dailygrindplanner – Elizabeth Yuen

Hello, dear readers, my name is Elizabeth Yuen, and welcome back to my cozy corner of the internet. As always, my focus is on writing worlds, dreaming big, and making every day magical. Today, I’m diving into something I look forward to every fall—setting up my full October and Halloween planners.

If you’re someone who loves planning, seasonal setups, or just peeking inside other people’s creative routines, you’re in for a treat. This month, I’m working with several gorgeous planners from The Daily Grind, and their Halloween collection has truly captured the magic of the season. September was all about cozy autumn vibes, but now we’re officially stepping into spooky season.

My Halloween Planner Collection

I went a little wild (okay, a lot wild!) with the new covers this year. I picked up:

Twisted Thorn Manor – A gothic dream inspired by Morticia Addams’ garden.
Phantom Estate – Their Haunted Mansion-inspired design, complete with a hotel key motif.
Mystic Castle Commons – A Harry Potter-inspired cover that has an inside that looks just like the Gryffindor common room.
Plus some others from previous collections that I still adore, like the cozy autumn pumpkin pancake cover.

Each one has its own vibe, so I’ve been assigning different uses: my Glow Up Challenge, my reading tracker, my self-improvement notes, and even coloring pages (because why not keep things whimsical?).

The 121 Glow Up Challenge

One of the ways I keep myself grounded and focused is through the 121 Glow Up Challenge. It’s a 121-day journey that originally ran from September through December, but you can start anytime. I began a few years ago, right after having my kid, and it helped me feel like myself again. Now, it’s become a daily ritual.

This October marks the third month of my current challenge, and I’ll be updating my planner with reflections, progress, and intentions. It’s such a good reminder that no matter how chaotic life feels, I need to make space for my own well-being and growth.

Self-Improvement & Spooky Vibes

This year, I’m also participating in The Daily Grind’s October series, Get Your Ish Together, a 31-day program for self-growth. It felt fitting to dedicate my Twisted Thorn Manor cover to this journey. There’s something about pairing shadowy gothic aesthetics with self-reflection that feels perfectly Halloween-y.

October’s first prompt was about finding your starting point—asking yourself, Do you feel lost? Honestly, I do right now. Between writing, motherhood, and balancing everything in between, I’ve felt a little scattered. But having this ritual of sitting down with a planner, a candle, and even something as simple as pouring an Ollipop into a wine glass makes me feel grounded again. It’s these small, intentional touches that make planning feel like self-care instead of a chore.

Reading & Seasonal TBR

And of course, no month is complete without a reading plan! My Mystic Castle Commons cover is housing my bookish spreads this year, including cozy coloring pages. I didn’t get through all my September TBR (life happens), so I’ll be rolling a few titles over into October alongside some spooky reads to match the season. A full October TBR post is coming soon!

Wrapping It Up

So, that’s my October planner lineup—equal parts cozy and spooky, functional and magical. Each planner has its own personality, just like each area of my life, and switching covers for the season brings me so much joy.

If you’re also deep into spooky setups or just love fresh stationery, I’d love to hear: what’s your favorite planner cover or theme for October?

Until next time, happy planning and Happy Halloween! 🎃

The end of the year always sneaks up faster than I expect. One minute it’s summer, and the next we’re staring down the holiday season, wondering where the time went. This year, instead of waiting until January to make resolutions, I decided to start early with something called the 121-Day Glow Up Challenge.

September 1st marked the countdown: 121 days until the new year. Rather than letting those days slip by, I’m treating them as an opportunity to realign with my goals and finish the year strong.

Here are the areas I’m focusing on:

Fitness: I’m blending lifting, yoga, and running into my weekly routine, with the goal of hitting my healthiest, strongest self. Reaching my ideal weight is part of it, but more importantly, I want to feel energized and capable.
Writing: My big creative goal is finishing and refining Project Amber. This book has been living in my heart for months, and I want to carry its momentum into the new year.
Mindset: Staying consistent with my Daily Grind Planner, routines, and journaling has been life-changing. This challenge is also about maintaining that structure so I don’t lose myself in the chaos of the holiday season.

What I love about this challenge is that it’s a reminder that transformation doesn’t have to wait for January 1st. Every single day counts. Small, consistent actions—whether it’s writing 500 words, choosing a nourishing meal, or taking 20 minutes to move my body—compound into big results over time.

If you’re craving a reset, I invite you to join me in your own version of a glow up challenge. Pick one thing you want to carry across the finish line this year. Imagine how much progress you can make in 121 days.

So tell me—what’s one thing you’d like to accomplish before the year ends?

Tag: dailygrindplanner

📚 HALLOWEEN PLANNER SETUP | October 2025 Goals and Planning 🎃