I have been using planners since my youngest son was born. This particular one is from Boxclever press, and I have been returning to this company for 5+ years to buy planners because they suit me so well. There is space for daily plans, family plans, future planning, birthdays, meals, Christmas, note taking, bills and finances etc.
Planning for me is a therapeutic activity, and I have been using this technique since experiencing trauma. It is a way for me to gather my thoughts, plans and ideas in one space. It allows me to bracket off specific times for self care/special moments with my children/building my business/socialising and more. Since experiencing trauma, I have found it very hard to be present and to prioritise my needs. It has been incredibly difficult to place myself back into society, maintain friendships or relationships and live a life that is fulfilling and enjoyable. The best way to tackle this was to physically carve out a block of time for such things, to ensure I didn't forget to live.
This is a weekly essential for me and is something I never skip. I schedule a slot of time on a Sunday to plan the week ahead. I plan every aspect of the week. I am not a person who can go with the flow and make spontaneous decisions because, if I don't plan, it will not happen.
So although this may not be a self care activity for everyone, this is vital self care for me which soothes my mind and gives me a fulfilled, productive feeling for the week ahead. If you are someone who struggles to prioritise themselves, and find time in the week for everything you need/want to do, I highly recommend planning in this way too.
I would love to go into more detail and perhaps even film a plan with me video if anyone is interested. Let me know in the comments or via instagram/Facebook.
Thank you for reading!
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