The First Attempt at a Routine (And Why It Failed)
I still remember that morning vividly — the one I convinced myself would change everything.
I set my alarm for 5 a.m., a fresh, buzzing hope coursing through me. “This time, I’m doing it right,” I thought. The house was still dark and quiet. I tiptoed downstairs, brewed my coffee, laid out my planner, and envisioned a smooth, productive day unfolding.
Except… it didn’t.
When Good Intentions Meet Reality
By 7 a.m., chaos had quietly crept back in.
My kids were up — hungry, restless, and definitely not on my “perfect” schedule. The school uniforms I thought I’d set out the night before were nowhere to be found. I was scrambling to find missing shoes, making breakfasts that everyone refused to eat, and trying to keep my phone from ringing off the hook.
Instead of the calm, early-morning zen I’d imagined, I was frazzled and exhausted before the day had even begun.
Why Did It Fail?
Looking back, I can pinpoint exactly why this first attempt to build a routine fell flat:
1. I Tried to Do Too Much, Too Fast
I thought I could flip a switch and instantly become a morning person who’s calm, organised, and productive. Spoiler: I’m not a robot. Habits take time and patience.
I tried to overhaul my entire day all at once instead of starting small.
2. I Didn’t Consider My Kids’ Rhythms
I was so focused on “fixing” my morning that I forgot my kids needed routines, too. Without clear expectations or a consistent schedule for them, mornings became a tug-of-war between my plan and their needs.
3. I Was Ignoring How My Body Felt
I wasn’t truly ready to wake up early. I was still going to bed late, running on low sleep and high caffeine. So forcing myself out of bed early just made me more tired and irritable.
The Moment That Changed Everything
After a particularly exhausting week, I sat down and wrote myself a brutally honest note:
“This isn’t working. I’m burned out, not building habits. And my kids need me to be present — not perfect.”
I realised that routines aren’t about being rigid or “doing it right” immediately. They’re about small, consistent steps that work for my life, not someone else’s Instagram feed.
What I Did Next: Baby Steps, Realistic Goals
I began experimenting:
- Waking up 15 minutes earlier — not an hour
- Setting simple, flexible morning goals like “drink water” and “get dressed”
- Creating a visual routine chart for my kids with stickers for each task
- Moving bedtime earlier (when possible) so mornings felt less brutal
- Planning breakfast options the night before
I even learned to forgive myself on days when nothing went according to plan. That grace kept me coming back instead of giving up.
Why Your First Routine Will Probably Fail — And That’s OK
Routines aren’t a one-size-fits-all magic wand. They require trial, error, and adjustment.
You’re learning what fits your family, your work, your energy — and that’s a process. Some days will be wins. Others, a mess. That’s life.
The key is to start small, track what works, and build from there.
✅ Ready to Take Action?
Download the FREE Morning Energy Audit Worksheet — a 2-page guide to:
- Track what drains your energy each morning
- Identify moments that fuel your focus and calm
- Reflect on your family’s morning habits
- Plan baby-step improvements that stick
- Include space for your personal energy highs and lows
“Routines don’t have to be perfect — they just have to be yours.”
The Balanced Wealth Studio
