Let the year begin

This picture has been used for representational purpose

Travel, lunch meetings, dates, deadlines, WhatsApp (or Signal) calls with family. There's so much that can happen in our lives now that 2020 is behind us. Avian flu notwithstanding, and a vaccine within reach and falling COVID-19 numbers, allow us to take tiny steps into the world outside. How then can we live without a planner? We have lined up four options for you to spend some money on.

Bare's Planner (Undated)
The Zero Waste Planner by Bare Necessities is aimed at making an honest person out of you where going zero waste is concerned. It does not have the usual date system (so it's not outdated next year).

Conceptualised to help you take small steps towards your goals, the weekly and monthly planners are supplemented with habit trackers and gratitude and manifestations notes. There are zero waste tips sprinkled on the planner too. Have an earth conscious friend? It's a great gift.
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Rs 1,200 (currently available at Rs 850)
www.barenecessities.in

Ink Bucket
At Ink Bucket, you get both, a dated and an undated calendar. Pick what suits your heart rate. Not just do you get the usual rigmarole of calendars and goals (and stickers!), but we love the vision board, monthly reflections and weekly plans pages.

And, for those who like to get lost in a little bit of childhood, there are also colouring pages at the beginning and end of the planner.
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Rs 1,499 - Rs 1,899
www.theinkbucket.in

Odd-Giraffe
This one caught us on Instagram and we found out that Sunday mid-day columnist Paromita Vohra had bought it too. Why do we like it? Besides the ‘Work, work, work' cover, each month starts with goal setting, goal analysis and a gratitude corner (though, let's admit it, we have a full journal for that one).

While there's the general monthly planner spread, there's also enough space to fill in details on a daily basis. Might allow you to do away with the separate TDL diary. Want to set different goals this year? Try the wellness planner instead which comes with a habit tracker, mood tracker and a period tracker. Oh, and they send a free highlight pen. Seriously, what more could you ask for?
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Rs 1,299 - Rs 1,399
www.oddgiraffe.com

Alicia Souza
The good thing about indie planner brands is the lovely art work they come with. Which is why we recommend The 2021 Ultimate Planner and Pocket Planner (two things!) which also comes with a big book of stickers. Now, we don't know when stickers became a big thing for planners, but everyone has them these days. And, they are fun, so why not jazz up your days? Souza's extra offers?

There's a list you can create about things to sort out and clean out (a woman after my own heart), monthly meal plans, grocery shopping list (just so you don't forget to buy the damn jeera again when you do place the order). There's also a pocket at the back to hold stationery or small notes. Since we already have ours, we are going to have to wait till next year to buy this one, but what's stopping you?
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Rs 1,899
www.aliciasouza.com

When vintage meets Boho
If you're looking to infuse a dose of vintage glamour in your home decor, entrepreneur Farah Najafi is here to help with handmade cushion covers, table runners, coasters, kitchen appliance covers, chair covers and window valances.

Farah Najafi

Najafi, a mother of two, was exposed to the shabby chic aesthetic - floral upholstery, lace curtains, ruffles - while living in Dubai. Her decor evokes an image of cozy cottages and warm fires. "But, when I moved back to Mumbai, I realised finding pastel, floral and frilled pieces was a challenge." She seldom repeats her patterns and is open to customisation requests.
@Frillnest, Instagram

Resistance on radio
When in the mid-2000s, India witnessed the rise in popularity of documentary films, Pratirodh Ka Cinema (Cinema of Resistance) was born to offer an alternative to cliched commercially driven movies. This year, it has expanded to include a podcast series called Resistance Radio, where members of Cinema of Resistance explore themes of struggles through the movements that mobilised and inspired youth, women and children, acting as a strong voice for the marginalised. They hope that the discourse challenges the status apparatus. In the first episode, freelance video journalist Saurabh Bambaiya and Vibhuti Kapila tell us about the Savitribai Library set up by Mamta Singh in Agrasar village, who runs on a self-sustaining model and inspires thousands of children and adults to think and read. Much like Savitribai's mission, Mamta is responsible for opening another set of libraries around her village, kicking off a library movement in Uttar Pradesh.
On Spotify

Do the write thing
While digitisation may have made a lot of paper and pen-oriented processes redundant, the love for stationery has endured. We aren't alone in harbouring these deep feelings. Krisha Seth and Yamini Gandhi started Dots and Doodles to spread the love, with stationary in bold colours and graphic designs.

The planner, diaries and stationery (for kids and adults) comes bundled in boxes with supplementing shadings, surfaces and gold detailing.

Krisha Seth

An array of customisable invitations are available as well those featuring current trends such as letterpress, thermography and foil accents. Since each item is individually handcrafted, it lends a certain timelessness, says the duo.
@dotsanddoodlesdesign, Instagram

Curated by Anju Maskeri and Prutha Bhosle