Why You Need a Seasonal Calendar (Even If You Use a Digital One)
Chances are, in the Year of our Lord 2025, you're using some kind of digital calendar to tell you where to be and when. Notifications buzz, alerts pop up, and appointments are just a tap away.
But let me make a case for seasonal planning—especially when life has a natural rhythm to it. Think: sports ball seasons, school breaks, trimesters of pregnancy, or the countdown to a big event. When life speeds up and your calendar fills in, sometimes even a month view feels too zoomed-in. That’s when I pull out my secret weapon: the blank seasonal calendar.
You can apply these tips no matter what format you use (digital, dry-erase, or paper), but I’m writing with my own large wall calendar in mind.
Click on the picture for a PDF download of the blank seasonal calendar. I had my 18”x24” calendar like this one printed locally at Two Rivers Printing.
Essential calendar also has several versions available for order at their website.
Remember Your Calendar’s Purpose
Every person or family will have a different reason for using a seasonal calendar. Mine? Baseball weekends.
With three kids on three different teams, most of our summer weekends are packed with tournaments. I get overwhelmed if I can't quickly see where we’ll be each weekend—and when we might have a break so we can sneak in a lake weekend.
Here’s the thing: I don’t put every practice or appointment on this calendar. It’s an overview, not a daily planner. Practice schedules shift with the weather, and client appointments don’t affect my family’s weekend plans. The seasonal calendar is all about the big picture.
Start Any Time
Your calendar doesn’t have to follow the typical January–March, April–June breakdown if that’s not what your season requires. You’re the boss of this thing.
Start your seasonal calendar whenever it makes sense—June to August for summer, October to December for holiday planning, or any stretch that aligns with a busy season or special project. That’s the beauty of using an undated format: you can make it work for your life. Mid-may to the first weekend in August covers our entire baseball season. Win!
Keep it in a Highly Visible Area
If you want your seasonal calendar to be useful, it has to be visible. Not tucked in a drawer. Not hidden in a file.
Ours hangs in the main hallway, where we pass it a dozen times a day. Other good spots: your office, command center, or near the door. I use a magnetic frame like this one, and it’s easy to update as plans shift.
Consider Color Coding
Color coding isn’t a must, but it’s a game-changer if you’re visual like me. I assign a color to each kid, so we can instantly see who has what on baseball weekends, or when camp or other trip overlaps.
Black = holidays, family trips, or anything involving all of us
Each child = their own color
I make a small color key on the side so everyone can decode the calendar
Erasable pens or markers and washi tape are your friends. Nothing can ruin a calendar’s vibe like scribbles. Consider erasable pens or markers, or washi tapes you can write on and peel off.
FYI: my erasable pens don’t always write well up against the wall, so I recently switched to the markers. Problem solved!
Start with the Most Important Stuff
Once your calendar is labeled with your chosen season, begin by filling in the must-do items: vacations, tournaments, family events, deadlines.
From there, add the “want-to” events in a different color—things that aren’t locked in but are worth keeping in mind.
And don’t forget to leave white space. If every square is full, burnout isn’t far behind. Remember: every “yes” is a “no” to something else—and that’s okay.
Be the Boss of Your Season
Whether you're heading into a busy sports stretch, planning a family summer, or preparing for a major life event, I hope this encourages you to think big-picture. A seasonal calendar can bring structure, clarity, and even a bit of peace to your days.
You don’t have to control every detail. But you can lead your family (and yourself!) through the season with more intention.
Let the calendar be your guide—and your permission slip to say no when you need to.
Let me know if you'd like help creating a printable seasonal calendar template or setting up a color-coded key for your space—I’d be happy to share ideas or resources!
