Okay, real talk: How many of you have ever tried to breastfeed a baby while answering work emails… with your foot nudging a Paw Patrol toy across the floor… as the oven beeps to remind you about the charred chicken nuggets? 🙃 Raise your hand if this is your version of “multitasking mastery.”
Three months ago, I was that woman – the one who showed up to Zoom meetings with pureed sweet potato in her hair and called it “artisanal highlighting.” My calendar looked like a toddler’s finger-painting project. Then I discovered time-blocking, and honey, let me tell you – it’s not your grandma’s color-coded planner.
Why “Do It All” Culture is Gaslighting Us
We’ve been sold this lie that spinning 10 plates at once makes us superheroes. But neuroscience says otherwise: A UC Irvine study found it takes 23 minutes to refocus after an interruption. That’s basically the time it takes to watch one episode of Bluey while pretending to care about Q3 metrics.
Here’s my hot take: Multitasking isn’t a skill – it’s systemic sabotage against women. When I started tracking my time, I realized I spent 37% of my day on “react mode” (school forms! WhatsApp group drama! Amazon returns!). No wonder I felt like a zombie version of myself.
My Time-Blocking Glow-Up (No Toxic Positivity Here)
Week 1 was… a vibe. I blocked 6-7 AM as “Sacred Coffee & Rage Journaling” time. Pro tip: Always schedule 15-minute “Oh Sht” buffers between blocks – because toddlers treat schedules like buffet suggestions.
The game-changer? Themed days. Mondays became “CEO Day” (no playdates, just spreadsheets). Tuesdays: “Creative Chaos” (content batching while kids finger-paint). Fridays? “Flame-Grilled Fails” – my catch-up block for everything that exploded that week.
When Life Throws Glitter Bombs (AKA Reality Checks)
Did my 3 PM “Deep Work” block get hijacked by a preschool poop crisis? Absolutely. But here’s the magic: Time-blocking isn’t about control – it’s about clarity. Even when things derail, you know exactly what’s being sacrificed. Last Tuesday, I traded my “Peloton Time” for ER stitches (toddler + stapler = bad combo). Worth it? Duh. But at least I consciously chose family over fitness that day.
The Unsexy Truth Nobody Talks About
This isn’t about “having it all.” It’s about owning your choices. When I block 2-3 PM as “Nap Jail” (yes, my kids are 5 and 3… no, they don’t nap… but mama does 😴), I’m not being lazy – I’m strategically recharging to prevent 5 PM meltdowns (mine, not theirs).
Your Turn – But Keep It Chill
Start with 3 “Non-Negotiable” blocks:
1. The “You’re a Human First” Block (Mine’s 6-6:20 AM: skincare + podcast)
2. The “CEO of Sht That Pays Bills” Block
3. The “Wild Card” Block (For life’s plot twists)
Pro hack: Use visual timers – my kids think it’s a game when I say “When the red disappears, I’ll check your Lego tower!” 🕑
Final Reality Check
Some weeks, my calendar looks like a Pinterest dream. Other weeks? Pure dumpster fire emoji. But now I can actually SEE where my time goes – and that’s power. Last week, I discovered I spent more time hunting for lost shoes than on date nights. Cue the “Nope, we’re outsourcing shoe organization” decision.
So to every woman reading this while hiding in the bathroom: Time-blocking won’t make you perfect. But it might help you find 20 minutes for that rom-com you’ve been putting off… and maybe even remember to take the chicken nuggets out of the oven. 🍷