How I Plan My Week for Flow & Joy

(Because I’m done living in chaos and calling it productivity)

Let’s be honest—we’ve all had those weeks where it feels like life is dragging us around by the ponytail. Back-to-back tasks. Too many tabs open (in our brains and on our laptops). Days that blur together and end with us crashing into bed wondering, “What did I even do today?”

I’ve been there. Burnt out, overwhelmed, low-key resentful of my to-do list—and still somehow feeling like I didn’t do enough.

So a while ago, I asked myself: What if I stopped planning my week around hustle… and started planning it around how I want to feel?

Spoiler alert: My life didn’t fall apart. In fact, it started to feel like mine again.

Here’s exactly how I plan my week for more flow, joy, and soft structure—so I can get things done without losing my mind (or myself).

Step 1: I Start With a Sunday Soul Check-In

I don’t dive into my planner with a mile-long list of things to do. I start with me—because if I’m not centered, nothing else really flows.

My Sunday Soul Check-In includes:

• Lighting a candle (yes, vibes matter)
• Journaling: How did last week feel? What do I want more of this week? Less of?
• Asking: What’s the energy I want to carry into this week?

Some weeks, I want a soft, gentle pace. Other weeks, I’m in my “boss babe with a matcha” zone. This check-in keeps me aligned with myself before I get lost in the noise.

Step 2: I Theme My Days for Flow (Not Rigidity)

I used to over-schedule every hour like I was auditioning for CEO of the Universe. Now? I give each day a theme instead of a strict plan.

Here’s a glimpse into how my week usually flows:

• Monday: Ground + Set Intentions
  Slow morning, review goals, admin + content planning
• Tuesday: Deep Work Day
  Big writing or creative tasks, minimal distractions
• Wednesday: Light & Loose
  Appointments, catch-ups, errands, flexibility
• Thursday: Client or Collab Day
  Meetings, calls, editing for others
• Friday: Wrap + Reflect
  Tie up loose ends, check finances, plan next week
• Saturday: Play + Explore
  Farmers market, bookstore, solo date, no guilt rest
• Sunday: Reset + Soul Care
  Laundry, slow cleaning, vision boarding, rest rituals

Themes give me structure without that suffocating pressure. I still leave room for life to life—but at least I know the vibe.

Step 3: I Use a Simple 3-Tier Task List

Instead of a monster to-do list that makes me want to cry, I break things down into three buckets:

1. Must-Do: The non-negotiables. Deadlines, bills, appointments.
2. Move-Forward: Things that’ll move my life or biz forward, but aren’t urgent.
3. Nice-to-Have: The fun or optional things (like finally cleaning out that drawer or filming a fun Reel).

This system keeps me focused on what actually matters that week. No more confusing “organize your closet” with “submit that invoice.”

Step 4: I Schedule White Space on Purpose

You know what I never used to schedule? Nothing.

Now I literally block off time in my calendar that just says “buffer,” “breathe,” or “rest.” This gives me space to move slower, daydream, or catch up if things take longer (which they always do).

White space isn’t laziness—it’s oxygen for your nervous system. It’s where creativity lives. It’s what makes your week feel breathable instead of back-to-back.

Step 5: I Build in Joy First (Not Last)

We always say we’ll rest after we get it all done. Spoiler: the list never ends.

So now, I schedule in joy like a non-negotiable. Before the deadlines. Before the emails.

This looks like:

• Wednesday morning lattes at my favorite café
• Friday night rom-coms + takeout
• A mid-week midday walk with a podcast
• Blocking Sunday afternoons for skincare + soft music

Joy isn’t a reward—it’s a tool for longevity.

Step 6: I Plan My Week Visually (Pretty = Motivating)

Look, I’m a sucker for a good aesthetic. I use:

• A paper planner with soft colors
• Mildliners + stickers for priority highlights
• Google Calendar for the big stuff (with emoji-coded blocks)

I also keep a visual to-do board on Pinterest or Canva for big-picture goals. Seeing things in a soft, beautiful format keeps me engaged—and reminds me this is my life, not just a checklist.

Step 7: I Check In Midweek Without Judgment

Around Wednesday, I do a soft midweek review:

• What’s feeling good?
• What feels forced?
• Do I need to adjust or soften anything?

If something’s not working, I don’t spiral—I just tweak. This flexibility is what helps me avoid burnout and still move forward.

Sometimes I move a task to Friday. Sometimes I delete it entirely. That’s not failure—it’s alignment.

Step 8: I Anchor My Days with Tiny Rituals

I’m big on rituals because they make transitions smoother and life sweeter. These aren’t huge routines—they’re tiny cues that ground me.

Some of my faves:

• Morning: Journaling + a slow coffee in my favorite mug
• Midday: Stretch + sip herbal tea before afternoon work
• Evening: Candle-lit skincare + light piano music

They take less than 10 minutes, but they mark the rhythm of my day. Like punctuation for the soul.

Final Thoughts: Plan For the Feelings, Not Just the Tasks

The truth is, most planning systems are built around productivity—but joy is productive, too. So is rest. So is doing something just because it feels good.

When I started planning my week for how I wanted to feel—more free, more fulfilled, more in flow—everything started working better. Not because I got more done, but because I finally felt like me while doing it.

So babe, before you write another aggressive to-do list that makes you dread Monday, ask yourself:

• What would make this week feel soft and supported?
• What tiny joys can I schedule in, just because?
• Where can I leave space for being, not just doing?

You don’t need to hustle harder—you just need a rhythm that supports your real, beautiful life.

Now go light a candle, block off your joy time, and plan a week that feels like a deep breath.

You’ve got this.