“Time Is Not Found, It’s Made”
I used to think I didn’t have time.
Not for me, not for work, not for anything beyond diapers, dishes, and the occasional coffee I never got to finish. And if you’re reading this as a fellow mom, you know the feeling — when your to-do list is longer than your sleep hours, and anything that’s not urgent just gets buried under crumbs and chaos.
But here’s the truth that finally shifted everything for me: Time isn’t found. It’s made.
No one handed me an extra hour. I didn’t suddenly have magical childcare or a productivity coach. What changed was how I saw my time — and how I started designing my day like it mattered, even if the world didn’t always treat my unpaid labor like it did.
What This Blog Isn’t
This is not about waking up at 5am every day (though I’ll talk about mornings — flexibly). It’s not about outsourcing your life or pretending we all have the same resources. And it’s definitely not about being a “perfect mom” or a productivity robot.
This is a real look at how I found 90 minutes a day — consistently — to work on freelance projects, build a portfolio, learn new skills, and slowly grow a side hustle that now gives me financial independence. While living in Tokyo. With a toddler. And no extended family support.
Why 90 Minutes?
I didn’t start with three-hour deep work blocks or full working days. That would’ve overwhelmed me. But 90 minutes? That felt possible. Enough time to make meaningful progress, but short enough to squeeze between naps, playgrounds, dinner prep, and the 87 requests for snacks.
The trick wasn’t in doing more — it was in seeing time differently, and using it like gold. That mindset shift was everything.
The Real Talk About “Mom Time”
We live in a world that slices and sells time like it’s a product. But mom time? It’s full of invisible labor, interruptions, and emotional multitasking.
We don’t get focused hours served on a platter. We get stolen moments — in the bathroom, during cartoons, when the house is finally quiet. And most of the time, we’re too tired to use those minutes well.
So instead of waiting for a perfect day or a childcare miracle, I built a system that worked with my reality — not against it. I started small. I worked with the rhythms of my child’s needs, not in spite of them. I stopped aiming for uninterrupted blocks and started getting creative with mini-tasks, energy-based planning, and rituals that helped me stay anchored even when life was messy.
Who This Blog Is For
- Moms with babies, toddlers, or school-aged kids
- Freelancers or side-hustlers trying to build something in the margins
- Women who are tired of apologizing for having dreams
- Anyone who’s said, “I just don’t have time” — and still wants to try
What’s Coming Next
In the next sections of this blog, I’ll walk you through five specific strategies I use to claim my 90 minutes a day — and how they look different depending on your season of motherhood. Whether you have a newborn or a nine-year-old, there is a way to carve out space for your growth — but it starts with redefining what counts as “real” work time.
Here’s what I’ll cover:
- The Early Wake-Up Trick (but flexible!)
- Naptime = Gold Time
- The “Mini Task” Approach (15min blocks)
- Weekly Planning Sunday Night Ritual
- Letting Go of “Perfect” — Prioritizing What Matters
Plus: I’ll include two sample weekly schedules I’ve personally used — one from when my son was 2, and one now that he’s in elementary school.
So if you’ve been struggling to find time, this is your invitation to make time — with compassion, creativity, and zero guilt.
Because mom dreams matter.
And we don’t need a perfect calendar to chase them — just a little strategy and a lot of grace.
Strategy 1 & 2: The Early Wake-Up Trick (But Flexible) + Naptime = Gold Time
Strategy 1: The Early Wake-Up Trick (But Flexible)
Let’s talk about the most overused advice in the productivity world: “Wake up before your kids.”
And look, I get it. That early-morning silence is magical. But when you’re in the thick of newborn sleep deprivation or toddler teething nights, the idea of setting a 5:00 AM alarm feels like an insult, not inspiration.
So here’s my real take:
Wake up early — only when it helps, not when it hurts.
For me, this looked like seasons. During intense sleep regression months? I slept in with no guilt. But during calmer phases — especially once my son was 2 and started sleeping through the night — I started waking up 45–60 minutes earlier. Not at 5:00 AM, but maybe 6:45 instead of 7:30. Just enough to stretch out a cup of coffee, crack open my laptop, and chip away at a task before the daily circus began.
The key wasn’t the exact hour. It was the intentional start.
If I began my day reactively — rolling out of bed to a chorus of “Mamaaaa!” and stepping on toy cars — I stayed in catch-up mode all day. But if I started with even 20 minutes of solo time, my brain clicked into “I’m more than just a mom” mode. It helped me remember I had goals too.
What I Actually Did:
- Started with low-pressure tasks: I didn’t expect deep focus at 6:45. I’d outline blog posts, respond to easy client emails, or make my to-do list for later.
- Used natural light instead of alarms: I kept curtains slightly open to let morning light wake me gently. It felt kinder than a phone beep.
- Made it a ritual, not a rule: If my son had a rough night? I skipped it and slept. No guilt. The power came from choice, not punishment.
This isn’t a miracle hour. But in the right season, it’s a gift.
And if mornings aren’t your thing? Don’t worry — because the next strategy is just as powerful.
Strategy 2: Naptime = Gold Time
For many moms, naptime is the only block of silence all day. But silence doesn’t automatically equal productivity — especially when your body just wants to crash too.
In the beginning, I wasted nap windows. I’d scroll Instagram, get stuck tidying things I didn’t need to, or just feel paralyzed trying to decide what to work on.
So I created a system:
Treat naptime like sacred focus time — but set it up in advance.
Instead of sitting down and wondering what to do, I had a “Nap List”: 2–3 things I could tackle in 60–90 minutes that moved my work forward. Not laundry. Not kitchen cleanup. Only career-building or income-generating tasks.
Even if my son only napped 45 minutes, I was ready to jump in. That preparation made all the difference.
My Nap Strategy Rules:
- No housework (unless I wanted to decompress that way — rare!)
- Laptop and headphones ready before nap began
- Break big tasks into nap-sized pieces: I didn’t try to finish a whole blog post. I’d outline it during one nap, write 500 words the next.
- Used a kitchen timer: I set it for 45 minutes. When it rang, I closed the laptop. That boundary helped me avoid burnout.
Some days, naptime work felt electric — like a window into the future I was building. Other days, it was slow and scattered. But either way, I showed up. That consistency helped me build muscle, not just momentum.
And for moms whose kids have outgrown naps? There’s still “quiet time.” I’ll touch on that in the next section.
Bonus Tip: Naptime Guilt Detox
A lot of us feel guilty when we don’t work during naptime. But here’s the truth I had to accept:
“Rest is not a waste of time.
It’s an investment in the mom who shows up after the nap ends.”
If you need a break, take it. But if you’re scrolling out of avoidance, try switching to one tiny task. You don’t have to write an ebook. Just answer a client message. Update your portfolio. Draft a single paragraph.
Little actions add up — especially when they happen consistently.
In the next section, I’ll share the two things that really unlocked momentum for me: the “Mini Task” Method (how I get things done in 15-minute chunks between chaos) and my Weekly Sunday Planning Ritual that keeps me sane and clear-headed even when the week feels unpredictable.
Because freelancing as a mom isn’t about having more time.
It’s about learning how to shape it.
Strategy 3 & 4: The “Mini Task” Method + The Weekly Sunday Night Ritual
Strategy 3: The “Mini Task” Method — 15-Minute Blocks that Actually Work
Let’s be honest — a lot of mom life runs in tiny fragments.
Fifteen minutes before the rice cooker beeps.
Ten minutes between snack time and bath.
Seven minutes before the toddler demands another round of “Wheels on the Bus.”
At first, I thought, “What can I possibly get done in 15 minutes?”
The answer: More than I imagined — when I planned for it.
This is where the Mini Task Method came in.
It’s how I trained my brain to stop waiting for a “perfect work session” and start making use of micro-moments — the scattered pockets of time that used to slip away in mindless scrolling.
What Is a Mini Task?
A mini task is any work-related action you can complete in 15 minutes or less — ideally 5–10. It doesn’t require deep focus or flow, just clarity and a clear finish line. Examples from my own list:
- Replying to one client email
- Adding one portfolio item to Notion
- Writing 3 headlines for a blog post
- Reviewing edits from an editor
- Making a simple social post (from a saved template)
- Researching one new potential client
- Cleaning up part of my Google Drive
These are small, but they compound. When done consistently, they’ve helped me build a website, launch a portfolio, and land clients — one 15-minute window at a time.
How I Use It Day-to-Day
I keep a section in my Notion dashboard called “Mini Work Menu” — it’s basically a grab-and-go list of small, doable actions. I group them into categories like “Admin,” “Creative,” or “Follow-up,” so I can match the task to my mood and energy.
When my son is watching cartoons or playing independently, I quickly glance at the menu, pick one, and do it. No time wasted thinking or switching.
I don’t always finish the list — and that’s okay.
The win is momentum, not perfection.
Why This Works for Moms
Because we live in interruption.
Because context-switching is our reality.
Because waiting for deep focus sometimes means waiting forever.
This method helped me reframe my time from “never enough” to “look what I can do.”
It’s powerful, especially when paired with the next strategy: a weekly ritual that brings calm to the chaos.
Strategy 4: The Weekly Planning Sunday Night Ritual
Before I started this ritual, my weeks felt like survival mode.
Each day blurred into the next. I had goals — sort of — but no real anchor.
I was reacting instead of leading.
Then I started spending 30 minutes every Sunday night creating a plan. And it changed everything.
What the Ritual Looks Like
After my son goes to bed and the dishes are (mostly) done, I pour a cup of tea, light a candle (yes, really), and open my laptop or planner. The ritual matters. It signals: this is my time to lead my week.
Here’s what I do in order:
- Look back at last week:
- What actually got done?
- What drained me?
- What worked surprisingly well?
- Set my “Weekly 3”:
I choose three goals for the week — not ten. These are outcome-focused, not just tasks.
Examples:- “Send pitch to [client name]”
- “Write and edit Vol. 2 of blog post”
- “Update 2 portfolio items”
- Sketch a rough schedule:
I map out the week by kid routines (school, activities) first. Then I plug in my 90-minute work windows. I color code:- 💻 Focus blocks (usually naptime or early morning)
- 🧠 Admin blocks (mini tasks)
- ☕ Flex/rest blocks (yes, I plan these too)
- Prep for success:
I look at my top tasks and break them down into mini tasks if needed.
I set up any templates, drafts, or folders I’ll need.
(That way, Monday doesn’t start with “where do I even begin?”) - Choose one “non-work joy” item:
This could be a solo walk, a friend coffee date, or just a guilt-free Netflix night.
Because moms need recharging, not just productivity.
Why This Ritual Works
Because it creates mental space.
I don’t wake up Monday wondering what matters.
I’ve already decided.
It lowers decision fatigue, increases clarity, and lets me say “no” to distractions with more confidence.
Also: it helps me remember that I’m building a bigger story — not just surviving nap to nap.
A Note for Burnt-Out Moms
If this all feels like too much right now, I want to say this clearly:
Planning is a kindness to your future self.
Not a pressure. Not a punishment.
Start small. Just one mini task. Just one tiny window.
Maybe your Sunday night ritual is just writing one post-it: “This week, I want to write 300 words.”
That’s enough.
Build from there.
Strategy 5: Letting Go of “Perfect” + Sample Weekly Schedules + Final Words
Strategy 5: Letting Go of “Perfect” — Choosing Progress Over Guilt
This is the hardest and most important strategy of all.
And it’s not about schedules, timers, or task lists.
It’s about your mindset.
For the longest time, I didn’t take action on my ideas because I thought:
“If I can’t do it well, I shouldn’t do it at all.”
So I waited.
I waited for a clean house.
I waited for long work blocks.
I waited to feel ready.
And all that waiting slowly drained my confidence.
Then, one day during a nap window, I decided to write one rough blog post — just for me. It was messy, short, and unedited. But I hit publish anyway.
And nothing bad happened.
In fact, something amazing happened: I got a DM from another mom who said,
“This is exactly what I needed to hear today.”
That’s when it hit me:
Imperfect work can still create real impact.
Especially when it comes from a mom who’s doing her best in the margins.
The Myth of “Perfect Time”
We imagine that someday we’ll have a perfect week.
No tantrums, no surprise fevers, no mental fog.
But here’s the truth:
Perfect time doesn’t exist.
There’s only now — messy, beautiful, interrupted now.
And you don’t need eight perfect hours to move forward.
You just need enough trust in yourself to keep going. Even slowly. Especially slowly.
Sample Weekly Schedules: Real-Life Examples
Let me show you how this looks in two different seasons of my own life.
A. Schedule: With Toddlers (My son was 2)
Monday–Friday
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 6:30–7:15 | Early wake-up (low-pressure work) |
| 7:15–9:00 | Morning routine + breakfast |
| 9:00–12:00 | Park/playroom/grocery |
| 12:00–13:00 | Lunch + quiet play |
| 13:00–14:30 | Naptime = Focus Block 💻 |
| 14:30–18:00 | Play + chores + dinner prep |
| 18:00–20:00 | Dinner + bath + bedtime routine |
| 20:00–20:30 | Mini task or reading |
| 20:30–21:00 | Reset for tomorrow (tidy, notes) |
Sunday night: Planning ritual + light prep
Weekly total focused work: ~7.5–9 hours
How it felt: Fragmented but consistent. Naptime was everything.
B. Schedule: With School-Aged Kid (Now age 7)
Monday–Friday
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 6:45–7:30 | Early wake-up = Mini task time |
| 7:30–8:30 | Breakfast + school drop-off |
| 8:30–11:00 | Deep Work Block 💻 |
| 11:00–12:00 | Admin / errands |
| 12:00–13:00 | Lunch |
| 13:00–14:30 | Creative work or client calls |
| 14:30–17:00 | Pick-up + park/home time |
| 17:00–20:00 | Dinner + family time |
| 20:30–21:00 | Flex block (rest or polish work) |
Sunday night: Full planning + digital cleanup
Weekly total focused work: ~15–20 hours
How it feels: More flow, but still requires boundaries and energy awareness.
Final Encouragement: “Done Is Better Than Perfect — Especially for Moms”
If you’re still reading this, I want to speak directly to you:
You are not behind.
You are not less productive.
You are not failing.
You are a mother building something during motherhood — not after.
That is brave. And hard. And powerful.
So if today you only manage to do one mini task?
That’s enough.
If this week you can carve out just 90 minutes?
That’s progress.
And if you drop the guilt, ignore the pressure to be perfect, and just show up in your way —
that’s the start of something real.
You don’t have to hustle like you’re childless.
You just have to build your version of work — one moment, one nap window, one choice at a time.
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