Create a Simple, Effective Daily Plan, Without Feeling Overwhelmed)
Finding time to plan when you have kids can be… a struggle, to put it lightly.
Before I had children, I was known for being organised. I always knew what was happening and when, what I needed to do on any given day, and I could map out my month with confidence. I felt in control—and mostly at ease.
Fast forward to 2024. Two kids in tow, returning to work in a new specialisation, supporting a husband deep in full-time study… and I’d never felt so far from my former self. I was late to everything. My house felt like a disaster zone. I was overwhelmed, constantly pulled in every direction, and deeply out of sync with how I wanted life to feel.
One day, it all came to a head. I was sitting on the floor mid-text to a friend (who had messaged me three weeks earlier), surrounded by toys, dishes on every surface, one child screaming for a bottom wipe, the other crying over a biscuit swiftly stolen by the dog—and laundry trailing from the hallway into the living room. I was stretched to my limit, and I realised: Something has to change. I can’t keep living like this.
If that scene sounds even a little familiar, and if—like me—you feel the chaos rather than thrive in it, this post is for you.
A 5-Minute Planning Ritual That Changed My Days
At the beginning of 2024, I decided to reclaim just five minutes a day. I started building back in small habits from my pre-kid planning days, gently tweaking them to suit the flexibility that motherhood demands.
This daily planning ritual helped reduce my stress, gave me a sense of control, and—best of all—created moments of freedom. Not in the hour-long, spa-day kind of way, but in those tiny windows of time where I could breathe, think clearly, or even wander (mentally or physically) in a way that made me feel more like me again.
⏰ “But I Don’t Even Have Five Minutes!”
Trust me, I get it. Five uninterrupted minutes can feel impossible. So take them in scraps—one minute here, two there. Before the kids are up, after they go to bed, during nap time—whatever works. This isn’t about perfection. It’s about consistency and kindness to yourself.
What to Do in Your 5-Minute Planning Ritual
Here’s the simple structure I use to shape my day:
1. Review Your Day
Jot down any scheduled appointments, events, or school/daycare pickups. This helps you stay grounded in what’s already locked in.
2. Set a Daily Focus
Choose 1–3 priorities. That’s it. These are your must-dos—or your want-to-dos, depending on the day.
3. Roughly Time-Block Them
Use flexible time blocks instead of strict schedules. I’m still refining this process and will be sharing a post soon on how I track my time to find “hidden” windows in the day.
4. Plan Around the Kids
Nap times, quiet play, or screen time are golden minutes. Use them intentionally—whether for productivity or a guilt-free pause.
5. Make It Visible
Paper planner? Digital app? Sticky note on the fridge? Whatever your method, keep it visible and easy to check in with.
Try It for a Week
Start small. Try this approach each day for the next week and see how it feels. Notice what shifts—not just in what you get done, but in how you feel about your day.
And let me know in the comments—what works for you? What’s still tricky? I’d love to hear how you’re weaving planning into your everyday life.
Remember: Planning with intention doesn’t mean packing your day full. Sometimes, it means carving space for stillness and presence.
Wandering Plans 
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