Tori Uncensored

From Tracking to Intentional Planning

Journaling helped me see my patterns, recognise what truly mattered, and uncover where time was slipping away—but awareness alone wasn’t enough. To create lasting change, I needed a clear framework to structure my time around my priorities.

Over the last five years, my work hours, routines, and personal commitments have shifted due to:

✔ Becoming a parent and redefining work-family balance

✔ Career progression, leading to changes in workload and responsibilities

✔ Navigating COVID, adapting to uncertainty and shifting priorities

✔ Managing chronic fatigue, structuring my energy as much as my time

Viewing time in 168-hour weeks has helped me reframe these transitions, ensuring that as life changes, my approach to time does too.

Rather than micromanaging every minute, I structure my time based on guiding principles:

✔ Flexibility over rigidity – Life is unpredictable, so my schedule needs room to adjust.

✔ Balance over perfection – If my core priorities are reflected, I know I’m using my time well.

✔ Priorities over distractions – My time should support what truly matters, not just what feels urgent.

I focus on four key areas, which I adapt based on shifting demands:

1️⃣ Personal & Family Time

✔ Quality time with family and friends—but flexible based on weekly priorities

✔ Time for hobbies, reading, writing —allowing shifts in focus each week

✔ Space for exercise or recharging—without pressure to fit everything in perfectly

2️⃣ Sleep & Rest

✔ Prioritising energy management so I’m rested enough to be productive

✔ Honouring downtime to prevent burnout—especially important with chronic fatigue

3️⃣ Household & Essentials

✔ Everyday life tasks—chores, meal prep, hygiene, and maintenance

✔ Streamlining where possible so these don’t dominate personal time

4️⃣Work & Growth

✔ Focused work aligned with my core goals

✔ Prioritising learning and professional development to ensure ongoing growth

 What I’ve Learned from Structuring My Week

✔ Less guilt – Knowing my time is aligned with my priorities makes a huge difference.

✔ Better energy management – Structuring sleep and rest ensures I actually have the energy to be productive.

✔ Adaptability = sustainability – A structured week that flexes with life is far easier to maintain long-term.

Some weeks don’t go as planned, and that’s okay. The key is having a framework that adjusts, rather than one that feels restrictive.

Final Thoughts

✔ Structuring 168 hours isn’t about maximising every moment—it’s about creating a rhythm that supports growth, priorities, and balance.

✔ Time shifts based on energy, needs, and seasons of life, and reflection helps navigate that.

✔ Intentional scheduling allows for both productivity and space, keeping life flexible yet focused.

💬 How do you structure your time? Have you ever tracked your weekly rhythms? Let’s chat in the comments!