Nutrition by Dawn - Blog

You’ve heard the phrase, “If it’s not on my calendar, it doesn’t exist,” right?

Well, I’m here to tell you, it’s not a joke. It’s a system. And it’s the system that allows me to balance being a corporate professional, a wellness strategist, an engaged mom, a travel lover, and an active human who just doesn’t want to burn out.

Let’s talk about calendaring and why it’s so much more than just a schedule.

Start With What Brings You Joy

When I sit down to plan my year, I don’t start with work. I start with what lights me up.

Family vacations. Non-negotiable time in Vermont. A week and a half in Portugal and Spain. A girls’ weekend. A solo adventure in Italy. These aren’t afterthoughts; they are the foundation.

Because what’s the point of designing a life you don’t actually get to enjoy?

Build the Life First, Then Layer the Business

After I plug in the joyful stuff, I add the essentials, the workshops, conferences, and events that support my business growth and help me serve clients better.

This year that includes:

• A planning workshop in January
   

• Donald Miller’s StoryBrand messaging intensive in April
   

• A conference in early October
   

And of course, I schedule in my client calls, my Facebook Lives, and all the other ways I show up and support others.

But I leave space, too, for the spontaneous things, the creative days, the slow mornings. Because a rigid calendar isn’t a joyful one. It’s just another cage.

Don't Forget the Basics

Hair appointments, doctor check-ups, nail days, solo walks, everything important to you, they go on the calendar.

Are they flexible? Sure. But if they’re not written down, they’re not happening. Period.

Why This Works

Calendaring isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being intentional. It's the system that allows flexibility without chaos, structure without burnout, and consistency without losing your joy.

So — what do you want your year to feel like? Start there. Put those plans on your calendar first.

And then build the rest around that.