Breaking Free from an Overscheduled Life: You Can Too!

For years, my life was a blur of meetings, deadlines, and endless responsibilities. My days were packed from the moment I woke up until I collapsed into bed at night. Then I would come home to my family who needed my attention, my energy, and more decisions from me. I loved them deeply, but I was running on empty. I remember saying to myself over and over, I wish I had more hours in the day. Maybe you have said that too.

It always felt like there just wasn’t enough time, but one quiet morning during my Gritty Stillness morning routine, I began to question that thought. Was it really about not having enough hours, or was I filling them with too much? As I sat in silence, I thought about my schedule and how I had gotten to this place where I didn’t even stop for lunch. My husband would gently remind me, “Aren’t you the one who makes your schedule?” Every time he said that, I felt frustrated. Didn’t he understand how many people depended on me and how many responsibilities I carried?

But that morning, something shifted. I realized that he needed me too. My family needed me. Not the exhausted, distracted version of me who was always rushing to the next thing, but the present, calm version who could truly be there. That realization hit hard.

I knew I needed to make a change.

For years, I had been intentional about aligning my life with my faith and family, but I also knew that without clear boundaries, those values would continue to be pushed aside by the busyness of everyday life. I’ve always been a planner at heart. I find comfort in knowing what’s ahead, so I started where I was most comfortable, with my schedule. I looked at each part of my week and asked myself two questions: What’s taking up most of my time? and does this bring me joy or satisfaction?

The truth was eye-opening. So many things on my calendar were there out of obligation, not joy. Somewhere along the way, I had let busyness become a badge of honor, and it was quietly draining the life out of me.

So, I decided to dream a little. I sat down and wrote out what I called my “In a Perfect World” schedule. It included seven to eight hours of sleep, ten minutes of quiet devotional time, a good cup of coffee, exercise, eight hours of focused work with a real lunch break and leaving on time to have dinner with my family. I also imagined evenings and Sunday mornings spent on my porch swing (when Wyoming weather allows) simply being still.

At first, it felt like an impossible dream. But I was determined to make it real.

A year later, after some tough choices and a few hard conversations, that schedule is now my life. It came with sacrifice. I had to make changes within the scope of my job duties, and I don’t attend every community event or say yes to every opportunity that comes my way. But now, I have something much more valuable…... I am truly content.

I feel the calmness that I had been missing for years. The hard days still come, but I meet them with more strength and grace because I am rested and spiritually grounded.

Maybe your life feels overscheduled too. Maybe you are running from one thing to the next, feeling burned out and burdened by the weight of trying to do it all. If that sounds like you, I want to encourage you to stop.

Take a quiet moment for yourself. Sit still. Reflect. Then write down what your own “In a Perfect World” schedule would look like. Start with making one change to your schedule a week, then move to two. Eliminating the stressful obligations and focusing on what brings you joy.

It’s never too late to realign your time with what matters most. Your new, desired rhythm of life is just one quiet moment away.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” - Matthew 11:28 / NKJV

Want to Go Deeper?

If this message spoke to you, you will find value in my signature talk: When Opportunity Knocks....Do I open the door? 

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