Make space for what you love ❤️

If you’ve ever found yourself pushing your passions down to the bottom of the to-do list, this one is for you. The daily juggle of work, family and household responsibilities often leaves little room for the other things we love — creative pursuits, developing new skills, exploring big ideas or even the small but meaningful practices like a daily walk or morning pages. We know that nurturing our own passions and hobbies is crucial for maintaining a sense of self and overall well-being. You can’t pour from an empty cup, right? But knowing and doing aren’t the same thing…and helping you do the things that matter most is what Bosa is all about. We’ve got some practical ways to start getting you back into the to-do.

Put It In Writing

You can’t take action on what you don’t know. Start by writing down the goals, projects, ideas and activities that you wish you had more time for. Give yourself the space and the grace to freely write about them in as much detail as feels right to you. You don’t have to have all the answers or know all the steps to make them happen, but writing down your goals gives you a research-backed edge on achieving them. Plus, the act of writing about them can reignite your interest and passion for them — something that the day-to-day busyness can dim over time. 

Communicate and Share Responsibilities

There’s a reason Eve Rodsky is building an empire around Fair Play — we need healthy collaboration at home to make things work. Whether you want to follow Rodsky’s system for distributing domestic responsibilities fairly or come up with your own, the key is communicating and sharing the mental load. By establishing clear expectations and responsibilities, you can free up time for personal projects while also strengthening your relationship with your partner — and yourself. 

Spot Patterns — and Adjust Accordingly

Perfect doesn’t exist, but patterns do. Take a moment to reflect on your own or with your partner on the patterns in your life. What routines are working well? What gaps are you experiencing, and do they have anything in common? What areas of life feel like well-oiled machines? Which areas are being neglected? Give your Insights tab on Bosa a glance. What do you notice? Come to this from a place of observation, not judgment. Then adjust to shift the pattern. For example, you may observe that your goals are evenly distributed across your career, family and travel but that you have zero personal ones in the works. You might then have a conversation with your partner about having a dedicated “you time” for an hour on Sunday mornings to create space for you. 

Embrace Small Wins

Even if you’ve done all of the above, the game is progress and not perfection. Small wins are important to celebrate, as they are concrete evidence of progress and emotional fuel to continue. As you acknowledge your small wins, you might also spot new patterns, ways to share the load or new aspirations, creating a cycle of success even amid life’s inevitable curveballs. Remember that small moments can be potential small wins as well. In his book Getting Things Done, productivity expert David Allen introduces the 'Two-Minute Rule.' The idea is simple: if a task takes less than two minutes, do it immediately. Apply this rule to your personal projects. Whether it's jotting down ideas, sketching, or planning, capitalize on those brief moments between tasks or during breaks. By reframing small moments as opportunities for small wins, you can push back on traditional productivity traps that have you deprioritizing yourself in the first place. 

Finding time for personal projects and passions as a busy parent is undoubtedly challenging, but it's not impossible. Incorporating these practical tips into your routine can create a more balanced and fulfilling life. Remember, your personal pursuits are not just hobbies; they're an essential part of self-care and contribute to your overall happiness.

Share your thoughts and additional tips in the comments below!