the effects of overscheduling

What are the effects of overscheduling?

The effects of overscheduling can actually harm not only your health but also your productivity. Overscheduling means that you are trying to pack too much into your day, resulting in you feeling overwhelmed and stressed– leading to health problems, including anxiety, depression, and even physical illness.

Here are just a few ways that you could feel the effects of overscheduling:

It leads to burnout

If you’re constantly on the go, it’s only a matter of time before you start to feel burned out. When you overschedule yourself continuously, you never have time to rest and recharge, which can lead to serious health problems down the road.

It increases your stress levels

If you’re always running around trying to juggle everything, it’s no surprise that your stress levels will go through the roof. But unfortunately, high-stress levels directly cost a whole host of mental and physical health problems due to the high cortisone levels you release in your bloodstream.

It disrupts your sleep

When you overschedule yourself, it’s hard to stick to a regular sleep schedule. Unfortunately, this can lead to many health problems, including fatigue, irritability, and depression.

It makes you sick

It will affect your immune system if you’re always on the move and don’t get enough rest. Unfortunately, this means you’re more likely to get sick, and when you do, it’s likely to be more severe than it would otherwise be.

It ruins your relationships

When you’re always running around, it’s tough to find time for the people who are important to you. Plus, you may not be that fun to be around. Over-scheduling can put a strain on even the strongest of relationships.


If you feel like you’re overscheduled because you notice the signs of the harm your current schedule is causing in your life, take a step back and reassess your priorities. Of course, your health should always be at the top of your list, so remember to put your needs first.

To avoid overscheduling is to figure out what your priorities are. What are the most important things you need to complete each day? Once you’ve determined your priorities, plan your day around them. Finally, leave some free time in your schedule to relax and rejuvenate yourself.

To create the best schedule for you, be realistic about how much time you have available. Packing too much into your day will make you feel rushed and stressed. When you are rushed and stressed, you feel anxious and undone. Instead, give yourself enough time to finish tasks, including set up and tear down time, so you don’t feel overwhelmed.

If you realize you are overscheduled, don’t be afraid to say no to new commitments. You can’t do everything, and that’s okay. Prioritize your time to focus on the essential things in your life.

Overscheduling is a common problem, but it doesn’t have to control your life. Instead, focus on being mindful of your time and priorities. With the right mindset and focus, you can avoid overscheduling and live a healthier, happier life.

Reverse it – counteract the effects of overscheduling by creating a balanced schedule

If you want to get more done in life without feeling too busy and burning out, it’s imperative that you create a balanced schedule. A balanced schedule has enormous benefits for your life when you make sure to account for what you need and want to do in every area of your life as you make the schedule.

Instead of overscheduling… when you have a balanced schedule, you:

  • Get more done because you’re efficient with your time
  • Reduce your stress because you’re not overwhelmed by a packed schedule
  • More free time to enjoy life apart from work and responsibilities
  • Are able to focus better on the task at hand when you have regular breaks
  • Avoid burnout from working too much or taking on too much at once

A balanced schedule is the key to a happy, productive life. If you currently feel overwhelmed, stressed, and like you can’t keep up, it’s time to take a step back and assess your schedule. Review your obligations to see what can be cut out or spread out more evenly. You’ll be surprised at how much better you feel when you have a handle on your time.

Using a balanced schedule to avoid the effects of overscheduling

  • Creating a balanced schedule means looking at all the areas of your life and ensuring there’s enough time for everything important to you. This includes work, family, friends, hobbies, and taking care of yourself. If one area takes up too much of your time, something else is likely suffering.

For example, if you’re working long hours, you may not have enough time for your family or friends. Or, if you’re spending all your free time on hobbies, you may neglect your work or other obligations. Therefore, finding a good balance between all the areas of your life is essential.

Like your boss, friend, and neighbor, you only have 24 hours a day, so be realistic regarding how much time you can devote to each area of your life. Also, keep in mind that your schedule may need to change from week to week, depending on what’s going on in your life. So schedule the most critical aspects of your life, like work and family, and then fill in the rest of your time with other activities.

A balanced schedule is essential for a happy, productive life. When you are mindful about what you really need to live a satisfying life, pay close attention to needs in all areas of your life, and ensure there’s enough time for everything important to you, you can avoid stress, burnout, and feeling overwhelmed. So, take a look at your schedule and make the necessary adjustments to create a more balanced life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is overscheduling?

If you feel like you might be overscheduling your time, you’re probably right. It is forcing yourself to fit so much into your time that you have no time to recuperate from your activities. And I do acknowledge that there are times when it’s unavoidable. But surprisingly, some of it is!

Why do people overschedule themselves?

I think there are many reasons people do this to themselves. Sometimes it’s to avoid something in their lives, other times it can be a never-ending cycle of anxiety. You have feelings of anxiety which leads to staying busy to avoid those feelings but then staying too busy leads to anxiety. That’s not a good cycle to find yourself in! It can also indicate other underlying issues such as a need to feel significant or a need to be liked.

How do I prevent overscheduling?

Easier said than done! The effects of overscheduling are numerous but in the moment it can be hard to decide where to cut back. You have to learn to say no and to prioritize, both of which are hard! It helps to use your best time management skills. In addition, try to keep sight of your long-term goals. For example, I want to continue focusing on eating more of a plant-based diet. But that can get expensive at the grocery store so I’ve been expanding my garden plans. All of the planting I have in mind will take a lot of time and scheduling! But it keeps me working towards my goal – to focus on a plant-based diet while being more economical about it. Plus gardening also counts as exercise!

Erin Condren Workspace

Erin Condren Workspace Collaboration

An Erin Condren workspace? Yes please! Through my friends at Erin Condren, I was so excited to get the opportunity for this collaboration. One of my favorite aspects of Erin Condren is the customization options available on so many of their products. I know I’ve posted about my EC hauls before. I’ve customized spirals, sticker sheets, and planners. Someone actually made them just for me! I’ve even been to the physical store in Austin, Texas. I may have overspent while I was there…..

(Please let me apologize a little for the quality of some of the photos, I took them with my smartphone. I wanted to show you actual pictures of the products, not just the images from the website).

This post may contain affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when you click the links but at no additional cost to you.

Before we dive into the amazing products I’ve been trying out, I also wanted to mention that if you love any of them as much as I do, now’s the time to buy them by clicking the sale picture!


EttaVee In the Flow 2023 LifePlanner in Hourly Layout

The famous Erin Condren LifePlanner! This 7″ x 9″ 12-month calendar includes mini months, monthly quotes, monthly notes and productivity pages, dated spreads, additional notes in the back, and contacts page. It also includes 4 planning sticker sheets and 1 Keep it together folder.

Talk about having everything in one place! If you have days that are very scheduled and regimented, then this hourly layout is definitely for you. In the customization options, it also comes in vertical and horizontal layouts. You can even choose your internal color scheme from 4 unique options.

I love the idea that this planner is the all-in-one. With the notes pages and the included folder, you can really take it all with you.

To organize your work space:

Watercolor Stripes Neutral Ultimate Desk Organizer

So I have to admit, I’ve been eying this organizer for a while and was sooooo excited to get the chance to try it out. I’m constantly on the search for beautiful things that will help organize my beautiful things. And after seeing it in person, my Erin Condren Workspace needs this! The organizer is 9.375″ W x 12.1″ H x 2.5″ D when closed and 21.125” W x 12.1″ H when open. Here’s a quick rundown on the dimensions of the different compartments:

  • Accessory Section 1: 5.125″ x 2.5″ x 1.25″ (perfect for washi & other accessories)
  • Accessory Section 2: 3.25” x 4.25” x 1.25”
  • Listpad Section: 5.125” x 5.125” x 1.25″ (perfect for listpads, half-dashboards, etc.)
  • 3 Divided Compartments: 3.25″ x 4.25″ x 1.25″ (perfect for writing tools)
  • Paper section: 8.5” x 4” x .625 (perfect for 8.5″ x 11″ papers, 7″ x 9″ covers)

Colorful Fineliner Pens 10-pack

In addition to a crisp new spiral, I love a fresh beautiful pen. This 10-piece set includes Navy, Marigold, Garnett, Purple, Amethyst, Black, Dusk, Cerulean, Aloe, and Aquamarine. The most fabulous feature is the stand-up case. It folds back on itself and stands up on the desk at an angle. The smooth writing is perfect for color-coding and planner or journal that you use.

To beautify your workspace:

Metallic Monthly Deskpad

While I plan to use most of these workspace items in my home office, this one will go to the actual office! It is a 19.25″ x 12.25″ large monthly desk calendar, plus it includes an enormous sheet of almost 400 stickers! What event does that not cover???

Medium Mid Century Circles Rotating Desk Organizer

This is one of those things that I didn’t know I needed until I had it! What won’t this hold – writing tools, accessories, art supplies, makeup, and whatever else you want to organize. The set includes six wedge-shaped cups and a round center cup, all of which are individually removable. And it sits at 10″ diameter as far as the desk surface it occupies. This may end up going to my actual office too!


Erin Condren Black Pinstripe Adjustable Wood Laptop Stand

Black Pinstripe Adjustable Wood Laptop Stand

I have to admit — as beautiful and stylish as this is, it probably doesn’t quite work for my large size laptop. It’s definitely sturdy enough to support the weight but puts it at a strange angle. It’s beautiful and has four adjustable heights and folds up nicely to take with you from home to school to the office, or anywhere else you may be working! It is 10.5” x 10” x 1”.

To take your Erin Condren Workspace with you:

Large Watercolor Stripes Accordion Zipper Pouch

I am a huge fan of packing cubes and zip bags when I travel, to keep things organized and easily located inside my backpack suitcase. I think this beautiful three-compartment zip bag would be excellent for that! Earlier this year, I took a lovely vacation to Charleston, SC with my mom and this would have some in so handy. It might even make a good toiletry bag since it just wipes clean. The pockets are 10″ x 7″ so they definitely hold a lot.

I hope you enjoyed learning about all these ways to “up-level” your workspace with Erin Condren. I was always the kid who loved picking out new school supplies, and now with these goodies I get to do the same as an adult!

how to establish new habits

How to establish new habits


Simple, yet true. Anytime you want to establish new habits and ditch the “bad” ones, you’ll face opposition from yourself. This might not even make sense because you know that the good habit is in your best interests, but you’re still struggling to stay consistent with it. One common example is eating clean. We all know that we should be eating healthy, nutritious foods, and yet, we still overconsume processed foods, sugar, alcohol and other foods that will harm us in the long run.

“Bad habits are easier to abandon today than tomorrow.”


Trying to make the switch to clean foods will be a Herculean task that’s unpalatable and a constant struggle. So how do we form newer and better habits?

There is a proven process…

1. Focus on 1 or 2 habits at a time

This is one of the most important points to note. When effecting change in your life, less is more. If you try to change too many habits at once, you’ll be overwhelmed and your willpower will be drained. Changing your habits will take a toll on your energy levels… and the amount of energy you have daily is finite. So, the more you try to do, the lower your chances of success because you just won’t have enough energy to see them through daily. Just focus on 1 or 2 new habits until you master them.

2. Go slow when you are trying to establish new habits

Inch by inch, life’s a cinch. Yard by yard, life is hard. Even when focusing on just 1 habit, it’s best to apply it gradually. For example, instead of overhauling your diet overnight, aim to replace one or two food choices in your daily meals with healthier options. Drink one less can of soda a day. Drink more water and so on. Over time, reduce your intake of the ‘harmful’ foods, and increase your intake of the healthy foods. You’ll face fewer sugar cravings and be less likely to binge eat at night. Your body and mind need time to adapt. Yes, it will take time. You can’t rush the process and trying to do so will only sabotage your efforts.

3. Be consistent

The goal is to make small changes, but stick to them daily. Like Will Durant said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” So, aim to comply with your habit requirements every single day. The more you do it, the more you’ll reinforce it in your daily life.

4. Track your progress

Keep a journal to track your compliance. It’s inevitable that you’ll slip up occasionally. Always remember that a slip-up is NOT the same thing as failure. You only fail when you quit. So, acknowledge your error and strive to quickly correct yourself. You’re always only one better action from correcting your mistake. Don’t aim for perfection. Even a compliance rate of 90% is fantastic.

5. Control your environment

You’ll notice over time that some environments make it more difficult to stick to your new habits. For example, if you’re trying to eat clean, joining your friends at the bar may make you binge on pizza later. The bar environment and the drinks made you let your guard down. So analyze why you slip up and see if the actions or environments preceding the slip-up had anything to do with it. In most cases, you’ll see a very clear and definite link.


Once you follow these 5 steps, it’s just a matter of staying accountable to yourself and removing any obstacles that may trip you up. Do remember to reward yourself once you’ve successfully built the habit. Now it’s just a matter of practicing this new habit for life while you work on instilling the next beneficial habit. That’s it in a nutshell.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to form a new habit?

“They” say that the 21/90 rule will help cement the new habit. If you’re not familiar with that rule, it states that after 21 days the goal becomes a habit. And after practicing that new habit for another 90 days, it becomes a permanent change. I think this is a reasonably good rule, and sets realistic expectations of three weeks and then three months.

How many habits should I establish at once?

To get the best results, it’s good practice to focus on only one or two at a time. Too many and you will lose your focus and willpower and all of the new habits you’re trying to establish could suffer. Trying to change too much at once is the recipe for disaster so please don’t set yourself up for that kind of failure and disappointment.

Is it possible to establish new habits?

But of course! The old habit that you are trying to lose didn’t happen overnight and neither with the new habit. But patience is the key. You have to patient for the change to happen and you have to be patient with yourself. If you slip up, that’s okay. Just refocus the next day and move forward.

why are we more productive in the morning

Why are we more productive in the morning?

“If you win the morning, you win the day.”

Tim Ferria
more productive in the morning

If we have all day to get things done, why are we more productive in the morning? ‘Morning rituals’ is the latest catchphrase in the self-help industry with every guru spouting the value of waking up early. It has reached a point where you’re led to believe that you need to wake up at an unearthly hour if your want to be successful.


Nothing could be further from the truth. Ultimately, it’s not the time you wake up that matters. What really counts is what you do with the time you have. Let’s look at some of the most common morning ritual mistakes.

1. Waking up early when you’re a night owl

We’re all different individuals. Some people are like larks and have no problem getting up early, but these larks struggle to stay up late. Their natural circadian rhythm and genetic make up predisposes them to waking early.

At the other end of the spectrum are those who wake around 10 am or later. They struggle to wake up early but have no problems staying awake well into the night. They’re fully alert even if it’s 3 am.

The biggest mistake one can make is to force themselves to wake up early when it’s not something that aligns with their circadian rhythm. Pay attention to whether you prefer working late at night, and adjust your work schedule so that you get your most productive work done when everyone else is asleep.

In cases like these, your ‘morning’ routine will actually be later in the day or even in the afternoon because your waking hours are different. Nevertheless, the concept of a routine still applies.

If you have no issues waking early, you can easily train yourself to wake up earlier than normal. However, you can forget about burning the midnight oil and working through the night.

Work in a way that’s ideal for you. There’s no need to emulate the waking hours of some top CEO just because someone on social media is telling you to.

2. Piling on unnecessary activities will derail your productivity in the morning

Another common mistake people make with morning rituals is doing other activities first… instead of doing first things first. Some people wake at 5 am and start meditating and journaling, and doing yoga followed by a long walk and of course, they have to have a healthy breakfast.

They think they’re starting on the right foot but by the time they’re ready to work, it’s 9.00 am, and they realize 4 hours are gone, and no real work has been done. The other activities do have their benefits, but shelve them till later in the day.

When you wake, after you’ve freshened up, now is the best time to start working on your most important tasks for the day first. Consider what i most important to accomplish when you are putting together your to-do list for the day. Always remember to keep the main thing the main thing and work on tasks that move the needle when you’re still fresh.

After 4 to 5 hours of focused work, you’ll need a break. Now you can do your gratitude journaling, meditation and other activities that help you stay sane.

3. Exercising too hard

Exercise is great, but the workout intensity will have a direct impact on your workday. If you train hard at the gym with supersets, and countless reps, you’ll be exhausted after you work out. The same applies to those who engage in high intensity interval training.

While exercises like walking, swimming or cycling first thing in the morning can leave you feeling refreshed, other workouts like CrossFit, heavy resistance training and so on can leave you feeling wiped out.

So consider getting it done after your important work is done. If you trained hard early in the day, you might not have the energy later on to focus on the tasks that require more mental energy.

In conclusion, it will take you a few weeks of iteration before you have a morning routine that’s ideal for you. Always remember to reflect on how the morning routine makes you feel and if it’s aiding in your productivity. Once your routine is set, you have to stick with it – and no matter what you do, whether it’s a weekday or a weekend, always wake up at the same time daily so that your circadian clock is not disrupted.






Effective Sleep Tips
to Increase Productivity

Effective Sleep Tips to Increase Productivity

And sometimes our morning routines start the night before, with our quality and quantity of sleep. Sleep is definitely key to being more productive in the morning. Every single day when you wake up, you have a finite amount of energy. As you go throughout your day, your energy dissipates on different mental and physical tasks. This is why your willpower is weakest at night. Most people binge eat at night or watch too much TV when they know they need to rest and so on. They lack the energy to maintain will power. The best way to boost your energy and get the most out of your day will be to get sufficient sleep. You end up feeling well-rested and brimming with energy to start your day. Here are a few quick tips for a good night’s sleep.

> Have a fixed sleep routine for more productivity in the morning

What does that mean? It means going to bed and waking up at the SAME TIME daily. This one tip alone is better than all the rest combined. It’s that important. Try to go to bed and wake up at a fixed time so that you will establish the habit and your body will automatically start to feel sleepy at the usual time, and be refreshed when it’s time to wake. Your circadian rhythm is now in sync.

> Get the right amount of sleep

We live in times where we are told that hustling and grinding and burning the midnight oil is held up as the standard. You supposedly have a higher chance of achieving success if you sacrifice sleep for work. Most people need more than 4 hours a day to be productive. Sleeping less and going about your day bleary-eyed and groggy is a sure-fire way to failure in the long run. You need to get your required amount of sleep.

This is how you discover how much sleep you need… Go to bed at the same time every day for 3 days in a row and wake up without an alarm clock. Only wake when you feel refreshed and no longer sleepy. Take note of how many hours you sleep on each of the 3 days. On the third day, add up all the hours and divide it by 3. This will give you the average… and that’s how many hours of sleep your body needs a day. Forget about what the CEOs and other people who barely sleep say… and instead listen to your body. You’ll not only feel better, but will achieve more. It’s not the number of hours you’re awake that matters… but what you do with those hours that make all the difference.

> Have good sleep hygiene

Besides the 2 major points above, there are several other smaller factors that play a role too.

  • Sleep in a dark room. The less light in it, the better.
  • Avoid using digital devices such as your mobile phones, tablets, etc. The blue light emitted by these devices will interrupt your sleep patterns.
  • Avoid consuming caffeine 8 hours before bedtime. The half-life of caffeine can adversely affect your sleep.
  • Practice yoga or stretching to ease tight muscles and release tension in your body. It’s also important to have a firm mattress so that your body is well-supported.
  • Do not exercise or eat too close to your bedtime. Exercise will boost your energy levels and keep you awake. Eating will mean that your body will have to spend energy digesting food while you sleep… and will not be able to rest fully.
  • Other than that, you may wish to consume a supplement to aid with sleep. Aromatherapy and meditation may help too.

At the end of the day, if you get the first 2 points above right, it’s just a matter of testing a few other methods to see what works for you. In most cases, once you establish a pattern, you’ll sleep like a baby and will have sufficient rest to do your best the next day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is your brain more productive in the morning?

With the right night’s sleep, our brains can be more productive in the morning because they are refreshed and ready to go. Same as other parts of our bodies, we refresh at night so that we wake up regenerated in the morning.

Why do I work better in the morning?

I have to admit, I am this type of person. My most productive time is before lunch. I feel more proactive, less prone to procrastination, and pretty much ready to go.

Are morning people more productive?

Apparently less than 1% of the population are actually night owls. Who knew??? Early risers tend to be less fatigued and less irritable (provided that they’ve gotten a good night’s sleep). When we set ourselves up for success by getting a good night’s sleep, most of us are actually more productive in the morning.

Etsy gift guide

Etsy Gift Guide – for journals and planners

Who doesn’t love a good gift guide? It’s like someone else doing all the legwork and you get all the credit! And an Etsy gift guide makes for truly unique and wonderful gifts. While we all know what Black Friday is, you might not be aware of Small Business Saturday. I love shopping small businesses, to support folks who are going the hard road of doing their own thing and doing it on their own.

The pinnacle of small business owners are Etsy shop owners – people who create and produce their own goods and put them out into the world. That’s why I’m so excited to talk with you about these planners, journals, and planning accessories straight from Etsy to you!

This post may contain affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when you click the links but at no additional cost to you.

The editors over at Etsy have put together a beautiful collection of journals and planners that you have to check out! I do want to point out a few of them in particular that caught my eye:

  • This customizable birth flower name journal would be perfect for your mom or a new mom you might know.
  • I saw this terrific bundle of 5 mini leather journals and immediately thought of stocking stuffers or coworker gifts.
  • I love a guided journal and this gratitude journal would be a beautiful gift for someone who needs a boost of self-reflection.
  • If you’re searching for something with a more professional appearance, you have to check out this personalized padfolio.

An Etsy gift guide would not be complete without mentioning several of my own favorite vendors. I want to introduce you to:

  • If you’ve never checked out Planner Kate, you’re missing out! She offers all kinds of planner stickers, including stickers that are the perfect size and shape for all your Erin Condren planners.
  • Sunshine Sticker Co also offers stickers, and my favorites are the sticky tabs you can add to any planner or bullet journal.
  • I just love my planner pouch from Naptime Craze Designs, not only does it hold my discbound planner together but it has all kinds of storage for my pens and supplies.
  • If you’re looking for some fun and unique stencils, you have to check out Moxie Dori. It was one of the first stores I discovered when I started bullet journaling.