We are all balancing a lot these days. Whether it’s work, parenting, errands, or just trying to keep the day moving forward—there are seasons that feel heavy and full. And while there’s no single solution for it all, sometimes it only takes one small shift to bring ease into your everyday.
I’m sharing a few things that have helped me lately. They’re not fancy. They’re not magic. But they’re working in this current season, and I thought they might help you too.
1. A Color-Coded Family Calendar
I started using the shared calendar feature on my phone, but what’s helped the most is color coding by person/activity. Pierce’s appointments, therapies, and activities are all in BLUE—his favorite color. My work schedule (because it’s all over the place) is in orange. My art classes and camps are in lavender. It makes it so much easier to glance at my week and understand what’s ahead. It also helps reduce the mental clutter of always trying to keep everything in my head.
Bonus: If you’re coordinating care or tag-teaming responsibilities with a spouse or co-parent, this kind of calendar can be a game changer.
2. Investing in Cute Sneakers
Yes, sneakers. I now own three pairs that I love and wear all the time. The right pair of sneakers can make your outfit feel pulled together while keeping you comfy for errands, park visits, or a full day or work. I love pairing mine with dresses, joggers, denim—whatever I’m wearing that day.
I used to think I had to choose between style and comfort. Now I know: you can have both. And for me, it’s one less thing to overthink when getting dressed.
3. Dry Pool Gear Right Away
This one might seem small, but if your kiddo is in and out of the water all day in summer—you know how quickly laundry piles up. So now, as soon as Pierce changes out of his swim clothes, I hang the towel, swim shirt, and pool toys outside.
By the time he wants to play again, they’re usually dry and ready to go. It keeps our laundry manageable and keeps me from scrambling to find a dry suit mid-afternoon.
4. Creating an Outfit Planning Spot
This might just be a corner hook or an open space in your closet, but designating a place to hang your go-to outfits makes getting dressed quicker. I rotate through 3-5 outfits and a couple additional favorite tops most weeks, so having them in one spot helps me get dressed in 5 minutes instead of 15.
5. Keeping a “Done List” Instead of a To-Do List
Some days feel like a blur, and it’s easy to forget how much you’ve actually accomplished. A quick solution: instead of (or in addition to) your to-do list, try keeping a running list of things you’ve done each day.
It might say:
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Taught 3 art classes
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Mailed 2 customer orders
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Took a walk
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Answered emails during quiet time