Summer of Distractions
Hey, how’s your focus these days? Do you ever feel like you are walking in a fog?
I do… my mind just goes bonkers with all the to-dos, the return emails, the pressure of wanting to be perfect! And then it all turns into mush…ha….
I will tell you that I have had a summer of distractions…I had plans to do so many things, workwise ( oh yea, working on my latest book project, fix both of my websites, deeper connections, more dance moves), body and health-wise ( lose weight, go to the gym everyday, tone up), and fun wise ( which I never used to be good at, but now I am too good LOL)…but I’ve had so many distractions.
Some self-imposed, some other things that I had to take care of while I’m spending another summer helping take care of my mom ( who just turned 99!). She’s wonderful , and it is an honor to spend more time with her, but there’s always things… house repairs, doctor appts, hospital runs at 4 am, cooking ( of course I could cook 24/7!
Of course then there’s always the fun things, like music jams, tiki parties, bowling, shopping.
I do believe I now have a full blown case of ADHD, described as Inattentive Presentation… or in my terms, lack of focus and follow through. Crazy making…
Which is funny because that is the primary thing I help my women clients with as a Lifestyle Coach… Yes, it happens to all of us…
I talked briefly about this in my Monday Mojo talk
What to Do When Your Daily Rituals Get Interrupted…
and you can catch the replay here, it’s short, about 17 minutes… and I am loving these Monday quick chat sessions, you can join me for the next few weeks for my summer mojo (right on my FB)
We all have them, and we’ve tried to establish some lovely grouding daily routines – those comforting routines that anchor our days, providing a sense of stability and control.
Whether it’s your morning coffee ritual, your midday workout, or your evening wind-down routine, these daily rituals can feel sacred.
But what happens when life throws a curveball and those cherished routines are unexpectedly disrupted? It can be jarring, frustrating, and even feel destabilizing.
Time to reorganize attitude and time to make it all work…
Damn…
Here’s some pointers, and yep, I’m right there too…
So first,
Acknowledge and Validate Your Feelings
The first step when your daily rituals are disrupted is to acknowledge how you feel about it. It’s okay to feel annoyed, disappointed, or even a little lost. It’s all valid. Trying to suppress them can lead to greater frustration. Take a moment to name what you’re experiencing. Like this: “I’m frustrated that I can’t do my usual morning meditation today,” or “I’m overwhelmed because my evening routine is completely off.”
The best thing is to practice flexibility and adaptability, let it all go and then you can change it up.
Life is unpredictable, and rigid adherence to routines can sometimes lead to unnecessary stress. Don’t beat yourself up, or anyone else!
When an interruption occurs, see it as an opportunity to practice flexibility. (Another Opportunity for Growth!!!)
Can you adapt your ritual? If your morning run is cancelled, perhaps you can do a quick bodyweight workout at home or take a brisk walk around the block later in the day. If your usual lunch break is cut short, can you find a quiet moment for a mindful snack? The goal isn’t to replicate the ritual, but to find a way to honor its intention in a modified form. Change.
Prioritize and focus on the main things. This is where my MAP ( Magic Action Plan) comes in handy.
When disruption strikes, identify the main purpose and benefit of your ritual. Is it stress reduction, energy boost, creativity, or simply a moment of peace? When you know the purpose, you can focus on finding other ways to get there. If your morning journaling ritual is about setting intentions, you could quickly jot down a few key goals on a sticky note or in a digital memo.
Then you can create Mini-Rituals.
Sometimes, a complete overhaul of a routine isn’t necessary. Instead, try to create “mini-rituals” that can be squeezed into smaller windows of time or adapted to new environments. These short, intentional actions can still provide a sense of continuity and comfort. This could be as simple as taking three deep breaths before starting a new task, listening to a favorite song while preparing a quick meal, or taking a moment to stretch after sitting for a long period.
Really babe, it doesn’t have to be hard. We can make it hard or we can make it easy and doable… our choice.
Unsettling and frustrating, yes, but they can also be an unexpected invitation to try something new. Perhaps a cancelled workout opens up time for a new hobby, or a change in your commute leads you to discover a new coffee shop. Viewing these interruptions as opportunities for something new, can shift your perspective from frustration to curiosity. Love that word, curiosity!
Most importantly, be kind to yourself. There will be days when things just don’t go according to plan, and your routines will be completely upended. That’s okay. Don’t beat yourself up for not sticking to your usual schedule. Self-compassion is key.
Remind yourself that you’re doing your best and that life sometimes requires us to pivot. Get back on track when you can, but don’t let a temporary disruption derail your overall well-being.
So there’s a few things I’m paying attention to, stepping into embracing the changes, and not putting pressure on myself. I hope that is helpful for you too…
We are human after all, and life is full of beautiful opportuniites…
Here’s a song for you. thanks Rag’nBone Man
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3wKzyIN1yk
With gratitude…thanks for being here. I love you
Paulette
~~~~~~~~~~~
Movement, Momentum, and Magic…
Are your feeling the desire to create some changes?
If you would like to talk with me, schedule that free strategy session with me now, and let’s dive in and see how I can help and clarify what is next for you, with movement, momentum, and magic! click on this link: https://calendly.com/paulettecoach/finding-your-new-voice-appt-call


