What I Frontload to Keep Life from Overwhelming Me

Intro

Life feels a lot sometimes—not always in a big dramatic way, but in the small, constant pileups. Messages to reply to, stuff to do, random clutter, and not enough time to pause. I used to go through my week just reacting to everything, and by Thursday I’d be burnt out and mentally drained.

So I started doing a few things early. Not to be perfectly productive, but to give myself a little more space later. A calmer mind. Less mental noise. Here’s what I frontload to keep life from piling up too fast.

1. Write Everything Down Once a Week

On Sundays, I take about 10 minutes to dump everything that's been hanging around in my head into a note—errands, reminders, and things I’ve been avoiding. I use a Notion page that I built to be super simple and low-pressure—just a space to organize my thoughts and clear my head.

One thing I always check is each of my classes. I look about two weeks ahead for any upcoming tests, quizzes, or projects. If I see that I have more than one coming up, I can plan ahead and spread out my study time instead of cramming everything at once.

It’s a small routine, but it clears space in my brain. I don’t always finish everything on the list, but knowing it’s written down helps me feel less mentally cluttered and more prepared going into the week.

2. Do One Full Room Reset

Once a week, usually on a Saturday, I reset my space. I clean off my desk, throw away trash, put laundry away, and take care of the small messes that build up — like old receipts, empty cups, or tangled chargers. I’ll plug in a Bath & Body Works wall diffuser or wipe down surfaces to make the room feel fresh again.

The room doesn’t stay perfect, but one good reset gives me a clean start. It helps me focus and makes everything I do feel a little easier. I’m not home much on Sundays because of church, errands with my parents, and spending time with family downstairs, so it feels extra important to come back to a room that’s calm and ready for me. Even if it only lasts a little while, it still makes a big difference.

3. Charge and Declutter My Devices

This sounds small, but it helps a lot. I charge everything—phone, AirPods, school laptop, Mac, etc.—and I clear out unnecessary notifications. I also do a quick digital cleanup. I delete old photos of teacher’s notes I’ve already used (or probably never will), and I check my emails so things don’t pile up. No piles of alerts or dead batteries—just simple and ready when I need it.

I’ll even scroll through my Notes app and delete random lists or reminders that don’t matter anymore. Just tidying up the small stuff makes my phone feel less like a mess and more like something that helps me, not overwhelms me.

We are on our devices for so many hours, even at school, so keeping them clean matters more than I thought it would.

4. Plan a Few Outfits Ahead

I don’t plan out a week of outfits because I try to stay comfy unless I have a presentation or a special day but I do take a few minutes to prep my favorite go-to combos. Even just having two outfits I feel good in for school or a casual meetup helps me avoid the last-minute clothing panic.

If I feel put-together on the outside, my mind usually follows. It boosts my mood and makes me feel more ready to handle the day.

5. Prep the Little Things on a Sunday Night

Sometimes that means packing my bag, setting out vitamins, prepping snacks for the week.

I also take a minute to tidy up my car on Sunday nights—collect any trash, fix the seats, and clear space for my bag. Monday mornings are still a bit hectic, so starting with a clean car helps me feel a little more put together. My parents gave me my own car, which I’m really grateful for, so I try to take responsibility for little things like this without being asked.

None of this takes long, and it just makes me feel like I am ready to tackle this week.

6. Protect My Quiet Time

I set Do Not Disturb at night and pause notifications when I need space. It’s a small thing, but it helps me feel less on-edge. I’ve realized that peace doesn’t just happen on its own. If I don’t make room for it, something else always fills the space — noise, stress, or distractions.

Even a short break from the constant buzz helps me reset. Sometimes I just sit in silence for a few minutes or listen to quiet music before bed. It helps me feel more present, especially after a day that felt a little too full.

Quiet isn’t boring or empty. It’s the part of the day where I get to slow down, breathe, and feel like myself again.

Conclusion

I don’t follow these routines perfectly. Some weeks, I let things slide. But when I do frontload the small stuff, I feel less scattered—like I’ve already done something kind for myself.

It doesn’t make life magically smooth, but it gives me more breathing room. And honestly, that’s what I’m chasing most of the time.