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13. The One Where Time Flies By
25 Plays1 month ago
As we hit the second half of August, are you feeling like the year is flying by at lightning speed? You’re not alone. Many of us are carrying that sense of overwhelm — wondering where our time and energy are really going.
In this solo episode, I’m diving into:
✨ How to bring more intention into your day-to-day life
✨ The “list of three” practice I use to feel grounded and focused
✨ Why micro-moments of presence matter more than we think
✨ Practical tools for reclaiming your time and energy (from timers to Do Not Disturb!)
✨ Why saying “no” or stepping back is actually a powerful form of self-care
✨ How tuning into your cycle can help you work with your body, not against it
This is a gentle reminder that your time and energy are precious. You get to choose where they go — and sometimes it starts with the smallest, simplest shifts.
So, if you’ve been feeling scattered, overwhelmed, or just like life’s rushing past, this episode will help you pause, reflect, and reset with intention.
🎧 Tune in now and let’s explore how to slow down time by focusing on what truly matters.
Have you heard the news? That's right, you can now find me over at my own website! Head to www.victoria-r.com.au :)
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Transcript
The Rush of Time and Energy Management
00:00:37
Victoria R
Hello everybody, welcome back to the Mindful Educator podcast and today i am going to be chatting about something that seems to be coming up in a lot of conversations ah and that is just our time, our energy, where we're putting our focus, especially as it is kind of getting towards the pointy end of the year and I can't believe that it's already past the halfway point of August as I'm recording this episode today. And I think a lot of people are kind of feeling that pressure, feeling a little bit um ah overwhelmed, perhaps, at just how fast time and the year seems to be going.
00:01:16
Victoria R
And so I just wanted to chat a little bit about this today because... Let's be honest, I don't know if it's just me as I'm getting older, but time does definitely seem to be going a heck of a lot quicker than when I was younger, when I was a child.
00:01:29
Victoria R
And the days and the months kind of fly by. And i know for a lot of us, it can just feel like we've, you know, we're spending all our focus and all our energy and attention on things that don't necessarily mean a whole of a lot to us. They're just kind of the basics to get us through things.
00:01:46
Victoria R
And then it's like, well, where's the rest of the time for for living and for doing what I want to do? sorry, that's just my little puppy. I think he's having puppy dreams. So let's have a bit of a think about this, because like I said, I've had a few conversations even just today um regarding, yeah, ah where we're spending our time and our energy during the day. And I think it's a good thing to really reflect on and kind of go, all right, am I am i setting my day up? Am I following through on my day the way I intended to?
00:02:20
Victoria R
Now, for us um personally, we've had a lot of sickness this year. We've kind of had the sort of view where everything that goes around, we seem to catch it.
00:02:32
Victoria R
Um, and I've realized that that's just one of those things. It's a bit of a pattern that happens for, um, some years you you get everything, some years you don't, and this is how you're forgetting everything. And what that's meant for me is that oftentimes I've had children at home myself.
Daily Focus and Time Management Techniques
00:02:48
Victoria R
I haven't been well, you know, whatever it might be. So things have kind of necessarily,
00:02:53
Victoria R
not going to plan. ah And it also means that some weeks have flown by because whether I've been unwell or whether the kids have been unwell, it just means that things have been a little bit different than what um I intend them to be at the start of the week.
00:03:08
Victoria R
But what I've been trying to do each day, just to kind of help myself know where my time and energy is going. It's just coming up with at least two or three focuses that I want for that day.
00:03:22
Victoria R
So it doesn't have to be anything big. It can just be a little something. it it Sometimes I even just put things down like taking your time to read. And it's just really a good way for me to just have my three focuses for the day. I try and aim for three because I think anything more than that and I just, that's not going to happen.
00:03:41
Victoria R
Do i get through them all every day? Not necessarily. Some days I don't and that's fine and I might move that on to the next day to complete or later on in the week. But it just means that at the end of the day, i've kind of feel like I've accomplished stuff because like i said, time seems to be going very fast and if we don't necessarily ah plan for things, then yeah, things seem to slip by us a little bit are quicker than we realised.
00:04:08
Victoria R
So yeah, I am doing a few different courses at the moment. So I'm taking that time to study or go through the modules. So I might have a set day of the week where I am planning on doing that.
00:04:20
Victoria R
And it's actually been really good because it means that I'm a lot more focused. I'm not necessarily wasting time, you know, scrolling on the phone or doing this or doing that. um Some days my in my list of three, it's things like putting the washing away, really, really simple things like that, that just kind of help focus me because I i can go off with the fairy sometimes, I'll be completely honest. um I don't have ADHD or anything like that, but I know that um plenty of others do. So that could be something that could help you as well.
00:04:53
Victoria R
um Even if you don't have that, just mum brain, mum brain is a lot. There's always a lot going on in our heads. so it just helps bring that focus back a little bit. So that is something that I've been doing um for the last couple months and it has been really helpful.
00:05:09
Victoria R
I know some people like to do things like weekly habits where they've got their things and they tick it off each day. i find that a little bit overwhelming. So that doesn't really work for me. The list of three works just fine for where I'm at at this point in time.
00:05:23
Victoria R
So it's just about being more intentional. with where I'm putting my time and my energy. And when I do have a deadline of some sort, another thing that I'm finding has been really good is just putting the do not disturb on my phone has been really great.
00:05:41
Victoria R
And I've also got this cool little timer. don't know where I put it at the moment. Oh, it is. So this is from Aussie Biz Chick. So this is a subscription box and I got it.
00:05:52
Victoria R
If you're watching the video, this is it here. And it's great because it's got um different intervals of time. So one, five, 10, 25, 30 or 60 minute intervals. And you set it for whichever one you want to focus on, you put it down and then that until the timer goes off, that's kind of where you focus your time and at energy to do that work. So that's been really good as well, because ah like I said, I can go off and follow the shiny object syndrome and be off with the ferry. So that helps keep me focused too.
00:06:21
Victoria R
um And another thing that I'm finding... really good is just intentionally slowing down and making sure every day that I am doing one thing for me, just one
Well-being and Personal Care
00:06:35
Victoria R
thing. It doesn't have to be anything major either. It can just be ah small something, whether it's, you know, sitting down to eat my lunch or having my lunch outside in the sunshine, which I'm quite enjoying when it's not been raining. That's been really nice.
00:06:48
Victoria R
And things like um going for a beach walk, I've been bringing that back into My weekly kind of routine, because I kind of let it go by the wayside and I was really missing it, I really do respond well to that nature and that grounding um type presence. So ah each day just choosing something small,
00:07:10
Victoria R
or bigger that you can do for yourself. And I do actually have the podcast episode that's coming out next week. you um I'm speaking to one of my lovely friends, Renee, and she's really good at doing things like this each day and each week. And we kind of delve into that a little bit. So i'm really looking forward to that episode coming out because Renee has kind of created that really good balance between her life and her business. And even she says that it's not always a balance. Sometimes it's a juggle, but she has made it work. And I really look up to her for how she has created that. So yes, that one's coming out next week. so make sure you're ready to tune into that.
00:07:48
Victoria R
um So anyway, going back to kind of my little things that I'm doing just to really focus in on the time and making sure that I'm being really intentional with where that's going.
00:08:02
Victoria R
So like I said, I've got my list of three that I do each day. I'm making sure I do something for myself each day, whether it be big or whether it be small, whatever I can fit into my schedule. And I think it's also really important that we just just take those little micro moments throughout the day as well.
00:08:21
Victoria R
i have been really, really concentrating a lot on um five to 10 minute meditations. um Obviously that's more than, that's more than a micro moment, but in regard to that as well, I've then been also just stopping hand on heart, hand on stomach and just doing three deep breaths, especially when I'm finding myself getting a little bit overwhelmed with all the stuff to do. um That's been a really good one.
00:08:50
Victoria R
And know this sounds might sound a little bit crazy, but if I feel myself getting a little bit overwhelmed as well, I'm actually just talking out loud to myself to reassure myself. So like, it's okay, Victoria, you've got this. We need to just do this and then that. And, you know, kind of having that conversation, almost like problem solving out loud.
00:09:06
Victoria R
And like said, some might be like, oh, that sounds a bit weird, but it actually does really work because by just voicing what's been concerning me or what's making me feel rushed or frantic or whatever it might be, by bringing it out,
00:09:19
Victoria R
kind of putting the problem out there and going, okay, well, actually this isn't that bad. I just need to do this, this or this. And it kind of helps calm my nervous system down. It means that I've kind of got some clear steps um to follow.
00:09:32
Victoria R
And it also means that for me, I i feel like, okay, I'm not then wasting all this time and energy on that. That really isn't and a big issue. i can easily solve that with myself in like a minute or two and then move on.
00:09:47
Victoria R
And it's as simple as that. So like i said, it's not necessarily a crazy, she's talking to herself type thing. It is actually a really good technique to use um when you do kind of need to work through something.
00:09:59
Victoria R
um Just like i said, voice it, bring it out loud, go through it.
Re-evaluating Commitments and Energy Allocation
00:10:03
Victoria R
Another thing I've been doing is actually really getting clear on where I am putting my time to each day, each week, um what I am saying yes to and what I am saying no to.
00:10:17
Victoria R
ah I have stepped back from a few commitments that I had um just because I were getting a little bit too much or um yeah, it's just not for where I'm at at this time. So I am on a few different committees, which I'm still happy to do. It just, how much energy I put into those depends on how much capacity I have to give myself. And at the moment I don't have a lot of capacity. So I've had to kind of step back a little bit and that's been okay.
00:10:43
Victoria R
um it's not an issue. No one has commented on Well, I don't think they have. um I'm still, you know, helping out where I can, but I'm not kind of going too over the top with it either. So that is something else that you might need to look at and consider.
00:11:00
Victoria R
Because at the end of the day, ah don't know if anyone else caught Taylor Swift podcast with her boyfriend. Oh my God. i i so loved listening to it and what she was saying, but she was talking about like her energy and, you know, not everyone deserves to have it. I was like, yes, preach.
00:11:21
Victoria R
It was so nice to hear someone that has such a big influence talk about something like that, because how often... do we just give our energy and our power away without um fully thinking about it? So I was so glad that she kind of brought that up and spoke about it. I'm trying to find the quote now.
00:11:38
Victoria R
um The way she said it, it was just, it was so good. I did share it to my stories as well. So let me quickly find that um because it just made such perfect sense. It summed it up really well. Here we go.
00:11:52
Victoria R
So she said, think of your energy as if it's expensive, um as if it's like a luxury item and not everyone can afford it. Loved it. Because it is so true. Like, how often do we put our time and our energy into things that may not be reciprocated or may not be appreciated.
00:12:09
Victoria R
So this is where it is okay to put those boundaries in place. It is okay to say no to things. It is okay to step back from things. um And you have every right do that.
00:12:21
Victoria R
And so in terms of time and how quickly things are flying by and how people are finding and that quite frantic, well, maybe reevaluate where you are putting that time and that energy into things.
00:12:34
Victoria R
And kind of going back to your values with that as well, like what is really important to you? So if your family is what's really important to you, well, are you putting your time and your energy into your family?
00:12:45
Victoria R
If not, then what do you need to adjust so that you can start putting that time and that energy into them?
Prioritizing Family and Personal Balance
00:12:54
Victoria R
And so For me, my family is a big, big value of mine. Like that's probably my top um value is having my family.
00:13:04
Victoria R
And I know for us, just creating those moments every day where we can um find some way to connect. And obviously we did have the chance to go to Bali a few weeks ago and that was just really nice to have that week where it was just us.
00:13:22
Victoria R
We had the time together. it was it was just It was really good. It was a really good reset that we all needed. And I want that to be happening every day in some way. so making sure I do create that time in my day for my children and for my husband and for us as a family unit.
00:13:42
Victoria R
And that is what is important to me. So that's not necessarily going to be the case for everyone. But in terms of what I value and what I cherish, that's where it comes into play. And so making sure that the time that I'm spending during the day is intentional towards having time with them at the end of the day, because, you know, they're at school for six hours and then To be fair, like the only times that we kind of do get together is in the afternoons and the evenings. That's a time that we really do have with them. So I want to make sure that my time and my focus is with them when we do have that.
00:14:15
Victoria R
And so again, it's coming back to those little things that we're doing throughout the day. So those micro moments, making sure I've got my, you know, top three tasks or priorities that I'm doing um and making you sure that I'm also just...
00:14:30
Victoria R
slowing down a little, which you're probably like, well, Victoria, how are we doing that when time's going so quickly? But by doing those things, it actually does help slow it down. And I'm not, i I used to be really afraid of doing this. I used to be really afraid of canceling appointments or changing things or whatever. I'm not now.
00:14:49
Victoria R
If I need to um cancel an appointment or reschedule it, I will. And I don't have any qualms about doing that anymore because sometimes I still do it. I overbook myself without realizing. And then feel it in my body. Like I feel really anxious. I feel really like on edge and it's because there's too much on.
00:15:08
Victoria R
And so for me, I'm like, right, what can I rearrange to make it work better for me? So I'm not having to go like boom, boom, boom, boom from appointment to appointment or whatever it might be. And that's actually been um a really good boundary that I have started enforcing and setting and um respecting a lot more within myself because it means that I am allowing myself that space to rest.
00:15:30
Victoria R
And it means that I am allowing my nervous system that opportunity just to chill a little bit. And It's working for me. and it was actually really funny because I know um I had an appointment with my naturopath who you guys, if you've listened to the podcast, you would have heard me chatting to Sarah.
00:15:48
Victoria R
And it was quite funny because for someone looking at like on the outside looking in, it probably seems like um my life might be quite hectic or quite busy, but it's actually nowhere near what it used to be.
00:16:02
Victoria R
And Sarah actually said to me, she's like, I think for you, your your nervous system can't do complete rest. Like I kind of thrive on that. um I need a little bit more sort of thing.
00:16:14
Victoria R
you know, having stuff to do is what kind of lights me up and I need to have like a purpose and something to work towards, but not to the point where I'm going to burn out again. But she's like, it's quite interesting in that, you know, that's kind of what you thrive on, whereas other people wouldn't thrive on that. So I think it's also finding that happy balance and that happy medium for you. yeah,
00:16:33
Victoria R
How do you thrive? How does it work well for you? Do you thrive with having a completely full, busy schedule? is your does that Does that make you happy? Does that make your nervous system feel regulated? I don't know. Like that's only something that you can answer. um Or do you need it really slow, really minimal?
00:16:52
Victoria R
Or you like me and you're kind of somewhere in between there? So I think working out what What feels good for you is also a really good way to work out whether you're utilising your time properly as well.
00:17:05
Victoria R
So I'm hoping this all makes sense. I've kind of gone off on a bit of a tangent and then back again. But, you know, that's just the way it goes. um But i like I said, I think making sure that we're we're spending that time how we want to be spending it, that ultimately is what we're but wanting to do.
00:17:24
Victoria R
So what are we now? We're in August. So we got october november december we've got four months left of the year. and Okay. Over halfway. So my mission for you. Okay. Firstly, find what's going to work for you each day so that you're not necessarily wasting time so that you have a focus.
00:17:46
Victoria R
So like I said, I've got my list of three, my task of three things that I try and get through. What would work for you? Would something like that work for you? Would having just one one focus work for you?
00:17:57
Victoria R
What would it be? So have a bit of a think about that. I also want you to think about how you value your time. So what do you value the most and where do you want to be spending the time that you have?
00:18:11
Victoria R
And then put steps in to make that happen. So if your value is you love your friends, want to spend more time with your friends, how's that going to work? If yours is the same as mine and with the family, how's that gonna work?
00:18:25
Victoria R
All right, if you really value travel and being away from home, how are you gonna make that work? All right, so whatever it is that you value, how are you going to make it work in terms of the time and the energy and the capacity that you have for the remainder of the year?
00:18:42
Victoria R
I also want you to think about bringing in micro moments during your day. Just that one to two minutes or less where you can just stop, and regulate and then keep going.
Mindfulness, Gratitude, and Intentional Living
00:18:55
Victoria R
Okay.
00:18:56
Victoria R
um And another one I'm going to bring in, which I haven't spoken about this episode, but I have brought it up before is the gratitude. Okay. So each day focusing on what you are grateful for, and this can be done in a very simple way. You can literally go, oh I'm grateful for this today. All right.
00:19:12
Victoria R
Again, you could list three to five things that you're grateful for. You might have a running list in your phone, or you might want a journal. at the end of each day and say, this is what I did. This is what I'm grateful for. right.
00:19:24
Victoria R
finding ways to make it work for you and to really enjoy the time that we have and making sure that it's what you need.
00:19:35
Victoria R
Now, as um most of you are probably women that may be listening, I'm not saying that all of you are, but another thing to consider is also your cycle as well. so how Can you bring your cycle into it? Now, there are going to be some days and weeks of the month where you're going to need less. You won't have the capacity to be able to do as much.
00:19:58
Victoria R
And if you have a regular cycle and you're able to account for that, take that, in like schedule that into your diary, maybe make it so that if, you know, you know that your period is coming and you know that you're not going to be very, um have much capacity in those first couple of days,
00:20:15
Victoria R
then really highlight that in your diary and make sure that those days are a lot lighter in terms of what you're doing. Make sure you've scheduled in some type of rest. um Really kind of honour what your body needs during that time.
00:20:29
Victoria R
And alternatively, those times of the month when you know you're going to have more energy, that's when you can definitely schedule in more or those heavier or I suppose more, what's the word?
00:20:43
Victoria R
I suppose the tasks that require a lot more brain power as well during that time. So definitely use your cycle and use it to work with you, okay, instead of working against you, all right?
00:20:55
Victoria R
Like I said, you will know if you know your body and you know your cycle, schedule accordingly because... during those um first few days, you're not going to want to do much. You're, you know, depending on how heavy your cycle is as well, you might just want to be curling up in bed and that is okay. And if you can make that work, make it work, make it lighter somehow, whatever is going to work for you. And I think this is often a piece that we, as women, we, we kind of forget.
00:21:22
Victoria R
um We forget that there are going to be days of the month where we do not have capacity to do much at all. And we need to honour that. And it's okay. It's okay. I'm giving you the permission slip to do less during that time, right? Because sometimes all we need is that permission slip.
00:21:41
Victoria R
we've got four months left of the year. Let's see if we can start putting a few of these things in place just to kind of help us as it's getting towards that pointy end. Because what I know when it comes um time to Christmas, there's always so much happening.
00:21:55
Victoria R
um So let's start putting some of these things in place now, putting some of those boundaries in. If there's things that you can step back from, step back from them. If there's things that you can take on more of, do so, but just do what feels right for you in that time.
00:22:09
Victoria R
And if you do have to reschedule or you do have to cancel, that is okay as well. All right. Again, here is a permission slip to do that. I'm not saying, you know, don't rock up to work or things like that.
00:22:22
Victoria R
Don't, know, take it too far. But when, if there's something that can be jiggled around and moved and um rescheduled, then do it. Okay. So like I said, four months left of the year. Let's see how we go. If you've got any other suggestions, please let me know. I'm always keen to um have a conversation about these types of things but yes let's enjoy the time that we have make it intentional and I will speak to you guys next week um next week I'll be chatting to Renee so keep an ear out for that podcast all right everyone I will speak to you soon