Water. Earth. Fire. Air.

Long ago, the Passion Planner community was planning away in harmony. Then, everything changed when 2020 attacked! 

But twelve years had passed, and Netflix brought back the one thing that could help us through. A little show called Avatar: The Last Airbender (ATLA)!

I think we can all agree that this year has been tough, and that’s to put it lightly. But there is one good thing that it has brought us: ATLA is back on Netflix! Twelve years after it left the air, I’m still unpacking the many messages hidden in this beautiful show. 

In this article, we take notes from Uncle Iroh in the episode Bitter Work (Book 2: Earth, Chapter 9), where he gave Zuko some key lessons on the four elements. Here’s our own breakdown of ATLA’s Four Nations... in Passion Planner form, of course!

#PashFam of the Water Tribe

Above: Weekly Undated Cosmic Purple Passion Planner, Monthly Tabs in Calming Tones, Ready Set Grow Sticker Book, Passion Highlighters (formally Passion Markers) 

“Water is the element of change. The people of the Water Tribe are capable of adapting to many things. They have a deep sense of community and love that holds them together through anything.” - Uncle Iroh 

The #PashFam of the Water Tribe are loving, trusting, and multi-faceted.

When the time is right, they know how to go with the flow, but make no mistake: just as the original Waterbenders symbolized the push and pull of the tides, all Waterbenders contain as many multitudes as water itself. Canceled date with the Moon Spirit? They’re just as likely to cover it up with a cute sticker as they are to rip out the whole page. 

This fluidity would definitely show up in Katara’s Passion Planner: Serene like a bubbling river in one moment, and ferocious like a tsunami the next. After all, keeping the Gaang together is no small task, and navigating challenging emotions can make for some turbulence. That’s why it’s critical for Waterbenders (and any Bender, TBH) to prioritize themselves just as much as they prioritize the people they love.

How Waterbenders Use Their Passion Planner:

• Track your changing emotions using the Year in Pixels.
• Dedicate time to self-care.
• Reflect on your growth with mini journal entries.

#PashFam of the Earth Kingdom

Above: Weekly Undated Forest Green Passion Planner, Monthly Tabs in Elite Black, Ready Set Grow Sticker Book, Women's Empowerment Sticker Book, Passion Highlighters (formally Passion Markers)

"Earth is the element of substance. The people of the Earth Kingdom are diverse and strong. They are persistent and enduring.” - Uncle Iroh

The #PashFam of the Earth Kingdom are hardworking, logical, and strong-willed.

Earthbenders are masters of staying grounded. Grounded, Earth… get it? In fact, Toph said it best: Earthbenders face their challenges head on. They ground themselves into the present moment, and have the strength and persistence to move mountains. Even if it has to happen one pebble at a time.

The one-pebble mentality would be a big part of the Earthbender’s Passion Planner. Each new day is an opportunity to work toward their goals, and each planner spread is a way to stay on top of the daily practices that will get them there. 

How Earthbenders Use Their Passion Planner:

• Stay consistent using habit trackers.
• Build daily routines in your schedule section.
• Keep Mother Earth close with drawings and stickers.

#PashFam of the Fire Nation

Above: Weekly Annual Passion Planner, Women's Empowerment Sticker Book, Passion Highlighters (formally Passion Markers)

“Fire is the element of power. The people of the Fire Nation have desire and will, and the energy and drive to achieve what they want.” - Uncle Iroh 

The #PashFam of the Fire Nation are passionate, ambitious, and determined.

Okay, we all know how the intro goes: “Everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked…” But one of the many things we love about ATLA is that nothing - and no one - has only one side. Firebending can create warmth and beauty as easily as it causes destruction. The same nation that made Firelord Ozai also made Prince Zuko. 

We bet our whole cart of cabbages that no two Fire Nation Passion Planners look the same, and yet each one shows the drive, ambition, and passion that make Firebenders burn so brightly. No matter what they’re conquering, the #PashFam of the Fire Nation makes sure that every action takes them closer to their GameChanger goals. 

How Firebenders Use Their Passion Planner:

• Set high goals and highlight them in your weekly spreads.
• Reflect those goals in your daily tasks.
• Stay inspired with motivational quotes.

#PashFam of the Air Temple

Above: Weekly Elite Black Passion Planner, Passion Highlighters (formally Passion Markers)

“Air is the element of freedom. The Air Nomads detached themselves from worldly concerns, and found peace and freedom. Also, they apparently had pretty good senses of humor!” - Uncle Iroh 

The #PashFam of the Air Nomads are joyful, imaginative, and spontaneous.

Airbenders seem to float effortlessly above the things that tend to tie others down. Whether they hail from the Northern, Southern, Eastern or Western Air Temple,  all Airbenders embrace their inner child with humor and lightness, while also letting go of the material things to grow a deep wisdom.

Would an Airbender consider a planner a worldly possession? Who’s to say?! All we know is that if Aang had a Passion Planner, he’d be coloring outside the lines. Unlike their goal-getting, to-do-listing friends in the Fire Nation, the Airbender’s Passion Planner is a free and creative space.

How Airbenders Use Their Passion Planner:

• Schedule meditations and other opportunities to turn inward.
• Fill each page with joy-sparking doodles.
• Forget appointments! Make time for the fun stuff.

“It is important to draw wisdom from many different places. If we take it from only one place, it becomes rigid and stale. Understanding others, the other elements, and the other nations will help you become whole.” - Uncle Iroh 

Talking about the #PashFam of each nation is all in good fun, but there’s a reason why Aang is the hero of the story. The Master of All Four Elements honors the unique wisdom, strength, and beauty of each element. This is something that we can all take from the Avatar: it’s not the mastery of one specific area (career, social, etc.) that leads to our best life, but finding the balance!

No matter what nation you resonate with, we hope that your Passion Planner helps you master all the elements of your life, #PashFam! What element would you want to bend? Let us know in the comments below!

Author Bio

Wendy Sigler is a HR Assistant and Sometimes-Copywriter at Passion Planner. She has literally been waiting 12 years for an excuse to put all those hours of watching ATLA to good use. After hours, you can find her playing outside, rock climbing, and living her best vegan life.