How I Plan 30 Days of Content in One Afternoon (Without Melting Down)
Let me paint you a picture of my old content planning process: I'd sit down with grand ambitions to "get organised," open a blank spreadsheet, and immediately feel my brain short-circuit.
Thirty days. Thirty posts. All unique. All valuable. All perfectly aligned with my brand. All planned in advance like a proper professional. Right?
Three hours later, I'd have written half a caption, deleted it, researched what everyone else was posting, compared myself into a spiral, and closed my laptop feeling like a complete failure.
Sound familiar?
Here's what changed everything: I stopped trying to create 30 perfect posts and started building 30 flexible frameworks.
Let me show you exactly how I now plan a month of content in one focused afternoon, without the overwhelm, perfectionism, or inevitable meltdown.
Why Most Content Batching Makes You Want to Hide Under a Blanket
Traditional content batching advice treats your brain like a content factory: sit down, produce 30 polished posts, schedule them out, done. Easy, right?
Except this approach assumes:
You can make 30 creative decisions in a row without decision fatigue
Your energy and inspiration levels are consistent throughout a marathon planning session
You can predict exactly what you'll want to say in three weeks
You have the executive function to juggle 30 different ideas simultaneously
You can write compelling content while overwhelmed by the scope of the task
If you're neurodivergent, this is basically asking your brain to do the impossible.
The result? You either avoid batching entirely (and stress about content daily), or you force yourself through it and create 30 posts that feel lifeless because you were burned out by post number five.
The Secret: Frameworks, Not Finished Content
Here's the shift that changed everything for me: I don't plan 30 posts. I plan 30 starting points.
Instead of writing complete captions, I create content seeds; simple frameworks that give me direction without boxing me in. When it's time to post, I have a clear jumping-off point, but I can adapt based on my current energy, recent experiences, or what's happening in my world.
This approach works because:
It reduces decision fatigue. I'm making one big creative decision (the framework) instead of hundreds of small ones (every word choice).
It allows for flexibility. Life changes, my perspective evolves, current events happen—my frameworks can adapt.
It prevents perfectionism paralysis. I'm not trying to write the perfect post; I'm just creating a helpful starting point.
It works with fluctuating energy levels. High-energy days get detailed posts, low-energy days get simpler ones—all from the same framework.
My Actual Step-by-Step Process
Here's exactly how I plan 30 days of content in one afternoon, broken down into manageable chunks:
Step 1: Set Up Your Success (15 minutes)
Choose a day when you're feeling reasonably energetic and focused
Block out 3-4 hours (but know you'll probably need 2-3)
Gather inspiration: recent conversations, client questions, things you're excited about
Set up your planning tool (I use Notion, but a spreadsheet or blank document works fine)
Make a drink, get comfortable, put your phone in another room
Step 2: Brain Dump Your Content Ideas (20 minutes)
Don't organise, don't perfect, just dump everything you could potentially talk about:
Questions people ask you repeatedly
Things you've learned recently
Topics you're passionate about
Common misconceptions in your field
Personal experiences that taught you something
Advice you'd give your past self
The goal is quantity, not quality. Write down everything, even if it seems silly or obvious.
Step 3: Sort Into Simple Categories (15 minutes)
Group your brain dump into 3-5 loose themes. Mine are usually:
Mindset/perspective shifts
Practical tips/how-tos
Behind-the-scenes/personal
Industry observations
Community building
Don't overthink the categories! They're just containers to help organise your thinking. If you have content pillars, these will likely fall into those, but don’t panic too much if a couple fall outside - they might lead on to something magical.
Step 4: Create Your Content Frameworks (90 minutes)
This is where the magic happens. For each idea, create a simple framework instead of a complete post. Here's what I mean:
Instead of writing: "Perfectionism is holding you back from posting consistently. Here are five ways to overcome perfectionist paralysis: 1) Set 'good enough' standards 2) Use timers for content creation..."
I write: "Perfectionism + posting fears framework: Share personal struggle, list 3-5 practical solutions, ask what perfectionism looks like for them"
Instead of writing: "I used to think I needed 10k followers to be taken seriously, but here's what I learned about influence vs. follower count..."
I write: "Influence vs. followers: Personal story about my mindset shift, contrast big audience vs. engaged audience, specific examples of micro-influence in action"
Step 5: Add Context and Timing Notes (30 minutes)
For each framework, add a few quick notes:
What platform this might work best for
What energy level this requires (score between 1 and 5)
Any seasonal/timing considerations
Potential hooks or opening lines
Related topics you could tie in
Step 6: Create Your Monthly Overview (20 minutes)
Assign your frameworks to specific weeks or themes, but stay flexible:
Week 1: Focus on mindset content (you usually feel motivated at month start)
Week 2: Mix of practical tips and personal stories
Week 3: Community building and engagement-focused content
Week 4: Behind-the-scenes and preparation for next month
But remember: this is a guide, not a contract.
Brain-Friendly Batching Tricks That Actually Work
Use the Pomodoro Technique. Work in 25-minute focused bursts with 5-minute breaks. This prevents overwhelm and keeps your brain fresh. I actually use this for engagement across platforms to grow my community.
Start with your easiest frameworks. Build momentum with topics that feel natural before tackling more complex ideas.
Create content types, not just topics. Have go-to formats like "Question + Personal Story + Practical Tip" that you can apply to different subjects.
Build in variety for different energy levels. Some days you'll want to write detailed posts, others you'll want something simple. Plan for both.
Use voice memos for initial ideas. Sometimes speaking your ideas feels easier than writing them. Record your frameworks, then transcribe later.
Accept "good enough" at every stage. Your frameworks don't need to be perfect—they just need to give you direction when you sit down to create.
What to Do When Life Happens (Because It Will)
Your frameworks are suggestions, not assignments. If a planned topic doesn't feel right, pick a different one from your list.
One framework can become multiple posts. If you're inspired by a topic, explore it from different angles across several days.
Bad brain days get simple content. Use frameworks that require minimal decision-making: quotes with commentary, questions for your audience, behind-the-scenes photos.
Build in buffer frameworks. Create a few extra frameworks for when you need something completely different than what you planned.
Remember that done is better than perfect. A simple post from your framework is infinitely better than no post because you couldn't execute the "perfect" version.
Why This Method Actually Works
It honours how neurodivergent brains work. We often think in big pictures and connections, not linear step-by-step processes. Frameworks let us work with that natural pattern.
It reduces overwhelm while maintaining structure. You have direction without rigidity, plans without pressure.
It allows for hyper-focus when it happens. If you get inspired by one topic, you can dive deep without derailing your entire plan.
It builds on your natural expertise. Your frameworks come from your real knowledge and experience, not artificial content formulas.
It creates consistency without forcing repetition. You show up regularly, but each post feels fresh because you're adapting to your current state.
The Permission to Plan Differently
You don't have to plan content like productivity gurus suggest. You don't have to write 30 perfect posts in one sitting. You don't have to stick rigidly to whatever you create in your planning session.
You have permission to create systems that work for your brain, not against it.
My content planning afternoon isn't about creating perfection; it's about creating possibility. It's about setting myself up for success without setting myself up for overwhelm.
Some days, my frameworks become detailed, thoughtful posts. Other days, they become simple, authentic shares. Both are valuable because both serve my audience and honor my current capacity.
The best content plan is the one you actually use.
And a month of "good enough" posts beats a week of "perfect" posts that burn you out and leave you with nothing planned for the rest of the month.
Your content planning session should feel empowering, not overwhelming. It should create freedom, not pressure. It should work with your brain, not against it.
Try this approach. Adapt it to your own needs and preferences. And remember: there's no wrong way to plan content, only wrong-for-you ways.
Ready to create a content planning system that works with your neurodivergent brain? Let's build an approach that feels sustainable, not stressful.
