How to Stick to Your Planning Routine During the Holidays
Sometimes approaching the holiday season feels a bit like a roller coaster’s first big climb–High anticipation as you hear the click, click, click of the track nearing its peak. A brief moment of suspension and ZOOM! You’re off! The momentum and pace of a roller coaster (very much like the last two months of the year) can leave us feeling a bit disoriented. Today we’ll talk about ways to stay safely “buckled” into your routine so you can raise your hands in the air and enjoy the ride this holiday season!
Fill Out That Planner!
Sometimes we get in our heads and overcomplicate things, but it’s really that simple. Think of your planner as a tool, not a task. Because that’s exactly what it is! Your planner is there to serve you and help you show up as your best self. The simple act of picking up your pen and filling out your layout will ingrain the habit you’ve worked so hard to build.
Tune in Emotionally
After you’ve transferred all that information from your brain and technology into your planner, take a moment to tune in to how you feel. What did that planning session do for you? Do you have a sharper sense of direction? Do you feel peaceful? Excited? Do you feel a little bit of weight off your shoulders? This, my friends, is why we plan.
After a well-planned week (or day) is done, tune in again. How much smoother did things go? Did you take a step closer to your goals? Did you show up for your people? Note your successes. We’ll say it again: This, my friends, is why we plan.
Hang on to your why. This will help you stick to your routine when the season gets crazy!
Ditch the Black & White Mindset
This concept is huge! Especially for those who struggle with perfectionism, anxiety, etc. When it comes to maintaining your routine, avoid all-or-nothing thinking. Your planning session doesn’t need to be an hour long. Your handwriting doesn’t need to look amazing. You don’t need to complete your to-dos every day. If you break a streak of habit tracking, or skip a week of planning, no biggie. You’re a human being, and you’re still awesome. Open up your planner and enjoy diving in with a clean slate tomorrow.
Adopt a Regular Place & Time
We are big fans of Sunday night planning sessions on a cozy couch. Another great option is to take a few minutes each morning at the kitchen counter to review plans and add to your to-do list. If mornings are crazy with the hustle and bustle of getting out the door to school or work, you might love spending a quiet lunch with your planner. Many of our night owl friends like their planners to live on the nightstand! We’ll tell ya, we really can’t think of a better substitute for nighttime scrolling than nighttime planning. Whatever time and place you choose, try to make it a regular ritual.
There is a lot of power in habit! With consistent planning sessions over time, you’ll start to feel that subconscious pull to find your quiet space when planning time comes around. Once you’re in a rhythm, it will feel more natural to do it than to not do it!
If you’re already in a solid routine with planning, great work! Stick with it, even when the holidays are in full swing. Respect your planning ritual, and know that things will come up from time to time. That’s okay! Adapt or reschedule when other things need to take priority.
We hope these thoughts help you to take on the holidays with confidence! Happy Planning!