Organized AF (Made Simple): The Systems + Energy Flow That Keep Me Productive

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If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to fit your business into someone else’s productivity mold—this post is for you. I’ve had so many of you ask how I “do it all” while staying organized, running a business, raising kids, and not totally burning out.

So I’m pulling back the curtain. I’m walking you through exactly how I keep The Creative Bodega running (and still have a life) using energy-led planning, really simple systems, and a rhythm that works for my brain. No complicated apps. No hustling every day. Just what’s actually working for me.

Energy-Led Planning (a.k.a. Why I Don’t Time Block)

Let’s get one thing clear: I do not run my life with color-coded time blocks. I tried. I even hired a coach. It just didn’t work for me.

What does work? Energy-led planning. That means I tune into my energy and schedule accordingly. I track my cycle so I know when I’m super creative and when I need to rest. My best hours are from 8:30am to 2pm, after my kids are off to school and before the afternoon slump hits.

I also do a quick weekly check-in on Sundays. I look at my Google Calendar (which, btw, I color-code and use emojis in) and see what’s ahead. I’ll shift things if the week feels too heavy. And I protect Mondays and Fridays—no calls, no meetings. Mondays are my reset, and Fridays are flexible.

🔗 Want to dive into how I plan around my cycle? I’ve got an episode/blog post on that here!

The Systems That Keep Me Sane (No Fancy Tools Here)

If you follow me, you know I love a good system. And here’s the thing—I keep them super simple.

I use:

• Google Drive (with just six folders—each one starts with an emoji)

• Google Calendar (color-coded, emoji-enhanced, and easy to read)

• A $5 notebook (for my top three daily tasks—seriously)

That’s it. No Notion. No Asana. I’ve tried them all. They don’t stick.

Shoutout to my friend Dani from Time is Honey for the emoji + color tip. Learn about Dani's Google Calendar tricks here! Find her on Instagram or check out her website. She’s the queen of visual organization!

Loose Batching That Still Works

I used to batch content the traditional way, but it doesn’t work for me anymore. Now I follow my energy and flow.

• I brainstorm when I feel chatty or creative

• I design content in Canva or Later

• I don’t write captions the same day—I save that for another time

• I post 3–4 times a week, not daily

This system feels light and doable—and I’m still consistent.

🔗 Here’s the episode/blog post where I talk about why I ditched strict batching

Boundaries Are My Secret Weapon

You want to know why I haven’t hit burnout yet? Boundaries.

Here’s what I don’t do:

• I don’t answer DMs or emails 24/7

• I don’t work weekends

• I don’t have app notifications on my phone

• I don’t bring my phone to bed (unless my kids need their shower music 😅)

Here’s what I do:

• I intentionally work only during school hours

• I schedule no calls on Mondays or Fridays

• I give myself full permission to log off

These boundaries protect my energy, my family time, and my creativity.

My Weekly Rhythm + Daily “Top 3” Focus

I don’t time block, but I do give each weekday a theme—kind of like a loose focus:

• Monday → Newsletter + batch content

• Tuesday → Membership (The Coven)

• Wednesday → Courses, offers, or admin stuff

• Thursday → Podcast prep + next week’s newsletter

• Friday → Optional inspired work or personal time

Every morning, I write the date and my top 3 priorities in my notebook. That’s it. Just three. If something doesn’t get done, it rolls to the next day. Easy.

Mistakes I’ve Made (So You Don’t Have To)

Mistake #1: Thinking I needed a fancy tech stack.
➡️ You don’t. You need clarity—not complexity.

Mistake #2: Feeling like a failure if I went off schedule.
➡️ It’s just feedback. Your system might need a shift.

Mistake #3: Hustling through low-energy phases.
➡️ The result? Meh content and frustration.

Instead, I now ask myself:

• What would make this feel easier?

• How can I adjust this to fit how I’m actually feeling?

• Is this really urgent—or can it wait?

The Toolkit That Actually Works for Me

Here’s the truth: My systems aren’t flashy. But they’re repeatable, doable, and feel good.

I keep everything in Google Drive. I check in with myself weekly. I use one small notebook. And I don’t chase every shiny trend or platform.

If you’re drowning in content chaos, I want you to know: You don’t need more hustle. You need a rhythm that supports the life you’re living.

Let’s Build Your Personalized System

✨ If this resonated with you, I’d love for you to:

• Listen to The Creative Bodega on Apple or Spotify

• Join me inside The Coven where we simplify systems, collaborate, and build sustainable businesses together

And hey—if you loved this, share it with a biz bestie. You’re not behind. You just need a system that fits your life.

Resources mentioned inside the episode:

📌 My fav not-fancy-go-to notebook
📌 Learn about Dani's Google Calendar tricks here! Find her on Instagram or check out her website. She’s the queen of visual organization!
📌 [Why I Don’t Batch Anymore Episode]
📌 [Cycle Syncing & Content Creation Episode]