Feeling Overwhelmed by Your Planner? Here’s What Helped Me
A practical approach to planning when you’re overwhelmed and burnt out.
Planner burnout is real.
We often start the year with big energy and big goals, but life doesn’t always cooperate. For the past couple of weeks my days have felt full-on within my part-time role as Home Design Consultant, and my energy has been patchy at best.
I found myself avoiding my planner when it came to my big goal.
And when I did open it, I felt overwhelmed, guilty, and unsure where to start in terms of making baby-steps on my goal.
So I stopped trying to do it all.
And I gave myself permission to use my planner in a gentler way.
What follows are the 3 small shifts I made to get myself out of the planner guilt loop and back into a rhythm that supports me.
Shift 1: Ditching the "Ideal Week"
I’ve used time blocking for years, and I still believe in it as a tool. But what I’ve realised is that life is too dynamic for a perfectly structured "ideal week."
Instead of trying to recreate the same weekly structure over and over again, I now focus on:
One themed block per day (e.g., Admin Tuesday, Creative Wednesday)
Choosing "one thing" each day that would make me feel accomplished if I got nothing else done
This came from the book Essentialism by Greg McKeown*. Choosing less, but better.
The result? Less pressure, more clarity.
Shift 2: Simplifying the Weekly Spread
My weekly view used to have a running task list, timed blocks, a habits section, trackers, sticky notes… you name it.
But when I was low on energy, all of it felt like noise.
So I stripped it back. Now, I only use:
A simple inbox to catch incoming tasks (I use my Inbox Insert)
Pre-printed page flags for recurring tasks so I can move them easily
A single vertical weekly layout that lets me block out non-negotiables and choose my "one thing"
Keeping it minimal has helped me use my planner consistently, even when I’m not feeling 100%.
Shift 3: Accepting the Season I'm In
This is more of a mindset shift, but it’s a powerful one.
I’m a mum of three. I work part-time. I create content and run a side hustle. My days are full.
So rather than trying to plan like someone with 8 hours of uninterrupted time, I’ve accepted that I need a planning style that flexes with me.
When I release the pressure to "do it all," I find I’m actually more productive—because I’m not stuck in guilt or comparison.
Planning Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your planner, you’re not alone. But instead of abandoning it, try simplifying it.
Focus on:
One thing a day
Tools that make planning easier (like pre-printed flags or a simplified layout)
Checking in with where you are right now, not where you think you should be
Let your planner serve you.
Chloe x
What helps you reset when planning starts to feel overwhelming? Let me know in the comments — or share your own shifts!
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