn’t make it to the following January, I’ve resolved that softcover is the only option for me. Let’s not even get into the comprehensive realm of OCD governances on use of said planner–this certain pen for this type of note and never that other one, and so on.

But after all that thought and compulsive behavior, I inevitably procure and utilize a yearly diary that serves me most splendidly, and one that I care enough about to keep track of, protect the condition of, and rely on confidently.

Whether or not you’ve been cultivating an affinity for office supplies from the tender age of give or take 10, it’s essential that you get on board with a proper scheduling system this year.

Whatever your individual preferences, you must find yourself a calendar you can get excited about, if you haven’t already. If you were waiting for someone to give you permission, consider it granted: you are hereby permitted to a marketplace scouring, and the luxury of spending the money on precisely the agenda you want.

Consider such factors as:

– What its primary purpose will be. Are you going to capture every detail about your schedule? appointments? to do lists? reminder notes? The answer to that question should influence the calendar layout you choose, as well as how much space you have to write for each day.

– Does it need to be mobile? Will you carry it in your handbag to pull out on the fly? If so, a smaller, pocket-sized diary might be the wise choice. If you’re in the habit of using both a print and virtual calendar, you might safely obtain a larger agenda book that can stay on your desk at all times, while your mobile device will have the same information, and more easily fit into your purse.

– Who needs to have access to it besides yourself?

– Do you want it to be colorful, to have various holidays mentioned?

Listen, this is important stuff to think about, so I want to hear some answers!

The moral of the story is that scheduling and maintaining a whole household can be hectic and stressful. It’s bound to be a bummer if the actual calendar itself you’re using pisses you off more than it does please you. Choose one with intention, whether it’s an app or a deluxe monogrammed leather bound production of a thing. Treat yourself to that. And then regard it as special. Designate a particular pen you’ll use with it. You’ll be far more likely to enjoy utilizing it, to keep track of it, and to Live more Simply this year. Trust me.

Here are a few I’m liking the looks of to wet your calendrical appetite.

1. 2014 kate spade new york 17-month agenda

2. 2014 Kate Spade New York Desktop Spiral Agenda

3. Sandalwood 2014 Pocket Datebook

4. Soho Diary

5. Barbara Wiggins Diary

6. Smythson Diary

7. 2014 Monopoly Appointment Free Daily Diary

8. Graphic Image 2014 Desk Diary

And now I really want to hear your weird ass calendar tendencies please.