Rediscovering Me: Lessons from Find Your Unicorn Space

Have you ever felt like your passions and goals are buried beneath the chaos of caregiving, routines, and endless to-do lists? That’s exactly where I found myself when I picked up Eve Rodsky’s Find Your Unicorn Space. Recommended by Sarra Cannon on her YouTube channel, this book promised to help me reconnect with my creativity and purpose. As part of my #75HARD journey, it felt like the perfect companion to help me reimagine how I approach my time, my goals, and my life.

Toxic Time Messages That Changed My Perspective

“I have less time than ever: I cannot make more time.”

Time has been an odd commodity since I started parenting. Weeks blur together, or I find myself with big pockets of unused time. For a long time, I vacillated between chaos and nothing. I knew I needed a plan but couldn’t figure out how to best utilize those unplanned moments. While some of that time was necessary for recharging, once I was rested, I struggled to take meaningful action. Most of the things I wanted to accomplish required pre-work that I hadn’t done.

For example, I might want to learn how to bake sourdough bread. But if someone suddenly gave me two hours to work on it, I wouldn’t get far—I’d be missing the ingredients, utensils, recipe, or plan. I could spend that time researching bread-making, but I wasn’t moving toward the actual act of baking.

Rodsky’s quote, “You are complicit in your own oppression when you willingly put yourself and your time second or last,” hit hard. I realized that I needed child-free time not to work on my goals but to plan for them. That’s when I developed my “work-in, work-out” method:

• Work-In Time: Child-free planning sessions where I gather resources, create a “kit” with the tools I’ll need, and document my next step in a small notebook.
• Work-Out Time: When those pockets of time arise, I grab the kit and notebook, review the next action, and get to work.

This method changed everything. In just one month, I completed three long-delayed projects without altering my caregiving responsibilities or calendar. It wasn’t about finding more time—it was about being prepared.

Do you have a clear work-in and work-out method to achieve your goals?

The Value of Planning Ahead for Your Goals

“Time for what I need to do (feed the dog, get to work, and pick up groceries) takes precedence over time for what I want to do.”

When caregiving is your full-time job, it’s easy to let free moments default to the to-do list. Dishes, laundry, and other household chores would rocket to the top of my list every time I had a spare minute. A practical voice in my head constantly whispered, “Don’t waste the free moment!”

But Rodsky’s message helped me see the importance of a parallel to-want list. This list wasn’t about being selfish—it was about honoring what fuels me.

Brenda Janowitz’s quote, “There’s something so wonderful about the idea that this may be the day your life will change forever,” resonated deeply. It’s a reminder to treat the things we love with the same urgency we give to our obligations.

What’s one project you’ve been delaying because you don’t have a clear plan in place?

Balancing To-Do vs. To-Want Lists

“It doesn’t pay so why make the time.”

As a business owner, I’ve realized that personal passions fuel my creativity and professional focus. Spending time on what I love isn’t a distraction—it’s energizing. This doesn’t mean ignoring responsibilities, but it does mean intentionally prioritizing joy.

For example, as the holidays approach, I’m excited to read Christmas books with my children, bake gingerbread cake, and indulge in the silliest Hallmark movies I can find. By scheduling these activities as non-negotiables, I’ve discovered that they don’t detract from productivity—they replenish me.

Rodsky’s words, “Have you lost sight of the you underneath your lists of to-dos?” serve as a powerful reminder to intentionally build your to-want list alongside your to-do list.

Do you have a to-want list alongside your to-do list?

Through the Unicorn Space Lens

Through Find Your Unicorn Space, I’ve come to see my time as valuable—not just because of what I accomplish but because of the dreams I attach to it. This isn’t just about balancing caregiving and productivity; it’s about finding the intersection between purpose, passion, and practicality.

As I continue to build a business centered on systems and routines, I’ve rediscovered what truly lights me up. If you’ve been buried under your own to-do lists, I encourage you to explore your own unicorn space—you might just find a version of yourself you’ve been waiting to meet.

Call to Action

If you’re ready to uncover your own unicorn space and simplify the systems in your life to make room for what matters, join the KWP community today! Inside, you’ll find tips, tools, and a supportive network of like-minded parents who are redefining how we balance caregiving and our goals.

👉 Click here KWP community to learn more and get started.