How to Use a Planner Effectively

 

How to Use a Planner Effectively: Build a Life System That Last

 

Peace, blessings, and love to you all.

Happy New Year to those who celebrate the Gregorian New Year. And to those preparing to welcome the Spring Equinox, Shalom.

 

However you mark the beginning of a new season, I hope this one has started gently and with intention for you. If you’re new here, welcome. For two years, I intentionally paused my public work in ministry and business and focused inward. What appeared to be a season of simplicity became a season of deep internal cleaning.

 

I gave myself permission to heal, to be still, and to realign with who I’ve always been without pressure to perform or explain. That stillness strengthened my foundation and allowed me to flourish quietly. Throughout that time, I learned a great deal, and this year I feel called to share those lessons with you.

 

One of the most important truths I learned is this. We must have our internal home in order before we can truly flourish externally. The life we desire requires structure, clarity, and care on the inside.

 

Today, I’m sharing my personal life structure not as a blueprint to copy, but as a reference point. Something to spark thought. Something to help you consider how you want your life to function and feel. Because life will not go perfectly as planned. Our responsibility isn’t perfection. It’s participation.

We are here to live, not merely exist. And through this space, I’ll be sharing systems, strategies, and reflections to help you do just that intentionally.

 

Your Planner Isn’t the Problem, Your System Is

 

Most planners don’t fail because they’re poorly designed.

They fail because they’re asked to do a job they were never meant to do.

A planner cannot:

• give you clarity
• create discipline
• define your priorities
• or fix internal chaos

A planner is a tool, not a foundation. Without a life system that considers your energy, responsibilities, rhythms, and season, your planner becomes a place where good intentions go to rest. That’s why so many planners start strong in January and collect dust by March.

 

What a Life System Actually Is

A life system is the invisible structure that supports your visible plans.

It includes:

• how you manage energy, not just time
• how you make decisions
• how you separate what matters from what doesn’t
• how you support your life outside of productivity

Your planner should serve your life system, not replace it. Without this framework, planning becomes pressure instead of support.

 

Why Pretty Planners Don’t Create Consistency

 

There is nothing wrong with aesthetics. I build planners from scratch.

But beauty without function leads to avoidance.

When a planner feels:

• too perfect
• too complicated
• too rigid

It becomes something you admire instead of use. A working planner should feel forgiving, adaptable, and realistic. It should meet you where you are, not where you think you should be.

 

The Shift That Changed Everything

Once I stopped planning my ideal life and started supporting my real one, everything changed.

I began asking:

• What does my life actually require right now?
• What structure supports my current capacity?
• What needs to live on paper so it doesn’t live in my head?

That’s when planning became sustainable. Not perfect. Not performative. Just useful.

 

How to Start Building a Life System Without Overwhelm

You don’t need:

• a new planner every month
• a complicated setup
• or someone else’s routine

Start here:

1. Identify the areas of your life that need support, such as time, energy, finances, home, or mindset.
2. Choose tools that serve those needs.
3. Allow flexibility for life to do what it does.

Your system should grow with you, not control you.

This month, I’ll be sharing how I use different planning tools, including planners I’ve built from scratch, to support different parts of my life. Not to impress you. Not to sell perfection. But to help you create something that actually works.

 

If you’re curious about the tools I personally use, including binders, inserts, paper, pens, and accessories, you’ll find them linked in my Amazon storefront as a reference point.

 

Use what resonates. Leave what doesn’t.We’re not here to collect planners. We’re here to live inside our lives intentionally.

If this helped you in any capacity and you’re interested in joining our virtual coworking sessions beginning at the end of March 2026, subscribe for updates here.

Easy DIY At-Home Holiday Photoshoot Ideas

Peace, blessings, and love to you all. I don’t know about anyone else, but life has been a lot lately. Between caring for my brother during his recovery and juggling everything else on my plate, I’ve been reminded how important it is to slow down and make space for the moments that truly matter. Life will life regardless so finding joy in the midst of the chaos becomes a choice and a practice.

As the year comes to a close and we enter a season of rest, my little munchkin wanted to take some cozy photos to send our family a little light and love. So I dusted off my equipment and we created a mini photoshoot right at home with no rush, no pressure, just us playing, practicing, laughing, and making new memories together.

You don’t need a studio or anything fancy to create moments that last. Just a little intention, a little love, and the willingness to be present. Our at‑home shoot was simple, sweet, and full of joy and I’m sharing how we did it so you can do the same. No stress, no big budget… just you, your little ones, and a few creative touches. 

Want the full checklist right away?
Download my exact at-home photoshoot prep checklist — the one I used to create these cozy, joy-filled shots with my little one.Includes a printable PDF + plain text version for Notes or Notion!

Click here to download it now

How You Can Do It Too

What You’ll Need:

• Natural Lighting: Morning or golden hour light from a nearby window works best.
• Fadeless Art Paper: We grabbed ours from Michaels for the backdrop.
• Your Outfits: Match, coordinate, or just go with what feels right.
• A Blank Wall: Choose a clean, clutter-free background or if not a wall you can cover.
• Lighting (Optional): A ring light or soft lamp if you're short on daylight.
• Tripod or Propped Phone: Use what you have! A stack of books works too.
• Camera or Phone: Your iPhone’s portrait mode is your bestie if you don’t have a professional camera.
• Pose Inspiration: Search Pinterest for “Mommy & Me” or “At-Home Photoshoot Poses.”
• Editing App: I love Lightroom Mobile for subtle edits or presets.
• Print Your Faves: Walgreens, Shutterfly, or Canva are great for turning these into cards or keepsakes.

These photos were such a joy to take, just simple, fun, and full of love. And though we don’t celebrate the holidays, this season is the perfect time to send love, light, and handwritten notes to our family, especially our elders, just to remind them they’re on our hearts. You can create the same kind of warmth and intention right at home, one photo and one moment at a time.

Want This Checklist For Yourself?

Ready to plan your own cozy, stress-free at-home photoshoot?

Grab the exact checklist I used to get these shots — including what to prep, what to wear, and how to capture it all with your phone.

•  Includes a printable + a plain-text version for your Notes or Notion!
• Just drop your name + email below and it’ll be sent straight to your inbox!

Download Here

 

Copyright & Usage Notice

All images in this post are owned by Zak L. Grace | AuthenticallyZ and are protected under copyright law. These photos may not be copied, reproduced, edited, reposted, or used in any format without express written permission.

Unauthorized use may result in legal action. If you would like to collaborate or license imagery, please contact me directly for permission.

 

Carnival Cruise Glory Experience — My Honest Review

 

Peace and blessings, y’all. After returning from my cruise on the Carnival Glory, I wanted to share some real, honest insight — especially since the last time I cruised was back in 2018. So much has changed. And to top it off, as soon as I got home, Netflix dropped that wild “Dookie Cruise” documentary. Let’s just say... the timing was uncanny (and yes, I’ve been on the Triumph before — help Lord).

But let me break down my experience.

 

The Room

 

First impressions? The room was dusty. Like, really dusty. I noticed folks were boarding right after our group disembarked, so I brought my own cleaning supplies (because: germaphobe life). I sanitized everything from top to bottom before we got comfortable.

 

The room itself was small, but functional. We didn’t spend much time there — just to sleep and shower. Still, Carnival: if people are paying what they’re paying, those rooms need to be deep cleaned before new guests arrive. I did way too much cleaning to feel truly relaxed at first.

 

Also... the sewage smell at night? Yeah, it was real. Especially the last two nights — had both me and my friend feeling nauseated.

 

As for the balcony — it was nice, but not essential. If you’re not big on having your own outdoor space, I’d recommend sticking with an ocean view or interior room and just spending more time on the Lido deck. Personally, I wouldn’t splurge on a balcony again unless it’s a longer cruise or I’m being sponsored.

 

The Staff

 

The staff was, as always, incredibly kind and helpful. Pro tip: learn the names of your room stewards and bartenders. Build a relationship, and be generous with cash tips, not just what’s included in your cruise package. I came prepared with plenty of cash to bless the crew — they deserve it.

 

The Drink Package

 

This was my first time purchasing an adult drink package. Was it worth it? Kinda.

By night two, I noticed the drinks were watered down compared to what we got the first night. I even had to give the bartenders the recipe for some of my go-to drinks because the mixes were off. That said, know your bartenders. When they like you, they’ll look out for you.

 

The Club

 

This one disappointed me. As someone who’s been on seven cruises, Carnival’s clubs used to be a vibe. Great music, high energy, fun crowd.

This time? Not so much.

 

The DJ told us he couldn’t go outside Carnival’s set playlist which meant no hip hop and no “Boots on the Ground”, but they did play old school music. They even started turning on the lights 30 minutes before closing, so people thought it was time to leave early. The club closed earlier on the last night too.

 

We still had fun, but it wasn’t the same as to what I know as the turn up cruise line. Also, Carnival, what’s with not allowing fans in the club anymore? That was very disappointing.

 

The Food

 

We barely touched the breakfast — it looked super processed. Thankfully, we’re not big breakfast people, so we started most days with lunch.

 

Shoutout to Guy’s Burgers though — they never miss. We had one every day. For late-night eats, the pizza was clutch (but it’s no longer 24 hours — it shuts down around 2 a.m.).

 

The Activities

 

Since it was a 3-day cruise, we kept it chill. We hit the gym, walked the boat, lounged, enjoyed drinks, did dinner, and caught one comedy show. It was enough — we really just wanted to relax and have fun. No pressure to do everything.

 

The Bahamas

 

We made it to the Bahamas and did a lot of walking — but I loved every minute of it. There’s something powerful about being in the Caribbean and seeing our people just living, working, and vibing. That energy is unmatched.

 

The cruise always recommends booking excursions ahead of time — and after hearing from a few of our cruise buddies, I get why. They said their excursion to one of the island’s private beaches was the highlight of their trip. We, on the other hand, decided to take the “let’s wing it” route and walked about 20 minutes to a nearby public beach.

 

It was nice… but let’s just say next time, I’m sticking to an excursion or a private beach.

 

Real talk: Carnival will warn you about “getting pirated” — basically meaning, getting hustled. We experienced a little bit of that when a group of kids came around saying they were fundraising for a basketball camp. Of course, we gave a few dollars. But five minutes later, we watched them dip off with the money. We weren’t offended — it’s survival for a lot of folks out there, and if a few dollars helped someone eat that day, so be it.

 

But… I’m a beach napper. I came to lay out, relax, and fall asleep by the ocean. What I didn’t love was having to pop my head up every two minutes because someone was trying to sell me something. The hustle is real, and while I respect it, I also respect my rest.

 

So lesson learned — next time I’m booking an excursion or sticking with a private beach. Still had fun. Just couldn’t nap in peace.

 

The Boat Itself

 

Let me be real: the cruise was fun, but mainly because of the people I was with. That’s the key — you are the vibe. Not the boat, not the itinerary, not the room.

 

Create your own joy. Make memories with people you love. Be present. But also… Carnival, it’s time to upgrade these ships. I’ve been cruising since 2007, and it’s 2025. We deserve a more modern experience — especially for folks who are cruising for the first time.

 

Final Thoughts + What’s Next

 

Overall, I had a blast. We laughed, we danced, we made memories — and that’s what matters most.

 

A video recap is coming soon! I’ll also be sharing a full breakdown of how to prepare for a cruise, plus what to pack and what to leave at home.

 

In the meantime, grab my What to Pack for Your Cruise Checklist here on the blog to help you plan your next getaway with ease.

 

Shalom,

— Zak L. Grace | @AuthenticallyZ

 #AuthenticallyZ #CarnivalCruise #CarnivalGlory #CruiseChecklist #WhatToPack #SummerMommySeries #CarnivalCruiseReview