A simple plan that respects your energy, your family, and the fact you’re carrying more than you say out loud.

If you’ve ever sat down to “get organised”… and somehow ended up rearranging a drawer, replying to three texts, making a mental note to book a dentist appointment, and then forgetting what you were doing — welcome.

You’re not broken or defective (as I often think I am at times). You’re midlife-busy.

This season can feel like you’re running a small country:

• work (paid or unpaid)

• family needs (adult kids, teens, grandkids, ageing parents)

• life admin

• your health

• your home

• everyone’s feelings (yep, that too)

So, when someone chirps, “Just manage your time better!” you want to throw a planner at them.

Let’s do something smarter.

Time-blocking can be brilliant — but only if it’s built for real life, not a fantasy where you wake up at 5am glowing with motivation and nobody needs anything from you.

Today I’m giving you a 30-minute weekly reset that makes time-blocking actually work in midlife.

Why you feel behind (even when you’re doing a lot)

Here’s the truth: you’re not “bad at time management”.

You’re dealing with:

• more responsibilities

• more interruptions

• more mental load

• less spare energy than you had at 25

• and often, less uninterrupted time than anyone realises

The goal isn’t to cram more into your week.

The goal is to stop bleeding time… and start protecting what matters.

The 30-minute weekly reset (do it once, then let it carry you)

Pick a time that’s realistic — Sunday arvo, Monday morning, Friday before school pick-up, whatever works.

Put the kettle on. Set a timer. Let’s go.

Step 1: Brain-dump your “open loops” (5 minutes)

Grab paper (or Notes app). Write everything that keeps circling your brain:

• calls to make

• forms to fill

• errands

• bills

• things you keep “meaning to do”

No sorting yet. Just get it out of your head.

Because a brain that’s holding ten invisible tabs open will always feel tired.

Step 2: Choose your Top 3 outcomes (5 minutes)

Now ask:
If this week goes well, what 3 things will make me feel proud and relieved?

Not 23 things. Three.

Examples:

• book the specialist appointment

• finish the report

• do two strength sessions

• meal-plan and shop once (not 4 emergency shops)

• have one proper catch-up with a friend

These become your anchors.

Step 3: Find your “fixed points” (5 minutes)

Write down the non-negotiables:

• work shifts

• school runs

• appointments

• caregiving times

• church/community commitments (if that’s part of your world)

• sport, rehearsals, grandkid days

You’re not time-blocking around a blank calendar.
You’re time-blocking around a life.

Step 4: Block the containers first (10 minutes)

This is where midlife time-blocking wins.

Instead of scheduling every tiny task, you block containers:

• Deep Work Block (60–90 mins): writing, finances, focused tasks

• Life Admin Block (45–60 mins): calls, booking, forms, emails

• Home Reset Block (30–45 mins): laundry, tidy, prep

• Health Block (20–45 mins): walk, strength, appointment, stretch

• Connection Block (30–90 mins): marriage/friend time, family time

Containers reduce decision fatigue. You don’t have to “figure it out” every day.

Step 5: Add buffers like a grown woman who knows life happens (5 minutes)

Buffers are not “wasted time”.
They’re how you stop your week collapsing.

Add:

• 15 minutes between blocks (when you can)

• 1–2 “white space” pockets

• a catch-up block at the end of the week

Because the minute you schedule your life with zero breathing room, your plan becomes a guilt machine.

And we’re not doing that.

Your daily 10-minute “morning map” (the secret sauce)

Each morning, take 10 minutes and ask:

1. What’s my Top 1 today?

2. What are my Top 2 supports? (the things that make Top 1 possible)

3. What can I delay, delegate, delete?

Then put your Top 1 inside a block — even if it’s only 25 minutes.

A small block you actually do beats a beautiful plan you never touch.

Try theme days (especially if you’re juggling work + family)

Theme days stop the constant switching.

Examples:

• Monday: Life Admin + appointments

• Tuesday: Deep Work + errands

• Wednesday: Home Reset + health

• Thursday: Deep Work + connection

• Friday: Catch-up + tidy + weekend prep

You can still live your life — it’s just less mentally chaotic.

Boundaries that make time-blocking work (without becoming a robot)

Email windows

Pick 1–2 times per day. Otherwise, email becomes a 24-hour mosquito.

Phone “parking”

When you start a block, put your phone out of reach (or on Do Not Disturb).

The “not now” list

Keep one running list of distractions:

• “Look up new vitamin D…”

• “Message cousin…”

• “Check that recipe…”

Write it down and return to your block. You’re not ignoring life — you’re controlling it.

When your week blows up (because it will)

On hard weeks, do the Minimum Viable Plan:

• one Deep Work block

• one Life Admin block

• one Health block

• one Connection moment

That’s it.

Progress, not punishment.

A gentle faith-inclusive note (only if it fits your world)

If faith is part of your world, you might like this simple reframe:
You’re not here to prove your worth through productivity.
You’re here to steward your life well — with wisdom, rest, and grace.

Even Jesus withdrew to rest. You’re allowed too as well.

Your next step (keep it simple)

This week, do just two things:

1. The 30-minute weekly reset

2. The daily 10-minute morning map

That’s enough to change your whole rhythm.

And if you want a little more support, stick around — there’s more midlife-friendly systems coming, and they’re made for real women with real lives.

Until we chat again,

Blessing & hugs to you my dear friend,

Dianne xx