Spoiler: I don’t.

I’m writing this on a lunch break from work, while answering emails, working on a group project for grad school, and apologizing to friends for missing yet another happy hour.

But I did it, the little voice inside my head whispers. I’m a debut author, a successful (insert day job role here) and a B+ (nobody’s perfect, right?) grad student.

I was also a volunteer, a Student Council Board Member, and an intern, up until this month, when I realized there was simply too much on my plate.

So, I’ve scaled back but it’s certainly still a lot. There are sacrifices made (I haven’t seen a movie since Rouge One premiered, haven’t watched an episode of TV in over a year, I see most friends about once  a month…) but I’m proud of myself at the same time.

Forward progress is progress, no matter how tired you are!

In the interest of honesty, here’s my daily schedule! Feel free to share yours in the comments.

Here’s an example of my usual day

• 6: wake up. Yoga/coffee
• 6:30-7:30: write some words for the new book
• 7:30-745: get ready for day job. Wonder why I have no matching socks. Order socks from Amazon
• 8am: dash out the door, catch the train.
• Train ride: edit what I’ve written
• 8:30-lunch time: day job!
• Lunchtime is for emails/blog posts/post office runs. Yes, I know I can mail online. Yes, that doesn’t allow me to do book rate
• After lunch, it’s back to work. Then, train ride home is for more emails.
• 6pm: exercise time or laundry or other household tasks.
• 7-8 is for marketing promo
• 8-10: schoolwork! (luckily its an online class)
• 10-11:30 answering any leftover emails
• 11:30: preparing lunch for the next day, household tasks, shower
• 1am: bed

So, there you have it! On the weekends, there’s more writing and school, as well as any tasks like haircuts, and MAYBE if I’m lucky some socializing.

This schedule is also why one sick day can throw me off for over a week.

Hopefully, I’m not doing this schedule forever, (I mean, I’ll graduate. Someday. Maybe) but for now, it’s what works.

And if you’re my friend and you haven’t seen me, this is why. I’m sorry.