Memory planning in my Passion Planner is a habit I have developed to reduce my anxiety and transform my mental health. Three years ago, I went on a journey to rediscover the creative side of me that had been suppressed for a long time. A friend showed me her Passion Planner, and it sparked something in me. I looked on Instagram and found spreads covered in stickers and beautiful colors. I thought that this might be a great creative outlet for me, and something new I could focus on in a season of healing. Creating in my Passion Planner allowed me to find pieces of myself that I thought were lost. My journey with memory planning has been so important for my mental health and has made me into the person I am today!

What is Memory Planning?  

Memory planning is one way that you can show up for yourself and your mental health. Memory planning is a process that captures what we do day-to-day and the little moments that make up our lives. Although it is a creative outlet used to document memories, this process does not need to be limited to documenting what you did each day! It can also include activities like journaling emotions, recording inspiration, or listing what you’re grateful for. 

There is no right or wrong way to memory plan. Memory planning is a process that will look a bit different for each individual, but the purpose is to have fun and express yourself creatively!

I am often asked how much time I dedicate to memory planning or how I have time for it. The answer is, I make time. Memory planning calms my anxiety, it allows me to reflect on my life and grow through the process of reflection, and it is a creative outlet where I can be ME without rules or boundaries. 

If you find joy in creating and reflecting, I challenge you to show up for yourself and make time for this process. If you have never memory planned before, I am hoping it becomes a process which brings you mental clarity, helps you grow into the person you want to become, and challenges you creatively.

There are a number of ways to memory plan in your Passion Planner that can positively impact your mental health. 

Fill the Space with Purpose 

I am often asked how I decide what to write in my memory planner. My advice is to fill the space with purpose. To me, memory planning with purpose means approaching the process with intentionality. It means aligning the content you choose to document with your experiences, thoughts, emotions, and lessons learned that week. Purposeful planning has benefited my mental health and overall wellbeing. It gives me the space and permission to give myself what I need each week. It also helps me process what has happened in my life and determine the best ways to keep moving forward and grow in my journey.

Ideas for Purposeful Planning

• Journaling your thoughts
• Jotting down song lyrics
• Gratitude journaling
• Sharing a highlight of the day
• Noting how a particular event or interaction made you feel
• Documenting a lesson you learned
• Sharing a daily affirmation
• Completing a ‘brain dump’ of what is on your heart or mind
• Recording moments you do not want to forget

Self Reflect 

Self reflection is an important part of memory planning. Passion Planner offers Passion Roadmaps, Monthly Reflections, inspirational quotes, weekly challenges, and reflection questions throughout the planner. Passion Planner inspired me to find myself again, to reach for bigger goals, and to challenge my own thinking. Most importantly, my Passion Planner inspired me to believe in myself again. I believe it can do the same for you! Reflection is just as important as the pretty layout pages! My Passion Planner has become somewhat of a personal journal for me as I self reflect each week. I like to ask myself weekly reflection questions at the end of the week as I’m enjoying the memory planning process. 

Reflection Question Ideas

• What did I learn this week?
• What is one thing that happened this week that I can celebrate?
• What was my favorite memory from this week?
• What was one challenging moment from this week, and how can I learn and grow from it?
• What am I most grateful for?

These questions will give you a lot to think through and will help you make the most of the space in your memory planner! In order to experience growth, you must reflect on where you’ve been.

Decorate 

 I have found 2 specific methods for decorating in my Weekly Dated Medium Passion Planner that I enjoy. The one I choose depends on my mood and what is best for my mental health that week. The first method is choosing a color scheme and then finding stickers to match. This requires picking 2 to 4 colors to start, then flipping through sticker books and matching colors. I enjoy this process. Secondly, you can pick a particular sticker book that has coordinating stickers or a pack of stickers that come together and use that as a starting point. 

Of course, these are not the only 2 methods, these are simply the ones that have worked for me. There are countless ways to memory plan, and you should choose the way that works best for you! To discover more ways to customize and personalize your planner, read this helpful post.

I draw inspiration for my memory planning spreads from colors I see in stickers, washi tape, nature... anywhere! Stickers are one of my favorite ways to decorate, because there are endless cute sticker ideas! One of my favorite Passion Planner sticker books, Women’s Empowerment, has inspired multiple beautiful spreads. My mind is constantly looking for color inspiration. You can also look at color palettes on Pinterest and find inspiration there. Once you pick your colors, it will give you a starting point to know what stickers and highlighters to choose. When you open your eyes to the inspiration around you, the planner layout ideas will start to flow!

Keep in Mind 

 This is about the process. Every person you see on social media is at a different part of their process with planning. Each part is important. You have to go through the process to find that coveted planner peace. Rushing it or trying to be someone else will only stress you out. You bring something to the table that no one else can. You have your own talents, gifts, and interests. Enjoy the process, and you will make progress in your journey! 

This process is so personal to each individual person. There is no exact right way to plan. I have provided Passion Planner tips to guide you through the process, but please remember that this is about you and what you need! If it is causing you stress, it is time to reevaluate and figure out why. I want to stress that the goal of memory planning is to make a positive impact on your mental health. This is about making this journey work for you.  

Lastly, this does not have to be perfect! One of my inspirations, Angel Trinidad, CEO of Passion Planner, says it best. “It doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to start!”

What’s one way you use your Passion Planner to positively impact your mental health? Let us know in the comments below!

Author Bio

Shannon Opalka is a happy Passion Planner who was born and raised in Pennsylvania, and moved to Ormond Beach, Florida 6 years ago. She has been married to her husband Jared for 8 years, and they have 2 cats. Her hobbies include going to Disney World, spending time outside, and planning.