What’s On Your Plate? A Simple Way to See Everything You’re Carrying
You know that feeling when someone asks how you're doing, and you say "fine" because the real answer would take 20 minutes and maybe a whiteboard and some read string?
Yeah. Same.
We're all carrying so much. And I don't just mean remembering to schedule dentist appointments or figuring out what's for dinner (again). I'm talking about the work deadlines, the household projects, the relationships that need our energy, the personal goals sitting on the back burner, and honestly—the mental load of just keeping it all straight.
It's exhausting. And here's what I've realized: if you can't see what's actually on your plate, you can't manage it.
The Invisible Weight
Most of us are walking around with way more on our plates than we realize:
Work projects and deadlines
The never-ending household management
Kids' schedules and activities (and the coordination they require)
Personal goals we keep saying we'll get to "someday"
Relationships that need attention
Self-care we know we need but keep pushing off
Creative projects calling our name
That home improvement list that never gets shorter
And because we can't actually see all of these plates at once, we end up feeling overwhelmed, scattered, and like we're constantly dropping something important.
A Simple Exercise That Helps
This is one of my go-to tools when I'm feeling like everything is too much. It's simple, revealing, and honestly kind of therapeutic.
Here's how it works:
Step 1: Get it all out
Grab whatever's handy—your planner, a notebook, the notes app on your phone—and just list out every area of life that's taking up mental space right now. Don't filter or judge, just brain dump it all.
Step 2: Group things into "plates"
Look at what you wrote and start grouping related things together. I like to visually make circles (aka plates) for each group. You might end up with plates like:
Work/Career
Home & Household
Kids & Family
Health & Wellness
Relationships
Money/Finances
Personal
Creative
Step 3: Be real about what's on each plate
For each plate, write down what's actually there right now. Not what you wish was there or what should be there—what's really sitting on that plate today.
Step 4: Notice how you feel
Just seeing it all laid out can be eye-opening. You might realize you're trying to balance way too many full plates at once. Or that one area has been totally neglected while others are overflowing.
What This Shows You
When you can actually see everything you're managing, a few things happen:
You give yourself permission to be human. Of course you're tired. Look at all of this! It's not about being weak—it's about being honest about reality.
You can make real choices. Maybe some plates need to be set down for now. Maybe some just need maintenance mode while others get more attention. But you can only decide when you can see what you're working with.
Monday Motivation: What's On My Plate
This is exactly why I started sharing my "What's On My Plate" series every (most 😬) Monday on Instagram @plannedimperfectly!
Every Monday, I'm getting real about what I'm actually carrying that week. Not the polished version—the real one. The messy middle of trying to manage it all while also being gentle with myself when things don't go to plan (which, let's be honest, is most of the time).
I'd love for you to follow along and join the conversation! Share what's on YOUR plate in the comments. Let's normalize being honest about what we're really managing and cheer each other on.
Tools That Actually Help
Once you know what's on your plate, the next question is: "Okay, now what?"
That's where the right tools make all the difference.
The Imperfect Reset Kit (FREE!)
If you're feeling completely overwhelmed by your plates right now, start here. The Imperfect Reset Kit is a collection of simple worksheets to help you:
Clear the mental clutter
Figure out what actually matters right now
Make a plan that works for your real life (not some Pinterest-perfect fantasy version)
And it's completely free.
Grab your Imperfect Reset Kit here and give yourself permission to start fresh, exactly where you are.
The Imperfect Weekly Planner
Once you've got clarity, you need a way to actually manage your plates week by week. That's what the Weekly Planner is for.
It's designed for people who need:
Flexibility when life doesn't go to plan (which is... always)
Space to see the big picture AND the day-to-day details
A system that reduces overwhelm instead of adding to it
Room for productivity and rest
The Weekly Planner helps you take your "plates" and turn them into doable weekly plans—without burning out.
Check out the Weekly Planner here and see if it fits your planning style.
Permission to Put Some Plates Down
Here's the thing: You don't have to carry everything all the time.
Some seasons need more plates. Some need fewer. Some plates are non-negotiable (like feeding yourself and your family), and some are temporary with an end date.
The goal isn't to be a perfect plate-spinning performer. The goal is to be intentional about what you're carrying and honest about your capacity.
So take a few minutes this week to try the plate exercise. Write it all down. Look at it. And then make some choices about what stays, what goes, and what gets shelved for later.
You don't have to do it all. You just have to do what matters most—imperfectly.
Your Turn
What's on your plate right now? I'd love to hear from you in the comments. And don't forget to follow along on @imperfectlyplanned for the Monday series—I'll see you there!
Resources mentioned:
FREE Imperfect Reset Kit - Start fresh with clarity
Weekly Planner - Manage your weeks without the burnout
Follow on Instagram - Join the Monday "What's On My Plate" series
Remember: You're doing better than you think.
