I started using Ban.do’s beautiful planner last year hopeful that it would help me to cultivate a more disciplined approach with my time and projects. Unfortunately, another yearly planner has caught my attention. I will, however, continue to use the Ban.do Planner for blogging purposes.

During an Anthropologie visit, I discovered The Happiness Planner in all it’s calming sky blue glory, and loved that its designer, Mo Seetubtim intended to make its users more mindful of the time they dedicate to happiness. The first edition was a hardcover, undated planner, and while I thought it cool, I passed it over. I then discovered via Instagram that they had a larger, proper planner that would allow you to lay down your plans and goals whilst cultivating a positive outlook on life.

During my prayer time on New Years Eve, I prayed that God would guide me in making this year more life-changing than ever before. Planning new goals and resolutions for the new year can carry a cast of discouragement what with the overall sense of resolutions being that no one ever commits and accomplishes them. But I know somewhere someone is doing just that, and for once I want to be one of those people. I think what’s stopped me from fully embracing the opportunity a fresh start can bring is negativity. I tend to be a super positive person when it comes to encouraging other people in their journey, whilst being a complete buzzkill for my own. When I saw this new planner created to encourage with beautiful quotes, and exercises to help you more embrace Gratitude as you lay out your dreams, I thought this a fitting tool to start the new year with.

I think what I’ve found most daunting about planners is that they seem to be for a person with a packed schedule, and for myself, I’ve never really had a ton of projects or activities so much so that I’ve needed a planner. And not having such schedules often made me feel a bit unaccomplished. But, I look forward to, One, divorcing myself from my reclusive nature, and Two, embracing God’s thoughts of me. That He’s gifted us all with talents of which to impact the world, and we have permission to walk in them.