Getting control of your schedule and time management to help you not miss the moments.
Aloha Life Podcast - Lifestyle - Time Management

Finding Time for What Matters: How Aloha Fridays Changed My Life

Time is like the ocean: it flows constantly, sometimes faster than we’d like, and before you know it, it’s gone. Living in Hawaii, I’m surrounded by beauty and opportunity—a place where people dream of visiting to slow down and enjoy life. Yet, for over a year, I hadn’t set foot on the beach.

How did I let that happen?

The answer is simple: life got busy. Work deadlines piled up, family schedules overlapped, and I fell into the same trap so many of us do—putting “what matters” on hold for “what’s urgent.”

That’s when I decided to start Aloha Beach Fridays—a weekly tradition of heading to the beach with friends, family, and a whole lot of snacks and sunscreen. It started as a way to reconnect with life’s simple joys, but it also taught me valuable lessons about time management and balance. Let’s dive into how you can do the same.


The Wake-Up Call

When I realized I hadn’t been to the beach in over a year, it hit me like a rogue wave. Here I was, living in paradise, but I wasn’t taking time to enjoy it. Sound familiar? Maybe it’s not the beach for you—it could be family game nights, date nights, or even just a quiet moment to yourself.

The truth is, that we often prioritize everything and everyone else before what truly makes us happy. That’s why Aloha Fridays became non-negotiable for me. It was more than just a day off; it was a mindset shift, a reminder to create an intentional space for joy in my life.


The Problem: Time Leakage

Before you can reclaim your time, you need to know where it’s going. That’s where the concept of time leakage comes in—those little moments where time just slips away.

Think about it: scrolling social media, jumping from one task to another, or spending way too long deciding what’s for dinner. These small distractions can add up to hours of lost time every week.

But here’s the good news: once you spot the leaks, you can plug them. It starts with a simple time audit.


Step 1: Conduct a Time Audit

A time audit is like holding up a mirror to your day. It’s an honest look at how you spend your time—no judgment, just awareness. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Track Your Day: For one week, write down everything you do and how long it takes. Yes, everything.
  2. Spot the Leaks: Look for moments of inefficiency or wasted time. Are you spending an hour scrolling social media when you meant to check one email?
  3. Reflect and Adjust: Identify patterns and decide where you can make changes.

For me, I realized my mornings were a big source of leakage. I’d spend 30 minutes scrolling on my phone and another hour tackling tasks randomly. By mid-morning, I felt busy but unproductive.


Step 2: Embrace Time Blocking

Once you know where your time is going, the next step is to organize it intentionally. That’s where time blocking comes in—a system where you schedule specific tasks into dedicated time slots.

Here’s how I set up my weekly time-blocking sheet:

  • Calls and Emails: I group these into one block so I’m not stopping and starting all day.
  • Errands: I map them out geographically to save time and fuel.
  • Bills and Tasks: I batch these into a quiet block of time when I can focus.
  • Beach Days: Yes, Aloha Fridays were on the calendar. They were just as important as any work meeting and we even took a break from our homeschooling that day and got it all done Monday-Thursday. This started the year my son was homeschooled and the public schools took Friday off as a way to make budget cuts.

Time blocking helps reduce mental clutter and keeps me focused on one task at a time. Plus, it leaves room for spontaneity, because life isn’t meant to be overly rigid.


Step 3: Adopt the Aloha Mindset

Aloha Time isn’t the same as Hawaiian Time (you know, where everything runs 30 minutes late). Aloha Time is about balance, intention, and harmony. It’s about prioritizing what fills your cup, whether that’s a weekly beach day, family dinner, or simply sitting in the sun with a good book.

This mindset shift also means letting go of perfectionism. Not everything will get done—and that’s okay. Focus on what truly matters and give yourself grace for the rest.


Start Your Own Aloha Friday

You don’t have to live in Hawaii to embrace Aloha Fridays. Think about what brings you joy and block time for it every week. It could be a hike, a coffee date, or a family movie night. The key is to make it non-negotiable.

When you pair intentional planning with an Aloha mindset, you’ll find yourself not only managing your time better but also living it more fully.


Closing Thoughts

Time isn’t something we can save or buy back—it’s something we have to spend wisely. Aloha Fridays taught me that life is about more than just checking off tasks. It’s about making space for what truly matters.

So, what will you do with your time this week? Whether it’s a beach day or just an hour to yourself, remember: time flows like the ocean. Let’s make sure we’re riding the waves, not just watching them pass by.

A clock symbolizing time management and creating balance with an Aloha Friday inspired approach.

Episode 108 Description:

In this episode, I share how a wake-up call about time inspired me to create Aloha Fridays—a weekly tradition of heading to the beach to reconnect with friends and family, and the joy of living. We’ll talk about how to conduct a time audit, use time-blocking strategies, and embrace an Aloha mindset to reclaim your schedule and prioritize what truly matters. And don’t worry, we’re not talking Hawaiian Time (where everything runs late)—this is all about being intentional and balanced!

🎧 Watch/Listen now:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@alohalifepodcast/podcasts
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3j7uoSRw9s35tkVMG5kFEj
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-aloha-life-podcast/id1788201953

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  1. The Story Behind Aloha Fridays:
    • How missing the beach for a year made me rethink my priorities.
    • Why making space for joy is just as important as getting things done.
  2. Spotting Time Leaks:
    • What time leakage is and how it eats away at your day.
    • Common culprits like social media, multitasking, and overcommitment.
  3. Reclaiming Your Schedule:
    • How to conduct a simple time audit to identify wasted time.
    • Use time-blocking to organize your week, from errands to beach days.
  4. The Aloha Mindset:
    • Why time management isn’t just about doing more—it’s about doing what matters.
    • How to build intentional time for joy into your week.

Links and Resources Mentioned:

Call to Action:

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