How I Stayed Grounded Through a Busy Week

You know it—life does not always go as planned.

 Have you ever realised that some days test your patience, flexibility, resilience and growth? This past week was one of those weeks for me. Between early mornings, long meetings, juggling appointments, and unexpected outings, I felt the familiar pull of exhaustion creeping in. Despite all that was going on around me, I found small ways to stay grounded. Thankfully, I remembered the some of my favourite Bible verses which allowed me to take a moment in stillness. In that moment, I remembered that even the busiest weeks there are teachable moments and these moments hold grace.

In this post, I’ll share some tips and tools I used to navigate my week with balance and peace. Whether you’re managing your work, family, or unexpected challenges, I hope these insights inspire you to find calm amidst the busyness.

A Week Packed with Many Twists and Turns

I always start my weeks with a plan. I try to go into my days with a clear idea of what needs to get done and how to tackle it. But as life often does, things didn’t go exactly as planned.

One day last week, a virtual meeting stretched from 11 AM to 6:30 PM—far longer than anticipated. I had planned to wash my hair after work that afternoon, but I had to sacrifice that task to ensure I could get to bed by 9 PM. Knowing how important rest is, I prioritised sleep over checking this item off my to-do list (something I was usually tempted to do in the past).

The next morning, I found myself in the shower at 4:30 AM, scrubbing my scalp and washing my locs while most people were still sleeping. With locks the length of mine, combined with the fact that this was not a “quick wash” day, the process took a little longer. While my situation was not ideal, my hooded, portable hair dryer was a lifesaver! I got my hair dried quicker and did not have to keep long, damp Sisterlocks™ resting on my back to air dry so early in the morning. It helped me make the process quicker and more efficient.

The rest of the week followed a similar pattern: productive but long meetings, unexpected errands and outings, and a constant balancing of work with personal commitments. I often found myself completely exhausted by evening, but I still managed to end my day with some small celebration.

Actionable Tips to Stay Grounded During a Busy Week

Here are the strategies and tools that helped me stay centred, even when things didn’t go as planned:

1. Embrace Flexibility:

Life doesn’t always fit into neat boxes, and busy weeks are often unpredictable. Instead of getting frustrated, I chose to adapt and adjust my plans as needed.

Here is how I did it and how you can possibly do it, to:

• A Prioritised To-Do List: Focus on the top 3 tasks I had to complete each day. If other things needed to move to another time, I did that. This wasn’t always easy since I am still learning, but I did it and celebrated my tiny win! I use my digital Passion Planner with my Franklin Covey Planner to organise my tasks while leaving space for flexibility.
• Schedule Buffer Time: Add extra time between meetings or activities to account for delays or unexpected events. If you have a full-time job like me, you can sometimes end up with back-to-back meetings that don’t allow you to create that buffer. Don’t stress about it. Just do your best in each situation.
• Focus on What You Can Control: If something does not go as planned, ask yourself, “What’s the next best step?” This mindset shift can help you maintain peace instead of dwelling on what has happened. As the saying goes, there is no use in crying over spilt milk. So, let us acknowledge it, wipe it up, and move forward.

2. Prioritise Rest:

Rest is essential for maintaining productivity and emotional well-being. Even with a packed schedule, I committed to getting to bed on time as much as possible. Here’s what worked for me:

• Stick to a Bedtime Routine: I aim for a consistent bedtime of 9 PM (really 9:30, but 9 PM allows me some wiggle room). An Audible audiobook or a Spotify playlist creates a calming evening environment for me. I generally listen to one of my Bible audiobooks or some of my favourite calm music on a 15 to 30-minute timer. These help me fall asleep quicker, and I wake up feeling refreshed.
• Say No When Needed: Recognise your limits. It’s okay to decline invitations or postpone tasks to prioritise rest.
• Incorporate Mini Breaks: Even during busy days, take 5-10 minutes to stretch, breathe deeply, or enjoy some music. Small pauses can rejuvenate your energy.

3. Focus on Gratitude:

Gratitude is a powerful tool for shifting your perspective during overwhelming days or weeks. Last week, it kept me grounded and helped me focus on the positives instead of dwelling on the challenges. Here’s how I cultivate gratitude, and you can too:

• Start Your Day with Reflection: I write down three things I’m grateful for each morning on my digital notebook. A friend encouraged me to start this habit a few years back, and it has been a life changer. It may not be easy at first, but if you remain consistent, it becomes second nature. This sets a positive tone for the day, so keep at it.
• Celebrate Small Wins: Always acknowledge your efforts. Resist the temptation to minimise the work and effort you put into completing tasks or even in finding time for yourself.
• Use Visual Cues: Place sticky notes with positive affirmations or scriptures in visible areas to remind yourself of your blessings. I use a whiteboard on my wall for this.

4. Use Tools to Stay Organised:

Staying grounded during a busy week often comes down to staying organised. Here are the tools I relied on:

• Digital Calendar: I use Google Calendar and Apple Calendar to schedule my week, block out time for specific tasks, and set reminders (I sync Google Calendar and Zimbra Calendar to my Apple Calendar App). Apple Calendar has improved a lot lately, so it’s become one of my favourite tools to stay organised. I will share more about that in another post.
• Planners: My Passion Planner helps me map out my priorities and track my progress.

5. Lean Into Faith and Reflection:

When workplace dynamics or personal challenges add complexity to your week, faith can be a powerful anchor. Here’s how I stayed spiritually grounded:

• Start Your Day with Devotion: I begin every morning with prayer and Bible study. As of this writing, my devotional resource is Alone With God by Maltida Erickson Andross.
• Practice Scripture Meditation: When tension arose, verses like Philippians 4:6-7 reminded me to focus on God’s peace. I love reading from the Clear Word Paraphrase.
• Journal Your Prayers: Writing down my prayers helped me better process my thoughts and align my focus with God’s guidance. (This is another practice I started through the encouragement of a friend.)

Staying Calm Under Pressure

Navigating workplace dynamics added some complexity to my week. Instead of making it an issue, I did my best to see it as an opportunity for continued growth and refinement. I had to lean into my faith, and ask God for the patience and wisdom to handle my challenges gracefully, but He defintely came through.

Additionally, I used my iPhone’s built-in journaling app to practice mindfulness and manage stress during intense moments. I must say that the transcribe audio-to-text feature has been amazing!

A Reminder to Myself—and You

Last week was imperfect, as most weeks are. None of my days went as planned—but I still considered it to be a successful week. I adapted quickly and stayed focused on what mattered most. Even more importantly, I made time to rest! It is so easy to get caught up in the demands of the week, but taking a step back to appreciate the small victories can make all the difference.

If you’ve had a busy week, I encourage you to pause and reflect on what went right. Many bible verses encourage us during difficulties to be still. And the one that stayed with me most last week was Exodus 14:14, which says, “The Lord will fight for you; you only need to be still.” What moments brought you peace, joy, or even just a sense of accomplishment? Even in the chaos, there’s always something to be grateful for.

What About You?

How do you stay grounded during busy or unexpected weeks? I’d love to hear your tips and experiences—feel free to share them in the comments below. Let’s inspire and encourage each other to keep moving forward, one day at a time.

What’s Next?

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