Why I Stopped Planning My Life by the Calendar—and What I Do Instead

by Tameeka Leon

For years, I lived by the calendar.

Color-coded blocks. Back-to-back meetings. Task lists so long they needed their own scroll bar.

From the outside, it looked like I had everything together: successful corporate career, side hustle goals, detailed plans, and all the productivity hacks. But on the inside?

I was drowning.

Some days I had the energy to check off everything. Other days, I stared at my to-do list like it was written in another language. I’d force myself through it anyway—ignoring the headaches, the exhaustion, the gut feelings screaming, “You need rest.”

Because somewhere along the way, I internalized a message I think a lot of us have heard:

“You’re only successful if you’re busy.”

But what happens when your body—and your life—start rejecting that kind of pressure?

The Burnout You Don’t See Coming

Burnout isn’t always loud. Sometimes it looks like:

Sleeping through your alarm multiple days in a row
Snapping at people you care about over tiny things
Feeling guilty for resting—but too tired to keep going
Staring at your calendar and feeling... nothing

For me, it was all of that. And more.

I’d plan my week on Sunday night with full intentions. But by Wednesday, my energy had dropped, something unexpected had popped up, and I’d start beating myself up for “falling behind” (even though I was doing my best).

I kept trying to fix it with better planners and more “efficient” routines.

But what I really needed was a different way to think about time.

I Started Listening to My Energy Instead

What I eventually realized is this:

🌀 We’re not robots.
🌒 Our energy isn’t the same every day.
🌿 And our bodies move in cycles—just like nature does.

So why was I trying to live like I was supposed to be at my peak 24/7?

I decided to experiment. Instead of planning based on what I thought I should get done, I started asking:

What kind of energy do I have today?
What would feel supportive—not just productive?
How can I align my week with how I’m actually feeling?

Some weeks, that meant front-loading my most focused tasks. Other weeks, it meant building in more space to rest and reset.

It wasn’t perfect. But it felt so much better.

And over time, I noticed something powerful:
I was getting more done with less stress.
I wasn’t burning out midweek.
And I was finally showing up for my goals and myself.

Planning for Real Life (Not an Ideal One)

One of the biggest shifts I had to make was letting go of the fantasy that I’d wake up every day with peak motivation and high performance energy.

The truth is, most of us are carrying a lot—mentally, emotionally, and physically. If our plans don’t reflect that, they’ll always feel like a trap.

Now, instead of squeezing my life into a calendar, I create space around my energy.

That means:

Using weekly rhythms instead of rigid daily schedules
Tracking my natural focus and fatigue cycles
Making space for joy, rest, and rituals—without guilt
Planning based on priorities, not pressure

And That’s Why I Created the Aligned Planning Mini-Course

I knew I couldn’t be the only one craving a simpler, more sustainable way to stay on track.

So I created something that reflects what I wish I had years ago:

✨ The Aligned Planning Mini-Course
A gentle guide to planning with your energy, not just your calendar.

Inside, you’ll learn how to:

Identify your personal energy patterns
Create a rhythm that works with your life (not against it)
Build flexibility into your week while still making progress
Guilt-proof your rest and routines

This isn’t about becoming more productive at all costs.
It’s about designing a life that feels like it supports you.

And the best part? It’s completely free inside the Self-Care for Success Bundle, coming June 30.

You Don’t Need to Hustle Harder—You Need a New Rhythm

If you’ve been feeling like your calendar is running your life…
If your to-do list feels heavier than your actual workload…
If your body is saying, “Please slow down”—even when your mind says, “Keep pushing”...

You’re not alone.

And you’re not doing anything wrong.

We were never meant to run on full blast, all the time.

You’re allowed to rest.
You’re allowed to reimagine your schedule.
You’re allowed to build in ease.

Your goals will still be there—and you’ll actually enjoy working toward them when you’re not constantly pushing yourself past empty.

Curious about what aligned planning might look like for you?
Stay tuned. The Self-Care for Success Bundle drops June 30, and I’ll be walking you through it step-by-step.

In the meantime, tell me—what’s something you wish your calendar actually had room for?