As humans, our lives tend to ebb and flow. We have good days and we have not so good days, but that doesn’t mean that any day is less than the other. Sometimes it’s just about doing things a little differently to make it work for what is right for you in your particular moment. 

Planning isn’t always about having structure, plans, or to-do lists. You know why? Life is what happens when you’re busy making plans, and therefore, planning should include being fluid, versatile, and open to change. Change can be scary, but with a few simple tips and the Passion Planner at your side, you’ll be just fine. I know because you got this! 

Here are 4 tips on how to stay optimistic by using your Passion Planner.

1. There is no task that’s too small. 

Above: Passion Planner Digital, Self-Care Digital Sticker Book

On days where I don't have much to do, don't feel like doing anything, or just not my best self, I like to write down all the tasks I did. They can be small or big, because I truly believe that there is no task that’s too small. It makes me see that I tried and put my best foot forward. 

Small Tasks to Celebrate At the End of Your Day

• Got out of bed 
• Ate a whole hearty breakfast 
• Did laundry 
• Took a nap 
• Put away laundry 
• Watched a movie 

Sometimes writing it out at the end of the day makes me realize how productive I was. Simple tasks still take extra work. To make your breakfast, it doesn’t just appear. You have to get out the ingredients, combine them together, and take the time to eat them. That’s three different tasks in one. See? No task is too small. 

Moreover, writing a to-do list and then not being able to check everything off can make you feel horrible about yourself. It doesn't mean you didn't do anything worthwhile or anything at all. You definitely did something, you just didn’t do what’s on that particular list, and that is completely okay. Seeing an unfinished to-do list can be a real mood dampener, so instead write what you did at the end of the day on those days where you’re just not too sure how you’re feeling is a good way to remain positive. 

2. Doodle or add stickers to brighten your mood. 

Above: Passion Planner Digital, Self-Care Digital Sticker Book (Stickers), Women's Empowerment Digital Sticker Book (Washi)

Doodling, adding stickers, planning. It doesn't have to mean anything symbolic or great to anyone else; it just has to mean something to you. More often than not, doodling or seeing a cute sticker helps me feel better about myself or what I’m going through at that moment. 

Some of the best stickers to work with are the Passion Planner Self-Care Sticker Book and Women's Empowerment Sticker Book. Although these are my particular favorite, Passion Planner has other stickers to choose from that fit nicely into your planner. The Self-Care Sticker Book in particular has many stickers that help in staying positive. Brightening up your planner spread with one of these stickers can remind you to be kind to yourself.

Your Passion Planner isn't meant to always make you go, go, go, and work yourself to the bone. Even though a planner seems like a static-structure, it can be as dynamic and fluid as you want it to be. Therefore, you’ll be able to turn it into something that makes sense to you at any given moment. If you’re not sure how to approach this, just search the #PashFam hashtag on Instagram. Many people share examples of different spreads you can create. Remember, it’s not a competition of who has the prettiest spread. Look for what will work for you, what you need. 

Another way of doing this is by creating a mood board of different spread ideas, and then creating your own from those inspirations. My spreads constantly change from week to week; it’s never the same. Sometimes I have really good weeks and am really busy, and other times I have to push myself to do something or say yes. To me, everything and anything is something to be celebrated. I do this by adding a sticker or doodling how I feel, what I did, what I ate, and more. 

3. When using trackers, don't track the negatives. 

Above: Passion Planner Digital, Self-Care Digital Sticker Book (Stickers), Women's Empowerment Digital Sticker Book (Washi), Free Habit Tracker PDF Insert

Tracking the negatives doesn't help us program our brains for the better. Think of it as positive thoughts that will lead to positive results. The best way to make yourself feel better about a habit, mood, or environment is by tracking the positives. Passion Planner has a free printable habit tracker that can help you on this journey. Start by looking inwards and asking yourself these questions: 

• What are the positives I see in my life right now? 
• What do I want to see in my life? 
• Who do I imagine myself to be? 
• What things can I add to my life that's doable for me and would benefit my overall mood, health, or environment? 

For example, I’ve been biting my nails for 24 years. They were so weak, brittle, and ugly that I felt nothing but guilt and shame. I didn’t feel confident to shake someone’s hand in fear they would see my nails. After consulting my doctor, I decided to give biotin supplements a shot at growing them out to be stronger and healthier, but any time I tracked “no biting nails” it reminded me of what I didn’t want. Instead, I started to track my biotin intake and visualized what I did want, which was long, healthy, strong nails. Every time I took my biotin, I was associating it with something positive instead of a negative. Nine months later, I am nail-bite free and my natural nails are so amazing, strong, and healthy that I wouldn’t be able to bite it without doing damage to my teeth. It wasn’t an easy journey, and every day is still a battle, but it all started with a positive thought. 

4. A self-care go-to kit. 

Above: Passion Planner Digital, Self-Care Digital Sticker Book (Stickers), Women's Empowerment Digital Sticker Book (Washi), Free Self-Care Reflection PDF

Passion Planner has a practical free self-care reflection worksheet that you can print and use in your planner. I decorated mine with fun washi tape and stickers which makes me want to constantly stare at it because I love how it looks! My favorite part of the worksheet is the go-to kit as well as the affirmations and mantras. It allows me to take a moment and think about what I need: Do I need to rewatch the movie I love or do I need to repeat one of my favorite affirmations? Sometimes faking it till you make it helps because you’re visualizing a positive instead of a negative. 

Your planner is yours to make into whatever resonates in that moment. You don’t need to wait for a new year, a new month, or a new week. You can start right now. Show up for yourself, even in small ways, and you will see how much your mood improves. Remember, positive thoughts lead to positive results. You got this!

How to stay positive in life

The grass will always look greener on the other side, but the key to remaining positive about your own life is to not compare yourself to others. Limit your social media usage, mute those who make you feel less than, take a phone detox from your social circle, meditate, journal—these are only a few of the ways you can keep a healthy amount of positivity.

Trying to stay positive is in no way inherently bad as long as we are doing it within moderation. Eliminating or ignoring negative feelings doesn’t remove them, it just pushes them into your subconscious. They are still there because we’re not working through our emotional triggers. Therefore as important as it is to feel what we are feeling, it is also just as important to not dwell on them. Feel the emotions, accept them no matter how awful they are, and forgive yourself. This will help you speak kindly to yourself as well as change the narrative from a negative to a positive.

What's one way you use your Passion Planner to stay positive? Let us know in the comments below!

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