Panda Planner Classic Review #PandaPlanner with Update

I'm kind of in love right now and it was a total accident. (oh man, I hit "publish" on this post I started last spring and did not mean to, so you get what you get today, friends, with an update at the end)

I was proofreading for a client on Fiverr and in her nonfiction book she mentioned using her Panda Planner.

I stopped proofreading and said, "What the heck is that? I saw the word PLANNER. I love planners but I have not found the perfect one for me yet. I tried bullet journaling and that was the closest I got to moving to the town of Crap Togetherville, but then of course I quit because I suck at consistency."

Then I hit the Google.

Cue the sappy love music as I gazed upon the planner.

Wait, no. Not yet.

First, I had to hit the YouTube to find a review that would show me EVERY INCH of this thing before I committed. And I still did not commit. I was intrigued but thought maybe it would be too much work to come up with an affirmation for each day and figure out my wins and do-betters and tasks and priorities. But dang, THREE ribbons to keep track of your MONTH, WEEK and DAY? I really had no excuse to not get my crap together.

There was a 25% off deal the day I bought mine. And I got free shipping. And could pay using PayPal. So bam. $20ish and I committed. True, there are 6 months of monthly pages but only 90 days of daily pages. You can skip a day or two if you go on vacation or just take a day off where you don't have much happening. For me, I won't be skipping any days, that's for sure. I saw a vision of my future and it looked like this:

It's the year 2050 and I have been using 4 Panda Planners per year since 2019 and they are all lined up on my lovely built-in bookshelf my husband finally built for me.

Except my future will be more colorful because they have fantastic colors of Panda Planners and also my own books I will have written will be mixed in as well because I will be so uber-productive that I will have no choice but to publish 10 books a year on extremely helpful and awesome topics such as Homeschooling With Less Stress and More Fun and Learn to Relax by a Swimming Pool.

I got the Classic because I wanted to be able to carry it around with me. I liked the idea of the 8 1/2 x 11 size but dang, that's huge. I will have to learn to write tiny. I will survive.

Another cool thing about Panda Planner is that they send you emails with useful information. Like this post of 10 books about procrastination!

UPDATE A COUPLE OF MONTHS IN

CONS
I'm not really doing the GRATEFUL or EXCITED parts. Not doing the AFFIRMATION, FOCUS or EXERCISE parts. Sometimes I might log my Fitbit steps on EXERCISE but not usually. The FOCUS usually remains the same every day: SURVIVE.

The cost is a little prohibitive for me most of the time. Still I am torn because it's kept me the most organized I've ever been. A simple medium-sized spiral notebook would work okay and be 1/10 of the cost, but I'd have to write everything out in the format I want it to be in.

I'm not using the planner for all it could be used for. I really just need a spot to put the day's events (10:30 Mass, 2:30 dental appointment, 6 p.m. movie, 4:30 Joel goes to work) plus a place for daily tasks and a quick spot to write down vitamins and supplements I've taken. I could use a cheap spiral for this and carry it around but it could easily fall apart.

I'm not using the WEEKLY section at all. I tried, but I write down things I just can't seem to ever fit in. I'm not realistic. There is a PROJECTS section and someday I'll put things in there like CHICKENS, RAISED-BED GARDEN, PLAYHOUSE FOR GRANDKIDS, MEMOIR. At this point in my life, projects are things like slowly working on getting Michael his driver's license, getting Joel his Eagle Scout award, getting a kid reading fluently, getting a kid to understand place value. The WEEKLY section is overwhelming to me.

PROS
I do enjoy the TODAY'S PRIORITIES part since there are 5 spots and I have 5 kids and they are my priorities.

I love the pocket in the back.

I love the band that keeps it all closed up.

I love the monthly view; it has come in handy many times when I've been out and someone has told me about an event that I needed to write down.

Instead of having random pieces of paper in my purse or a notebook I never look at again, I generally WORK THIS PLANNER ... I move things from day to day that aren't getting done, try to get more realistic with my time, etc.

UPDATE as of January 2, 2020 and I am not using this anymore. I can't justify the cost! Shocker: as someone who probably has  ADD, I bounce from planning system to planning system and find it hard to stick with anything. Bullet journal is what I'm doing now. Sometimes a huge DayTimer. Sometimes I ignore it all and just type things on my computer in Word day to day. Google Calendar also rocks and gets me realistic with my time. Sometimes I'm gung-ho about planners and sometimes I rebel and ignore them for weeks on end and still somehow manage to get things done.

Tell me about your relationship with planners!

As of March 2020, I had to start a new Category on the side of the blog for PLANNING because I love it so much. I'm about to receive my large Passion Planner in the mail and use it alongside a cheap composition notebook for daily things. I'll keep you posted!

How to Balance Your Side Gig with Your Full-Time Job

It's becoming increasingly common: middle-class men and women are taking up side-jobs and freelance assignments in order to bring in extra cash. The so-called "gig economy" is growing, and fast. And it's easy to see why, as it allows individuals to work on their own time, at their own schedule, to earn extra money. However, while the extra money is certainly good, it can lead to a packed schedule that makes it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Here are ways that you can balance your side gig with your full-time job. Yes, it is possible to have your cake and eat it too!

Side Gigs: Abundant and Available!

Before we discuss how to balance your side gig with your full-time job, you may be wondering what jobs are available to you and how to get them. Many people have an interest in taking up extra work on the side but don't know where to start. The options are actually quite diverse.

Ride sharing apps like Uber and Lyft are two of the easiest ways to get started; simply download the app on your smartphone, create an account, and get started. Anyone with a car that is properly maintained and relatively new can start earning money today. There is also the lucrative (yet highly competitive) field of online freelancing. Thankfully, sites like Fiverr and Freelancer allow individuals who possess the talent but lack the network to have a fighting chance at landing gigs.

Of course, there is also entrepreneurship. If you have dreamed of starting your own business but fear the risks, consider running your business on the side while you develop and grow your clientele. Some entrepreneurship options, such as Amway, allow you to leverage a vast support network while selling products with a proven track record. Other options, like Etsy, are perfect for individuals who craft their own wares, like jewelers or artists.

Essential Tips and Tricks

With that out of the way, let's get to the heart of the matter. Holding down two jobs isn't easy, particularly if one of them is a full-time job. But it is possible, and millions of people across the country are doing just that (and earning extra money in the process). Here are some essential tips and tricks that can help you cope with the demands:

1. Be Prepared to Work

There's no getting around this. Taking on a side gig will likely mean sacrificing a night out with friends, a fancy meal with a loved one, or an opening night show at the cinema. You must be prepared to work hard. You will be busy!

2. Wake Up Earlier

Part of working hard means giving yourself extra time in the day to do the things that used to be routine. This may include doing the dishes or washing the laundry. Or perhaps it's fixing lunch for your school-aged children before they wake up. Set that alarm clock an hour earlier.

3. Leverage Your Day Job Skills

If you work in a professional field and are proficient in a specific skill, the odds are good that someone is seeking the very skill that you have, and are willing to pay for it. As the gig economy becomes more pervasive and commonplace, more and more companies are becoming comfortable with freelancers. Start leveraging your expertise.

4. Get Organized

Taking on freelance work means having to meet deadlines, satisfy job requirements, and schedule your own work time. There will be no regimented 9-5, Monday-Friday schedule to coddle you along. You will be responsible for everything. So do yourself a favor and get organized! It will make everything easier. Look into getting one of these 11 best alternatives to Wunderlist to keep tasks and deadlines organized right on your phone.

5. Remember to Unplug

If you work too hard, you run the risk of burning yourself out. And if that happens, you can't help your employer or yourself. Remember to give yourself free time. As a freelancer, it's important to take a break every once in awhile for peace of mind.

6. Maintain Open Lines of Communication

Most companies allow their employees to work independently outside of the office, so long as it doesn't result in conflicts of interest or affect your work in the office. If you decide to sell Amway or drive for Uber, be upfront with your boss so that expectations are clear.

Considering a Side Job? Go For It!

It may be challenging at first, but maintaining a full-time job while freelancing or starting a business on the side is possible. And if you stick with it and dedicate yourself to achieving your goals, you will likely find that the rewards more than justify the means. Follow the tips outlined above and you can maintain a healthy balance between your full-time work and your side gig. And who knows: perhaps it might even enable you to ditch your full-time job altogether!

Getting to Grips With the Nuts & Bolts of Running a Business

There’s an element of glamour involved with starting and running a company these days. You don’t have to look too far in the business press to hear phrases like ‘startups are the new rock ‘n roll’, and it’s true that there has never been a better time to set up on your own.

However, unless you get the unglamorous things right, the chances are your business will fail before it even gets out of the traps. Here are some things to bear in mind when it comes to getting to grips with the nuts and bolts of running a business.

Picture Credit

The big problem with your business plan

Nothing is more important than creating a business plan when you are just starting out. Everything about your business idea, including concept, marketing, and financial plans must be sketched out in full before you lift a finger.

But don’t allow your plan of activities to become a problem. Markets, people and trends change all the time, and if you aren’t flexible enough to change with them, your company will be unlikely to make it in the long-term - it’s that simple.

You can't do everything

People that start their own companies get used to doing everything themselves - and it’s not much of a surprise. After all, with no profits coming in, how can you afford to pay staff or outsource critical tasks? However, it’s a good idea to realise you can’t be a jack of all trades if you want to establish some success.

Not only will your expertise in each area be tested to its limits, but you also suffer the prospect of burnout. It’s important to spend time working on your business rather than living inside it - and finding the right level of expertise to help where needed is critical, even at this early stage.

Operations is key

However, once you start hiring people, it’s essential to have a structured way of working - defining your operational procedures. A lot of startups and small businesses have an operations policy of ‘winging it,’ unfortunately, and it’s common for them to end up in serious trouble pretty quickly.

There are a few ways of ensuring you have a good structure in place for your company. The first is to learn about the processes you need - you could do an operations manager degree online or something similar. The second is to hire someone - either a full-time operations expert or an outsourced business consultant. The day-to-day running of your firm isn’t what you dream about when it comes to being a startup superstar - but it is vital to your chances of being able to live that dream in the future.

The legal stuff

It’s easy to forget about your legal obligations when you are working alone from a home office. But the second you start trading, paying taxes, hiring people, and trying to be a responsible company, you just can’t afford to ignore the law.

A good business lawyer will help make sure you are ticking all the right boxes when it comes to legal matters, and there’s also plenty of evidence that suggests your very first hire should be a human resources expert. Many small businesses have collapsed due to worker compensation claims, and it’s vital you take the health and safety of your employees, customers, and visitors to your premises seriously.

Any more tips to add about the nuts and bolts of business? Share your thoughts below!

Your Guide to Eco-Therapy at Home

Image by Valiphotos from Pixabay

Eco-therapy is also known as green therapy or nature therapy and is a relatively new field of psychology. It is based on the theory that people are connected to the natural environment and that investing in their relationship with nature can have a positive impact on our wellbeing. Eco-therapy is a general term for a variety of approaches to intervention and healing, which are based in nature. Some types of eco-therapy are delivered via a therapy group or under the guidance of a mental health professional, but there are several which can be undertaken by individuals at home. 


For example, in addition to the therapy itself, spending time in the sunlight, around trees, plants, and wildlife while breathing fresh air has been found to have a positive effect on mental and physical wellbeing and promotes creativity, positivity, productivity and calmness. In the majority of cases, eco-therapy takes place in outdoor environments to maximise the full benefits, but direct contact with nature is not always necessary. In fact, even photographs of nature or seeing nature through a window has been shown to have a positive impact on mood, wellbeing and health.


Here are some of the most common types of eco-therapy activities which many people find beneficial to both their physical and mental wellbeing which you can try at home. 


Meditation or exercise in a natural setting

Meditation is beneficial for physical and mental wellbeing in many ways, but when done in a natural setting, these benefits can be intensified. The fresh air and sunlight helps to clear the mind and heighten our senses, but we can also use the nature around us to inspire our thinking. For example, we can look at the nature around us and contemplate how it relates to us and our position in the world. Meditation can be done individually in a garden or a group in a place such as a park. 


Many people find water sources like lakes and waterfalls to be a source of great relaxation and rejuvenation. If you do not have access to one in your local area and you have enough space, you may want to create your own in your garden with lake filtration systems.

Being active outside, whether it’s walking, running, cycling or yoga can also help people who are struggling with stress, depression, anxiety or anger issues. 


Horticultural therapy

Horticultural therapy involves gardening activities such as planting, weeding, digging and pruning to promote mental health. Focused projects can provide excellent stimuli for people suffering from stress or recovering from substance addiction and, when done in groups, can reduce social isolation. This type of therapy gives people a sense of purpose and can improve self-esteem while also getting them outside and active. There is also an element of protecting the natural environment which can give people a renewed sense of motivation and hope.


Animal-assisted therapy

Interaction with animals has been shown to have a hugely beneficial impact on physical and mental wellbeing. Just petting or playing with a cat or dog (or any animal) can reduce stress and aggression and the bond between owner and pet can reduce feelings of isolation and give people a more structured routine and responsibilities. If you aren’t able to commit to having your own pet, consider getting involved at a local animal shelter or fostering animals waiting to be re-homed.

The Best Holiday Destinations for 2020

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay 

As the new year begins and people look ahead to what they want to do, what they want to achieve and where they want to go, one of the things on many people’s minds is travel. So, if you’ve not decided what you want to go in 2020, then maybe this list will help you:

Cancun, Mexico

Cancun is home to many beautiful beaches and stunning hotels, but there is more to the destination than just a resort stay. Cancun also has a vibrant nightlife, which includes the Coco Bongo in the heart of Cancun’s Hotel Zone, where people go for a great night of music and entertainment. Or you can do things like save a Sea Turtle with a turtle release program and learn about the plight of the sea turtles, their nesting habits, and their struggle to survive. Then guests can take baby sea turtles to the ocean and set them free. There are loads of things to do, such as visiting the Cancun Underwater Museum, there are loads of places to stay, such as El Dorado Maroma and loads of adventures to be had.

Kyoto, Japan

Japan will be hosting the 2020 Olympic games, and hoteliers in Kyoto are ramping up their rooms to account for the crowds. There are going to be new hotels opening, but as well as that, there are other reasons you might want to visit Kyoto. The city is home to over 1,600 historic Buddhist temples with many dating back more than a millennium; it is home to 400 colorful shrines dedicated to Japan’s ancient religion, it has one of the world’s largest collections of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is the birthplace of the Maiko and Geisha culture. Need I say more?

Rijeka, Croatia

Croatia’s third-largest city is one that people don’t tend to spend much time in because they use it for the ferry port to get elsewhere. However, it is a place worth going to itself, and as it’s less touristy, you can get a more authentic experience of Croatia. You can mingle with locals, go for a meal or a night out on Korzo, which is Rijeka’s busy promenade, or shop like a local at the central market. Then, of course, if you want to escape Rijeka, just ten kilometers up the coast is a little stone town on the high ground called Kastav. Many of the locals visit Kastav in summer as there are concerts and festivals on including the blues festival, a guitar festival, and the Kastav Summer of Culture.

Rabat, Morocco

This town has been described as Art’s new epicenter, and if you’re looking for somewhere to relax then, this is the place to be. It is a soothing destination; Rabat is the place to be. It is a peaceful town located in Morocco and full of amazing little spots and activities. The temperatures go no lower than 20°C (68°F) all year round, the town has good transportation access, and clean streets. So, put Rabat on your list for 2020.

The British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands have suffered terribly from Hurricanes Irma and Maria, which has meant that they have also experienced a huge loss in tourism too. However, over the past two years, there has been extensive hotel renovations and reopenings, and these islands are bouncing back better than ever. Oil Nut Bay relaunched last year and is spread across 300 acres on the eastern tip of Virgin Gorda. The islands have also called on ‘voluntourists’ to help plant vital, life-giving vegetation. The communities have worked hard to rebuild their islands and homes and will soon be rewarded with plenty of tourists who will continue to help them get back on their feet. 

Quingdao, China

Qingdao is on China’s Yellow Sea coast and often tops lists for liveability as it is home to leafy parks, well-trodden boardwalks, and alluring hiking trails. However, Qingdao is about to get even greener as 2020 will see the arrival of the new China Eden, the first of its kind outside of the UK. The project is being constructed on a large part of environmentally damaged and reclaimed land at the confluence of two rivers. This land was originally used for salt production and prawn farming. The project is set to be themed around water and will have the world’s highest indoor waterfall at its center, plunging from 164ft up, the same height as Niagara Falls. It sounds like it might be worth a visit.