Last week, I shared a post on Instagram about how October felt like an absolute blur. Between running a business, processing heavy world events, and trying to maintain some semblance of routine, life has felt alllll over the place. 

And I know I’m not alone in this—I’ve noticed SO many fellow entrepreneurs sharing the same sentiment lately. There’s been this collective feeling of chaos, like everything’s moving at double speed while somehow also feeling stuck. The entrepreneurial vibe of 2024 has been… interesting, to say the least.

Well, I’ve made a decision: I’m declaring November as the month I officially get a grip.

Not in a “new year, new me” kind of way, but in an intentional “let’s actually figure this out” way. Because here’s the truth—getting a grip doesn’t mean overhauling your entire life or subscribing to toxic productivity culture (you should know by now that’s not my vibe). 

It’s about finding your center again when everything feels scattered.

Plus, let’s be real—November is actually the perfect time to start reflecting on the past year and setting intentions for the year ahead. That way, you’re not panic-reading Atomic Habits on January 1st, trying to James Clear your way into becoming a completely different person overnight. (We’ve all been there, yeah? 👀)

So let’s break down some practical ways to regain control when life feels chaotic, complete with real-world examples (including my current journey) and actionable steps you can start today (because you KNOW I’m all about implementation over here).

6 Ways To “Get A Grip” When Life Feels Chaotic

1. Define What “Getting a Grip” Means to You

Before diving into action steps, take a moment to define what success realistically looks like for you. This isn’t about meeting someone else’s standards, it’s about identifying what makes YOU feel grounded. Period. 

For example: My version of success right now looks like:

• Feeling grounded in my daily routines
• Being comfortable in my own skin
• Finding strength in my body while maintaining softness in my soul (this one is a full-on vibe)

Action Step: Take 10 minutes to write down your “get a grip” list. Get specific—instead of “be more organized,” think “start each day knowing my top priorities.” Focus on how you want to feel in your daily life, work, and relationships. No shoulds allowed—just what genuinely matters and feels right for you.

2. Create a Morning Routine That Serves YOU

The internet is full of “perfect” morning routines, but the best one is the one you’ll actually stick to. Trust me,  I’ve tried a lot of them, but the only one that works for me is the one I created around my energy and capacity. 

After years without a gym membership (yes, even during marathon training *gasp*), I’ve surprisingly found myself walking to the gym at 4:00 AM with my partner (it’s actually so cute tho 🥹). 

That’s right, I’m officially in my “Gym Rat” era. 

The biggest thing I’ve noticed so far is that the quiet streets, empty gym, and sense of accomplishment so early in the morning, have become an unexpected anchor in my day. 

I feel more grounded, energized, and prepared to tackle all the tasks on my to-do list. I also feel a deep sense of clarity and focus, which has naturally contributed not only to my productivity but also to my creativity—we love!

Tips for Creating Your Personalized Morning Routine:

1. Start with one small change rather than a complete overhaul—seriously, don’t overcomplicate or overwhelm yourself. 
2. Consider your natural energy patterns and don’t try to force it if it’s simply not working. 
3. Stack new habits onto existing ones—for example, I’ve noticed that I make healthier choices of what I eat throughout the day once I’ve been to the gym. 
4. Make it enjoyable (this isn’t punishment!)

Action Step: Grab a notebook (or open a Google doc) and write down 2-3 small morning routine elements you want to try out, plus why each one actually matters to you. Think about what works with your natural energy and what you’re already doing. Like, my early gym sessions work for me because I get that quiet focus time before diving into work—but your perfect morning might look completely different, and that’s totally fine.

3. Prioritize Rest (But Make It Strategic)

Between those crack-of-dawn gym sessions and months of questionable sleep, I’ve learned that rest isn’t just about sleep (duh!), it’s about creating space for your body and mind to recover. This becomes even more crucial when you’re trying to regain control of your life—aka get a grip! Because rest is productive and absolutely necessary for doing literally anything in life and business. 

Types of Rest to Consider:

• Physical Rest: Actual sleep and body recovery
• Mental Rest: Breaks from decision-making and problem-solving (this is a biggie for me personally)
• Creative Rest: Time away from ideation and actual creation (this is ALSO a biggie—seriously rest and space are so crucial for nurturing your creativity)
• Social Rest: Setting boundaries with social obligations and screen time

Action Step: For the next few days, keep tabs on your energy levels. Notice when you start feeling drained and what kind of rest you’re really needing in those moments (physical, mental, creative, or social). Use these patterns to figure out when you need to build in proper rest time. And remember, rest is absolutely productive!!

4. Implement a Brain Dump Practice

When life feels chaotic, our minds often match that energy—can you relate? That’s why creating a consistent practice for emptying your mental load can be sooo transformative. 

For me, that has looked like rereading The Artist’s Way, by Julia Cameron. I originally read it in November 2022 during book club and felt the call to revisit it this year. In it, she talks in-depth about the concept of “morning pages” which is basically creating a daily writing practice that involves brain-dumping your thoughts first thing in the morning. 

The idea is to clear out the clutter in your brain to make room for things you really want to focus on throughout the day. I forget how powerful it is to do this every day instead of sporadically, which is what I have been doing most of the year. 

Details of The Traditional Method:

• Hand-write three full pages
• Do it first thing in the morning
• No editing or censoring

Digital Adaptation (My Current Approach):

• Set a 20-minute timer 
• Use a clean, distraction-free digital space (I use Notion)
• Focus on the flow rather than the format

The main reason why I decided to do the morning pages digitally, is because I realized that my pen couldn’t keep up with my thoughts and I find typing to be faster. 

ALSO, I’m one of those people who gets distracted if my handwriting doesn’t look pretty (hello designer here!) so typing it out also solves that problem. Plus in Notion, I can track specific data more easily, like date, time, etc., and I even set a recurring reminder, so that I don’t forget! 

Action Step: Pick your brain dump method (digital or analog), decide when you’ll do it, and commit to 10 minutes of just letting your thoughts flow. Whether you’re team Notion like me or love the feel of pen on paper, just pick what feels natural. The goal is to get those thoughts out of your head, not make it complicated.

5. Audit Your Screen Time (Actually Though)

Ahhhh screen time—mine has been absolute garbage this year. Like I am legit embarrassed by how high it is. Although, as a brand and web designer and business owner, being on my laptop for projects and on my phone for marketing makes sense why it is so high. But mindless screen time can be a major contributor to feeling scattered. And I’ve definitely felt that this year. 

But I want to make it perfectly clear that when you do an audit, the goal isn’t to eliminate screen time completely but to make it more intentional.

Practical Steps for a Screen Time Reset:

1. Track your current usage (use a tool like Toggl or your phone’s built-in tracking)
2. Categorize your screen time so you can get a better idea of the breakdown—again, toggl is great for this!! Here’s an example of what that could look like:
   • Client work
   • Admin/ CEO time
   • Social media
   • Entertainment 
   • You get the point…
3. Set boundaries for each category—for example, you could give yourself a couple of hours each week for posting and engaging on Instagram. 
4. Create screen-free zones in your day—this one has been HUGE! On my evening walks, I’ve been trying to leave my phone at home more so that I can be fully present and it’s been amazing!
5. Use the “Do Not Disturb” feature on your phone—this has helped me a lot this year in keeping me focused and on task. 

Action Step: Take a look at your current screen time data (scary, I know!)—this is your starting point. Figure out your top three digital time sucks, then set one real, doable boundary for each. Maybe it’s setting specific times for checking Instagram or leaving your phone at home during walks (like me). Again, don’t overcomplicate it. 

6. Embrace Intentional Slowness

Last fall, I discovered “The Little Book of Hygge” and fell in love with this Danish concept of cozy contentment. Creating warm atmospheres, enjoying simple pleasures, and making time for what the Danish call “hygge” has become my secret weapon for feeling centered when life gets chaotic. And now that the cooler months are here, it is the perfect time of year to embrace this concept. 

Ways to Practice Intentional Slowness:

• Schedule “dilly-dally” time in your calendar
• Create cozy spaces in your home (blanket, books, candles, etc.)
• Practice mindful activities (like having your morning coffee without your phone)
• Set aside time for activities that have no productive purpose—it’s OKAY to do something just for the heck of it!!

Action Step: Write down five things that make your space or routine feel genuinely cozy and content. Pick one to actually do today, and be specific about when and how. This isn’t about creating some perfect Instagram-worthy hygge moment—it’s about adding little pockets of calm into your day in a way that feels natural to you.

Getting Started: Your Action Plan

Under each section, you’ll notice that I provided a simple action step, but in case you want a more specific breakdown of what this can look like, see the below for what you can do, today, this week, and this month if you’re end of year goal is also to get a grip like me 🙂

1. Today:
   • Write down your personal definition of “getting a grip” 
   • Choose ONE morning routine element to implement tomorrow
   • Set three specific screen time boundaries
2. This Week:
   • Start a basic brain dump practice (even 5 minutes counts)
   • Identify your biggest time sucks and energy drains
   • Create one cozy routine or space in your home
3. This Month:
   • Review and adjust your initial changes
   • Add one new element from each category
   • Celebrate your progress (seriously, don’t skip this part!)

Remember, getting a grip isn’t about perfect execution—it’s about progress over perfection. Start small, be consistent, and adjust as needed. Your version of “grounded” might look different from someone else’s, and that’s exactly how it should be.

And here’s the best part, you don’t need to wait for January 1st to start making changes. If you’re ready to take this journey further and want some structure to guide you, I created a FREE 12 Week Year Notion workbook that can help you break down these big goals into manageable chunks. Want to learn more about the 12 Week Year approach? Check out my detailed blog post about it here.