Does calendar blocking work for creatives?
I tried it out for a month! Here's what I learned.
Everything about me screams Planner Girl.
I used to play “office” as a kid. I love the smell of tape, my eyes light up at the sight of straight lines and neat, dated boxes, and the click-click of a pen or the smooth pull of a highlighter across a crisp page? A symphony!
Over the years, I’ve tried different planner formats—both paper and digital. Last year, I started using a platform called Notion to help me organize my work and life.
But I’ve never fully embraced calendar blocking (also known as time blocking), where you section off parts of your day for specific tasks.
Despite my obsession with planning, there’s definitely a part of me that rebels against the rigidity of time blocking—especially when it comes to confronting the reality of how long things actually take.
To truly plan out when I’m going to tackle my fountain of creative ideas would mean admitting that I can’t actually get it all done.
Planning meets reality
Last month, I found myself with an unusual stretch of free time. We had no travel plans or visitors, I was on a writing hiatus while my manuscript was with my Beta readers, and I had no freelance assignments.
That delusional side of me came right out to play—the one with a million ideas who disregards the fact that time is a finite resource. But my rational side kicked in and thought, maybe I can do it all...maybe I just need a plan! So, I set out to prove it by finally giving calendar blocking a try.
I mapped everything out! My very reasonable schedule included time for writing, Substack, editing Film to Table, and even space to restart my YouTube channel—plus a healthy buffer of white space for unexpected projects and commitments. Here’s what I came up with:
Cue the chaos
No sooner had I triumphantly finished my beautiful schedule than the internet went down. For five hours! Right in the middle of my allocated YouTube scripting time. How dare they!
This, of course, was just the beginning of what turned into a comically disruptive month—including two major hurricanes.
Best laid plans
I begrudgingly learned that no amount of planning can prevent life from throwing unexpected curveballs—good and bad. Some of last month’s interruptions were voluntary and delightful, like the weekday afternoon that I spent at the library with my mom and dad!
But still, it left me wondering if there are aspects of calendar blocking that were worth sticking with. Here’s what I’ve come around to:
1. It helps me see how much I can take on.
Calendar blocking quickly made it clear that if I really want to get my book published, YouTube will have to wait. I can’t do both right now.
2. Be firm about your goals, flexible about your execution.
My weeks are rarely consistent. Instead of sticking to fixed blocks, I’m learning to shift them as needed while still keeping an ideal schedule in mind.
3. Boundaries matter.
Because I’m my own boss, I don’t always honor my own deadlines. Calendar blocking reminded me to protect my work time and set boundaries, especially when other people need something from me.
Have you tried calendar blocking? I’d love to hear your thoughts or tips on planning methods!
✍️ Creative Exercises/Journal Prompts
Spend some time on YouTube exploring different planning methods. My friend Kalyn Brooke’s channel is an excellent resource.
Narrow it down: If you had to focus on one priority, what would it be?
Treat yourself to a planning session—map out your best-laid plans, and stay flexible with how they unfold.
☀️ Five good things
When we can recognize the things that bring us the most joy, we invite more of them into our lives. Here are five things that made me happy this week. Share yours below!
Five good things that happened this week:
It was a stressful few days, but thankfully we were spared any hurricane damage.
I hung a new Vertigo poster in my office.
I’m loving Nobody Wants This and was thrilled to hear it got picked up for a second season.
I made a big batch of Thai chicken salad this week—it’s one of my go-tos for multiple meals.
After all the hurricane prep and panic, I treated myself to a much-needed mental health day on Friday: pizza, lounging, YouTube, and enjoying my TBR pile.
💬 Share your intention
Whether it’s a giant leap, a tiny to-do list item, a habit change, or something else, there is power in accountability, and this is a safe space to share your aim. Some weeks, we’ll fail, others we’ll soar, but with support, we’ll always keep going together.
Until next week, get out there and make something beautiful.
Michelle
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So glad you are all okay after the hurricane. Given the devastation of both Helene and Milton, I’m glad the preparation was the worst of it for you. We never know what’s coming but I sure hope that part of the country gets a break from this crazy weather.
I get ALL of this. I am the queen of planning, and then realizing — over and over — that things take longer and I do need breaks between things (and lunch!) and can’t just seamlessly transition between tasks like a robot. Also, I don’t always have as much time as I think, so a good look at the week ahead on Sundays helps me manage expectations. Scribbles That Matter makes my favorite undated planner these days (their “Productive Weeks” planner is fab too). Their simple design leaves space for all my personal planning systems without having to fit into someone else’s idea of “organized.”