Do Less: A Revolutionary Approach to Time and Energy Management for Busy Moms

by Kate Northrup

I see my to-do list as a sacred space, so not everything deserves a place there. My time is precious. My energy is precious. Only the most worthy of tasks make it on the list.

Body: How’s your energy this week? What phase of your cycle are you in? Mind: What are your top three priorities for the week? Heart: How do you feel? How do you want to feel? Cosmos: What’s going on with the moon, stars, and planets that might impact you this week?

I always start with the body. When I start with my body in any area of my life, I am never steered wrong. I start my week by asking my body how she feels and what she most needs.

Three things for the week. That’s it. Give it a try and see how awesome you feel.

Does this need to be done? Does this need to be done by me? Does this need to be done right now?

On Sunday nights, when I craft my to-do list for the week, I don’t start with the things I need to do. Instead, I write out a few areas where the Universe can support me.

Any time I’m feeling stressed out about a particular project or task or I’m feeling doubt start to creep in about my capacity to will something to happen, I make sure I write it on the Universe’s To-Do List.

You know what I wish women did less of? Resenting their partners for not participating enough, not showing up enough, and not helping out more. And you know what really helps? Communicating what it is we need in order to feel supported.

No one can give us what we want unless we tell them what it is.

Here’s what else I know to be true: Trying to control everyone and everything around us is not only impossible, it’s exhausting and will cause you unnecessary pain..

“The only time we can change another person is when they’re in diapers.”

What am I trying to control right now that’s not something that’s actually within my realm of control? What could I stop doing that would allow me to reclaim my power and my energy to invest in things I actually have control over? What would it feel like to surrender in this area?

You know what I’ve learned? When I let go of how I think it should be, it often ends up way better than I could have ever possibly imagined.

When we start to manage our energy more efficiently, give ourselves breaks, and lean into the natural ebbs and flows of the cycle of creativity

The world doesn’t need you busy. The world needs you here. And it’s enough. Do less. Let it be enough. And, as a result, enjoy the miraculous experience of being more of who you are.