Life can get overwhelming. Work crises, sick loved ones, deadlines, or unexpected challenges can consume all your energy and time. And when that happens? Taking care of yourself often falls way down the priority list.

But here’s the thing:

If you buy back your time, you create space for the things that truly matter.

The Power of Buying Back Time

When life is stressful and your plate feels full, outsourcing or simplifying tasks can be a total game-changer. This looks different for everyone—but the goal is the same: lower stress by removing unnecessary effort.

Think about what drains you the most:
🧼 Cleaning? 
🛒 Grocery shopping?
🍳 Cooking?

These are all areas where you can “buy back” your time by finding smarter solutions that make life easier.

My Non-Negotiables

In stressful or crisis situations, I’ve identified two things I won’t sacrifice:

1. Fueling My Body: 

Stress kills my appetite. In the past, I’d skip meals or eat junk—and honestly, it only made everything feel worse.

When I wasn’t eating enough, I’d start losing muscle… and once that happens, it’s a domino effect:
❌ Blood sugar all over the place
❌ Muscle loss
❌ Low energy
❌ Crashing in the afternoon
❌ Poor recovery
❌ More anxiety
❌ Less motivation to move or take care of myself

It was a vicious cycle, and it never helped me feel “on top” of anything.
Now, it’s non-negotiable to prioritize protein and proper nutrition, no matter what. I refuse to let my body run on empty. I swear—I get by in life so much better when I stay fueled.

During Extreme Stress:
A few years ago, I skipped buying furniture for my house and spent that money on meal delivery instead. I didn’t have the capacity to cook, and that service made sure I still ate nourishing food.
Yeah, it was expensive—but so worth it.
If you’re in a tough season and need help with meals, I highly recommend trying Factor Meals—you can get $150 off your first order through this link.

For Everyday Stress:
I keep it simple:

• • Air fryer = quick meat, no cleanup

  • Pre-packaged salads + canned tuna or cooked meat = go-to meals

  • Meat over everything  – A well-balanced meal is great in theory, but we don’t live in a perfect world. If I’m in a pinch, I’ll grab a fattier cut of meat that gives me both protein and fat. Underfueling my body is a big NO for me. Meat is one of the most nutrient-dense foods I can eat, and it helps me maintain (and build) muscle. An all meat meal might happen once or twice a week. For me, that’s better than skipping lunch.

If you want to learn more about the role of red meat in nutrition and why I’m choosing that over most foods when I have ZERO time or no capacity to make a well balanced meal—especially as more schools, hospitals, and public health programs push for meatless meals?

My friend Diana Rodgers, RD (a registered dietitian, author, and someone I deeply admire), co-wrote a fantastic paper that breaks down the science behind red meat’s nutrient density, its unique role in human health, and why reducing or removing it from diets—especially for kids, pregnant women, and older adults—may come with serious unintended consequences.

👉 Read the full paper here

2. Walking in Nature (Forest Bathing)

This is my mental reset. In my opinion, it’s one of the most healing things peopole can do. The time I save by not cooking or cleaning? I use it for daily walks in nature.

For you, it might be gym time, a mindful movement class, or regular dates with your spouse or friends—whatever keeps you grounded when life gets hectic.

Fortunately, my job keeps me on my feet, so movement is built into my day. But if I had a sedentary job that kept me glued to a chair, I’d guard my workout time like gold. I truly believe that moving your body is one of the best ways to support yourself—physically, mentally, and emotionally—especially when life feels heavy.

Lowering Barriers: Make the Right Things Easy

Success often comes from making the right choices effortless. Here’s how I do that:

• 🥣 Consistent breakfast: Same overnight oats every day. Easy to prep, high in protein, and ready in 2 minutes the night before.

• 💸 Short-term sacrifices: If meal delivery keeps you on track, do it. Even if it’s more expensive, it’s a short-term investment in your well-being to help you get through a tough season. (Like I keep telling my mom: Spend. Your. Money. On. YOU. If it helps you be a healthier, happier, less anxious version of yourself—then it’s money well spent.)

Your Turn: How Can You Buy Back Time?

When life gets hard, ask yourself:

• What can I outsource or simplify?

• How can I lower the barrier to self-care?

Whether it’s pre-prepped meals, using simple cooking tools, or skipping time-consuming tasks, buying back your time frees you up to focus on what’s most important.

✨ It’s not indulgence. It’s strategy.
Make it easier to care for yourself—even when everything else feels hard.