Pickle Jar

🏺 The Pickle Jar Theory:

Filling Your Time with What Matters Most

Pickle Jar

I hope you had a wonderful 4th of July holiday weekend.

First, before I start, I want to mention that it was heartbreaking to see and hear about the flashfloods from the Guadalupe River in Texas and thank you to the family and friends who reached out to make sure we were safe and we were. Praying for all the people who were affected.

I spent mine visiting seven vastly different and exciting national parks in Nevada, Arizona and California. It was also my ArmyVersary and I am from California which made the trip even more epic. I was also able to connect with one of my friends whom I have known since we were 15 years old. I hit several meaningful rocks, pebbles and sands in this trip.

People always ask me how I am

able to do so much? We all have the same hours in the day.

Well, I’m about to reveal my secret… How did you fill your 4th of July time? Let’s see why, what, where, when, and hoe you can better strategically plan, manage your time and prioritize with this week’s lesson.

Managing time can sometimes feel like trying to pour sand, pebbles, and rocks into a jar. The question is: what do you put in first?

Grab your journal and your The LOTUS Within book (https://www.amazon.com/LOTUS-Within-Purpose-Ignite-Passion/dp/B0DDRDXB89).

This week, we explore the Pickle Jar Theory — a simple yet profound metaphor for prioritizing your tasks and commitments in a way that protects your peace and ensures space for what truly matters.

🏺 What is the Pickle Jar Theory?

The Pickle Jar Theory uses a jar and three types of fillers to represent your time:

• Rocks: Your biggest priorities — the non-negotiables like family, self-care, health, and meaningful work.

• Pebbles: Important but less critical tasks — errands, meetings, smaller projects.

• Sand: The minor details, distractions, and busywork that can fill up your time without adding real value.

  
  

If you fill the jar first with sand or pebbles, you won’t have room for the rocks. But if you put in the rocks first, the pebbles and sand will fit around them.

✨ Why This Matters

This metaphor reminds us to schedule and protect our most important priorities before letting smaller tasks crowd them out. It encourages women to design their days and lives consciously, ensuring what fuels us isn’t lost beneath the noise of busyness.

🖋️ Journal Prompts for the Week

Take time this week to reflect on how you’re filling your own jar:

1. What are my “rocks” — the priorities I must protect in my day?

2. What are the pebbles that support my rocks, but don’t replace them?

3. Where am I letting the “sand” take up too much space?

4. How can I rearrange my schedule to fit the rocks in first?

5. What small habit can I create to check in with my jar regularly?

   
   

The Pickle Jar Theory is a gentle reminder that your time is precious. When you fill your jar with intention, you create balance, peace, and space to flourish.

This week, honor your rocks. Protect your peace.

With care and clarity,

Amelia Duran-Stanton

Author of The LOTUS Within