Time Management: Why Women Feel There’s Never Enough Time (And What To Do About It)

The Reality of Time Poverty: A True Story

Imagine it’s 7:00 PM on a Wednesday. Emma, a working mom of two, is rushing between dinner prep, checking homework, and responding to last-minute work emails. Her day started before dawn, with lunchboxes and laundry, followed by back-to-back meetings, and now, at last, she’s with her family. She’s exhausted but hasn’t yet had a moment to herself. For many women like Emma, this isn’t a one-off busy day—it’s a way of life. This relentless cycle of juggling responsibilities has a name: time poverty.

Emma isn’t alone. Around the world, women report feeling constantly short on time. Studies show that women spend over 4 hours each day on unpaid work—nearly double what men report (UN Women). This chronic time scarcity affects mental health, family bonds, and overall well-being. But why does this impact women so profoundly, and what can we do about it?

Let’s take a closer look at the underlying causes of time poverty and some practical strategies to regain control over our time, energy, and joy.

Why Time Poverty Hits Women Hardest

Time poverty among women arises from a unique combination of societal pressures, dual responsibilities, and cultural expectations. These forces create a constant pull between work and family life, with little room for personal time.

Societal Expectations

Women are often expected to “do it all”—to succeed professionally while also managing family life seamlessly. This invisible workload includes tasks like planning meals, remembering birthdays, or organizing family activities.

“Sometimes, it feels like I have a to-do list that only I can see,” shares Anna, a project manager and mom of three. “Even if my husband wants to help, I feel like I’m the one who has to keep track of everything.”

The “Double Burden”

Many women face a “second shift” after their day job, filled with household chores and caregiving. Research reveals that women handle around 76% of household labor, even when they have full-time careers (McKinsey).

Cultural Pressures

Across cultures, women feel pressure to put family needs above their own goals, creating a sense of obligation that’s hard to escape. Many feel that prioritizing their needs would be seen as selfish, intensifying the feeling of “not enough time.”

Quick Tip: Set aside 5 minutes each day just for you—whether it’s a quiet coffee break or a few minutes of reading. This small act of self-care can help combat the constant pull to “do more.”

The Three Major Contributors to Time Poverty in Women

To truly address time poverty, it’s important to understand its primary contributors: the mental load, task switching, and the perfectionism trap.

1. Mental Load

The mental load refers to the invisible, ongoing planning and organizing that many women take on. Whether it’s remembering school events or planning meals, the mental load is an ever-present cognitive demand that can be exhausting.

Example: Sarah, a full-time working mom, finds herself using her lunch breaks to schedule family appointments and plan dinners. She shares, “By the end of the day, my mind is so cluttered that even relaxing feels impossible.”
Insight: Psychologist Lisa Damour highlights that this mental strain leaves women drained, even when they aren’t physically busy.

Quick Tip: Offload some mental tasks with a shared family calendar. Using a digital calendar that everyone can access makes it easier for family members to stay informed and reduces the need for you to keep track of every detail.

2. Task Switching

Task switching, or jumping between tasks, is a major drain on focus and energy. Research shows that women often switch tasks 50% more than men, juggling between professional, household, and caregiving roles.

Example: Laura, an HR professional, often finds herself managing her children’s homework, checking work emails, and cooking dinner—all within a short span of time. “It’s nonstop,” she says. “I never feel like I’m fully present in any one task.”
Fact: Studies reveal that while multitasking is celebrated, frequent task-switching drains cognitive resources and increases stress.

Quick Tip: Try time blocking—set dedicated chunks of time for related tasks. For example, finish work emails in one time block and focus on family tasks in another to minimize switching.

3. The Perfectionism Trap

Perfectionism places additional pressure on women to excel in every area, from career to home life. Social media can amplify this, with endless images of “perfect” homes, meals, and family outings.

Example: Rachel, who juggles a marketing career and motherhood, admits that seeing perfectly curated online images adds to her stress. “I feel like I’m always falling short, even though I know those photos aren’t the full picture.”
Insight: Researcher Brené Brown emphasizes that perfectionism often stems from a fear of judgment rather than personal aspiration, trapping women in a cycle of never feeling “enough.”

Quick Tip: Embrace “good enough” by setting realistic expectations for yourself. Allow small imperfections—like a less-than-spotless kitchen—without guilt.

Time Management Strategies for Women

Fortunately, there are actionable strategies to reduce the impact of time poverty. Here’s how to reclaim your time, starting with small, practical steps.

1. Priority Mapping

Mapping priorities begins with understanding which activities energize you versus those that drain you. From here, you can create a “priority matrix” to identify essential versus non-essential tasks.

Create Non-Negotiables: Decide on two or three must-do items each week, such as quality family time or self-care.
Align with Values: According to career coach Amy Gallo, aligning your priorities with personal values helps with meaningful time management.

2. Task Batching

Task batching involves grouping similar activities to reduce interruptions. Techniques like theme days or time blocking can help reduce the chaos of switching tasks.

Examples of Batching:
- Laundry and Chores: Clara, a mom of two, batches her household chores on Saturday mornings, freeing her afternoons for family.
- Work Tasks: Grouping work-related tasks (like answering emails) into one block minimizes task-switching fatigue.
Productivity Insight: Productivity expert Laura Vanderkam suggests batching household tasks to reduce scattered responsibilities and increase efficiency.

Quick Tip: Assign specific days for specific tasks, like meal prep on Sundays or errands on Fridays. This rhythm can simplify routines and free up mental space.

3. Strategic Delegation

Effective delegation means distributing responsibilities across the household. By involving family members, you can share the load and promote independence.

Family Involvement: Set regular family meetings to assign tasks and clarify roles.
Outsource When Possible: Consider delegating certain tasks to external help if financially feasible, such as hiring a cleaner or using grocery delivery services.
Expert Tip: Licensed counselor Nedra Glover Tawwab encourages families to create a shared sense of responsibility, reducing the burden on one person.

Illustration Suggestion: A family chore chart example could show how delegation makes everyday tasks more manageable.

Building an Action Plan for Time Management

To make time poverty manageable, start with small steps today, build systems this week, and work toward balance over the month.

Immediate Steps (Today)

Start small with quick, achievable actions.

5-Minute Declutter: Spend five minutes decluttering a high-traffic area like the kitchen or living room. A quick tidy-up can create a sense of order.
Set a Daily Priority: Choose one main goal for the day and complete it first, whether it’s work-related or a personal task. This can provide a sense of progress and control.

This Week

Set up a system to make daily routines easier.

Use a Weekly Planner: Block out time for family, work, and self-care activities. Include buffer times to allow for flexibility.
Hold a Family Meeting: Discuss upcoming responsibilities, set chore assignments, and clarify roles. This can create shared accountability.

This Month

Work on building lasting habits and establishing a productive routine.

Practice a New Habit: Try adding one small habit to support your well-being, such as 10 minutes of meditation or a weekly check-in on your goals.
Track Progress: Keep a journal or checklist to note your accomplishments and areas for improvement. Regular reflection helps reinforce positive changes.

Conclusion: Taking Back Control of Your Time

Time poverty can make life feel overwhelming, but there’s hope. With mindful prioritization, task batching, and strategic delegation, you can reclaim control over your schedule. These practices create not just time but the space to focus on what truly matters, reducing stress and creating room for joy.

“One step at a time—it’s amazing how much lighter life feels when I’m not carrying every responsibility on my own.” – Carla, mom and business owner

Breaking free from time poverty isn’t about doing it all; it’s about doing what truly matters. By taking small, intentional steps each day, you can create a balanced, fulfilling life where your time is yours to enjoy.

By recognizing and addressing time poverty, women can find new ways to thrive amidst their many roles. Whether it’s through setting boundaries, sharing responsibilities, or allowing imperfections, each step towards balance brings us closer to a life where we aren’t just managing time—we’re embracing it.

Table of Contents