Wellness Wednesday Issue #105

The Assist Newsletter
December 31, 2024
A vibrant image featuring a repeating pattern of pink and white flowers on a teal background. The quote, "The magic in new beginnings is truly the most powerful of them all," is displayed in bold yellow text, centered on the image.

Today’s Checklist: 

  • Thania’s Top 3 Planner Recs
  • The Trident Method
  • Recipe of the week: Creamy au Gratin Potatoes

🤔 Trivia: What is the first country in the world to celebrate the New Year? Find out.

QUICK LINKS

📋 Find out which productivity method works best for you with this interactive quiz.

🔮 What 2025 has in store for your star sign—get ready for the year ahead.

🕶️ I spent a week working, exercising, and relaxing in virtual reality

🎨 Discover design trends that will die in 2025, according to 8 top designers.

NEW YEAR STUFF

A kanban board with columns labeled “to do,” “in progress,” and “done,” featuring sticky notes in various colors. One hand writes on a note in the “to do” section, while another places a note in the “done” section.

Top 3 Planners I Recommend

 

As an ADHDer diagnosed later in life, I’ve been through a lot of planners. I’ve learned I need two main things: a bird’s-eye view and lots of checkboxes.

All the extra stuff—habit trackers, meal planning, reflections, bucket lists—isn’t really my thing. They’re nice occasionally, but when it comes to planners, I’m all about function, ease, and a little bit of joy (which usually comes from ease, or maybe fun colors).

So, to recap what I’m looking for:

  • Weekly view
  • Space to brain dump
  • Daily checkboxes (or space to write them in)
  • Something that brings me joy (through small details, bright colors, etc.)

Here are the planners I’d personally recommend:

A simple planner design highlighting a weekly layout with checkboxes for to-dos and additional space for jotting down notes, labeled "The perfect weekly pages."
  • The Dailee ($35): This one has a ton of space for daily to-dos, all within a single weekly view. It’s great for the minimalist Type-A who wants something streamlined but still needs all the organizational features. From yearly goals to holiday gift lists to weekly cleaning checklists, it’s got it all. Plus, they have some great colors!
A variety of planner layouts for May 2025, showcasing different designs and formats, with text at the top reading "3 interior design & 4 planning layout options."
  • Erin Condren’s LifePlanner: You can customize everything with this one—the cover, the inside layout, you name it. Plus, stickers! It’s a classic, reliable planner, and you can add on accessories to make it exactly what you want. It’s a solid choice if you like having options. (Price varies on customization.)
An open planner showing a week layout from December 2024 to January 2025, with lined spaces for each day and colorful monthly tabs on the right.
  • Mintgreen Planner: Available at Walmart, this is a super simple, affordable option. It has weekly and monthly views, plus a “notes” section with both bullet grid and lined pages before each month—perfect for brain dumps or whatever else you need to jot down. And it’s less than $10, which is always a win.
A planner spread filled with detailed notes, reminders, and habit tracking for a week in June, with handwritten tasks and small decorative stickers.
  • Bonus: Curation Planner: I really like the weekly spread on this one, in addition to the monthly views and focus on self-growth. It’s kind of an all-in-one lifestyle planner, with sections for self-care, habits, gratitude, and goals. Their unique Pre-Week Planner and Weekly Spread layout gives you four planning pages per week, which is great for organizing all areas of life. Plus, they come in bold colors and have a nice faux leather cover.

What’s your go-to planner? Reply to this email and we’ll curate the answers to share in a future issue!

circle image of Thania (TA Content Mgr)

Thania (TA Content Mgr)

GOOD TIMES

A festive cartoon-style desk setup with a computer displaying holiday sweaters, a decorated mini Christmas tree, a wrapped gift, candy canes, a mug, and a hand hanging string lights, all set against a bright yellow background.

Ring in The New Year with Confetti 🎉

 

Boring team building is out. Confetti’s lineup of fun is in.

Here’s how to bring some real cheer to the new year:

❄️ Winter Taboo: One second you’re confidently explaining “sled,” and the next, you’re miming wildly as your brain short-circuits. Hilarious and chaotic.

😌 Managing Holiday Stress: Therapy vibes but with fewer tears and more laughs at holiday burnout absurdities.

🍸 Winter Mixology: Master the art of holiday cocktails with an expert mixologist. It’s hands-on, boozy, and oh-so-fabulous. Think fancy drinks you can flaunt all winter long.

🎄 Virtual Holiday Pub Party: Live tunes, a bartender host, and seasonal games? Yes, please! This is not your grandma’s virtual party. Shake off the stress, turn up the volume, and let loose with epic seasonal games to keep the energy buzzing.

🕹️ Coworker Clash – Holiday Edition: Buzz in, call out, and compete for the crown in a hilariously competitive holiday showdown. Prove once and for all that YOU run this virtual office kingdom.

No Zoom cringe, no boring lectures—just good vibes.

Explore all Confetti events here.

P.S. TA members get $75 off their first Confetti event with code SNACKNATION24.

ORGANIZATION

A colorful illustration of two people standing in front of a weekly planner with days labeled Monday (M), Wednesday (W), and Friday (F). The planner is filled with notes, a clock icon, and connected dots.

The Trident Method

 

New year, new you? Sure. But let’s start with a new way to run your calendar—because you should be running your day, not the other way around.

Enter: the Trident Method. It’s like a triple-threat system for taking control of your schedule while making space for all the big (and little) things in life.

Why It Works The Trident Method splits your calendar into three categories: Core Priorities, Non-Negotiables, and Flex Zones. It’s like giving your schedule a Marie Kondo-level makeover—everything has a purpose, and nothing unnecessary stays. This method isn’t about squeezing more into your day; it’s about being intentional with what you’ve got.

How to Execute Core Priorities: These are the needle-movers—the things that actually get you closer to your goals. Think big projects, strategy sessions, or deep work. Schedule these during your brain’s “prime time” (whenever you’re most focused and creative).

Non-Negotiables: Meetings, deadlines, workouts, family time—anything you have to do goes here. Tip: color-code them so they pop, and block them in like the non-negotiables they are. No guilt. No overthinking.

Flex Zones: These are your secret weapon. Leave space for the unexpected—catch-ups, creative thinking, or even (gasp) actual downtime. Having Flex Zones built in makes it easier to pivot without feeling like you’re dropping the ball.

Tip: Reflect and Adjust Carve out 10 minutes at the end of the week to audit your calendar. What worked? What didn’t? Adjust accordingly so next week feels even smoother.

The Trident Method isn’t about squeezing productivity out of every second. It’s about keeping your priorities sharp while staying flexible enough to roll with the punches. And that’s the kind of energy we’re taking into 2025.

▶️ Watch this helpful tutorial on the Trident Method.

HR TIME SAVER

Rippling

Score a $100 Gift Card for Checking Out the HR Platform You Didn’t Know You Needed

 

Your workday’s chaotic enough—Rippling makes it simple.

This all-in-one HR platform automates the stuff you don’t want to deal with, like employee updates and onboarding.

The kicker? You’ll pocket a $100 gift card just for seeing what it’s all about.

Work smarter. Get rewarded.

See Rippling in action here.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

A close-up of golden, creamy au gratin potatoes with a text overlay that reads “Creamy au Gratin Potatoes” and a yellow button saying “Get recipe here.”
Have a recipe you love? Share it here.

STAFF PICKS

Stuff We’re Loving This Week

 

👚 Stock up on basics with this 3-pack of long sleeve shirts that mimic SKIMS.

🎩 Stay cozy in this fuzzy bucket hat.

🔌 This compact USB-C Macbook charger is a lifesaver for busy days without breaking the bank.

📖 Why are kids more anxious than ever? This book breaks it down—and gives us hope for rewiring the future.

JUST FOR FUN

A humorous tweet from @sweetmomissa that reads: "I deal with stress like an adult, avoiding it and sending funny memes to my friends instead.”

SPILL THE TEA

🚨 Open Jobs: Visit our job board here.

P.S. Want more inspiration and positivity to kick off your week? Sign up for our Motivational Monday texts (U.S. only).

👀 Want to see if your company is a good fit for our 100k+ ambitious readers? Join our Sponsor Waitlist here.

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