Is Life Actually Too Busy, Or Just Full?

Thought For The Week

We all have the same 24 hours in a day, but how we use them reveals what we truly value. It’s easy to say “I don’t have time,” but more often, what we really mean is “It’s not a priority right now.” That shift in mindset is powerful. It puts the responsibility back in our hands — not to feel guilty, but to recognise that we do have a choice. Your schedule isn’t something that just happens to you. It’s shaped by a series of decisions that reflect what you’ve been prioritising. Every commitment you’ve made, every task you’ve said yes to, comes at the cost of something else. That doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong — it just means it’s worth checking in. Does the way you’re spending your time still reflect what matters most to you? Or is it time for a reshuffle?

Exercise Tip

“I don’t have time for exercise” is one of the most common things people say when training drops off. But more often than not, it’s not really about time. It’s about where exercise sits on your priority list. That doesn’t mean you need to be in the gym five days a week. It means getting clear on what’s realistic for your life right now, and then choosing to make space for it. Short sessions add up — choosing a walk, a stretch, or 20 minutes of movement is a way of saying: 'This matters to me.” Your calendar won’t always be convenient. You won’t always feel motivated. But when you decide that looking after your body is non-negotiable, you start building your week around it, rather than waiting for the perfect moment that may never come.

Try this: Start small, but treat it like it matters: Begin with just one or two sessions a week (or whatever feels manageable) but schedule them in and treat them as non-negotiable. Consistency builds momentum, and showing up is what counts most.

Nutrition Tip

“I don’t have time to grocery shop,” or “Cooking from scratch takes too long” are common reasons we turn to takeout or convenience foods. And let’s be honest, after a long day, with decision fatigue and tiredness, it’s completely understandable that you might not want to spend hours thinking about what to cook — and then actually making it. But it’s worth asking yourself honestly: what’s really getting in the way? Is it truly a lack of time? Or could it be that nutrition isn’t a priority right now? Sometimes, it’s easier to make excuses and blame a busy schedule than to face the choices behind those excuses. If prioritising your nutrition is important to you, something in your day might need to shift. Dedicating a little time on less busy days to plan and prepare ahead by batch cooking meals or keeping pre-prepped vegetables on hand can make healthy choices easier during hectic weekdays. Eating well isn’t about perfection or complicated diets. It’s about realistic, practical steps that fit your life and priorities. Small changes in planning can free up time and reduce stress, helping you nourish your body consistently, even when life gets busy.

Try this: Keep your kitchen stocked with healthy staples like frozen vegetables, canned beans, and pre-washed salads, and batch cook basics like rice, quinoa, or roasted veggies to mix and match throughout the week.

Links & Resources

Quick carbs: Stock your cupboards with these delicious, nutritious read-to-eat grains from Merchant Gourmet.

Frozen curry pastes: These curry pastes from Ice Kitchen are great to have in the freezer. Just add veg, protein and some rice or grains and you’re good to go. Alternatively, try batch cooking your own. 

Quick breakfast: For a make-ahead breakfast that’s perfect for early mornings, try my recipe for orange and cranberry bircher muesli.

Inspirational Quote

“Don’t say you don’t have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein.”

H. Jackson Brown Jr.