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Hey Reader,

Have you ever bought a new planner hoping it would fix everything?

I have. More than once.

Every August, when the back-to-school sales hit and everyone starts talking about “fresh starts” and “new routines,” I used to get swept up in it. I’d spend hours looking at time-blocking templates and productivity systems, convinced that this time I’d finally keep up.

But no matter how carefully I planned, I always ended up in the same cycle:
Overcommitted. Behind. Exhausted.

And I started to wonder… maybe the problem wasn’t me.
Maybe it was the kind of routine I was trying to follow.

Because most planning advice assumes a body that doesn’t crash by noon.
That doesn’t need a two-hour recovery from a simple errand.
That doesn’t change every single day.

Sound familiar?

That’s exactly what I’m talking about in this week’s post:
​“No, You Don’t Just Need a Better Planner—Why Chronic Illness Demands a Different Kind of Structure.”
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In it, I’m sharing what finally helped me stop measuring my days by hours and start planning around something more honest: my energy.

Here’s a quick peek at what’s inside:

• Why time-blocking usually backfires when your health is unpredictable
• How I shifted from rigid routines to energy-based planning
• What I track (and what I’ve let go of completely)
• How I use my planner now—on my own terms

This post isn’t about giving up on routines—it’s about reclaiming them.
About learning what works when “normal” doesn’t apply to you.

Because you deserve a way of planning that reflects your reality—not someone else’s idea of productivity.

And no, you don’t need to wait until Monday, the first of the month, or the next “reset” season to start.

This shift can happen today—one small decision at a time.

​Read the full post here.​

I hope it helps you feel a little less behind—and a lot more at home in your routine.

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Take care,

​ April Smith | Chronic Illness Adaptability Guide ​Owner & Founder of The Thriving Spoonie​ ​Email | Bluesky | Pinterest​ ​ Take control of your energy and routine—grab The Complete Guide to Daily Chronic Illness Management and start thriving today.

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