Calendar Clutter: What It Is and Why You Need to Declutter It

Ellie Azerad
Mar 18
4 min read

The Overwhelm of a Busy Season

I looked at my calendar this morning, and I wanted to cry. Appointments, classes, workshops, podcasts, Pesach prep, family responsibilities—it was all stacked up like an overflowing junk drawer. But this time, the clutter wasn’t in my closet. It was in my schedule.

And just like physical clutter, if you keep adding things in without making space by taking things out, guess what? You’re gonna end up overwhelmed with tons of calendar clutter.

Sound familiar?

As frum women, we are no strangers to busy seasons. Whether it’s Yom Tov prep, juggling simchas, managing work, or just trying to keep up with regular life (hello, endless laundry 😵‍💫), our calendars fill up FAST.

We declutter our closets, pantries, and playrooms—but what about our time?

That’s calendar clutter. And it’s just as exhausting as physical clutter—if not more.

So, What Is Calendar Clutter?

Calendar clutter happens when your schedule is so packed that you barely have space to breathe. It’s the “yes” you said out of guilt. The Zoom meeting that should have been an email. The back-to-back-to-back obligations that leave you feeling like you’re drowning instead of thriving.

It’s that feeling of rushing from one thing to the next, never slowing down, never catching up. Like your schedule is running you instead of the other way around.

Think of it like an overstuffed closet. When every inch is packed, you can’t find what you actually need. Same with your time—when your calendar is cluttered, it’s hard to make space for what really matters.

Why Calendar Clutter is a Huge Problem

1. It Leads to Burnout 🚨

Just like a cluttered home feels overwhelming, an overloaded schedule sucks the energy out of you. You’re constantly doing, but you never feel like you’re actually accomplishing anything.

2. It Steals Your Joy 😩

When your days are jam-packed with obligations, there’s no time left for things you actually want to do—spending time with family, relaxing, even just breathing for five seconds.

3. It Creates Stress & Guilt 😓

You’re rushing, always feeling behind, and then the guilt kicks in. Guilt for not doing enough. Guilt for not being present. Guilt for resenting things you wanted to do but now feel like a burden.

4. It Lowers Your Quality of Life 🙃

A cluttered schedule means you’re always in go-go-go mode, moving from one thing to the next. No space for mindfulness, creativity, or just being.

But Sometimes, Calendar Clutter is Inevitable—And That’s Okay

Look, sometimes we’re in a season where our calendars have to be fuller than we’d like.

Right now, I’m in THE FRUM MINIMALISM season. This time of year—pre-Pesach—is my busiest. Between classes, workshops, podcasts, and private clients, my schedule is packed.

And honestly? It is what it is.

Maybe you’re in a season like that too. Maybe you have a wedding coming up, a new baby, a big move, or Yom Tov prep that just can’t be streamlined. And that’s okay! The key isn’t to avoid the busy seasons—it’s to recognize when you need help.

👉 Delegate to family members. Can your kids take on extra chores? Can your husband step in more?

👉 Hire help if you can. Maybe this means ordering dinner instead of cooking. Maybe it means hiring a cleaning lady.

👉 Let go of the guilt. Not everything has to be done by you. The world will keep spinning if you take something off your plate.

Decluttering your schedule doesn’t always mean cutting things out. Sometimes, it means being realistic and finding ways to make it more manageable.

How to Declutter Your Calendar (Like You Declutter Your Home!)

1. Take Everything Out

Just like decluttering a closet, start by laying it all out. Look at your schedule for the next week or month. Write down every commitment, appointment, and responsibility.

2. Ask Yourself: Does This Belong in My Life?

For each thing on your calendar, ask:• Do I want to do this, or do I feel obligated?• Does this add value to my life, or is it just filling space?• Is this a priority, or did I just say yes out of habit?

3. Declutter the “Just Because” Commitments

If you wouldn’t keep an item in your home “just because,” don’t keep commitments for that reason either. It’s okay to say no. It’s okay to let things go.

4. Create White Space

A well-organized closet isn’t stuffed to the brim—it has space to breathe. Your schedule should too. Block out time for rest, family, and things that bring you joy.

5. Set Boundaries & Stick to Them

Protect your decluttered calendar like you would a beautifully organized home. Be intentional with new commitments. If it doesn’t fit, don’t force it in.

My Final Thoughts

Just like physical clutter, calendar clutter doesn’t happen overnight—and it won’t disappear overnight either. But with small, intentional steps, you can create a schedule that feels lighter, freer, and more aligned with what actually matters.

And when you’re in a season where things have to be busy? Remember: You don’t have to do it all alone. Delegate, hire help if possible, and most importantly, give yourself permission to not do everything perfectly.

Pesach is the season of cleaning, organizing, and letting go. Maybe this year, we don’t just clean out our homes. Maybe we clean out our calendars, too.

✨ What’s one thing you wish you had more time for? Let me know! ✨