How I Plan My Day (And Some Personal Thoughts)

As I’m writing this, there’s a lot of uncertainty and sadness in the world. There are constant, unrelenting attacks on the people of Ukraine. After two long years, the pandemic is still impacting our lives in ways that most of us didn’t expect it would be in 2022. 

Some things are smaller and more personal, like my recent move back home to Connecticut from Mexico, where I had been staying with my mom for the past 9 months. It wasn’t the plan to stay that long, but life happens and I am so glad I got that extra time with my mom and the rest of my family. However, the transition back to my life, the logistics of a long-distance move, it’s all very difficult and it makes you feel like your life has been turned upside down.

In moments like these, I have to remind myself that my discomfort or sadness is allowed to exist, even if other people are dealing with something more serious. I know for me, there have been many times I’ve had to remind myself of this in the last few years. Our feelings are valid, period. No comparison needed.

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Finding Order in the Chaos

With so much to distract me, I’m finding it difficult to focus on the work that needs to be done. Luckily, I’ve found something that really works for me when I’m feeling this way and I want to share it with you in case it helps you, too! It’s not some fancy technique… it’s actually incredibly simple: I plan my day by the hour.

After trying lots of different strategies and getting really honest with myself, I discovered that breaking down what I have to do into small, manageable tasks is what really works best for me.

This might seem like a lot of work, but I promise, it isn’t. I spend about 5 minutes each morning planning out my tasks. Sometimes, I even do it the night before so I can just wake up in the morning and get started on the first thing.

It takes all of the decision-making paralysis off the table so I can just do the thing.

I have an hourly “to do” list that I designed a while ago that I just keep printing new copies of. I would love to share it with you. Click below to download a printable version for yourself!

DOWNLOAD MY HOURLY TO DO LIST

More of a Planner Person?
If you’re thinking, “Ok, this sounds like it might work but I really like to use planners for this purpose” don’t worry. I got you. I am also slightly planner obsessed and I highly, highly recommend the Sprouted Planner. I actually use it along with my hourly to-do list which I have found is the best way for me to focus and move through my tasks. 

Also, the owner of this company, Heather, is truly wonderful and I love to support her in any way I can!

Thank you for letting me share my life updates and thoughts with you. It’s a little bit vulnerable to share personal thoughts like this, but I really feel like we find healing and community when we open up and let people in, so I am trying to do that more often. If you are going through personal hardships or just transitions that feel tough, please know that I am holding space for peace in my heart for you, and for the world at large.