Consistency Isn't Routine

I had a routine that was working.

Morning workouts before work. After dropping my son off at the bus, that was my window. Meal prep on Sundays. Taking care of my son. Contract work. Managing my Airbnb, which is 2 hours away. All of it fit. All of it felt sustainable.

Then my son got sick. Then I got sick. And suddenly my routine didn't matter anymore because I couldn't keep it.

I'm still recovering and can't work out. My son still needs full-time care and supervision, which is standard for his special needs. My business needs more of me. The housework is piling up. My body is in menopause, and I'm still figuring out what works: the right HRT dose, and the eating rhythm that fits both my needs and my family's. My energy is consistent. My life is not. I get run down when illness combines with caregiving and business demands all at once.

After two-plus weeks of illness, the routine is gone. And I spent some time thinking that meant consistency was gone too.

But then I noticed something. Even when I was sick. Even when I couldn't work out or cook or manage much of anything, I was still making my bed. I was still drinking water. I was still meditating. I was still showing up for my business (the newsletter, the blog, the posts), even though my body was asking me to stop.

Consistency isn't routine. It's showing up in the little ways that make any day feel successful.

Here's what my routine usually includes:

- Make my bed, even if I get right back into it, and even if I remake it again in the evening when I come downstairs for dinner.

- Get protein within 30 minutes of getting up.

- Drink 70 oz of water.

- Meditate.

- Eat 25 to 30 grams of fiber.

- Take my vitamins.

- Work out. I choose one of five workouts: a Zone 2 walk of 45 to 60 minutes, a timed mile (great for days when I don't have much time), mat Pilates, weight training, or a speed and agility workout.

- Creative time or gardening.

When I am healthy, I get most of those boxes checked each day. That bit of structure makes everything else fall into place.

But now I'm sick, and the list has shrunk to three things:

- Make my bed.

- Drink water.

- Rest.

That's it. Everything else is suspended. But those three things stay because they're anchors. They're the minimum version of showing up for myself.

I'm still rebuilding. My body is still recovering. The housework is still piled up. My son is better, but we're still managing the aftereffects. My business needs attention. I'm still finding the HRT dose that works. I'm still experimenting with eating patterns that fit my needs and my family's.

But I'm making my bed every day. I'm drinking water. I'm meditating. I'm showing up for my business in the most basic ways. I'm showing up for myself in the most basic ways.

That's consistency now. Not perfection. Not the full routine.

Just the things that don't disappear, even when everything else has to.

If you're rebuilding after disruption, whether it's illness or caregiving or life getting too big for the routine to hold, your non-negotiables are your lifeline.

They're small enough to do on hard days. They're big enough to matter.

What are yours? Not what they should be, but what they actually are, right now, in this season. What small wins make a day feel successful?

— Jeannie

Medical disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider regarding any changes to your health or wellness routine.