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There’s something quietly magical about making a plan—especially when life feels uncertain, overwhelming, or just plain stuck. Even the smallest of plans, like meeting a friend for coffee next week or buying a new welcoming doormat, can give us something vital: hope.
Hope doesn’t always arrive in big, dramatic moments. It often sneaks in through a back door, disguised as a calendar reminder or a scribble on a sticky note (I have lots of those!). Planning—even in the smallest of ways—tells our brains, “There is a future worth showing up for and I can breathe a sigh of relief mixed with excitement.”
Why small plans matter
When we feel low, stressed, or burned out, it’s easy to get caught in a loop of helplessness. That’s where small plans become powerful. They create a sense of forward motion. They remind us we still have personal agency and the ability to influence our day—even if it’s just by choosing what we are doing for dinner.
A plan, no matter how tiny, signals that we are still participating in life, not just enduring it. We need this.
The artist date: A plan for hope
Julia Cameron, in her book The Artist’s Way, talks about something called an “artist date.” It’s a weekly date you make with yourself to do something playful, nurturing, or creatively stimulating. It could be visiting a local garden, browsing a bookstore, or trying out watercolor paints. It’s a plan purely for the purpose of delight and inspiration—that’s it.
This kind of planning isn’t about productivity—it’s about pleasure and connection to yourself. It’s a gentle reminder that you matter and are taking special care of yourself.
Change your view, change your mood
Coming from a first career as an interior designer, I’ve always believed that our surroundings can impact our mental and emotional well-being. One simple way to cultivate hope is to make a plan to change up your space.
It doesn’t require a full renovation—just a few small shifts can be surprisingly uplifting. Try moving a chair to a new corner, swapping out throw pillows for a pop of color, or adding a plant or piece of art that catches your eye. These adjustments in your environment can signal something fresh is happening—and that plan can spark energy and optimism.
Make a plan for self-care
Not all plans have to be exciting to be hopeful. Booking your annual doctor’s appointment, making time for a long-overdue haircut, or finally reaching out to schedule that therapy session—these are all ways of saying, “I’m taking care of myself.” They’re acts of hope disguised as to-do list items.
As a therapist, I love when clients say, “I’ve been looking forward to our appointment.” (And yes, I know that’s not always the case—so I take the wins when I get them!) But seriously, having something on the calendar that’s just for your emotional well-being can be an anchor in an otherwise chaotic week.
A gentle nudge toward the future
Planning is a way of saying yes to the idea that your life is still unfolding. You don’t have to map out your whole year. Just make one small plan for something that brings joy, beauty, connection, or care. When we plan, we set intentions for a new pathway.
Maybe it’s a walk in a different neighborhood. Maybe it’s a creative outing. Maybe it’s booking that appointment. Or maybe it’s just penciling in some “me time” for no reason other than you deserve it.
Hope grows where planning lives.