It’s been a while since I have had time get to the nitty gritty of how I plan for things in Two Tiny Makes. As a very busy Mum of 2 with work and life commitments flying all over the place, my creative time is often at the bottom of the list. I’m currently nearing the end of an unplanned break from Two Tiny Makes and sometimes catching time like this to write, I have to make the most of! I’ve been looking into Time Blocking and I figured I’d share it with you.
With 2 young ones in my midst I am always aware that school holidays means I have to stop being “business” Mum and be Mum for a little bit. After all that’s what having kids ties you into! So October half term happened, we had fun, we went away for the week and had a blast. It was planned and brilliant down time. What I forgot about though was the week after – when all the washing, cleaning, tidying has to happen after the break, as well as catching up at work.
November is birthday month too and I’ve found myself planning parties and baking cakes – this fortnight has been a right off regarding things for me. They are all pure moments of joy and I wouldn’t change it for the world but it’s been a total disruption to my crafting routine and my work with Two Tiny Makes!
This experience though has sparked an idea to time-block next year to create space for creativity and Two Tiny Makes, even during busy times. It’s something that I do each year, but after 5 years of this happening, I am committing next year to work for me! Would you like to join me?
Why Time Blocking Can Help Us Make Space for What Matters
Time Blocking is a task usually used weekly or daily to create intentional time for specific tasks. Tasks such as “calls”, “marketing”, “exercise breaks” can all be split up into the day/week to work on at one time rather than trying to do it lots during the week. Doing all the similar tasks at once means that your head is in that zone without distractions.
Looking at this over a year though will hopefully give a different take on goals and things you’d like to achieve. As a busy Mum, crafting time often falls to the bottom of the list when life gets busy, but planning for it on a yearly scale could make a difference.
Time blocking isn’t just about fitting everything in but about carving out time for what fuels you and brings you joy — like crafting. By putting the “dull” tasks together it allows us to free time to schedule in the important stuff!
Yearly Time Blocking
Rather than just blocking out individual days or weeks, I’m looking at the whole year and setting aside time for life’s big events and creative business goals.
Looking for the Seasonal blocks or larger segments of the year where my focus shifts – like planning around school breaks, family birthdays, holidays, or big business events.
Taking this approach should help anticipate those weeks when other responsibilities will be heavier and allows me to create pockets of time for the things I want.
How I’m Time-Blocking My Year: A Look at My Strategy
I downloaded a simple year calendar for next year that listed the months, days and correct dates. I started blocking out the calendar when my kids are on school holidays. Totally blacked out. I also know that weekends and the week after a holidays are pretty hectic so I have highlighted them out too.
Suddenly I have a clearer picture of what clear time in the year I have available. I can plan certain projects around this rather than trying to go gung ho on them and fail. I’ve also blocked extra time in November and December as these are really busy life months. Why expect miracles when the demand on my time is high!
This method is going to give me a sense of control over what can often feel like chaos.
Planning in the Creativity
- The Black Blocked Off Time – Just because the kids are on holiday doesn’t mean there’s no creativity! I’m going to plan projects that I can do by hand. Evening Sewing like my English Paper Piecing and things I can include the kids in.
- The Red Blocked Off Time – Planning and thinking time!
- The White Time – New projects can happen or catching up on some sewing machine time.
- The Seasons – There are clear months – March, June, September which fall at the end of each quarter. Focus on what I want to do in these months and work towards these from the start of the quarter.
- Dedicated craft days each month – I’ve not decided on when yet but it’d be nice to highlight a day in the month where I am going to craft so I can work towards that day as a sew day!
I love having a plan in place and I know that it probably won’t stick in stone, but having a clearer idea of where the time is or isn’t won’t come as a surprise next year!
Practical Tips on Yearly Time Blocking for Busy Mums
The balance of being Mum and wanting or being expected to do it all does mean it all weighs a little too much, from this exercise of time blocking my year I have tried to come up with a tiny list of tips that might make it easier for you to Time Block yourself..
- Create “Non-Negotiable” Blocks: Identify specific times you won’t compromise, like the first week after a school for planning, or dedicated monthly “craft days.”
- Prioritise Ahead of Time: Planning out yearly priorities in a list and revisiting each quarter as you get to them so you have a clear path of what to achieve.
- Adjust and Flex: Planning for life’s changes, these blocks aren’t rigid, but give you more flexibility than the weekly grind.
- Make It Visual: If you have space use a large yearly planner or digital calendar to visually map out major commitments, events, and personal time for crafting. I’ve used a small print out but will incorporate these plans into my bullet journal.
- Reflect and Reset: A monthly or quarterly check-in to see if time blocks are working, and if not, adjust them without guilt.
The Benefits of Yearly Time Blocking
- It can reduce stress and help you be more present, knowing there’s time already carved out for different priorities.
- It’s empowering to know that your crafting time isn’t a “maybe” or a “hopeful” but a planned part of your year.
Now that I have time blocked next year for myself I feel a little bit more in control! It’s odd to think that after years of ups and downs, failed projects, half finished things, moments where I have been stressed with getting things done with the kids about, that I have finally got it in the bag. I can look at my life and business goals and be a little more realistic about what I know I’m going to be able to achieve with the tiny amount of time I have.
Will you try Yearly Time Blocking?
Are you overwhelmed by weekly or daily plans on a constant basis? Why not give this a try. Look at your next year and see when you know you have those big commitments. Let us know in the comments if you are giving it a go. How much time do you have?
Finding a balance is a journey, one that I don’t think is always an easy ride. I am hoping that yearly time blocking is a tool to help me prioritise myself next year. I hope you will find it too.
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