How planning can help with anxiety, boundaries, and play

[@emmafuini5035]

My anxiety stems from the deep need to feel in control. My planner is one of my best tools to feel “in control” of my life. It gets me out of my head and allows me to have a visual of what my life is actually looking like. That, combined with boundary setting on how I want to use my time, has been one of the most beneficial aspects of planning for me.

[@blehblehblehdracula]

THIS!

[@Maxi855]

my problem is that I get so lazy I end up only doing the planning for max one week 😢. It’s not that I don’t want to continue, but I just cannot seem to get my brain to do what it needs to do

[@kimberlyjames2012]

Same for me!!

[@caprispillingtheteaLST]

❤❤❤

[@EllaBoadu]

Perfectly articulated.

[@sandy-pf9bb]

Planning is a double-edged sword for me. On the positive, it feels good to get everything out of my brain and know things won't be forgotten. One the other hand, I can get very overwhelmed and panic. Also I see all the things I feel totally inadequate to do.

[@iliahi2054]

Sending you caring!💗💗💗

[@sandy-pf9bb]

@iliahi2054 Thank you!!! Very greatly appreciated. To you as well!!! 🙂💝

[@adrianl.gutierrez6086]

I'm with ya there. Anxiety is fueling my life.

[@anon7374]

I really like the idea of honouring your past work by looking back at the planner. I hate it when I get too disorganized and stop nicely writing down my various lists. Sometimes I'll actually go back and write my to do lists and appointments even if that week is over. It just makes me feel more on top of things.

[@seriouslywhatever1031]

Writing things down helps me calm the chaos of my life and brain.

[@cristinareiser5447]

I was a paper planner for years and then went digital at the end of 2021 and while I was still planning, it was different. My anxiety actually developed during the last year and a half. I'm back to paper planning and hope it helps again. A lot of what you go over in this video really is true!!! Thank you.

[@mluzu96]

Omg me too! I’ve been back on paper for about 3 weeks going to be 4 and im calmer as well as actually completing tasks.

[@mxmissy]

Yeah I did bujos and stuff until 2020 and well... 2020 happened. I stopped because I was doing anything so what's the point. And in between 2021 and now, I've tried to do digital bullet journaling and I just never got stuck into it at all. I would forget about it, it just yeah. There's benefits to digital planning but I just, kind of miss planning and such. I'm hoping to get a planner for tomorrow and I'm super keen.

[@Weissklangi]

Same journey. Love my paper planer, can't live without it anymore. I use the digital one, for planing thinks that change a lot, like my garden plan.

[@BlackNight603]

Same for me, digital panning does not work for me either. I need it all on paper.

[@magicuniversegirl]

I tried digital for a few months and realized recently that it’s not working for me, so I spent the past 2 days so happily 😄 shopping for new Happy Planners, and one of them is arriving today! I’m so excited to get back to paper!! 🩷🩵

[@lisafreeman4832]

I love this topic of planning as a form of self care instead of being a frivolous habit. Your thoughts really lend weight and importance to planning. Plus, I enjoy that you speak of planning as a legitimate hobby like playing the piano or jogging. All of this has really made my heart happy; thank you! Looking forward to your next video.

[@binarytrash]

Planning and journaling helps me put my thoughts in order. If I don’t, I feel like I have 8million tabs open at the same time, I can’t think clearly, I don’t know if what I’m doing is working, I just can’t function. Sometimes I even analyze ideas and concepts to myself by writing them down in order to just help myself accept/realize or just empty my brain of certain thoughts.

[@badpoetry33]

I love how you say that we are witnesses to ourselves. I love that. Thank you.

[@saragrekey]

Planning just really helps me get a grasp on everything in my life. I feel like I have so much going on in my brain but I can’t understand it all or organize the chaos until I fill out my bullet journal. I feel like the journal and Todoist does the heavy lifting so I can put all my energy into what’s actually important lol.

[@SezArrow]

That quote about anxiety being the muscle that contracts time really hit for me, it made so much sense. I've recently fallen in a heap from stress. I used to love my physical diary, but have slowly moved away from it to the convenience of a mobile phone app. But I've lost that feeling of planning for goals, the creative action of handwriting - to the point that I've felt disconnected from my life. Have just ordered a Hobonichi for the first time, a treat for myself to enjoy and to encourage my return to planning.

[@cupofjae]

Using a planner was specifically recommended by my therapist to aid my anxiety. I absolutely love this video. Every bit of it resonated with me.

[@cloudlake]

For me planning helps me put in margin and boundaries. I used to think it was to be able to make the best use of my time by filling up my time. But over the years, I’ve learned it’s my best defense against putting in too much. I only have so many spoons, so I have to make choices. FOMO can’t have a place in my life.

[@korichamberlain]

This video along with a few comments really helped something click for me. Planning usually makes me feel worse. Like, I feel better about at least trying to make sense of life, but the fact that writing things down doesn't make them happen makes me feel a lot worse then If I hadn't made a list at all. And now I'm realizing that part of this is because I've made no effort to sort and prioritize (at least not in a helpful way) any of my to-dos. I have "fold laundry" and "renew car tags" taking up the same space, holding the same weight. My tags expire in two days and have actual legal consequences, the clean laundry can sit in the basket indefinitely with no real issues. I need to keep my to-do lists leaner and more purposeful.

[@21972012145525]

This is so me! Your last sentence in the first paragraph spoke to me. I (try) to do a monthly brain dump and a daily to do that generally follows a typical template. But yes, I do question if I spent time doing the action rather than the planning. However i also am aware it helps me think, reduces my anxiety, organizes my brain, and offers some tactile brain to body/physical connection to put my thoughts to paper and pen. Also if I’m In the mood, a good form of calligraphy. Though my planners are cheap, from the dollar tree, and do not look like these beautiful wines of art shown here

[@calinac1671]

i forgot i saved this video and i start college in 2 months. i have severe anxiety and constant fear of the future because i never know what will happen so im glad i checked out my playlist because this is incredibly helpful

[@Acacia9872]

I really like this idea of planning as self-care. I definitely feel more grounded and in control when I have sat down with my journal for 5-10 minutes in the evening to reflect on things and plan for the next day. Thanks for sharing and the book recommendation!💟

[@planningandpowerlifting]

The act of planning is very calming. I enjoy setting up the spreads and crossing off things on my to do list.

[@Halloloprsalulut]

an adhd youtuber i follow said in one of her videos that "productivity is self-care", and this video is a good example. Thanks for reminding me that it's worth putting some time and effort into planning, even if things do always follow the plan. In keeping with this topic, would you consider making a video about how to plan when you're feeling overwhelmed and behind on everything?

[@21972012145525]

Yes second this

[@DarkLightAsDay]

Thirding this

[@KeonaRaynalise]

Which ADHD KZbinr was this?

[@Halloloprsalulut]

HowToADHD. I can't remember which video though

[@evapmama-blue77]

Feels good to known not the only one that seems to enjoy what I call ‘think on paper’ 😊 my morning and weekly routine- favorite pen - good cup of Java and my notebook- first I write all my swirling thoughts down I call that my brain storm - then I organize my day - on weekends I plan out my life - rethinking- organizing my home and all Can’t wait to watch and learn more ideas I could incorporate 🤔

[@michelleherald9619]

Planning and Journaling are essential parts of my mental health work. Many days I would think I haven't done anything. However by implementing a daily routine, I can say yeah I have. I have contributed to the household today. Also, rapid logging helps me to identify triggers for my anxiety. Perhaps one day I needed to clean out the fridge, but the idea of throwing away food made me anxious, even if it was out of date. With my Generalized Anxiety Disorder, something as simple as getting ready for the day can cause me anxiety. However, it isn't necessarily the task but an emotion I have related to the task. I van identify those through bullet Journaling and planning. I am excited to hear your full review of the book.

[@deborahsmith6782]

Now I understand why planning on paper is so calming. Excellent insights!

[@oleahv]

You are exactly the planner person I needed to find and hear from! I’ve been a paper planner person for many, many years. I’ve used all kinds of planners/systems over the years including Happy Planners, Planner Pads, Erin Condren Life Planners, and even spent about two years bullet journaling in dot grid notebooks for complete freedom of choice and design. I've struggled so much with the sense that I am impractically wasting time by spending so much time making my planner aesthetically pleasing. I have only recently been diagnosed with adult ADHD, and I see many ways that I get distracted while trying to plan my weeks, obsessing over which stickers, lettering style, or color schemes to use on a layout. I am often so behind on life in general that I find myself going back, filling in my planner retrospectively, all the while beating myself up for waisting time making the past week look pretty when I need to be planning the future week. I've realized that my planner allows me a space for artistic expression and so serves more than just the function of time management, but the way you put into words all the benefits and payoffs of paper planning is going to really help me to reframe my negative self-talk regarding my self-care planner time. I look forward to checking out all of your other content. I appreciate your voice.

[@RachelleinTheory]

This. Comment. 🥹 thank you SO much. This is exactly the kind of vibe I want to give off in my videos and I’m so glad you found it helpful. Thank you for sharing 🩵

[@4eburawka18]

Oh wow, I got anxious and almost panicked after just reading your comment. It must be exhausting to feel all this, my personal trigger was probably 'behind in life'. I'm so with you on that one. Take care!!

[@fromjenn]

I absolutely loved this video. I never really thought before about what a soothing feeling it is to sit down with my planner, but it definitely qualifies as self-care! I especially love creating "to done" lists to remind myself of how much I've accomplished each day, and on difficult days, I'll even list things like taking a shower or taking a nap as a daily accomplishment!

[@my.chaotic.life.23]

Outlining the week ahead makes everything feel more manageable,and reduces my anxiety. Plus dedicating some quite time on a Sunday to set up my planner for the week ahead is a very mindful moment for me.

[@eli_drottningu]

Planning is great for me because it allows me to drop my mental load into paper and visualize how to better spread my tasks over the week instead of trying to do everything all at once. It is also very relaxing to take two hours each month to set up my planner.

[@yimveerasak3543]

Paper planning is still the best. Thanks Rachelle

[@CarrieStraka]

You were right! Doing a brain dump and then putting it all on a matrix was extremely helpful. I feel better and I took it one step further. After putting all thoughts in a matrix, I went through my planner and scheduled things I could schedule and wrote other things in tasks lists.

[@shuhussein1276]

I have always been very fond of planners, bullet journals and diaries. Like you said, it's self care. But as a result of growing up in a house where i got little to no privacy ( i lived in a joint family home, sharing room with cousins and siblings which is normal in asia) people would go through my stuff and often make fun of it which really hurt. It was considered a bad thing somehow and something to be ashamed of like you are hiding some dark evil secrets if you have a diary lol. So i used to hide them but i'm like a "out of sight, out of mind" kind of a person so i would forget to write in them and after sometime i stopped having these kinds of planners. I tried using my phone once i got one but it was just not the same. I moved out after getting married this year and my husband respects my privacy and boundaries (bless him) which i am always grateful for and im slowly trying to get back to having pen and paper planners and it helps tremendously with anxiety, getting into a routine and helps avoid procasination.

[@karenrich9092]

I once heard someone say that writing down everything and getting it out of your head onto paper means there's nothing in your brain, which allows you to use your brain for creativity, not remembering. Of course I still remember things, but I don't have to do so. My only problem with planning is when I plan ahead, I usually get seriously ill, which prevents following those plans. When I menu plan, the food in the frig ends up spoiling unless my daughter takes the food with her. I know we lived by my husband's calender for 32 years and it really worked. Somehow though, my plans fall apart; maybe because it's just me trying to move the mountain. Thank you for your videos and your advice.

[@LilCraftyNook]

I love paper planning because it helps keep me focused, thereby reducing anxiety! Thank you!❤

[@rosamed3610]

Indeed, setting up a plan makes life more organized and less stressful. I personally feel more comfortable when I feel that I can envision my environment, it helps reducing anxiety and enhances the mental clarity as well

[@allisarcadia]

This was really insightful for me. I've been on-and-off bullet journaling since about 2014 and I notice that when I'm actively sitting with myself planning and journaling I feel more stable emotionally and more capable physically. I'm in the process of being evaluated for autism and ADHD now and my love of BuJo planning is one of the main factors as to WHY I'm seeking out a diagnosis. The patterns that were showing up in my planners and journals are indicators of symptoms I hadn't before even been aware of, and until I hit total burnout in 2020 I wasn't conscious of the behavioral and emotional rollercoaster I'd been on for who knows how long. My past journals, even if they are incredibly sporadic, have helped me identify symptoms and triggers which has been immensely helpful as I'm recovering and working toward building a better life for myself and the people I love.

[@autismenlightenment]

Good luck moving forward. Bullet journal was helpful at the time i was going through all that testing as well.

[@businessbraverypodcast-km5hp]

Moving to planning out my week with a calendar instead of a to-do list changed my life! It reduced anxiety so much and that little voice that questioned whether I should work on something else - there was an answer - there's time for that, it's scheduled later in the week. I didn't realise how much it was self-care until I skipped the weekly plan one week and life was kind of a mess without it. I also like having some systems for things that make stuff easier, like focus work happens between certain hours, meal planning and shopping for the week helps reduce so much stress etc for me - Glad this came up on my feed 😀

[@mariacastro2222]

Great video, Rachelle. You really put planning into a whole mental health context for me. I’ve always been a planner but didn’t start adding these other components (art, future planning, brainstorming, etc.) into my planning until I started bullet journaling in 2017. I honestly enjoy planning my week on Sundays and having everything ready to go on Monday. I guess it is self-care! I hope you are well and that you recognize how your work on KZbin enhances the lives of others.

[@chocolatemint9225]

This is the planning video I’ve been looking for for weeks. I’m a former scrapbooker so I don’t need any more formats on how to lay out a page or use stickers 😅 I needed the the mental process for the actual content of the page. Thanks so much 👏🏽

[@AngelaDrakeA]

Hi Rachelle. I love planner time. I take one day a week to go to my favorite coffee shop and spend time with my planners, enjoy lunch/ coffee and visit with my barista/ beta reader. Because my nearest shopping is 58 miles away in either direction, I combine the trip with errands. That is my ME day. Unless the dog has to be kenneled in the house, I can take as long as I want, doing what I want. Regardless of a person's situation/ obligations, I'm a strong believer in taking ME time - to fill the well with what brings us joy and unwind. Creative Blessings!

[@Loretta_C]

Looking back on what’s been accomplished is important. I often feel as if I am not doing enough but when I look back I see that I have, and that helps me feel satisfied.

[@walkingexercise5375]

Amazing video as always! Your videos are educational, thoughtful, helpful, and inspirational! I agree planners/journals can be calming like drinking a cup of tea and creative/fun like dancing/listening to your favorite song. Like you mentioned it allows you to reflect and rebalance or just be creative like creating a mood board or using stickers! Mariane Cresp has a video discussing her well-being planner where use mentions having different areas of focus, Tiffany Shelton has 12 week Year goal planning videos where she uses a habit tracker, and JashiiCorrin mental health journal has videos with ideas like self-care bingo, so planners/journals and this wonderful community allow one to find the methods that work for them.

[@jamie5092]

the final idea in this video, planning as self reflection, is such a good point and its so valuable to take the time for this self reflection and gratitude and stuff!! this video put me in the mood to properly plan again after months of not doing shit

[@SeasonalLivingwithLeo]

Unfortunately, I have had the opposite feeling when I try to plan. I love the planning idea, the washi tape, pens and stickers but as soon as I sit down to plan I start to feel anxious - what do I need to do? Which things are most important? What meals are we going to have? What if I put the stickers in the wrong place then don't have enough space to write what needs to be done... it became too overwhelming for me.

[@21972012145525]

Get rid of the stickers and tape. Do a brain dump (I do monthly) and then prioritize(I prioritize by due dates/deadlines because I procrastinate).

[@EandIsFolks]

One thing that helped me was to tell myself I was creating a spread to experiment with for the week (I use a weekly planner). That took me out of the sense of needing to "do it right". Over the weeks I have changed a bunch of different things getting closer to what works for me but considering it feeling like I needed to have it "right" from the start. I hope that helps a bit. :)

[@emerydurow6076]

I have a lot of anxiety about running out of time and not having enough time. I have anywhere from 3-8 appointments in a week for my health to take care of and that's not counting socializing or taking care of the apartment with my partner. Planning for me helps me anticipate how much time I'm going to have in a day/week for self care and for rest.

[@mariacastro2222]

Sending prayers and loving energy for your health journey.

[@soniabrown5518]

Great video. It’s been a while since I’ve watched a planning video and taken notes or walked away with a new idea

[@ivanathompson4294]

Thanks for sharing the Eisenhower matrix framework. I just made one and it really helped me to prioritize all the things on my to-do list.

[@kraeftwerker]

Planning definitely feels like self care to me. I actually have been mixing planning and journaling a lot this year - I got the hobonichi cousin because I wanted to try to get in the habit of more longform journaling or art journaling every day. So collecting things, planning things out, working on my personal journal, all lives in one book right now and it is ... honestly such a beautiful resource.

[@sunnydanisummers]

Watching this video was a nice, small joyful moment. Thank you!

[@charleyyap9123]

I am so glad I came across your channel. For many years now, I struggled with anxiety. My mind explodes when things get out of my control. I made a philosophy that life doesn't just happen. Success is planned. It is just now that I realized that planning had somehow ease my anxiety

[@user-fb1ys2lj9c]

I believe now owning a planner and scheduling life can be part of the self care journey for all of us. I have always love anything that has to do with paper and pen, stationery.

[@SimpleZulema]

You touched on many aspects of planning I hadn't even thought about and why digital planning wasn't ever enough for me. Thank you, great video.

[@plainjaneproud]

I wish I could press like a million times on this! I've tried so many types of schedules and journals and although I do my brain dump at night with some success, I just haven't come across a whole system that seems to propel me where I want to be. This is awesome! I love that you show both visual and list based planning. I can't even wait to try this!

[@vivienecost]

Love, love, love this 'planning as seeing the future' chapter. I´m finding hard to see good, praticle, simple content on planning.

[@RachelleinTheory]

Thank you so much 💞

[@TheMouse-gc9ft]

I legitimately feel like planning has subsided an anxiety attack that I was going through. Really, nothing else works. Meditation, relaxation, even more sleep didnt do it, but planning really restored my equilibrium. So underrated!

[@JAYDENisLISTENING]

For me, as a mum of three Young children,planning is very important. But i Love to write diary since 1992 when i started my First diary when i was ten years old. So thank you very much because on your Channel i found the hobonichi that i ordered Yesterday. I have the Hope that i can plan and write diary and write down my diet Journey all in one book. The daily Pages for my diary, the vertical week for workout and diet stuff and the monthly overview for the appointments of my children. I never Heard of the hobonichi ever before so thank you very much

[@MsNikkiCrucio]

I immediately ran to the description box for the link to the stationary box! Thank YOU for being prepared.

[@Fclwilson]

I’m a BOTM club member. Their selections are excellent.

[@Notayoutubechannel89]

Thank you for this! I've started digital planning. I feel like it saved me money, also it took away anxiety about my fear of messing up a page lol

[@msj246]

One of my favorite videos of yours that I have seen so far. Thanks so much, Rachelle!

[@jessicajovel7162]

0:25 Wow... no, I don't feel like that. To me it feels like a chore in bad days, but in good ones it feels like work but it feels good, it charges me up with energy because it fills me with motivation. But yeah, I feel like a battery, and that's why I make it pretty first and then I plan on the spread when it's finished. Because the creative part relaxes me; but planning it's not relaxing for me it charges me up. Both things feel nice but in different ways, and they clashed, so now I do them separately

[@45roadbiker]

I loved this and passed it on to my daughters! I loved your strategies for getting organized and reducing stress. I feel as though planning is just what you’ve stated. It gives me great pleasure and helps me see where I am in this season of life. Being a retired educator, I take this next week to reset myself and go on a mini retreat to check in, see where I am, what I have going on and reflect on what I see ahead! Loved this video and saving for reference!!!❤

[@nakias8362]

I definitely think planning and journaling are self care.💗 I always feel better about my day (particularly stressful days) when I went to my journal and processed the events and feelings of that day. I am excited to try the four square method around the beginning of the video. I also love how you said you were "with yourself" when you had a hard day. I am still trying to find a planning system that works for me and I'm trying to be flexible as my life is changing pretty fast pretty quickly. Saved this video for sure! Thank you😊

[@hamanoka]

I actually started reading the "Real self-care" book after you mentioned it in your previous video. I'm halfway through and hopefully can finish it soon. Can't wait for your review to compare our notes 💕 Also planning is what helped me so much at work, significantly decreasing the daily stress. Whenever I look down from the monitor on my paper planner, I have a clear picture of my workload, which is pretty much vital since my team has a huge variety of tasks that's easy to get lost in.

[@jasminejanisch4566]

Planning puts all the things in my head on paper so I'm less likely to forget about something. It also holds the people in my life accountable because I've explained "If it's not in the planner, then I can't 100% commit to it. I need a date and time for plans or I will likely forget it" and it helps with plans that are "oh yeah sometime this weekend" that stress me out because I feel like I can't plan anything else that weekend until I know the time

[@karenlebeter4196]

I am focusing on my self care for a change now, due to a faulty heart. I started planning in college, then new system for a job. Now I am retired from work and volunteering. Moved 100 miles away from friends to move in with son. Like stepping into a new world. I still watch planner videos because you can't stop learning how to improve your life. Keep up the great work you are doing for us.

[@mybookishdelights4767]

Absolutely loved this video. You are spot on for everything that planning is to me. It definitely eases my anxiety and makes me feel more in control. Plus my memory sucks and it helps me retain things that happened. I think I'll have to grab that book too. Sounds like a good one.

[@jamie5092]

target audience reached! i'm so glad i found ur channel haha the way you think/talk about planning resonates a lot with me and i think about a lot of the same stuff!!

[@21972012145525]

Same.

[@AmyDavis-f6q]

I love your YT approach on topics/content. All of your videos are well-thought out, researched, applicable, and relatable. You are seriously a breathe of fresh air and you authentically care and love the topics you upload. I commend you, on the effort it takes to tell a story (setup the context) the way you can through your videos. I'm trying to figure out my planning style and techniques that keep me motivated to tackle the tasks ahead of me, as I often get into crippling anxiety, low energy moods where if I can't give it 100%, then I might as well give it 0% -- I appreciate your unique perspectives on finding planner peace while also embracing planner chaos -- sometimes life comes up and things are up and down; and thats OK. It's striking a balance; which you embrace, and that time isn't wasted - even if its not 100%. Thanks! Can't wait for your next video!

[@vicm7870]

I got so much from this video. Thank you. It's helped me plan out my teams priorities for the year and also helped me finally sort out my personal planner. I have rewatched a few times. Thank you!

[@Prejippie]

You’re SO right! 🙌🏾 I USED to feel that, if I am a creative person, I SHOULD NOT be so structured. But now that I am older, I realize that the MORE I planned, the more I had time to work in creative-or cogitating-time. It was like MAGIC! It’s like I GAVE myself time that I thought I didn’t have to go the things I want to do! 💡 So, thanks for this video, which gets in the weeds on the process, but explains how and why this helps a creator. 🥳

[@Your_Lifestyle_Business]

Hi Rachelle, another killer video. It's heartwarming to read how planning helps people tackle anxiety and regain control over our lives. From bullet journals to digital planners, it's amazing how these tools provide a canvas for our thoughts, a space for creativity, and a means to prioritize self-care. Your insights from the video truly resonate. Looking forward to your next insightful video!

[@adapienkowska2605]

I feel planning would help me tremendously if only I could stop trying to be a perfectionist when I plan. I started with some sort of journaling (writing down 5 good things that happened every day) and this is slowly helping me to start planning.

[@rijd2304]

Fantastic tips and video. I find myself getting into the loop of not planning, then getting too anxious to plan, etc. Small steps and not overloading my day or calendar have helped and allowing time for meditation and mindfulness. The book "30 Days to Reduce Anxiety" by Harper Daniels offers a nice exercise for each day to relieve my anxiety. I enjoyed this video.

[@missnurseeri]

I had quickly abandoned the Eisenhower method because it was so overwhelming to me. Using the method AFTER a brain seems so logical, but the fact that it didn’t occur to me… 😂

[@sunnydanisummers]

I downloaded your book recommendation, before even finishing your video and I have been listening to the audio book for the last few hours - it’s amazing. Thank you again!!!

[@cm0779]

Thank you for sharing your journals. Your video was inspirational but also comforting in a way.

[@ilknura.gokmen2577]

Thank you so much for this video. Highly appreciated!

[@SonshineLady7]

I have been on disability for depression/anxiety (mostly anxiety) for 20 years and had to stop this video at 3:27 because I could feel anxiety rising. I do use planners but I don't find them particularly relaxing because I'm afraid I'm not "doing it right." Too broad a picture of the coming year really provokes anxiety - "What if this doesn't get done by then?," "What if I never see my mother again?" (family issues currently) then the depression causes me to be so very fatigued and I end up putting the planner away to use when I'm feeling "well" which can be three months from now. When I get in a "What if..." mode, my therapist says, "Take one day at a time...just concentrate on today. If necessary, just concentrate on the next hour...don't let your mind race off to the future where what you fear may happen...won't." I'm not trying to rag on you - I saw "help with anxiety" in your title and checked it out hoping to find something calming. People with garden-variety, everyday anxiety may be calmed by working in their planners but often people like me with the illness of anxiety that interferes with life need to only think of the next minute. The positive out of this is I now have my planner working well so I should stay out of the planner section of YT and head over to "What soothes xyz mental illness."

[@uguubella]

Agreed! Planning for the future part of the video was like, nooo that's the part I stress out the most cause what if the things I planned to do don't happen that day, etc. I only write out events/appt now for the future part of planning to avoid that @@ future planning anxiety uncertainty. Going day by day in my planner is so much better for me mentally.

[@21972012145525]

Same. I do a monthly brain dump, but I often don’t finish/start tasks until the day they’re due

[@scf7334]

I really love your videos! You’re so thoughtful and really put out practical, helpful context. Edited for spelling. :)

[@tesalewis27]

I absolutely loved your video. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and insight of planning and how it can help in so many different ways. ❤

[@yoda2931]

I feel so seen. I throughly enjoy planning and resonate with all of these experiences of the art of journal/planning and art expression.

[@tammyorourke6513]

Your journals are beautiful.

[@robynwilliams460]

This is the best explanation of this matrix I’ve seen. Thank you!

[@tugastugaas2624]

You explaines this soooo well

[@joshquintero9315]

I totally LOVE the idea of a paper planner....er, BUT...I go in ebbs and flows with mine. Here's the process. I get inspired to go paper, get a great planner and nice pens and look at lots of examples online and then start making my planner/journal mine! I map out my week, plan my days, and feel calm...suspiciously calm. :) Then, I start doing my work and my plan falls apart: someone needs an email responded to, there's a pop-up project or meeting, or a "quick" "hey, can you help me for a sec?" request. Off the rails. My team at work uses digital planners, so I pair down my journal to the minimum list for the day, and it's sort of complete. I start implementing digital tools (Asana, Apple Reminders, iCal, etc.) and, after a while I feel like I'm going insane with keeping up a digital system....so I go back to paper. Mind you, these ebbs and flows last weeks or months. What do you think? Any advice? Is there hope for me? :)

[@thetexaslandman]

Very informative. Your box is basically the Franklin Covey planning system. It works!

[@Jollygood-br5pd]

I used to be so good at planning then I kept getting sick and there was a long period of time when I couldn’t bring myself to even look at my planner since all the plans would go out the window the minute I got sick. Just looking at it actually triggered anxiety. I’m hoping to get back into it as I miss it!

[@Sofia-uc5hx]

My struggle is often getting ahead of myself and getting anxious when it comes to looking at all the things I have coming up especially if its big deadlines I cant control landing on the same day or following each other whenever I do my weekly spreads. Currently my office is very understaffed and I find myself planning for several scenarios I dont feel I have control over or trying to fit covering for people into my schedule. Of course I end up panic doing as much as possible on Monday morning and then finding its actually not that bad in the end and having a quiet last few days of the week which also unnerves me in some ways lol. I think I will try your brain dump spread and look into that self care book

[@aciuschristophores7789]

I love the idea behind this video. This was therapeutic to watch and learn your perspective, and I can't wait to apply it, thank you, you and your video are both beautiful.

[@mayafoxwitch]

Planning and scheduling causes me anxiety and stress, it makes me feel trapped and dead inside. I do mini planning just because I have horrible memory and just have too many things I want to do. I used to track my calories but after 2 weeks it backfired with extreme stress and anxiety so I stopped. I do believe this also comes from my very low self-esteem, e.i. putting time to plan is wasting time on myself and every time I try to do it it takles so much time I feel like it's waste and brings more anxiet. Now I try to overcome these feelings and hopefully see some positive results and improve my mental health. P.S. I am neurodivergent so this also could cause me feel anxiety and stress when planning. Everytime I do the "brain dump" thing it just fills two pages or more pages and it's just too hard to keep track of so many things, which causes anxiety and stress to me. Everything just seems urgent and important.

[@dyingforeddiemunson]

same!!! i don't try to do long-term planning, like, ever. i keep a daily to do list and that's really about it. it's easy enough to maintain and helps "structure" my day. I've tried monthly and yearly spreads but tbh they're much harder to maintain and i always end up forgetting they exist. i have adhd and things are much easier on medication but the feeling of being overwhelmed is a constant in my life lol (it's not unique to people with adhd ofc~). i do wish i worked more on creative/personal "projects" which i really fell off of due to depression, but even then, trying to plan it out causes a lot of guilt and anxiety and stress when i inevitably don't end up achieving the goals i set. feeling trapped and dead inside is such a mood ._. and the calorie tracking as well! i will never touch that or a scale again with a 10-foot pole ;-;

[@mayafoxwitch]

@@dyingforeddiemunson bro, I thought I’m the only one 😭 glad to know I’m not struggling with this alone and I’m also have been falling off creative path due to “real life” stress and expectations… but I’m having hope, been taking care of my mental he’s Th more seriously and slowly doing my things, hoping eventually do bigger projects. ;w; 1% is better than nothing so I do more little by little and I truly hope things will slowly improve in your side as well!

[@jennifersmith4295]

I love your future log- simple and purposeful!

[@CreatingSelfCarePlans]

This explanation for how planning is self-care is exactly what I’ve discovered in my own journey! Mostly, it’s about reducing my anxiety about future events. Something would be days away and I’d let that paralyze me because I wasn’t “planning” and seeing how much time I actually had. I wish I would have started sooner. 😊

[@21972012145525]

Can you share how? I do a monthly brain dump, then prioritize tasks based on deadlines/due dates. However, my anxiety and procrastination doesn’t get reduced.

[@CreatingSelfCarePlans]

@@21972012145525 Have you tried weekly planning? I have my appointments and things on my monthly view but each week, I sit down and just look at the upcoming week and map that out. I’ll list things to do that specific week, too (like a braindump). I have videos on my channel that might help give you some ideas, too. ☺️

[@WITHJENIECE]

This 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 video is EVERYTHING. I couldn’t explain the feeling on why I’m always in mine planning. It makes me feel better for sooo many reasons. Thank you for verbalizing this so beautifully 🙏🏾.

[@kunhamad7345]

The brain dump is what I like the most the four columns

[@GMny4Eva]

Hello, I have anxiety about just choosing the right type of "planning system!" I have had this false belief that if you go virtual then you cannot have a paper planner and vice versa, but I see you with multiple planners and I am a little freaked out but more intrigued on how you keep it all together!

[@missjelisa]

This was such a good and personally insightful video. Thank you for making it!

[@AmyTV]

Great video Rachelle! 🎉

[@RachelleinTheory]

Thank you so much Amy!! I love your content! ✨

[@AmyTV]

@@RachelleinTheory 🤍

[@joellen6105]

Thank you for this video!

[@elisasanchez2638]

I love the color coding of your books ❤❤

[@yourwildlifecoaching429]

As much as I love paper planning, I found it ultimately to be too difficult-having to have the right stuff with me, having to take the time to replicate things that worked, having to have the planner with me in various places. With the digital planner, I can copy and paste and move things around to my heart's delight. I can always have the color pen or highlighter I want, and I found the dragging and tapping sound oddly more sensual than paper. Mostly, I think it's because it helps me get the aesthetic I want with way less work, which means less pressure and anxiety.

[@margjec7508]

I never thought about some of the points you made, excellent insights!

[@andreahull405]

i really appreciate your videos and your approach to journaling and planning - it is not just about the style and stickers (tho that can be fun!) but you really delve into the whys and connect it to our lives in general. so, just found your channel recently but i am a total fan. just wanted to say thanks. 😊 off to watch a ton more..

[@lifestylelines]

woooooow the aesthetics of it!!! 😍😍😍

[@Alicebby661]

Thank you for this video, and for bringing attention to anxiety. Subscribed for future videos 😊