I have a lot to say today, and a couple of action items below, so stick with me.. When I sat down to design the Just Today Planner, I initially wanted to include fun tabs, and have a dated option, but couldn’t help but feel like it wasn’t the right time. It’s my flagship product, and I didn’t want the stress of selling every single planner before a specific deadline. I also kept remembering why I was creating this planner in the first place. To help people. To be a useful tool in keeping a positive mindset.
As an avid “self help” reader since high school, an entrepreneur of 15 years, a Mom, and someone with their masters from trial and error university – I’d tried all the things and took note of what worked best. I’ve always had a desire to help others, but never been able to pinpoint how. I’ve also wasted so many dated planners over the years because I didn’t need them every single day. This wouldn’t be *just* a planner. It would encompass the habits that keep me from sinking into the pit of despair, and get me back on track when I do.
- Setting my intentions every. single. morning.
- Making sure I exercise and drink half my body weight in ounces of water each day.
- Writing down the one big goal I’m working towards each morning *before* I create my To-Do List.
- Telling myself exactly who I will be that day.
- Having an open schedule to either write in my day, or write in the day I *want* to have.
- Making sure I’m looking outside of myself for ways I can help others.
- Not just thinking, but writing down what I’m grateful for each day.
- Making sure there’s a plan for dinner, so our family can sit down together each evening over a hot meal.
- An archival quality product that allows me to journal alongside all of these things.
- Reflection. Writing down what my favorite part of each day was before I go to sleep.
So many months of design work, prayer, and thought went into creating this seemingly simple planner/journal/daily companion and now more than ever I am SO incredibly grateful I trudged through the hard days. There’s never been a time I needed it more. To wake up and have right in front of me the steps I know will get me on track each day. The things I need to do in order to stay focused on what matters most to me. To be the best version of myself. My favorite Bible Verse has been on repeat here lately, maybe you’ll find it helpful as well..
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
If you’re struggling to cope with these strange times we’re living in, don’t let anxiety and fear take over. I encourage you to wake up each morning and set your intentions. You don’t need a planner for this, you can use this free printable, or you can just jot it down on a piece of paper. Recite that verse above, then set those intentions. Put it down in writing and go back to it throughout the day.
Make yourself a loose schedule. Our Pastor keeps emphasizing how important it is to have routine and structure right now, especially for our children, and that reminder has been so helpful for me. To wake up each day with purpose.
These are strange times we’re living in, but God did not give us a spirit of fear. So let’s use this time to be the best versions of ourselves. We’ve had days when we wake up at 11, and days when we’re up at 6. The days we’re up at 6 are the best, even when we’re tired. The days we get up, get ready, and go through our routines are the ones we’ve made the best memories. The more productive we are, the better we all feel.
Difference Makers
All of the super smart business folks will tell you to have a mission and always come back to it no matter how big or small the decision. It’s one of the very first things you do, so that each decision made after reflects that mission. Having heard that so much over the years, the mission of Playful Paper was crystal clear from the beginning…
“To create purposeful products that inspire a community that chooses to make the ordinary magical, LIVE FUN, LOVE BOLDLY, and RADIATE POSITIVITY.”https://www.youtube.com/embed/dpXK2NTU8xw
One of my favorite songs is Difference Maker by Need to Breathe, like if souls had hype songs, this would be mine. I want to help build a community that lives fun, loves boldly and radiates positivity. A community of Difference Makers. (song best listened to with headphones, turned up super loud, while on a walk or run outside.)
I’ll have more on that in the coming days, but for now I’ve created these wallpapers for your phone to remind you that you are a Difference Maker. Click on the wallpaper of your choice, it will take you to the full size, then save.
For Such A Time As This
I’m extremely fortunate to be surrounded by positive people. In 15 years of doing business online, our email community has grown exponentially. The best part is that I’ve had the blessing of being on the receiving end of some of the kindest, impromptu emails. Some of you have been with me since my Color Army days (The OG’s!) some know me from MomAndWife.com, but most of you know me from Pretty Darn Cute Design. I’d launch a new theme at Pretty Darn Cute and ya’ll would email back paragraphs of nice things. You didn’t have to do that. Some of you have helped me through difficult times, some of you have become “real life” friends, and some of you are new friends that just radiate positivity.
I know the kind of people you are, and I can’t help but think we’d be missing out on a huge opportunity to do good in this world if we don’t all come together. I’d love for you to join our new small, but mighty, facebook group the Playful Paper Village. I want to share ideas, and uplifting stories in there. Things we can do to make a difference in the world, not just during these hard times, but always. I want you to help build this community and be a part of what will become a massive movement.
A community that lives fun, loves boldly and radiates positivity, and inspires others to do the same.
I’m also gonna need some feedback on t-shirt designs for our village. It’s my hope and prayer that you’re thriving during this time, and if you’re not, please reach out at any time. I’m here, just ask my email friends, we chat on the regular 🙂
Action to Take:
- Join The Village!
- Get the free daily printable here or by using the form below.
- Grab a Planner if you Want one, we’re still shipping.
Smile, friend! We’ll get through this together!
xo https://heylinz.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/pennant-1.jpg