Own your calendar; own your progress.

Hey — before we dive in, know this: I’m not a doctor or a therapist, just a mentor who cares and wants to share a simple idea that helps a lot of kids feel calmer and grow stronger.

We call it: Own your calendar; own your progress. That means using small choices about your time to make big changes in how you feel and what you learn. Your calendar can be a tiny helper that tells your brain, “We planned this. We got this.” When things feel heavy — a test, a fight with a friend, a bad day — having a plan on your calendar turns a messy cloud into one step at a time.

Start by putting only what matters. Don’t try to schedule everything perfectly. Choose three things each day: one for your brain (homework or reading), one for your body (a short walk, dance, or stretch), and one for your heart (a call to a friend, drawing, or quiet time). Seeing just three boxes checked gives you calm and a clear win. Make your calendar friendly: use colors, stickers, or small notes like “5 minutes” so tasks feel possible. If a task looks too big, break it into tiny steps — “math problem 1” instead of “do math.” Tiny steps add up fast.

When hard things happen, use the calendar to protect yourself. Block time to think about a problem, not all day. Decide, “I’ll think about this from 4:00–4:15,” then do something else after. That keeps feelings important without letting them take over everything. Also schedule “no” pockets — times when you won’t do extra chores or homework so you can rest. Saying no is not mean; it helps you stay steady. Ask a parent or teacher to help set these blocks if you need it.

Keep a weekly check-in with yourself on the calendar. Pick a day and time to look back at the week: what went well, what didn’t, and one thing to try next week. Celebrate small wins — a complete assignment, a kind word, standing up for yourself. Celebrate them loudly in your head or with a small treat. Progress is practice, not perfection.

Here are short phrases to put on your calendar or say to yourself — little reminders that pack a big punch: - “One thing at a time,” “Five minutes first,” “I can try again,” “This will pass,” “I planned it,” “I did my best.”

Finally, change the calendar when you need to. Owning it means you can move things, change colors, add joy, and ask for help. The calendar doesn’t control you — you control it. Use it like a friend who helps you remember your small brave steps. Over time, those steps become your progress, and you’ll be surprised how much stronger and calmer you feel.