What motherhood taught us about time, priorities, and giving ourselves space

For many mums, the idea of planning can feel like a luxury. Something reserved for people who have their lives perfectly lined up. And let’s be real – when you already have a family to care for, a job to show up to, and a thousand tabs open in your brain, the thought of adding another thing to your day like planning or journalling might sound overwhelming.

But here’s the thing: through conversations with women balancing motherhood and careers, one truth stands out. Planning isn’t about perfection. It’s about creating space. Space to breathe, to reset, and to lead your day with intention.

And it’s not just a mindset shift – science backs it. Research shows that intentional goal setting and reflection activate parts of the brain tied to motivation and clarity. Writing things down helps reduce stress and increase focus, giving your brain the visual cues it needs to follow through.

What is planning, really?

Planning isn’t just about ticking boxes – it’s about creating structure that helps you move through your day with more intention and less overwhelm. For busy mums, a planner becomes more than just a tool. It’s a place to unload mental clutter, track priorities, and remind yourself of what matters.

And when life gets in the way (because it always does), those unchecked tasks? They’re not failures. They’re reminders. You can come back to them when things settle. That’s the beauty of planning – it keeps space for what’s next, not just what’s done.

Why we stopped waiting for the “right time” to start planning

There’s this common idea of waiting for a “calm season“ when the baby sleeps through the night, when work slows down, when things feel easier. That moment doesn’t always arrive.

Planning can actually be what brings calm into the chaos. It helps reduce decision fatigue and prevents your brain from being overloaded with tasks that feel scattered. For busy mums who feel like they’re juggling a million things, the LH Agenda Day Organiser helps break down the day into manageable, realistic chunks. It’s designed for morning check-ins, so even five minutes of planning can create clarity.

How journaling helped us reconnect with ourselves

Between school runs, work meetings, and family life, it’s easy to lose track of how you’re really feeling. Journaling created a moment to pause. To ask, how am I doing, really? When everything feels reactive, the Worry Be Gone Journal creates structure to manage overwhelm, while the Make Your Mark Journal includes prompts that reconnect you with your personal goals.

After becoming mums and juggling a job, some women forget who they are along the way. They put their comfort and wellbeing last to balance it all out without crashing. But the more you put yourself last, the closer you get to burnout. Reconnecting with yourself isn’t selfish,  it’s how you stay grounded, happy, and aligned with what truly matters to you.

Journaling is also a science-supported method of reducing cortisol levels (your stress hormone) and improving mood. Even a few minutes of expressive writing per day can improve your mental wellbeing.

You don’t need to plan like a robot to feel in control

There’s no need to fill every hour or colour-code your day. At first, it’s tempting to treat a planner like a rulebook. But life doesn’t always follow the plan. Kids get sick, work changes, energy dips. That’s normal.

Planning is simply about having a structure you can return to. Something that helps you reset and refocus when things shift. A planner like the LH Agenda Planner gives you room to map out your week without pressure to do it all. That’s why the planner is undated, you can use it daily and you can skip days without feeling the guilt of not using it for a couple of days. But the rule of thumb is not to let it skip for three days, or it will now feel like it’s a chore.

Easing the mental load of carrying everything in your head

Let’s face it, our minds are constantly juggling a hundred thoughts at once. From meal planning and work emails to dentist appointments and permission slips, the mental load is real.

Planning offers a way to take all those floating reminders and give them a home. Writing things down in a planner doesn’t just help you remember, it frees up mental space. Instead of trying to hold everything in your head, you can focus on what’s in front of you.

And if something unexpected comes up and throws off your plan? That’s okay. That’s why it’s written down. You can see it, return to it, and keep moving. Planning is not about perfection, it’s about creating peace of mind.

Learning to plan for energy, not just time

Energy management was a lightbulb moment. Realising that it’s not just about time, but about when you feel most alert, creative, or calm.

Studies show that peak productivity isn’t the same for everyone. Identifying your chronotype – whether you’re a morning person or night owl – helps you plan tasks when your energy is naturally higher.

For example, if your energy is highest in the morning, you might schedule deep-focus work before lunchtime, and reserve the afternoon for admin tasks, errands, or rest. For many working mums, syncing their planner with their energy helps them feel more in control of their day.

Instead of squeezing everything into tight slots, plan around energy peaks and personal rhythms. It’s ideal for anyone managing multiple roles, helping to align your plans with how you actually feel day-to-day.

It’s never too late to take your goals seriously

Whether you’re navigating early motherhood, returning to work, or rediscovering old dreams, now is the perfect time. You’re not too late. You’re not behind. You’re allowed to start now.

Start small. Break big goals into tiny, actionable steps. That’s why the quarterly pages and check-ins are essential to your planner; they help you reflect on where you are now, what worked, what didn’t, and how to move forward with clarity.

Planning gives you the tools to rediscover yourself and what matters most, and the structure to make it happen, one day at a time.

Planning is a lifestyle, not a one-off task

The goal isn’t to fill every page or become someone you’re not. It’s to support yourself through every season – with tools, mindset shifts, and daily moments that remind you: you’re doing enough, and you’re allowed to build a life that works for you.

Don’t rush your goals. Some of them take time and that’s okay. That’s why LH Agenda is here to help you lead with intention; plan, reflect, and refocus.