Jen Writes

Hello! I am a 21 year old woman with a LOT on her plate. I am currently in the last semester of my undergraduate degree in accounting, taking 5 classes. I am also doing a full time internship (that requires overtime), and I make it a priority to go to the gym 5 days a week.

Something about me is I LOVE being busy. Though, it can be very challenging to balance it all. That being said, here is a little sneak peek into the way I think, and how I am able to manage it all.

First, I make it a point to time block and schedule out my week before it starts. This looks like putting all my obligations in my calendar and identifying the spaces where I can fit the things that don’t have a time constraint.

For example, I will block off my work schedule, which typically will run 8-5 unless there is work for overtime, then I will lengthen my day to 7-6. I have classes two nights a week, so on those days I work 7-4:30, then I drive to campus to arrive at 5:30, spend and hour going over the class material so I am familiar with it before the lecture, then I sit through class from 6:30 to 9:20.

I think it’s important to be aware of how our time is spent. It’s easy to get caught up in the business of life and forget to live it. That is why going to the gym and exercising is very important to me, it brings me so much joy! I go to the gym on all the days I don’t have to go to my night classes. Exercise is important for your overall health and longevity, it is ESSENTIAL to make time for it, even with a busy schedule like mine.

Now you might think, well since all of work, class, and the gym is all blocked off, there must be no time left. Right? WRONG

My weekends are usually pretty much free to spend my time however I want to. I make sure I go to the gym on Saturday and Sunday. I also spend both days doing homework, meal prepping, and cleaning my apartment. Sounds boring right? WRONG AGAIN

I love handling the tasks that I do every week because I make sure I set myself up for success.

Every evening I make sure I do a 10 minute quick pickup of my apartment. All the daily messiness just ceases to exist after those 10 mins. Everything is put back in its place, dishes are done daily, and the little messes are cleaned up. Don’t underestimate what can get done in 10 mins.

I set up systems in my life that make my life EASIER. That 10 min pickup is just one of them. My night routine includes getting everything I need ready for the next day to save me some stress in the morning. I meal prep every weekend so I don’t have to worry about food for the week. & most importantly, I ENJOY every step of it.

Cleaning might be boring, so put on some music to make it go by a little quicker. Make meals that are truly enjoyable. And pick out an outfit the night before that EXCITES you.

Romanticizing life and making an effort to enjoy the business of it is how you get through it. MAKE IT FUN!!

Another thing I make sure to do is bring my friends into my routine. I know that I am a busy person, and my friends do too. I never want my busy schedule to come between me and my friendships, so I ensure I make time for them when I can.

On my commutes, I send voice memos of my day, I invite them to the gym with me, we go grocery shopping together, or we just go and grab a bite to eat on the weekend.

Although these aren’t ALL the habits that keep my world going around, these are the ones that TRANSFORMED the way I live life the most.

Being busy doesn’t have to stop you from living life, or more importantly, ENJOYING IT. I find that consistency is the key to living a stress free, busy life. Staying consistent in the little habits that remove stress and extra effort later is what makes all the difference.

Do the things your future self will thank you for.

Peace out,

Jen