5 Do’s and Don’ts of Time Blocking if you’re Neurodivergent or Chronically Ill

Are you struggling to manage your time effectively due to chronic illness or neurodivergence? In this video, we explore time blocking—a powerful productivity technique that can transform your daily routine. Whether you’re dealing with executive dysfunction, invisible disabilities, or chronic fatigue, these time blocking tips will help you reclaim control over your schedule.

🕒 **Time Blocking Method Explained:** Discover how to divide your day into focused blocks of time, dedicating each block to specific tasks or activities. From checking emails to working on projects, learn how to structure your day efficiently.

🌟 **Tips for Neurodivergent and Chronically Ill Individuals:** Tailor time blocking to your unique needs. Whether you’re managing chronic illness symptoms or navigating executive dysfunction, we’ve got strategies to help you thrive.

🚫 **Avoiding Common Pitfalls:** Learn the do’s and don’ts of time blocking.

Join me as I dive into the world of time blocking, empowering you to create a more intentional, balanced life. Hit that subscribe button and let’s master time management together! ⏰🌈

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[megcampbell-crawley]

Thank you Cassie for sharing these great guidelines!❤

[suzisaintjames]

One thing you didn't make crystal clear was: just because there are 24 hours in a day and yes, appointments and events are tied to the clock, but most of what we do is not. Time scheduling is different from time blocking. Scheduling is tying the event to a certain hour on the clock. Time blocking is figuring out how many hours or fractions of an hour that you have available and then filling that block with a task or self nurture. (I don't like the term time boxing because it sounds too ridged for us. We need to stay more flexible and work outside the box. 😉

So the first step in time blocking for us is: knowing how long (time wise/on average) we can be physical or cognitive. Once we determine how long we can comfortably do a task... that's how big our block can be. Setting up 2 hour blocks isn't reasonable when I know I can only be on my feet for 1 hour on an average day.

The other thing (like you said) if it's a bad day and I can only stand for 15 minutes, give myself grace and sit down & enjoy a short break. Then get back at it for another 15 minutes. (For me, cognitive breaks don't allow my muscles to stop spasming. Although, online shopping in my easy chair does work. Go figure?)

Because these tasks are not tied to any particular time, if I'm in spasm at 10am, no problem. The task block can wait and be moved until later... Giving myself permission to stay flexible allows my body to relax so I can do my standing job.

So on my daily page, I list my morning routine, my appointments/events and my task blocks in pencil... Knowing everything is fluid and can easily moved. (Digital gives me more "permission" to move things around, but I tend to look at a paper planner more often than digital. You do you. I know Cassie used a whiteboard at one time, so sometimes it's gotta be huge and in your face. 💖🌞🌵😷

[tfordxo]

This is all SO helpful! I learn so much from your channel! Something I would love to hear you talk more about (because I need help with it 😅) is how to navigate the need to time block / hold space in your calendar far in advance (like weeks) because you work in an environment where people will add meetings to open spaces in your calendar.

[samm]

You're amazing, Cassie! Thank you very much for your work, lessons and insight!

[suzisaintjames]

I knew about physical and cognitive gas tanks, but had forgotten about emotional. I was down a couple of days this week and didn't relate it to an event that probably effected me emotionally more than I think. So I need to remember to scan and rejuvenate my emotional gas tank more. 💖🌞🌵😷

[geneg]

I love the day to day time blocking approach and yes you have different capacities day to day depending on your tanks. I need to remember that. Thankyou

[Alvin]

thanks, excelent tips, saludos desde Uruguay

[softcat]

Great video! Love your bit about self compassion. Told my ot and physio about your channel :)

[sgr_sgr]

Gas tanks! This advice is so appropriate to what I need at the moment. I feel hopeful to have a process to follow that takes into consideration my Spoonie needs whilst enabling me to complete various tasks. So good! I’m also going to check out some of the other videos you linked to because they look extremely helpful too. Take care! 🐢

[jaspershift]

Love this video! And the SpongeBob meme with the long list was so relatable! 😂 Using the gas tanks to plan my day or even to assess what I need to do next has been very helpful. I haven’t yet mastered time blocking, but I really like the idea to plan in rest with the tasks.

[suzisaintjames]

I'm going to have to replay this over and over again because I agreed with you the first time through, but changing my thinking to time block events/appointments, first, and myself (meals, breaks, fun and naps) second, is going to take some getting getting used to, in this produce then rest society. 💖🌞🌵😷

[suzisaintjames]

Thank you for putting into words what I knew was right but conflicted the way I was raised: do your work then you can rest. 💖🌞🌵😷

[suzisaintjames]

Here's a topic I bet a lot of people struggle with: is it worth it to get a support animal. Yes, they can fill your emotional tank, which can fill your other tanks, but pets are a drain on the physical. And can be an emotional drain if they get sick or worse.

Yes, you don't have to walk a cat but sunlight is good for you. With cats, there's dealing with a litter box and fish need a water change from time to time.

But a pet will get you out of bed each day. And will take your mind off of yourself. Distraction is good up until it becomes avoidance.

So I bought a plant (an orchid). I check it every morning. Does it need water? Is it growing a new root or a flower spike? Right now it makes me smile (rejuvenates me). But when it's leaf turned yellow and dropped, I was concerned (not so rejuvenating). When the blooms were tired (after 9 weeks of beauty) and dropped, I was sad. But I turned it around to hope of a new spike of blooms. Is it worth it, or should I spending my gas tanks on something more productive?

All this in the journey of accepting and adjusting to the new me (slowly recovering from chronic disease). 💖🌞🌵😷