Why is it so hard to create a new routine?

I spent a lot of time listening to productivity podcasts in the early 2010s. A recurring theme in those days was the idea that you needed enough structure to keep you focused on your goals, but not so much rigidity that it was inflexible and brittle.

I’ve observed my life and habits closely over the past 10 years. I know what I need to do, it’s just a matter of doing the work. It’s about proper preparation so that when the alarm goes off, I get out of bed and know exactly what to do.

Taking care of four small kids and homeschooling adds complexity to an otherwise simple schedule format. Each child is the x-factor, the known unknown. Each morning, I’m greeted by a completely new and different composition of attitudes, ready to shape our shared day.

January is almost over, a marker to reorient my drifting days back towards my goals. The new year is a recurring reminder to focus. I have a new rhythm sketched out, and I know it’s workable. I just need to have enough gas in the tank to push through. The missing element, the thing that’s knocked me off course so consistently, is ignoring my needs. I must cover my bases so that I’m ready to serve. Quiet time in the morning is the right start to my day. I require mental space before three pairs of feet come crashing down the stairs, full of plans and ideas for the day. I need to walk for an hour each morning to wake my mind and my body up.

For this new rhythm to work, I must achieve one over-arching goal; I must protect me time. It’s the schedule that I have, and it’s time to make it work.