Mornings matter.
They set the tone the rhythm, and—more often than not—the pave of the day to come. I've learned that if I start the day slowly or aimlessly, I often carry that energy into the afternoon (and beyond). Instead, when I begin with intention—even a gentle one—the rest of the day tends to follow suit.
That's exactly why I created this Creative Morning Planner Template.
It's a low-effort, visually calming journal page that you can print at home and use every day or just whenever you feel the need for a reset. Whether you're starting a new project, recovering from burnout, or simply craving a little structure this planner is designed to help you reclaim your morning momentum—without trying to control your whole day.
Why This Planner Exists:
There's so much pressure in the productivity world to plan every minute of every day, but that approach doesn't work for everyone, especially not for creatives or even people who simply want to live with more intention.
This planner page offers structure without rigidity. It gives you just enough support to visualize your upcoming day while still eaving room to breathe, flow, and adapt. It's perfect for:
- Therapists, professors, and creatives with flexible schedules
- Anyone seeking a calmer, more mindful start to the day
- People who don't want to commit to a whole planner system
- Journal lovers who enjoy having a pretty page to fill out
What's Inside the Creative Morning Planner Page:
Today's Inspiration
A space for a quote, mantra or meaningful word that embodies your intention for the day. Something like:
- Make space for joy
- Do less with more focus
- Move gently, but with purpose
- Make it better, or let it go
Today's Main Goals
A short checklist to capture your top three priorities for the day. This helps center your attention, so your day doesn't get pulled off track by distractions later.
Soft Timeline
Instead of assigning specific times to tasks, this section breaks your day into Morning, Afternoon and Evening. It encourages a sense of rhythem without the pressure of a defined schedule. You can use it to plan focus blocks, work breaks, creative time or your self-care routine.
Coffee - Tea - Breakfast
A gentle nudge to slow down and enjoy your morning ritual. Whether it's a lavender oat milk latte or a simple slice of toast, writing it down can help you feel more present in the moment.
Gratitude List
A simple way to reconnect with what's good. Studies have shown gratitude improves mental clarity and mood—but even without the science, it just feels nice to write it down.
Notes - Ideas - Sketches
This extra-large dot grid section is perfect for whatever you need: jot down thoughts, scribble out ideas, sketch out your next project, or even brain-dump what's on your mind. It's intentionally open-ended, so you can make it your own.
Designed for Gentle, Intentional Mornings:
In the age of smartphones and endless scrolling, it's easy to start the day reacting instead of creating, but imagine what could shift if you woke up with a simple, creative template ready to guide your morning.
This planner isn't about perfection—it's about intention.
It's not meant to be filled out "correctly." Just use it however it supports you.
It's great as a standalone tool, or you can pair it with your regular morning journal practice. Keep a few printed copies by your nightstand, in your studio or wherever you begin your day.
Download the Free Creative Morning Planner:
Ready to try it?
You can download the planner below and start using it right away. It's a simple PDF—no email signup required—and it's totally free.
Click here to download the Creative Morning Planner Template.
I hope this little page brings more peace, clarity and joy to your mornings. If you use it, I'd love to see—feel free to tag me on Instagram @emilyckohl and share how it's working for you.
Here's to gentle mornings and meaningful days,
emilyckohl