It’s almost April, which both thrills and terrifies me.

I’ve said it before, and I have no doubts I’ll say it again: Spring is a wonderful time of year. The temperatures are (sometimes) warmer, the sun is brighter, the flowers are blooming. Winter coats are put away in favor of light jackets and sweatshirts. Children can be heard giggling and yelling as they return to their yards after months of hibernation indoors. Baseball begins, from little league to professionals. Playgrounds fill back up, and basketball and tennis courts and golf courses come back to life.

Of course, with all of that comes a rapidly filling calendar. A few days ago, I flipped to April in Outlook, my calendar of choice. I was amazed at the difference. Through the winter, our calendar is sad, with a couple blank days a week. For some reason, April 1 seems to be the end date for relaxation.

In April, there is not a single day on Pookie and my calendar that is totally empty. Not one. (Keep in mind this is our personal/social calendar. We each keep a separate one for everything else.)

We have baseball games to attend, play practices, moving of the set, dress rehearsals, and the first two shows. We have picnics and parties (hopefully it will warm up first). Every day, we have something.

Now, I am torn on how to feel about this. A part of me is overwhelmed—so much to do, when will anything else get done—cleaning, laundry, visiting family. I am overwhelmed because I know that, at least in part, this will come from my writing time.

At the same time, I am excited. I find that, somehow, I am able to get more done when I have more on my plate.

Maybe it is because I have to budget my time better. Maybe it is because I know that procrastination means something won’t get done. Maybe it is just the longer days and warmer weather. I’m not sure, but it always seems to work.

So, as I approach my crazy April, I am trying to ward of the panic when I look at my calendar and focus on the positive, with high hopes that this year will be like any other. With more to do, I will procrastinate less and get more done.

Do you get overwhelmed when you notice a month with a full calendar? How do you overcome it? Do you find you procrastinate less when your schedule is more hectic, or do you struggle to meet all of your goals?