Physical Planners vs. Digital Planners

Physical planners are ones you can physically hold in your hand, made of some sort of paper or card stock, and can be written on with pen or pencil. You can decorate them with stickers and fancy writing with colored ink pens if you prefer.

Digital planners are on electronic devices: cell phones, computers, or Ipads. They are a part of technology, but I wouldn't say they are necessarily better than their physical counterparts.

Here's why...

With digital planners there can be a technological glitch and all of your plans are lost. Or you accidentally hit delete and zip... Gone in an instant. Not cool!

Plus, with a physical planner where you have to write out your plans by hand, you are more apt to remember what you wrote. I will always choose a physical planner over digital. It just feels more real to me.

So are you Team Physical or Team Digital? 📣

Tracy xo

The Benefits of Planning

A clear vision, backed by definite plans, gives you a tremendous feeling of confidence and personal power. - Brian Tracy

To achieve success in life it's essential to be prepared and have a plan. From personal finance to fitness and everything in between you need a clear vision and a plan. 

Some may have the fortune of good luck on their side, but you can achieve your goals easier with a plan. That's why I like to use a planner. 

The Benefits of Planning

1. Break goals (or household tasks) into smaller goals. Lessens the need to overwork and feeling overwhelmed.

2. Frees up your energy for more important matters.

3. No need to try to remember everything just refer to your planner.

4. You can track your progress and see how far you have come.

5. It makes life easier. 

6. You can spread tasks out.

7. When the unexpected occurs, you can jump back in where you left off.

8. You are not always behind. You have planned and are prepared.

9. You feel more in control of your life.

10. Achieving goals builds your confidence and makes you successful.

You don't need a fancy shmancy planner. You need one that meets your needs and you will use every day! 

What benefits have you experienced by using a planner?

Tracy xo

Why Planners Are Necessary In Your Life

I *love* planners!

I love feeling in control of my life by having a plan. Of course life can, and does, throw us curve balls but if you have a plan, it is so much easier for you to get back on track.

I used to resist planning because I felt it squashed my creativity. But, I found the opposite to be true (once I stopped self-sabotaging).

Being prepared with a planner frees up my time and my brain! I'm not scrambling around trying to figure out what needs to be done next. I'm not overwhelmed because I plan my days so I am not trying to do too much in one day. I can create my schedule to suit me.

Planning my tasks and weekly menu helps me keep life simple. And I like checking things off my list as I complete them.

I created this new 2 page spread weekly planner which is now available on my Etsy! It is 11x8.5 inches and comes in four colors - as shown in the picture above. 

Are you as planner obsessed as I am? Let me know your thoughts!

Tracy xo

My Planner and How It Makes My Life Easier

I am using the new planner I created for my Etsy shop and I am loving it! And I am going to show you how I use it.

I love the simplicity of it and it is just what I need to keep things running smoothly and stop the brain drain.

- On this page I jot down my to-dos for the week - house work + yard work.

- I also jot down calls or appointments I need to make.

- At the bottom of the page there is my Don't Forget section. This may be upcoming things that I need to start thinking about or just additional planning tips to myself, like make potato salad and cupcakes on July 2nd because we are celebrating 4th of July on the 3rd when my daughter will be off work. ✨

This is my menu plan (in progress) for the week. I can write out breakfast, lunch, and dinner for every day. The star on Thursday is because I am starting it mid-week and that's the beginning of this plan.

- I note the date on each day to help keep me on track. I am becoming more and more forgetful these days!

- You may notice there is not Sunday listed. I just write down my meals below Saturday in the white space below. No biggie! 💁

This is the backside of the menu plan. This is where I write my grocery list! I don't see any need to make things complicated. After shopping I hang the menu on the fridge so everyone can see what I'm cooking for dinner. I loathe being asked "What's for dinner?" 😒

- The items with the * beside them are the items I have coupons for.

- I buy most of our groceries at Walmart with the exception of meat. I buy meat at our local Winn- Dixie grocery store. 

How it makes my life easier:
1. It frees up brain energy! I don't have to try to remember everything.
2. It helps me plan my week and spread the work out. Helps lessen the feeling of being overwhelmed.
3. I have meals planned for the week so no frantically trying to figure out what to feed the family.
4. Hopefully no one asks what's for dinner... 😁
5. I know what needs to be done. No more wondering. I can do it & check it off the list. ✅

If you'd like to try planning with my simplified weekly planner, please visit my Etsy shop.

Tracy xo

The Secret

For what seems like forever I was plagued by fear and insecurity. I doubted my abilities and my worth. I was afraid of rocking the boat. I didn't allow myself to be open and vulnerable with anyone. And eventually I started shutting down.

I shut down my emotions. I stopped voicing my opinion or views. I stopped reaching out. I made myself small and invisible. There was in a constant battle going on in my mind. I often sacrificed my needs and desires for everyone else.

That's no way to live.

I am slowly making my way back to myself. It's hard work! I have journaled like never before. I have spent a lot of time thinking and observing my own thoughts and actions. I have spent time in reflection. And I've cried myself to sleep many nights.

I haven't arrived, but I'm actively working on it. But I like myself!! I'm funny and a good listener. I like to help people and create things. I'm a good person. I don't go out of my way to hurt or offend people. I show everyone respect and give common courtesy  - treat others the way I'd like to be treated.

I don't have to be like everyone else to be liked or loved. I don't have to be a martyr to prove my worthiness. I don't have to do anything I don't want to do. I am in control of my choices and my happiness. It took me a long time to come to that realization. Better late than never!

The secret is learning to be yourself and not being afraid to shine! It's so simple, yet hard to implement especially if you're used to negative thought patterns. Change your thoughts. Get to know yourself. Work on your toxic traits.

Life is too short to be anything but happy!

3 Myths About Simple Living

There are so many misconceptions about simple living so I thought I'd discuss three of them.

Myth #1: You need to have a very plain/sterile looking environment.

If that was the case, I would not be able to do it! I love colors and the feeling of coziness. There is no standard for simple living. It all depends on your preferences and what aesthetic you find pleasing. Just like every person is unique, the way you decorate your home will be also.

Myth #2: Simple Living is about self-denial.

Living simply is about choice. You choose to live a simple life to be happier. You choose it to have more freedom over your life. You can choose to buy whatever you desire but if you're drawn to a simpler way of life, more than likely material possessions are not terribly important to you. 

Myth #3: Simple Living is about retreating from the world and living secluded, like a hermit.

Many may choose to move to a more rural area, but not to retreat or hide away from society. Simple folks may prefer a slower pace of life.They may want more land in order to have gardens and farm animals not allowed within city limits. They may just long for the views and quietness of country life. You can live in a rural area and still have an active social life and attend social gatherings. It's all about the individual and their preferences.

Simple Living is all about choosing what is simple for you. It's about your preferences and doing what makes you feel happy and content. That will look different for every one because everyone is different.

What misconceptions did you have about simple living?

Reinvention

“I thought, I need to reinvent myself. I want every day of life to be wonderful, fascinating, interesting, creative. And what am I gonna do to make that happen?” —Karen Allen

It looks as if the quarantine is almost over. Businesses that were previously closed or restricted from being open before are having those restrictions lifted May 11th. I don't know about you, but for me it was a turbulent time.

I had to sit with myself and my thoughts and uncovered some negative habits and beliefs that I have never had the courage to face. These things brought me endless heartache and pain. I am now consistently working on these things as I turn my life upside down and reinvent myself.

Your thoughts can either empower you or destroy you slowly over time. I am choosing to empower myself and grow into the woman I am meant to be -- because I want to live a life that is wonderful, fascinating, interesting, and creative!

I am becoming aware of my thoughts and learning how to shift the pathways to more positive ones and not assuming I know what others are thinking or feeling. While I cannot change anyone, I can be aware of how my thoughts influence my emotions and ego.

I am learning to become more in tune with my body and intuition by using deep breathing, stretching/yoga, and body scanning (noticing where there is tension in my body). I may add meditation to this as well.

I am doing a lot of journaling. And I do mean A LOT. It's good to get all the thoughts out of your head and onto paper. It is a form of release. Some people scoff at the idea of keeping a journal but the purpose of it is to help you. It's not for others to read. It doesn't have to be pretty or proper. Just get those thoughts and emotions out of you and onto the paper.

So if have found yourself struggling as I had, maybe some of these techniques will work for you?

Warm thoughts, 

Tracy