My PlanBe

Putting it all together

The principles and ideas behind PlanBe are simple and easy to understand:-
  • There are many things you can do to help you stay well with your cancer 
  • These are important and worthwhile whether or not you are on treatment 
  • Adopting a daily self care programme will help you feel more in control and resilient 
  • Anyone can do something under a range of headings 
  • It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money

 Putting this all into practice is a little more difficult though:-
  • You're going to need to take a little time 
  • You need to have a chance to review your options
  • You'll probably need to find out what is available locally 
  • Especially if you don’t feel very well, or are extremely anxious, then this can seem a little overwhelming

So, our advice is:-
  • Take things at your own pace
  • Start with something really easy 
  • Gradually add things when you feel able

Taking time for yourself

Perhaps the first thing you could do is think about giving yourself a regular time each day for self care. You could call this your PlanBe time. It can be as long or as short as you feel is right. Maybe half an hour to start with.
Think about your day and see if you can find a regular tine slot where you won’t be interrupted.

A notebook could be useful

As you go through options that you might like to include in your PlanBe, it may be helpful to write them down in a note book.  Why not get a really nice one - one that you will enjoy using every day?

Planning and Doing

As well as notes, it can be a good idea to plan out when you are going to do things - this can help encourage you to keep to your resolutions.  You might like to look at the templates we have designed for daily and weekly planning or you can make your own.

Tracking and Journaling

Tracking means keeping a watch on some aspect of your Plan.  It could be the completion of a planned activity.  It might be how you rate your mood.  It might be a symptom.  Typically, trackers give you a month view so you can see how things change over time.  Clinical trials have shown that people who use symptom trackers have improved quality of life compared to those who don't.

Journaling is more descriptive and reflective.  It might be a daily diary of what you have done and the thoughts you have had each day or it might be keeping a record of specific activities.

Tracking and journaling are techniques that can help keep you motivated to continue with PlanBe on a day by day basis and encourages you to think about your Plan and allow it to change and grow with you.

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