The Imperfect Toolbox
If you read my first post, you’ll know I started Imperfectly Planned because none of the productivity tools I tried actually worked for me. They were either overly complicated, time-consuming, or just… aspirational to the point of feeling fake.
I’d use something for a week or two, then drop it. Honestly, don’t get me wrong, sometimes I love the aesthetic, the stickers, the color-coded everything—it’s fun and a little bit magical. But other times? I need something real. Something simple. Something that doesn’t feel like it’s shaming me for not checking every box.
I fell into this rut where I was constantly planning—but not actually doing anything. I’d rewrite the same goals, reorganize the same list, and feel stuck under the weight of all of it. It started to feel like I was planning just to feel productive, not actually moving forward on anything. And eventually, that guilt turned into avoidance. It was paralyzing.
One night, I was venting to my husband (shout out to the medically trained voice of reason in our house), and he suggested I think of all the planning tools, tricks, and methods I’ve tried—not as failures, but as tools in a toolbox. Tools I could pull from when I needed support. Not things I had to use every single day, in a specific order, or with a perfect routine.
That’s when it clicked.
I’ve been unlearning the perfectionism that shaped so much of my early life. Growing up in competitive sports like gymnastics, the goal was literally to be perfect. So it’s no wonder I carried that mindset into adulthood. But somewhere along the way, I realized: not everything needs to be a perfect 10. Sometimes showing up—even messily—is the win.
So I started building what I now call The Imperfect Toolbox.
It’s not about having the “right” tool. It’s about knowing you have tools. Maybe that’s a brain dump page, a one-day or home reset, a planner that lets you be flexible, or just stepping away and taking a breath. Your toolbox holds whatever helps you feel more grounded, calm, or capable that day.
Feeling overwhelmed? Take a step back. Dig around in your toolbox.
If something fits—use it. If it doesn’t—put it back.
And if nothing feels right? Maybe it’s time to “shop” for a new one.
Some days, you might not need a tool at all—and that’s okay too.
🧰 Want to Start Your Own Imperfect Toolbox?
You don’t need a full system. Just a few tools that support you.
Here’s where to start:
✨ The Imperfect Reset Kit: A free gentle reset for messy days and full plates
🗓️ The Imperfect Weekly Planner: One-page clarity when your week feels too full
📆 The Imperfect Rhythm Dashboard: Monthly + weekly planning that works with your life, not against it
💌 Ready to build your toolbox together?
Join The Imperfect Rhythm—my no-pressure, no-guilt email list for moms doing their best with a lot on their plates. You’ll get blog updates, gentle productivity tools, and little reminders that done really is better than perfect.
Because some days it’s a system. Some days it’s whatever works.
And all of it belongs in the toolbox.
