The 7 M’s of Life: Getting Your Big Rocks in Order
For years, I’ve been on a mission (some might say an obsession) to work out what truly matters in life—what makes me feel balanced, fulfilled, and actually alive. After much trial and error (and a few existential crises along the way), I finally cracked the code.
Enter: The 7 M’s of Life—my non-negotiables, the things that need to fit into my life if I want to avoid burnout, frustration, and the dreaded what-am-I-even-doing-with-my-life spiral.
But before I dive into these golden nuggets of wisdom, let’s talk about Big Rocks.
The Big Rocks Analogy
Picture a large glass jar. This jar represents your time, energy, and capacity.
Now, you’ve got three things to fit into it:
- Big Rocks – These are the most important things in your life—the must-haves, the core priorities.
- Pebbles – These are things that still matter but aren’t life-defining.
- Sand – The small stuff. The endless emails, social media scrolling, errands that never end—basically, all the things that fill your time but don’t necessarily bring fulfilment.
If you start by filling your jar with sand, there’s no room for the big rocks. But if you put the big rocks in first, everything else can shift and settle around them.
And that, my friends, is the key to not feeling like life is constantly running you over.
The 7 M’s – My Big Rocks
So, what are the Big Rocks that I prioritise above all else? Here’s my personal 7 M’s framework:
1. Me-Time – Because You Can’t Pour from an Empty Cup
I used to believe that rest was optional—something to do if there was time left over (spoiler alert: there never was). Now, I see me-time as essential maintenance, not a luxury.
Whether it’s a quiet cup of tea, time to read, or just sitting in blissful silence, carving out space to recharge makes everything else in life better.
2. Maintenance – The Art of Not Falling Apart
We take our cars in for regular servicing, but when it comes to our bodies, minds, and environments, we somehow expect them to keep running on fumes. Oops.
Maintenance means:
✔ Looking after my health (because ignoring it never ends well).
✔ Managing stress before it turns into an emotional meltdown.
✔ Keeping my environment organised enough that I don’t feel like I live in a crime scene.
It’s not glamorous, but it’s absolutely necessary.
3. Music – Because Life Needs a Soundtrack
Music isn’t just background noise—it’s therapy, energy, creativity, and self-expression all rolled into one.
I’ve gone through seasons where I barely touched an instrument or played my favourite songs, and let me tell you—those seasons felt empty. Now, I make sure music stays in my life, whether it’s playing, singing, or just blasting tunes that make me feel alive.
Lesson learned: Life is just better with music.
4. Movement – Keep the Wheels Turning
Look, I like the idea of movement. The reality? Some days, my “exercise” is walking from the couch to the fridge.
But I know that when I move—whether it’s dancing, swimming, stretching, or even just taking a walk—I feel better. My energy lifts, my brain fog clears, and my body doesn’t feel like I’ve been hit by a truck.
So, movement stays. Even if it’s just a little.
5. Musing – Making Space for Creativity & Reflection
I’m a thinker, writer, and over-analyser (ahem, I mean deep reflector). If I don’t give my brain space to process things—through journaling, writing, or just staring dramatically out the window—I start feeling scattered and overwhelmed.
Musing is where ideas are born, clarity is found, and creativity flows. Without it, life feels rushed and reactive.
6. Mentoring – Because Growth is Meant to Be Shared
I thrive when I’m supporting, guiding, and encouraging others. Whether it’s mentoring students, coaching adults, or just being there for a friend, mentorship is a big rock in my life.
Helping others find their path reminds me to stay aligned with mine.
7. Memory Making – Because Moments Matter More Than Things
At the end of the day, what really counts? Not the to-do lists. Not the emails. The moments. The laughter, the adventures, the deep conversations, the “remember when?” stories.
I’ve learned that if I don’t intentionally make time for these, life fills up with the urgent instead of the meaningful.
So now, I make space for memory-making—big or small—because those are the things that make life worth it.
The Takeaway? Put the Big Rocks in First
If you don’t intentionally make space for the things that actually matter, life will fill up with sand. And then? You’ll look back and wonder where all your time went.
So, ask yourself:
⭐ What are your Big Rocks?
⭐ Are you making room for them, or are they getting squeezed out by the sand?
⭐ What small changes can you make to prioritise them?
Because trust me—when you get your Big Rocks in first, everything else finds its place.
And life? It starts to feel a whole lot lighter, richer, and way more fulfilling.
Onwards and upwards—you’ve got this!🚀