Crush the Chaos With a planner that grows with you

"Out of that chaos, the Plan to GRO was born."

Around six years ago, my life began transitioning into a new season. This transition came through a series of events, such as - the kiddos were no longer under our roof - we sold our home, which I believed would be our forever home, to begin the building process - AND I closed my photography business. Then - I started working full time with my husband - AND to add one more crazy dynamic...we were alone for the first time in our marriage, as new empty nesters.

In years prior, when I was fully engaged and primarily focused on my family, I felt confident, energetic, solid and at peace. Like I've often shared, I knew that what mattered most was giving my kiddos a better start. This season, everything changed. I knew I was no longer operating in that sense of clarity and vision for where I was headed. I didn't know what mattered most. AND I was doing a lot of what I thought I 'should' be doing. It was clear it was getting the best of me. I needed to find a way to work through this season.

Overall, I was excited about these changes! I did not expect the downward spiral I was entering into.

I thought I had clarity on where I was headed. However, I was floundering. My health was fading, and by 2 pm every day, I felt anxious, stressed, unsure, needy, insecure, and T I R E D. I didn't recognize how unsettling this transition was until my body and emotions revealed it to me. Life changes can be telling if we decide to take notice. They have a way of exposing areas that need growth.

I have always enjoyed journaling my thoughts and prayers. I love calendars and planning, BUT it would be an understatement to say that I became an obsessive fan of planning my day with intention and determination to spend my time wisely. I changed many of my routines, habits, and ideas I had about the structure of my life.

Then, over the next year, I began studying and learning systems and concepts from the plethora of journals and planners I had on my shelves but never used. This helped me zero in on how to best tackle my day for my overall wellness. I researched and studied books about creating habits, systems, time management, and personal well-being.

The changes were healing. I restructured my days and developed healthy habits such as drinking 75 oz of water daily - consistently taking my supplements - creating better sleep habits - and working on daily movement and prayer. I felt like I was on the right track... There was just one secret. I still felt like something was off...

I was deep in the pool of productivity hacks, side hustles, BIG dreams, time blocking, and goals; yet, the most successful thing I had experienced in my life to this point was my family, faith, and overall health and wellness. I found that "success" by utilizing the complete opposite idea of what I was learning. I always knew what I desired for myself, my marriage, and my children. It was simple, and it was hard, but it was the desire of my heart.

Recognizing this truth inspired me to begin developing a system that allowed me to find truth for my next season and work through my journey while continuing to organize my schedule and thoughts purposefully. The journals I used often focused on individual areas like fitness or business. That wasn't going to work. I wanted a journal that would be personal, uncomplicated, and encompass my entire life - faith, health, finances, career, family, personal growth, etc.

I needed it to GROW with me along the way.

That's how I came to create the Plan To GRO Journal system. Planning is exciting; it gives clarity and creates productivity. However, I will always need growth and, therefore, need to journal through that process. Have I discovered my 'what matters most' in this next season? I know this - I want to show up and 'give my best self' in every commitment I make.