Systems I Use as a Creative and Mum (to Support My Chronically Disorganised, Messy, Very Human Brain)

As a kid, I had a reputation for being forgetful, late, and unreliable. And as much as it frustrated everyone around me, it probably frustrated me even more.

No matter how hard I tried to be organised, I never quite managed it. It felt like my inherent nature just wouldn’t cooperate.

As a creative, I actually love the flexible side of myself—the spontaneity, the ability to drop into flow. But it wasn’t until I put the right systems in place that I was able to be effective as well.

I’ve learned that while I love flexibility, what I need is structure.

So now, I rely on a few simple systems to support both my creative work and my life as a mum:

🔹 Monday Morning Meeting

My husband and I have a Monday morning meeting where we look at the week ahead, and the week that’s just passed. 

We set a goal for the week, talk through any roadblocks, and gently hold each other accountable to the goal we set the week before.

🔹 Task Management Software

Project manage your life. (No, really. Treat your home life with the same respect as you might treat a professional project.)

Any time a task comes up, I don’t rely on my overwhelmed, overstimulated, very human brain to remember it. I capture it in a tool like Asana, categorise it, and assign it.

Get your partner or housemate involved here if you can. You can divide tasks clearly, track progress, and reduce the mental load of trying to hold everything in your head.

🔹 Weekly Planning (Not Daily)

I plan on a weekly basis rather than day by day. (Or viewing the whole 

Life happens. Things shift. And I need the flexibility to move tasks around without feeling like I’ve “failed” the day.

A weekly structure gives me room for reality—while still ensuring things get done within a reasonable timeframe.

🔹 Fair Play Model for Domestic Balance

We use the Fair Play model to divide and manage the domestic load.

It helps us see everything that needs to happen to keep a household running, and makes visible the often invisible contributions we each make.

From there, we assign responsibilities clearly. Not always forever - sometimes things shift. But this gives us clarity on who is responsible for what, which reduces friction and mental load.

My brain is still the chaotic, imperfect, brilliant queen she’s always been (and I love her for it), but these systems help me hit my goals, stay productive, and stay accountable.

Give them a try and let me know how you go!