PurpleReset

We all have the same 24 hours in a day, but how we use them can make a world of difference. Balancing the demands of “adulting”, those essential but often mundane chores, with the pursuit of our personal goals and ambitions can feel overwhelming. However, by analyzing how we spend our time, finding hidden pockets of opportunity, and rethinking how we approach multitasking, it’s possible to create a routine that supports both productivity and fulfillment to finding harmony in your life.

Step 1: Analyze Your Week

The first step to making better use of your time is understanding where it’s going. For one week, record everything you do, from your morning coffee routine to your evening Netflix session. Use a notebook, an app, or even the daily pages in your journal. Be as detailed as possible, and don’t judge yourself, this is just data collection.

Once the week is over, review your notes:

• How much time was spent on necessary chores?
• How much time was dedicated to your goals or personal growth?
• How much time was spent on leisure or unproductive habits?
• Were there any moments of wasted time, like scrolling through social media for longer than planned?

This exercise is eye-opening and often reveals pockets of time you didn’t realize were available.

Step 2: Categorize Your Tasks

Divide your activities into three categories:

1. Non-Negotiables: These are tasks that must be done, like work, cooking, cleaning, or taking care of family responsibilities.
2. Goals and Aims: Activities that align with your personal or professional growth, such as exercising, learning, or working on a side hustle.
3. Discretionary Time: Leisure and relaxation activities, like watching TV, scrolling social media, or hobbies.

The goal isn’t to eliminate leisure, it’s about ensuring that your time reflects your priorities, and finding harmony.

Step 3: Find Hidden Pockets of Time

Once you’ve analyzed your week, start looking for opportunities to reclaim time. Here are some ideas:

• Morning Minutes: If you typically scroll through your phone in bed, could you replace that with journaling or stretching?
• Commute Time: Use your commute to listen to a podcast, audiobook, or learning module.
• Breaks at Work: Could you use a portion of your lunch break to read, brainstorm ideas, or do a quick workout?
• Evenings: Instead of binge-watching TV, could you dedicate part of your evening to your goals before relaxing?

Step 4: Finding Harmony in Multitask Strategically

Some tasks pair well together, allowing you to accomplish more without feeling stretched thin. Here are a few examples:

• Learning While Doing Chores: Listen to a course module, audiobook, or podcast while folding laundry, doing dishes, or vacuuming.
• Fitness While Watching TV: Do stretches, resistance exercises, or yoga during your favorite show.
• Meal Prep and Goal-Setting: Use the repetitive nature of chopping vegetables to brainstorm or reflect on your day.
• Walking and Creativity: Take a walk in nature to clear your mind and spark ideas for projects.

Step 5: Restructure Your Time

Now that you’ve identified where your time goes and found hidden pockets, it’s time to restructure your week. Here’s how:

• Batch Similar Tasks: Group similar chores (like all cleaning tasks) into one block of time to save mental energy.
• Set Priorities: Choose your top goals for the week and allocate specific blocks of time to them.
• Use Dead Time Wisely: Use moments like waiting for water to boil or laundry to finish as opportunities for small tasks, like jotting down ideas or responding to emails.
• Build in Flexibility: Life happens, so leave some unstructured time in your schedule for unexpected tasks or rest.

Step 6: Reflect and Adjust

At the end of each week, reflect on how well you used your time:

• Did you meet your goals?
• Were there unexpected challenges?
• Did you feel balanced, or were you too stretched?

Use this insight to adjust your schedule for the following week. Over time, you’ll develop a routine that feels natural and sustainable.

An Example Week

Here’s how someone might restructure their time to balance chores and goals:

• Morning: 10 minutes of journaling or goal-setting before starting the day.
• Midday: Listening to a learning module during a lunch break.
• Afternoon: Batch-cleaning the house while listening to a podcast.
• Evening: 30 minutes of stretching or strength training while watching TV, followed by 30 minutes dedicated to personal projects.
• Weekend: A longer walk in nature to reflect on the week and plan for the next.

Step 2: Mapping Time Without Fear of Overwhelm

Next, I analyzed my week, factoring in the daily realities of “adulting.” I identified pockets of free time, then created a flexible structure by assigning those times to my three focus areas across the week. The goal was balance, not perfection—ensuring I could adapt to the unpredictable while still making progress.

• I identified pockets of time I could repurpose for my goals.
• I fearlessly carved out space for myself across all seven days, knowing I deserve the time to grow.

The result was a flexible structure that adapts to real life without sacrificing progress.

Final Thoughts

Time is a precious resource, but with a little analysis and restructuring, it’s possible to create a routine that supports both the demands of daily life and the pursuit of your dreams. The key is intentionality: knowing what’s important, finding ways to make time for it, and being adaptable when things don’t go as planned.

The key to finding harmony in your life:

Remember, progress is built not in leaps but in the small, consistent steps you take each day. So, grab your journal, analyze your time, and start carving out the life you want, one block of time at a time.

Ready to start your journaling journey? Explore my collection of thoughtfully designed journals to help you make the most of your practice. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned journaler, there’s a perfect journal waiting for you. Let’s write your way to clarity, calm, and growth! You can read here why I decided to create this collection