Structure Leads to Freedom

I get asked a lot about how I plan and create balance in my week!

Structure gives you freedom.

Ever have a to-do list in your mind but week by week things slip off and you get frustrated?

🙋🏻‍♀️🙋🏻‍♀️
Sometimes I have a tendency to rebel against too much structure in my schedule.

But once I’ve embraced it, I feel much freer!

On this chilly Monday, I want to share with you my 3 step process to scheduling my week!

1. Make a list of all the things I want to/need to accomplish for the week.
- this is everything you can think of: laundry, meals, grocery, appointments, cleaning, bills...
-and things like coffee dates, salt baths, clean makeup brushes, face mask, workouts, books to read, call grandma, stretching.

When you make a grand list of all the things, it helps to calm the swirling thoughts that can turn into overwhelm.

2. Plug in non-negotiable appointments.
This might look like work, meetings, picking up kids. Whatever you have already committed to.

Next, you’ll plug in “appointments” from your list.

This is the most important part for me...

You have to start thinking of the things on the grand list, including the things in the “want” category as:
Appointments.

Would you just ditch an appointment you committed to someone else?
Probably not.
That means if Tuesday you’ve committed to a load of laundry, 30 min workout and a face mask, you’re not going to ditch on yourself💗

*disclaimer: stick to 2-4 things per day, if you place 10 things all on your plate for Wednesday around your commitments - you’ll feel defeated and not want to do anything.

3. Prioritize Play.
Life is supposed to be fun right? Yes 🙌🏻
Prioritizing play is a commitment to enjoying your life 🥰

You don’t need permission, but in case you do here it is: I’m granting you a Chelsea Zen permission slip to plug in a playful appointment for yourself this week!

I hope these 3 tips help you with your weekly planning!

What are your favorite planning hacks?

Love + Light,

Chelsea Zen