What To Do When Your Routine Is Interrupted

“If your habits don’t line up with your dream, then you need to either change your habits or change your dream.”

John Maxwell

I was on a more consistent writing streak until I hit two weekends in a row of travel and I failed to write a blog post. This weekend, I’m back home, and I’m excited to get back to writing!

We all get derailed from time to time. In other words, something or someone comes along that interrupts our routine or our habit.

“Feeling sorry for yourself, and your present condition, is not only a waste of energy but the worst habit you could possibly have.”

Dale Carnegie

Sometimes a break in routine can provide the refreshment and inspiration we need to keep going. And sometimes a break in routine totally throws us for a loop or even causes us to go down a completely different path all together.

What do you do when your routine or habit is interrupted?

1. Recognize that it’s going to be okay. A break from your routine or habit can actually be healthy especially if keeping the habit is consuming you. A broken habit or routine is not the end of the world.
2. Decide whether or not you want to resume the routine or habit. Take time to reflect on your routine or habit. Is it beneficial? Is it good for you and for those around you? Is it consuming you? What have you learned as a result of keeping this routine or habit? What might you do differently should you decide to resume this routine or habit?
3. If you decide to resume the routine or habit, get at it the next day or opportunity. Don’t sit around feeling guilty that you missed a day or two (or more). Get back to it!
4. If you decide not to resume the routine or habit, let it go. You can always revisit it later. Don’t sit around feeling guilty that you stopped a routine or habit. The end of a routine or habit can often provide space to pick up something new in your routine.
5. Don’t look back! Life is too short to live a life of second guessing.

The opportunity to get back to writing today is just what I needed. It has given me the chance to tap into a part of my brain that isn’t used during my work week. Writing has given me the opportunity to slow down and to think. And hopefully, writing today provided encouragement to someone reading this post.

What do you do when you experience an interruption in your routine? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

This is the day the Lord has brought about.
We will be happy and rejoice in it.

Psalm 118:24 (NET Bible)