Planning for Peace: 3 Ways Your Planner Can Be Your Mental Health Lifeline

In the hustle of daily life as a busy mom, wife, professional, & everything else in between, moments of feeling overwhelmed often creep in. There have been days when I stood in the kitchen, staring blankly at my to-do list, feeling stuck by choices & endless tasks. After experiencing too many days consumed by anxiety, I turned to my planner. It transformed into my mental health lifeline. And since it works for me so well, I had to create one for Intentionally Evolve. Here are three powerful ways planning for peace has reduced my overwhelm & helped me manage anxiety & decision fatigue.

Planning for Peace by Dumbing Down Decision-Making

As busy women, we often face a barrage of decisions. Should I make pasta for dinner or order takeout? Do I have time for a workout today? Do I put on "real" clothes or thug it out in this onesie all day? These everyday choices can zap our energy & contribute to what is known as decision fatigue. Research shows that making too many decisions can lead to a decline in the quality of those decisions over time, & honey, some of my decisions have been suspect as all get out!

When I was a single parent (way back in the day), I had so much going on that it makes me tired now thinking about it. My son was in elementary school, playing flag football, & constantly getting in trouble due to his ADHD (this was back when most schools didn't have many interventions except suspension). On top of that, I was trying to live my best social life, working two jobs in the mental health field (which meant spending 1-2 hours after getting home doing documentation), & was a full-time grad student. I lacked sleep until summertime when my son would go visit his dad, I ran on E more days than not. With all of that piling up, my mental health declined, & I was OVERIT.COM. That dark place is one I never want to go back to, & I needed a lifesaver.

Along with journaling, using a planner helped me develop a routine that simplified all of these choices I was faced with daily. I was able to block off time for work, time for schoolwork, time for the kid, & a sprinkle of time to be outside (or in dem skreetz is what we called it). Looking at my life on paper made it less intimidating & easier for me to figure out what my priorities really should be. The overwhelm slowly started decreasing the more I put my planner to use, & it's a habit I've continued ever since.

Now, I'm way more organized because I became a creature of habit. Every evening, I plan the next day, blocking off time for important tasks at work & home, but also blocking time to wake up in peace & go to bed in peace. This allows me to focus on no more than three tasks to prioritize each day & leave a little room for cushion between them. I've learned that a major part of peace is breathing.

I schedule my workouts for specific days, usually Monday-Wednesday mornings. They fall right between my morning routine & starting work. Sandwiching them that way helps motivate me to actually do it instead of making excuses at the end of the day. Knowing I have a designated time helps me stay committed & organized, so I spend less mental energy figuring out how to fit everything in. It’s like having a personal roadmap that directs me towards what truly matters.

I've also started encouraging the kids to meal plan. It takes the pressure off of me to decide what I'll cook each evening, & it makes making my shopping list so much easier. Plus, it lessens the likelihood that one of them will say they don't want such & such. This simple decision-making framework cuts down on stress significantly. Collaboration & compromise for the win!

A well-organized planner showing color-coded tasks & notes

Planning for Peace by Kicking Overwhelm to the Curb with Structure

When life feels chaotic, having a solid plan can greatly reduce feelings of overwhelm. Instead of feeling burdened by endless responsibilities, I carve out specific time slots for every aspect of my life. Yes, I'm one of those organizational freaks that believes everything has its place & needs to be put back in said place when you're done with it.

For instance, I allocate certain hours in the week just for family activities & work tasks, as well as "me time." Knowing that I have these time blocks scheduled gives me a sense of control. On particularly stressful days, I can glance at my planner & remind myself that life unfolds in manageable segments. I can admit that I've been slacking on the "me time" lately, but I have some time blocked off strictly for that this weekend.

A study by the American Psychological Association found that people who plan their time effectively reported lower levels of stress & anxiety. Seeing everything laid out not only clears my mind but also reassures me that I don’t have to do it all in a single day. A three-task maximum really takes some of the pressure off of doing it all.

A peaceful workspace featuring a planner & a warm beverage, perfect for relaxation

Planning for Peace by Creating a Safe Space for Reflection

Planners are more than mere calendars; they can be a sanctuary for reflection. I dedicate time in my planner for self-reflection, checking in with my mental well-being regularly. Our Intentionally Evolve Planners have space for goal-planning, budgeting, important tasks & notes of the week, & a weekly self-care mission. These tools helped me stabilize my mental health, so I threw them in the Intentional Planner to share the wealth. What good is having knowledge if you're not going to share it?

I schedule "me time" for several reasons. I use my morning routine to set the tone for the day mentally. I can take my time to get out of bed & sit in silence (most mornings) as I tap into my spiritual side. Sometimes I'm locked & loaded when the alarm goes off, & other times I'm fumbling around in the dark not wanting to open my eyes or move out of the warm covers. Whether I wake up at 4:30am or 6:30am, I know exactly how much time I've allotted to get my head in the game for the day.

I use the nighttime routine to jot down my thoughts, feelings, & any grievances. I also unpack them even more in my journal. This supportive outlet allows me to untangle my emotions. I write down a positive affirmation for the next day & check off the tasks I completed that day, celebrating small successes. I try to determine if there is a pattern to my chaos so I can try to add any other interventions needed to be successful.

At any time, I can go back to reflect on everything I've encountered. Reflecting on my experiences has significant mental health benefits. Studies show that journaling can reduce symptoms of anxiety & depression. It definitely has helped me with mine because there have been times my anxiety is on 11 & I need to reel myself back in.

Writing also opens up space for gratitude, helping me appreciate small joys in a busy day, like a good conversation or a quiet moment. After a hard day, it can be difficult to find the positives, but I make myself find at least one thing every day. It also clears my mind for the evening so I can rest a little better.

Finding Your Planning Path & Getting Back to Peace

Navigating the fast-paced world we live in, especially as women balancing multiple roles, our planners can be vital tools for managing anxiety & decision fatigue. By simplifying decision-making, reducing overwhelm through structure, & creating a space for reflection, my planner has become essential to my mental health toolkit.

If you haven't considered this approach, I encourage you to give planning a try. It could become the support you've been looking for to ride out life's storms. A planner is not just a place for appointments; it can be your grounding space & allow for calmer, more intentional living.

As you take this journey, remember you deserve moments of peace amidst the beautiful chaos of life. Whether you are a busy mom, wife, or boss, embracing planning can empower you to take charge of your mental health, ensuring you navigate life with confidence & purpose.