Reclaiming Time, Energy and Intention

Reclaiming Time, Energy and Intention

How shifting from time scarcity to value-based priorities changed the way I plan, rest, and show up in life

We all have the same 168 hours each week. But it wasn’t until I tracked every half-hour of mine across the week—and reflected on how I felt during each one—that I truly understood where my time was going and whether it matched what I value most.

Inspired by Laura Vanderkam’s book 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think, I began a time audit in February to explore the gap between how I thought I spent my time and how I actually do. The book emphasises that we all have the same 168 hours each week—it’s how we choose to use them that matters. It also challenges the myth of the time crunch, revealing how much time we often spend on low-impact activities without realising it. What followed for me was a series of gentle but powerful shifts that helped me take back a sense of agency in both my work and life.

Before You Begin: A Thought to Carry With You

Have you ever looked up at the end of the week and thought, "Where did all my time go?" I know I have. So I set out to track it—and what I found changed more than just my schedule.

I wasn’t as time-poor as I thought—I was underestimating how much time I actually had. Small changes (like walking my daughter to daycare and skipping the daily coffee run) freed up time and energy. I’m learning to rest with intention—not guilt—and recognise when leisure is fulfilling vs. just default. Time tracking helped me realign my days with my values: wellbeing, creativity, family, and focus. I now batch admin tasks, use Focus Mode, and aim for a work week that prioritises what matters most.

If that sounds like something you’ve been craving too, keep reading—I think you’ll find something useful here.

Read on for the personal reflections behind these insights—and how you can use the 168 Hours mindset to gently reclaim your time.

From Wishing for More Time to Owning It

For a long time, I’d find myself saying, "I just need more time." But once I tracked it, I realised—I already had enough. The problem wasn’t the number of hours, it was how I was spending them.

That awareness shifted everything. I began to notice where energy was being drained unnecessarily and where small tweaks could unlock big impact. One of the first changes I made? I stopped driving to daycare and buying coffee every morning. Instead, I now walk my daughter to daycare—saving time, money, and adding joyful movement to my morning.

I also recognised my personal core competencies: creative work, personal wellbeing, nurturing my family, and showing up for meaningful connection. The audit made me ask—Am I protecting enough time for these?

What Intentional Time Looks Like (for Me)

Starting with the Big Rocks. I’ve begun planning my work weeks using an ideal structure: roughly 50% creative or client work, 30% business development and marketing, 10% admin, and 10% connection. Structuring my week this way gives me clarity and direction. These categories reflect not just what I do, but what matters to me.

Creating Space Before the Day Starts. I’ve continued my early morning routine, not out of perfectionism, but because it helps me feel centred. That quiet window before the house wakes up is when I fill my cup—and I now protect it with intention, while also building in planned rest days when needed.

Focus Time, Protected. I now work in blocks with Focus Mode on—only two people can reach me, and everything else waits. This helps me stay present and finish what I start. I also make calls during breaks to avoid losing momentum. It’s not about being rigid—it’s about reducing friction and feeling more in control.

Doing More With Less. I’d love to outsource more (one day!), but for now, I batch admin where I can and spread home maintenance tasks across the week. We invested in a robot vacuum/mop—not flawless, but it’s one less thing on my plate.

Intentional Rest & Leisure. I’ve become more conscious of the difference between intentional rest and auto-pilot habits. I know a long afternoon on the couch can make me feel more tired—but sometimes, a binge-watching session with my husband is exactly what we need. The key is choice. If I’ve chosen it with intention, it’s a self-honouring form of rest, not avoidance.

From Awareness to Empowerment

The biggest shift? I now structure my time around the life I want to create—not just the tasks I need to complete. Through this process, I’ve become clearer on what I’m really working toward:

• Personal wellbeing — so I can move through life with clarity, presence, and energy

• More space, less rush — cultivating rhythms that support depth, not just speed

• Creative flow — carving out time to explore, express, and create with meaning

• Presence with loved ones — not just time with them, but time for them

• Sustainable work-life rhythm — where work energises rather than drains

• Living aligned with my values — making decisions that honour who I am and what matters most

• Freedom and choice — building a life where I can honour my values without being held back by time or money

This wasn’t about squeezing more in. It was about seeing more clearly.

When you look at your time with honesty and compassion, you start to reclaim it—not just to be more productive, but to feel more aligned. You don’t have to overhaul your whole life. One thoughtful change at a time can open up so much.