Life is starting to get busy. I have something going on every single weekday (and at least one thing most weekends) for the next around eight weeks. It’s a lot, and it feels like a lot.

I read my post about My Worst Semester the other day. I remember what that felt like, and what that looked like. It was awful. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.

So now with life getting busy again, I’m working to keep my stress under control. I’m in a better state of mind than I was then. I have more tools to help me, and I have a bigger support system that I am working on relying on.

One main tool that I am working on utilizing is my scheduling ability. I’ve talked before about how fond I am of to-do lists. They definitely work to keep me organized, and I can see right away what needs to be done. It does well when I know I can cross things off my list. If the tasks are done, then I can reduce my stress.

This time around, I created a schedule for myself. I still have my to-do lists. I still have things that I’m checking off each day. But by creating a schedule for myself, I know where I am each day and what’s expected of me.

Even though my weeks basically look the same, having the schedule continues to give me an idea of where I need to be and what I need to do. I have struggled a lot with motivation recently. I just don’t want to do anything or be anywhere. Again, things are a lot. So this schedule keeps me accountable. If I know where I’m supposed to be, then great! It almost works as artificial motivation. I know what to do and what I need to get done.

And sometimes, my schedule is going to get changed. That’s okay! I still have that time blocked out. If it doesn’t go as planned, then yay! Free time! To me, it’s better to have surprise free time than it is to forget something important. Last night, I was the only person in the place I needed to be. Everyone else either left early, chose not to come, or forgot. As a result, the event ended a little early, and I received a lot of help and support that I needed.

In addition, the schedule (especially having a printed one) gives me something tangible to be able to easily see what time has passed. Unlike that semester, I know this is temporary, and I know what that end goal looks like. I’m using a number of skills that I’ve learned to be able to do these kinds of things.

I can handle this. There might be bad days, and things may go wrong. But I’ve been in worse, and I’ve been through worse. I got this.

And so do you. Whatever you’re in, whether it’s a time of a lot of things all at once (like my life), things have just slowed down, or you feel like you have a handle on life, you still got this. You’re capable of so many amazing things. And if you think you’re not, try making a schedule. Then you can truly see how amazing you are because you know you can handle each day as it comes to you!