Diary of an Organized Unicorn: How I Tame My Squirrel Brain (Without Losing My Spark)

If you read my last post, you know my brain runs at a cool million miles an hour. But knowing you have a fast brain and actually managing it are two completely different sports.

If you looked at my life a year ago and compared it to today, you wouldn’t even recognize the place. Honestly, I laugh looking back because a year ago, I couldn’t have even come close to handling the beautiful, full, chaotic life I have right now. But today? I feel so proud and accomplished of where I stand.

I’m still a total unicorn—uniquely me, a little wild, and full of ideas—just a much more organized one who has learned to love a good routine.

But let’s be real: the “squirrel brain” is still very much alive and well.

The Home-Alone-With-The-Kids Phenomenon

The ultimate test of my focus happens when I’m home alone with the kids. I’ll sit down with the best intentions. I’m going to create church and blog content, read a chapter of my book, or knock out some homework. I am dialed in.

And then… it happens.

I see a stray toy. Or I smell the garbage that needs to go out. If you were watching me, you would literally see my ears perk up like a pointer dog and my nose start to twitch. Boom. Just like that, I’m gone on a completely new adventure. Three hours later, I’ve reorganized the pantry, folded three loads of laundry, and completely forgot what homework assignment I was working on.

So, how do I stop the scroll in my brain and actually get things done? I had to build a sober, structured toolkit.

My Sober-Minded Toolkit for Chaos

First things first: I don’t numb out. In a world where the standard advice for stressed-out moms or overwhelmed brains is to “pour a glass of wine,” smoke weed, or hit a vape, I chose a different path. I don’t drink, smoke, or use nicotine anymore. I am completely, beautifully sober-minded.

Because I want to be fully present for my life, I can’t rely on substances to slow my brain down. I have to rely on systems. Here are the two things that literally save my sanity every single day:

• The Timer Method: If I need to study or write, I set a physical timer on my phone for 20 or 30 minutes. I tell myself, “You cannot look up until this timer goes off.” Knowing there is an end in sight stops my nose from twitching at every little distraction.
• The Aggressively Detailed Calendar: If it is not written down in my calendar, it does not exist in my universe. I schedule my days with intention—blocking out time for the kids, time for writing, and time for studying. Routine isn’t a cage; for a brain like mine, routine is absolute freedom.

Growing Into the Life You Prayed For

It takes work to build these habits. There are days it feels easier to just let the squirrel win and run up the tree. But when I push through, I’m reminded of Galatians 6:9 (NLT):

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”

A year ago, I didn’t have the capacity for what I’m doing now. But God doesn’t just call us to a purpose; He grows our capacity to handle it. Every timer I set, every calendar event I block out, and every day I choose clarity over distraction is me tending to the life He gave me.

You don’t have to change who you are to be successful. You don’t have to dull your sparkle or stop being a unicorn. You just have to learn how to guide your horn so you don’t accidentally poke someone’s eye out while you’re chasing a squirrel.

Are you a fellow “squirrel brain”? What is one practical thing you do to keep yourself on track when you’re tempted to start a random new adventure? Let me know in the comments!

Hungry for more?

Check out the related post: My Brain is a Ferrari with Bicycle Brakes (And Why I Don’t Use It as an Excuse)