Written by Amirah Kely Van Uden
I’ll be honest, I’m not perfect at managing my time. Far from it. Some weeks I’m completely on top of everything, and other week I can’t organise what I’m having for lunch. Between running my art business, working part-time, studying full-time, and trying to make time for family and friends (and, you know, sleeping), it can feel like I’m constantly juggling the many responsibilities that are my life.
But here’s the thing, I’ve learned that struggling doesn’t mean failing. It just means that you are human. So, I wanted to share a few things that have helped me (and that I’m still working on) when life gets hectic.
1. Prioritise Progress, Not Perfection
For a really long time I thought ‘effective time management’ meant doing everything and doing it perfectly. Spoiler alert: that’s impossible.
Now, I focus on making small progress every day. Some days I manage to complete everything on my to-do list, and other days making my bed is an achievement. We must learn to take the time to celebrate the small wins as they add up over time.
2. Learn to Say ‘No’ Without Guilt
This one’s tough. I’m a people-pleaser by nature, and I hate disappointing anyone. But I’ve come to realise that by saying ‘yes’ to everything, I was just saying ‘no’ to myself. Whether it’s social catch-ups or working extra hours, it’s okay to set boundaries. Protecting your time is the most important element of protecting your peace.
3. Use a Planner (But Be Realistic!)
I love a good planner moment – colourful pens, highlighters, stickers, all that jazz. Instagram worthy. But it only works if you’re being honest and realistic with yourself. I used to cram my days with 20+ tasks, and then I’d feel awful when I couldn’t finish them. Now, I pick 2–3 key things to focus on. If I do more, fantastic! And if I do less, I’ve still done enough.
4. Take Breaks Before You Burn Out
I used to think breaks were a waste of time, until I burned out trying to do everything at once. Now I make myself stop for a bit: take a walk, enjoy a sunrise, have a tasty snack, a good cup of tea or even just doing absolutely nothing. Rest isn’t laziness. It’s strategy.
5. Remember your Purpose and Intention
When it all feels like too much (and it does sometimes), I remind myself why I’m doing all this. My art business, my studies, my job, they all mean something to me. Keeping that “why” in mind helps me to handle the chaos with a little more patience and purpose.
So, If you’re struggling too…You’re not alone.
Balancing everything is hard, especially when you’re trying to do well in all areas of life. But every time you keep going, even when it’s messy, you’re proving to yourself that you can.
We don’t have to have it all figured out right now. We just have to keep learning, adjusting, and doing our best with the time we have.
You’ve got this!
Charlie blog is a SSAF funded initiative.
