Just Because It Fits on Your Calendar Doesn’t Mean You Should Do It

I LOVE getting a new planner.

Last month I scanned, searched, and flipped through until I found the one that felt right for my goals and intentions for the year. They were beautiful. They were scrubbed clean. They felt like such a fresh start.

I got home, took off the packaging, and decided how I was going to organize this one. Then I started filling it in.

Work time. Family time. Errands. Lists. Clients. Appointments. Vacations. Meetings. On and on.

Pretty soon, the calendar lost its bright, shiny luster. Even with my new pastel highlighters, things were starting to feel dark and heavy. And I thought:

“How is my calendar full ALREADY?!?”

I took time off over the holidays. I rested. I played. I set intentions.
And yet, here I was. Feeling very much like the end of last year.

I KNEW this was not how I wanted to spend the next several months.

Then I heard a soft voice say, “Prioritize.”

Immediately, I felt uncomfortable. My stomach did that swirly thing. My hands actually got a little sweaty. Because I knew what that meant.

I was going to have to say NO to some things.
NO to some people.
Maybe even NO to myself around things I love, but may not have space for right now.

Ugh.

And just like that, I realized I was revisiting old boundaries.

Because here’s the thing: our time boundaries (aka your calendar, planner, diary) are the easiest and first place we cave.

Just because something fits neatly into an open square on your calendar does not mean it actually belongs in your life right now.

Time feels sneaky. It does not necessarily trigger us to squeeze a 20 minute call in between lunch and an afternoon meeting….Until later, when you’re eating a salad like a manic rabbit.

But time boundaries expose what is really going on:

• People pleasing
• Unspoken expectations
• Not honoring your own energy
• Resentment waiting to happen

So even though it feels a little daunting, I am choosing to say a polite but firm NO to bringing what did not work last year into 2026.

I am committing to my peace of mind.
I am saying YES to balance and breathing easier.
YES to more joy and moments of laughter.
And YES to more white space on my calendar.

(Plus, that leaves more room for fancy highlighter doodling. Obviously.)

So I ask you: Who’s with me?

I am not saying this is the easiest thing we’ll do this month. But if we choose to prioritize with intention, compassion, and alignment instead of obligation, it will absolutely serve us.

And everyone around us.

You’ve got this, my friend.
WE’VE got this.
And we are in it together.

Now go clear some space for you. ✨