Stop Chasing Perfect Balance: The 10-Hour Weekly Reset That Actually Works

"I don't have time for self-care." Sound familiar?

I used to whisper this to myself while scrolling my phone at 11 PM, the only "me time" I could find.

Turns out, I was looking at this all wrong.

The problem wasn't finding more hours but protecting the ones I already had.

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Your energy has a rhythm (and it's not what you think)

Your grandmother knew something about energy that we've forgotten.

She didn't try to be equally productive at all hours.

She understood that 6 AM clarity hits different than 2 PM brain fog.

For one week, notice when you feel most alive, most focused, most like yourself. Those are your golden hours. Guard them like you'd guard your morning coffee.

Quality over quantity (in everything)

Being present for thirty focused minutes beats being physically present but mentally scattered for three hours.

Create sacred pockets in your week—maybe it's Saturday morning with your coffee and journal, or Wednesday evening walks without your phone. These aren't selfish moments; they're investments in showing up better everywhere else.

The phone knows your weaknesses

Your screen time app is brutal but honest. Five hours daily of mindless scrolling?

That's thirty-five hours weekly—nearly a full-time job. Try this: delete social apps Monday through Friday. Access them only on your computer during designated times. You'll be shocked how much mental space opens up.

Small moments, big impact

Life rarely gives us three-hour blocks of uninterrupted time. Instead of fighting this reality, work with it. Keep a running list of five-minute wins: clearing your email, planning tomorrow's priorities, or simply stepping outside for three deep breaths.

These micro-moments add up to something meaningful.

Action Steps:

1. Track your energy levels hourly for one week to identify your prime hours

2. Schedule three weekly "sacred blocks" for what matters most to you

3. Move social media apps off your phone Monday-Friday

4. Create lists of 5-minute, 15-minute, and 30-minute tasks for unexpected free moments

5. Set a Sunday evening 30-minute ritual to plan your week with intention

What would change if you stopped trying to find time and started designing it around what truly matters to you?

Which of these feels most doable this week? Sometimes the smallest shift creates the biggest transformation.

Until next time,

Matt

P.S. For a further deep dive on this topic, be sure to check out the post here.