Finding Joy In Routine: When It All Falls Flat
Listen, I'm not proud of everything I've done in my life. But here's what I learned: sometimes, even when you're trying to do right by yourself and others, things just don't work out the way you planned.
A few years back, I decided to start a morning routine. I'd read all these self-help books talking about how routines can transform your life, bring joy, and all that. So, I thought, why not give it a shot? I mean, if it worked for all those successful people, maybe it could work for me too.
I started waking up at 5 AM every day. Meditation, journaling, exercise—you name it, I did it. For the first week or two, it felt great. I was on top of the world, thinking I had finally cracked the code to a happy life. But then, reality hit.
By the third week, I was exhausted. The alarm going off at 5 AM started to feel like a punishment rather than a blessing. Meditation turned into a struggle to keep my eyes open, and journaling became a chore instead of a therapeutic release. My body ached from the early morning workouts, and by the time I got to work, I was already drained.
The aftermath? Well, it wasn't pretty. I started skipping days here and there, then weeks, until eventually, my routine was nothing more than a distant memory. I felt like a failure. All that talk about finding joy in routine seemed like a lie, at least for someone like me.
But here's what I genuinely learned: routines aren't one-size-fits-all. What works for one person might not work for another. And that's okay. Just because something is supposed to bring you joy doesn't mean it will. It took me falling flat on my face to realize that.
I also learned that it's important to listen to your body and mind. If something isn't working, don't force it. Find what does work for you, even if it means breaking the mold. For me, that meant finding smaller, more manageable routines throughout the day instead of one big, overwhelming morning routine.
You're not too far gone if you've tried something and failed. Failure is just a step on the journey to figuring out what truly works for you. It's about being honest with yourself and adapting as you go.
So, if you're out there feeling like you've failed at finding joy in routine, take it from someone who's been there: it's okay. Keep trying different things until you find what clicks for you. And remember, every failure is a lesson learned.
— Francisco Meyer, walking a different path