How to Respond When Your Routine is Disrupted

Inside: When we’re waiting for life to return to some semblance of normalcy, here are some practical steps we can take to navigate the upheaval. ~

Last spring, my daily life changed dramatically.

I was still married to my wonderful husband. I still had two lovely daughters. I still lived in the same cozy house on the same quiet street.

But my regular rhythms and routines—some of which contributed greatly to my overall wellbeing—were disrupted following a serious bike accident. As I recovered from a variety of issues including a traumatic brain injury, head fractures and a badly broken leg, I felt like a cup of Yahtzee dice that had been shaken up and dumped out all over the place.

I’ve been a stay-at-home mom and homemaker for a couple of decades. During the last couple of years, I’ve been moving toward an empty nest, with one daughter in college and one who moved to another state the weekend before my accident. But never in my wildest dreams did I ever expect this ongoing transition would look like it did last year.

When I got home from the hospital in mid-April of 2025, I couldn’t do much of anything for several weeks. At the time, I was thankful for gradual physical healing, neighbors who brought meals, encouraging cards in the mail, the prayers of people around the world.

I also missed my routines. A lot.

Creature of Habit

Certain seasons of life—my parents’ last years, for example—forced me to become more flexible. But for the most part, I’ve always operated on a fairly regular schedule when it comes to cleaning, cooking, grocery shopping, writing and other activities.

Beyond that, I’m a morning person. And my morning routine, in particular, set the stage for the rest of my day.

Prior to my accident, most of my weekdays began with me waking up before 6 a.m. to read my Bible, pray and exercise. During recovery, I needed more sleep for many months. For several weeks, I also didn’t have the focus or mental energy to read a lot of scripture, much less type out my prayers like I was accustomed to doing.

During this time, it helped to recall the biblical promise that God is always doing a new thing (Isaiah 43:19). I couldn’t perceive what that new thing was back then, and I’m still wondering. But I continue to hold fast to the truth that He will fulfill His purposes for me, just as He has done in every other season of my life (Psalm 138:8).

He will do the same for you too. If your routines have been disrupted due to a personal health crisis, caregiving responsibilities, unexpected loss or something else, God knows what you’re going through and is present with you in the midst of the upheaval and uncertainty.

So What Helps?

When we’re waiting for life to return to some semblance of normalcy, what practical steps can we take to make our days a little easier (or perhaps a bit more bearable)? Although I don’t have many answers, here are a few suggestions drawn from my own experience.

• Start with the tasks and activities that are most important to your overall wellbeing.

For me, this included working my daily devotional time back into my morning schedule. It wasn’t as early as it used to be (it still isn’t, in fact). Initially, I only attempted part of my reading plan each day, and my first prayers were stream-of-consciousness, at best. But each psalm I read and each rambling prayer I typed out bolstered my peace and strengthened my soul.

• If necessary, look for replacement activities or new ways to do things.

Exercise is important to my mental health, so I purchased a recumbent stationary exercise bike once my broken leg healed. Although it took several months, I gradually worked up to using it four times a week. Eventually, I’d like to get back to exercising earlier in the morning. But using my new stationary Schwinn is more convenient than riding an actual bike, because all I have to do is go to my basement and hop on.

• Celebrate the small things that come back.

When I made cookies again for the first time last summer, I posted a picture on Instagram. The caption summed up what I was feeling at the time. “Life doesn’t always come roaring back like we might wish it would. But today, a batch of homemade cookies on the counter feels like a sweet step in the right direction.”

• Acknowledge the hard and highlight the good.

Whether you do this in a journal, in conversations with friends or in prayer (perhaps all three?), find a way to do it. Be honest, but be thankful too. Especially in prayer.

• Give yourself grace and take one day at a time.

One way or another, whatever caused the disruption in your routine will be resolved eventually. In the meantime, do what you can do and trust God with the rest. He will provide and sustain you.

• Remember you are not the only one.

Routines get disrupted for all sorts of reasons. Although we may not know anyone in our exact situation, if we’re willing to share our challenges, others often understand what we are experiencing and feeling.

• Finally, try not to look at the past through rose-colored glasses.

My friend Bethany shared a helpful quote about this that offers both a warning and a hopeful perspective. In My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers writes, “Beware of paying attention or going back to what you once were, when God wants you to be something that you have never been.”

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Has your daily routine ever been upended in some way? What helped you adjust and move forward? Please share in the comments.

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No Post Here Next Week

Next week, I’ll send out my subscriber-only, email newsletter, Courage, Dear Heart, which replaces my third blog post of each month. If you haven’t signed up for the newsletter yet, I’d love for you to do so here:

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♥ Lois

P.S. I’m linking up this week with InstaEncouragements and Let’s Have Coffee.