Holding Space for Your Needs: Why Every Busy Woman Needs a Self-Care Planner

Because you deserve more than sticky notes & survival mode.

You ever have one of those days where you open your planner, see the chaos staring back at you, & think, “Wow… so this is my circus & these are definitely my monkeys?”

Same, friend…hell, that’s today!

Between work deadlines, dinner plans, permission slips, & trying to remember if you’ve had any actual water today (coffee doesn’t count, unfortunately), life can feel like a 24/7 balancing act. But here’s the truth: your planner isn’t just for keeping track of everyone else’s needs — it’s also the perfect space to hold yours.

There’s a method to the madness & a pot at the end of the rainbow (I didn’t say it’s gold in the pot though. I just know the pot is there 😬). Let’s talk about how to make that happen.

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1. Treat Your Planner Like a Safe Space, Not a To-Do List Dungeon🔒

If your planner feels more like a guilt trip than a guide, it’s time to shift the energy.

Start using it as a self-care command center — not a list of things you didn’t get done.

👉🏽 Add affirmations to the top of your week. (You won’t have to do this if you had an Intentionally Evolve Planner though since we made sure to include those #motivation)

👉🏽 Write one “non-negotiable” just for you like a walk, journaling, or 15 minutes of doing absolutely nothing. (Intentionally Evolve Planners also have a self-care task of the week 😉)

👉🏽 Leave room for grace. Because life be lifing sometimes, & that’s okay.

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2. Plan Like You Love Yourself 🥰

Most planners help you stay organized — but an Intentionally Evolve planner helps you stay centered.

Instead of cramming every second of your day with tasks, use your planner to track your energy instead of just your time.

👉🏽Ask yourself:

• What parts of my week give me energy?

• What drains me?

• Where can I schedule moments to recharge?

Even if you only have 5 minutes between a meeting & dinner prep — that’s your time. I carve mine out first thing in the morning. You have to claim it.

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3. Color-Code Your Sanity 🌈

Let’s make this fun (& functional).

Color-coding doesn’t just look cute — it gives your brain a break from decision fatigue.

If it’s just you, try something like this:

💗 Pink = Me time

💼💙 Blue = Work stuff

🧡 Orange = Family activities

💚 Green = Self-care

Now if you’re running a whole production like myself, the colors may be able to help keep your stuff organized as well as your family. My calendar on the refrigerator & in my phone are certain colors per person & additional colors depending on what category of tasks I have going on.

So when you glance at your planner & see all pink, you know you’re living right. And if you see none… it’s time to pencil you back in.

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4. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection 🥳

If you checked off half your list today, that’s still half a list of wins!

Jot down 1 thing that went well each evening — even something small like, “Didn’t lose my cool in traffic,” or “Ate lunch before 3 PM.” Those tiny acknowledgments add up & remind you that you’re doing a great job, even on the messy days. Always end on a positive note.

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Let’s Be Real for a Second… 💯

Being a working woman with a family means your planner probably has layers — kind of like an onion (or your laundry pile). But the key is remembering that you belong on your own to-do list.

I made sure my to-do list was full of myself last weekend for Healing While Building in Atlanta. Drove down emotionally exhausted & came back completely rejuvenated.

Your planner is more than paper — it’s a space to breathe, reset, & remind yourself that your needs matter.

So next time you open it, ask:

“What do I need today?”

Then make sure it has a spot right there next to cheerleading & basketball practice, that 2 PM meeting, & grocery shopping.

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Don't let busyness get the best of you! Grab an Intentionally Evolve Planner today!

Ready to Let Your Planner Hold Space for You? 📅

The Intentionally Evolve Planner was created with women like us in mind — the ones doing all the things but ready to do them with more peace & purpose.

It’s not just a planner; it’s your self-care accountability partner — with affirmations, self-care tasks, goal-setting tools, a vision board, monthly budgeting, & a month-in-review section designed to help you evolve intentionally, not just survive the week.

✨ Grab your Intentionally Evolve Planner today & let it hold space for your needs — so you can show up for everyone else without losing yourself in the process.