Own Your Calendar: A Journey to Better Mental Health
Illustration by Sunnu Rebecca Choi
“The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.”
Managing my calendar might sound dull, but it's been a transformative journey that has become an essential form of self-care. Over the years, I have refined my approach to managing my calendar, and I'd like to share three steps to help you own yours. This process does require some discipline, but you can start small as I did. Now, it’s second nature and even therapeutic for me. These practices have significantly improved my mental health.
1. Define Your Priorities
First and foremost, figure out what actually matters to you. Your calendar is a tool—a means of execution, not the starting point. It's crucial to identify your priorities before you even begin to schedule your time. Ask yourself: What are my core values? What activities are most important to my well-being and success? This might include spending time with family, exercising, working on personal projects, or advancing your career.
When you are clear about your priorities, you can use your calendar to reflect those values. This way, your schedule becomes a true representation of what matters most to you, rather than a list of obligations.
2. Find Your Routine & Rituals
Once you’ve identified your priorities, it’s time to find your personal rhythm through routines and rituals. Routines might sound monotonous, but they are incredibly powerful. With limited mental "RAM," I don’t want to waste energy on scheduling the basics that I know I need daily.
Start by establishing routines for essential activities like waking up, exercising, and meal times. These routines create a predictable structure that helps you stay grounded and reduces decision fatigue. Next, layer in rituals—activities that hold personal significance and bring joy or relaxation. This could be as simple as a morning coffee ritual, a weekly hobby session, or an evening wind-down routine.
By embedding these routines and rituals into your calendar, you create a rhythm that supports your priorities and well-being. This predictable pattern helps manage stress and provides a sense of stability.
3. Block Out Your Calendar
Now that you have identified your priorities and established routines and rituals, it’s time to block out your calendar. Schedule these key activities first. For example, set aside time for lunch breaks, exercise, and focused work sessions. Make sure these blocks reflect your priorities and maintain your routines.
Using a digital calendar like Google Calendar can be especially helpful. Color coding different activities can provide a visual representation of how your time is allocated. For instance, you might use one color for work tasks, another for personal time, and yet another for self-care activities. This visual cue helps ensure you maintain a balanced schedule and can give you an at a glance sense of your week. I put critical meetings in red, and if I have a week packed with red meetings I know I need to schedule recovery time.
Blocking out your calendar not only ensures that you dedicate time to what matters most but also helps prevent over-committing and burnout. It gives you a clear picture of your available time, allowing you to make intentional choices about how to spend it.
Conclusion
Owning your calendar is more than just a productivity hack; it’s a powerful form of self-care. By defining your priorities, establishing routines and rituals, and blocking out your calendar, you can create a schedule that supports your mental health and overall well-being. Start small, stay disciplined, and watch how these practices transform your life.
