Schedules, To-Do Lists & The Myth of Perfect Planning

 Let’s talk about something I’ve been reflecting on a lot lately: schedules, to-do lists, productivity systems, all those things we’re told will help us “take control of our life.” I’ve met people who organize their days down to the minute, every task color-coded, every hour accounted for, and still, somehow, they don’t get to the thing that actually matters to them. And then, on the other side, there are people who float through the day without writing down a single task, and yet they manage to accomplish everything they set their mind to. It’s weird, right? I’m probably closer to that second group. I’ve had those days where I wrote out a perfect plan, and then just one unexpected thing was enough to throw the entire structure off. That’s the problem with rigid systems: life isn’t rigid. It’s unpredictable, it breathes, it moves, and no matter how good your plan is, you have to move with it.

Personally, I don’t really write out to-do lists anymore. I kind of organize my day in my head — when, where, why I’ll do something. And that works for me. It feels more natural than forcing myself to fit into a template. I know we’re constantly bombarded by advice from influencers who swear by structure, “just wake up at 5AM and plan your whole day and you’ll be successful,” and while that might work for them, I really believe none of these methods are universal. We all live such different lives. Some of us are in school, some of us work three jobs, some of us are navigating mental health struggles, taking care of others, or just trying to survive. So how could one method possibly work for all of us? It’s simply unrealistic.

That’s why I think it’s important to remind ourselves that it’s okay if your day doesn’t go “as planned.” It’s okay if your brain feels full and your heart feels heavy and you just can’t do what you thought you’d do. Sometimes we’re carrying so much that there’s just no space left for productivity. And while some people can power through that, push past the emotional weight and keep going, not everyone can. And that’s not a sign of weakness. We all have different nervous systems, different coping mechanisms, and different limits. We don’t all regenerate the same way. And honestly, if we really wanted to compare ourselves, we’d need to have the same starting line, same environment, same resources, same emotional and physical preparation — and we don’t. So comparing yourself to someone else’s highlight reel is just setting yourself up for disappointment.

And yet we all fall into that trap, don’t we? That thought, “how does he or she do all that and I can’t even get started?” It creeps in so subtly. And I’ll say it openly: thoughts like that are poisonous. Not because they make you a bad person, but because they distract you from your own path. You’re not here to live someone else’s version of a productive life. You’re here to figure out what your rhythm looks like. What your version of “a good day” means. And no one else can define that for you. If your day feels better when you follow your intuition, go for it. If you need structure to feel safe, that’s equally valid. What matters is: are you moving toward something that feels right for you? Are you growing in your own time?

Here’s something I’ve realized over time: being “productive” isn’t the same as being in alignment. You can check off every task on your list and still feel empty. You can have the busiest day ever and still not move an inch emotionally or mentally. So what’s the point of being efficient if you’re not also being intentional? I’ve had slow days that changed my entire mindset, days where I technically “did nothing” but emotionally, everything shifted. And I wouldn’t trade those moments for any perfectly organized to-do list. Sometimes, resting is the most productive thing you can do. Sometimes, not pushing yourself is actually the sign of growth.

Also, I think we don’t talk enough about seasons, not just outside, but inside of us. There are days or weeks where you’re in your “spring” — full of energy, inspiration, clarity. And then there are days where you’re in emotional winter — heavy, foggy, needing warmth and rest. You wouldn’t judge a tree for not blooming in December. So why judge yourself for not blooming every single day? Honoring those inner seasons, instead of forcing yourself to perform, is a kind of wisdom we’re not often taught, but we desperately need.

At the end of the day, it’s not about how organized your planner looks. It’s not about whether you have ten things done or two. It’s about whether the way you spend your time is true to you. Whether you’re living in a way that reflects your values, your energy, and your capacity. So don’t let anyone, not even that ultra-productive influencer, convince you that you’re behind just because your version of progress looks different.

Whether you live by the clock or live by your gut, if what you're doing is working for you, that’s more than enough.

Nena

“The only person you should try to be better than is the person you were yesterday.”