Need your opinion: Does daily planning help you with depression or anxiety?
Dec 11th, 2007 by Michelle
I was wondering if anyone uses a daily planner/organizer or some kind of “to-do” list etc, to keep them focussed on what needs to be done each day, even if its tiny things to keep us on track.
I use a daily planner every day. I have both the electronic one and paper one. I even bring it with me to the store. I organize everything in my life. I have to. If I don’t then my anxiety and depression wins. I have learned to manage my life like a business. If I don’t create a daily to do list, even if I add little things like “Remind my son to take a shower” I will fall into a zone and not be productive and my world come crashing down.
What I would like to do is to design an organizing system that will help people who suffer from depression/anxiety/bi-polar etc to better get a grip on life. I must be doing something right because I am able to leave my house now and do pretty much everything I want to out doors, I have also not had any sick days at work and my overall health has been 100% better.
I have been thinking of doing this for a long time. I just need to know what everyone thinks of this idea. Let me know.
Nice to meet you Michelle.
Making a “to do list” is a very good way to help stay on track. Another amazing thing that can help keep you On Track in a positive mindset way is to also write at least five things to be grateful for everyday. If you think of what you have to be grateful for and are grateful for any little thing that you have accomplished that day, it will make you feel good. And you will attract more things to be grateful for. If you find yourself feeling sad, unhappy, or complaining about something then you are not being grateful. although the results that day may not be what you want, don’t feel bad, be grateful and feel good that you’re aware that you can change your results. Build the image of the thing you want, write it down if you have to, get emotionally involved in the image, step into action and watch your results change. You will attract EVERTHING that you require if you are grateful.
-Ramon Baron
Yes, writing it down does help. I write lists for everything all the time. You are re-assured of your priorities when you write things down. Whether it’s a to-do list, or future aspirations (usually, a reasonable SHORT-TERM goal). It also distracts your mind from your daily stresses, anxiety, or concerns. Write anything down, one vent per day keeps the doctor away!
Yes I think its a good idea. Try it for a while to see if it works for you. Maybe this discovery of yours can help other anxious people manage their life better
With your daily planner, you’re taking control of your life, instead of letting life take control of you. I think it’s a really good idea, along with writing down your goals.
Best wishes for Christmas and 2008! I’m hoping that things will continue to improve.
Anything that can give a person a heightened sense of control and confidence will help.
Hi all,
I keep a piece of paper in my back pocket–pretty much at all times. The first several items make up a to-do list. They involve short term and (I would say) medium term things to do. I also have a list of books that I’d like to read on this list a bit further down. Down further I have a couple of long range things to focus on. This helps me with my anxiety and I have been doing it for several years now. The piece of paper is best for me because I can keep it in my pocket, and it also doesn’t allow the list to be TOO LONG AND INTIMIDATING. This is something that my friend Cora reminded me to guard against a long time ago. Ideally, I’d like to be able to not have to make a list at all. But I have to be realistic; I have a problem with anxiety and it needs to be dealt with on a regular basis. This is one of the ways in which I deal with it. Thanks. By the way, I like the idea of writing down things to be grateful for. I will start doing this.