Positivity and the Power of using a Life Planner

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.  #CollectiveBias

I'm going to level with you here between losing of good friends to illnesses last year as well as during the latter months struggling with stress, anxiety and anaemia I felt really burnt out by December and very much on edge. Christmas felt a bit like a tipping point, I had been working towards a calmer more minimalist approach to things and it felt like I was railroaded by others in so many ways, I felt I had to compromise way to much for others with little return, I put everyone else's needs before my own and my body suffered because of it. 

At the start of January, I had another emotional rollercoaster as I faced losing another one of my longest friends to a terminal illness and saying goodbye almost broke me but in reflection, I know events like this show how resilient we really are, as woman, as mothers, to carry on. I took a much needed fortnight off work, I didn't even take more than 5 days off work when I had my youngest nearly 3yrs ago so let's just say it was long overdue. 

This year I know things have to change, I have to find time for myself as well as prioritising things properly. I love my work but working from home around a family does take some organisation and I need to be more on top of that and cut out anything unnecessary out of my life. I feel there comes a point where you have to be a little selfish but selfishness doesn't mean being unkind or not compassionate about other things going on or happening to others, I mean it more in making sure I'm okay, that my needs are met too and also not to compromise on the things that are really important to me. 

On that note I felt I really needed more than just a diary to keep me on track but rather a life planner and daily journal space that will give me a way to reflect and realise what I want to achieve, big or small. Like I've said before I didn't make any resolutions but rather long term goals to work towards. I found the perfect planner from Paperchase which has 5 sections - Spending, Exercise, Mood, Dreams and Habits - all areas I want to work on.

It took me a while to find exactly what I was looking for, I visited a few different stores in Cardiff from independence to larger stores like Paperchase but the straight forward uncomplicated approach to this planner is what I love and how I want to approach the rest of this year. The Spending section will be particularly useful being self-employed I wish I had something like this in the run-up to Tax return this year. Also with regards to working from home and finding time for exercise is really important as it's easy to put work anything else and even though I spend a good amount of time outdoors with the kids I really want to start up Yoga again and this will be a good way to monitor that. Moods, Dreams (and sleep) and Habits are also areas I want to improve on and are often areas that are overlooked.

I would recommend if you want to try a Life Planner now is the time as many stores are starting to get low on their stock especially if that have a Dated diary included in the planner. Paperchase had a variety some more targeted at Fitness, Travel or Food. I wanted a more general planner as I have a Traveller planner online which I find works really well for me at the moment. I almost didn't spot this planner as it was on the lower shelf but I am glad I stumbled across it as I think this small daily change and reflection is going to have a positive effect on my life, making me feel more organised, less stressed and able to visualise how I want the year to go.