Ever set a perfect morning routine and watched it unravel the moment you hit snooze? That was me today. My plan was simple: wake up at 7:30, go for a run, meditate, and journal to kickstart my day. I aimed to write this article before the rest of the family returned from their morning shopping.

But, as with many well-laid plans, reality had a different idea. My eyes open at 8:46, my morning-self having overruled my ambitions. Additionally, I spend some time drinking coffee with my partner and family. By the time we start running it is already 9:50-ish. When we come back from our jog we again spend some time drinking coffee with the rest of the family. It was lovely, and I enjoyed it. When I walk back into the cottage in which we are spending our holiday, I hear myself thinking ‘maybe today is just not a the day to journal, meditate and write.’

Like many, I often fall into the trap of thinking a disrupted morning equals a lost day. But as Ali Abdaal reminds us in his book, a few missed hours don’t define our day. It is easy to get the idea that if the start of your day did not go as planned, you might as well give up on the rest of your plans for the day. You should not. With over 12 hours left, there’s plenty of time to fit in what matters. Yes, we have plans for the beach, dinner, and family time, but there are still gaps to seize.

To get back on track, I decide to tackle the task that I looked forward to most—journaling. It’s something I enjoy and can do quickly. Returning to the cottage, I pick up my journal. Win achieved. On to the next action point.

Conclusion

Remember, even if your morning doesn’t go as planned, there’s still plenty of day left to be productive. Start with the smallest or easiest task on your list to build momentum and get back into the flow. A disrupted morning routine doesn’t mean a lost day. Embrace flexibility and make the most of your time.

Banner Photo By: Laura Chouette