Planning Without Guilt with Mallory [Episode 410]

I've been making a few changes to how I use my phone, and it's made a bigger difference than I expected. This week, I'm sharing the simple boundaries I've put in place, what I've learned about my need for quiet, and how spending less time on my phone has helped me enjoy my days more.

Not sure what to do with the monthly calendar in your planner? In this episode, Jessica shares what's changing in the 2027 Thriving in Motherhood Planner and walks through practical ways to make your monthly calendar work for you—from tracking progress and noticing patterns to documenting daily highlights and taking small steps toward your goals. The goal isn't to use every page perfectly. It's to use the tools that support the life you're actually trying to create.

Feeling overwhelmed by everything you need to do, but not sure where to start? In this episode, Jessica sits down with Mallory, a working mom of three, to walk through how to take everything swirling around in your head and turn it into a plan that actually feels manageable. They talk about prioritizing what matters right now, finding a safe place for everything else, letting go of perfection, and using your planner to support your real life, not add more to your plate.

What do you want your family life to actually feel like? In this episode, Jessica sits down with Laura, a mom of three, to talk about using the Thriving in Motherhood Planner to move beyond simply managing everyday life and start intentionally creating a family culture. Laura shares how she uses the planner to collect ideas for traditions, plan meaningful experiences, keep her brain from holding onto everything, and slowly work toward bigger goals—even when they take years to come together. They also talk about making space for personal goals and interests in motherhood, letting go of ideas that no longer fit, and figuring out what your family genuinely enjoys instead of trying to do everything.  One of the biggest takeaways? You don't have to do every project you plan. Your vision isn't about accomplishing everything. It's about having enough clarity to know where you want to spend your time and energy. If you're in a season where you're ready to move beyond just getting through the days and start exploring what brings you and your family joy, this conversation will give you plenty of practical ideas and encouragement.

Jessica sits down with Lili for a real-life planner coaching session to look at what's working, where she's feeling stuck, and how to make the planner better support the season she's actually in. They talk about creating a simple vision, using the Big Three to understand where your time and energy are going, what to do with tasks that keep getting moved from week to week, and how identifying the next action can make an overwhelming task feel doable. They also explore how planning can help you make intentional choices without feeling guilty when your priorities change. If you've ever wondered whether you're using your planner "right," this conversation is a reminder that the goal isn't to fit your life into your planner, it's to use your planner to support your life.

Guest Jessica Morgan shares how years of small, intentional changes have shaped the way she approaches motherhood and prepared her for an unexpected season of welcoming surprise twins. She and Jessica talk about letting go of control, finding joy even when life feels chaotic, giving yourself more compassion, and recognizing how tiny steps over time can lead to meaningful growth. Ready to bring more intention and clarity to your own season of motherhood? Get your Thriving in Motherhood Planner at the link below. https://thrivinginmotherhoodpodcast.com/planner-priority-list/

Motherhood doesn't always fit into an hour-by-hour schedule. In this conversation, Hannah shares how the Thriving in Motherhood Planner has given her structure and an anchor through newborn days, survival seasons, home projects, and everyday life.  She shares how she's learned to use the planner imperfectly, take small steps when she only has pockets of time, and recognize just how much she's actually doing and experiencing. Want a planner that's there to serve you in whatever season you're in? Get your own Thriving in Motherhood Planner here. 

If you have things you want to do but can't seem to find the time, energy, or attention to actually get to them, this episode is for you. I'm walking you through the five phases of planning that have helped me get all of those thoughts out of my head, figure out what matters right now, and keep making progress even as life and motherhood change. We'll talk about reality checking, managing what has to happen, creating a vision for what you actually want, building momentum, and ultimately getting to a place where your time and energy are going toward the things that matter most to you. These five phases are all built into the Thriving in Motherhood Planner, but you can take these ideas and use them with whatever planning system already works for you. And if you want to use the planner with me in 2027, join the waitlist below so you don't miss the launch or the chance to order a coil-bound planner! https://thrivinginmotherhoodpodcast.com/planner-priority-list/

September can feel a little like a second January. A fresh start, a new school year, and a chance to look at where you are and where you want to go. In this episode, I'm talking about how to revisit your vision for the year, get clear on what still matters to you, and make the most of the next few months. I'm also sharing something I've been learning about the middle, that long stretch after the excitement of starting has worn off but before you've reached the finish line. If your motivation has faded or you've stalled on something that once felt exciting, it doesn't necessarily mean you're on the wrong track. You might just be in the middle. Wherever you are right now, you're not behind. There is still plenty of time to make meaningful progress, have new experiences, and intentionally shape the rest of your year. Plus, I'm sharing details about our upcoming live 12-week walk-through of the Surviving to Thriving Toolkit, where we'll work together on creating systems and rhythms that support you and your family.

For years, I thought I needed better systems to make motherhood and life work. Better cleaning routines, more organization, less clutter, better habits. And while I love a good system, looking back over 13 years of motherhood, I can see that systems weren't actually the thing that helped me move forward. What made the biggest difference was learning how to clear the mental clutter, find a home for all the ideas in my head, and get clear on what mattered to me and what my next step was. In this episode, I'm sharing how that process eventually became the Thriving in Motherhood Planner and how it has helped me continue moving forward through busy seasons, survival mode, homeschooling, building a business, family adventures, and everyday life. I'm also introducing the Action + Clarity Matrix and the four places we can find ourselves as moms: bored, busy but not fulfilled, bummed or frustrated, or aligned Plus, the 2027 Thriving in Motherhood Planner launch is coming soon! Join the waitlist to be notified about the pre-launch and coil-bound planner option.  https://thrivinginmotherhoodpodcast.com/planner-priority-list/