Weekly Planning Tips: How to Organize Your Week and Expand Your Time
Feb 12, 2024Do you ever feel like there aren't enough hours in the day? Or do you ALWAYS feel there aren't enough hours in the day. If time is a human construct, can we find better ways to shape our days?
Over the years I have tried a lot of different planning systems. As a librarian, organization is my thing. The problem is that sometimes I spend too much time organizing!
So about eight years ago, I developed a system to track my time and goals. It became a planner and for 2024, I have fallen in love with it again. The video explains how it works. Basically, you do the three things each day that research shows will improve health, focus, and mindset: Sit, Write, Move. The calendar helps you remember to follow through.
Use the chart below to check in with yourself each day. Did you make time for self-care? Did you take care of your bills? Did you spend time with the ones you love? Give yourself a pat on the back and check the box.
Writing Yoga® teaches us to engage in three core practices each day—Sit, Write, and Move (SWiM)—as a way to nourish the mind, body, and spirit. How you choose to do it is entirely up to you. Use the following examples to brainstorm ways to SWiM, and feel free to adjust as your days and weeks evolve.
Sit: Pause, Rest, and Recharge
The practice of sitting is about stillness and restoration. Whether it's meditation, moments of relaxation, or simply breathing deeply, sitting allows you to pause, reconnect, and find calm in your day.
Examples of Sit practices:
- After meals: Relax for 10 minutes after lunch, savoring each breath.
- Before transitions: Close your eyes for 5 minutes at the end of your workday to reset your mind.
- Mini breaks: Sit in a sunny spot with your coffee or tea in the morning and do nothing but enjoy the moment.
- Mindful moments: Sit quietly with a candle or soothing music in the evening before bed.
- Nature breaks: Sit outside on your balcony or by a window, noticing the sounds of nature.
- Visual meditations: Sit with an object (like a mindfulness rock) and practice soft-focus gazing to center yourself.
Write: Express, Reflect, and Explore
Writing is a way to externalize thoughts, tap into creativity, and gain clarity. The act of journaling or free-writing helps you process emotions, set intentions, and track progress. Whether structured or freeform, make time each day to put pen to paper.
Examples of Write practices:
- Gratitude journal: List 3 things you're grateful for before bed each night.
- Morning pages: Free write for 10 minutes first thing in the morning to clear your mind.
- Intention setting: Write down a positive intention or affirmation for the day.
- Creative journaling: Draw or doodle alongside your thoughts to engage your visual creativity.
- Poetry: Write a haiku or short poem each day to express emotions through imagery.
- Prompts: Use prompts from Writing Yoga® to guide your write practices. There are a lot of free ones from the blog, or you can always check out the course.
Move: Energize the Body, Release Tension, and Connect
Movement helps you release stress, improve focus, and feel more connected to your body. Whether it’s gentle stretching or intense exercise, the goal is to stay active in ways that feel good and sustainable.
Examples of Move practices:
- Walks: Take a 10-minute walk outdoors, noticing your surroundings.
- Yoga practice: Do a few yoga poses before you start your day.
- Stretching: Spend 5 minutes stretching at your desk to release tension during the workday.
- Dance break: Put on a favorite song and dance freely for 3-5 minutes.
- Breathwork with movement: Practice deep breathing exercises while walking or doing gentle stretches.
Finally, make sure to celebrate your most luminous moments of the week! There is a place for that too.
Click this link to get the entire calendar planning page for free. Let me know how it feels to shape the universe.
Are you a school administrator or librarian who wants to test out these planning tips for yourself?
Remember to sit, write & move each day for a calm, creative & more compassionate life. If you want to learn more about Writing Yoga® Method, feel free to check out my course right here. This interactive course will help you jumpstart healthy and creative practices to: 1) Reduce stress 2) Write and 3) feel luminous.
Book a free consultation to learn more about workplace retreats and professional development.
For more activities and resources, please go to www.WritingYoga.com
Copyright © 2024 Stefanie Maura, All rights reserved.
