#31: Planning Tips For A Stress Free Year With Laurel Denise
I’ll never forget the day I broke down over a stack of ungraded assessments. It was a Tuesday (because Tuesdays always seem to be those days, right?), and my to-do list was out of control. I’d planned to knock out grading during lunch, but then my teammate needed help setting up for a science experiment. After that, the copier jammed, the office called about a missing field trip form, and before I knew it, the bell rang for dismissal.
By the time I got home, I was done. There I was, sitting at my kitchen table with papers spread everywhere, staring at my planner like it held the answer to my chaos. Spoiler alert: it didn’t. I was exhausted, frustrated, and wondering how I’d ever keep up with teaching and life.
If you’ve ever felt like this—like your to-do list is running the show—you’re not alone. But I’ve got good news: it doesn’t have to be this way.
Meet Laurel Denise: Your new bestie for balancing chaos
Enter Laurel Denise, creator of Laurel Denise Planners and a wizard at tackling life’s chaos with grace. I recently sat down with her on the podcast, and let me tell you, she dropped so many truth bombs about how to prioritize what matters, let go of perfection, and actually make space for yourself in your busy day.
Because let’s be real: your well-being matters just as much as your to-do list. (Yes, I said it. Your self comes first.)
IN THIS EPISODE, we’ll talk about…
- Prioritizing time for self-care (those teacher schedules are no joke!).
- Strategies for prioritizing tasks and avoiding procrastination.
- Tips to stay flexible when the unexpected arises.
why does this matter?
Here’s the thing: when you’re overwhelmed, it’s easy to feel like you’re failing—at teaching, at home, at everything. But what if instead of aiming for perfection, you focused on progress? What if you could let go of doing it all and instead start doing the things that truly matter?
That’s what Laurel’s advice is all about: giving yourself permission to prioritize, breathe, and show up as the best version of yourself—not the most overworked version.
LINKS
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WHAT TO LISTEN TO NEXT
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