Change. It’s something that happens to everyone all the time, no matter what stage of life you are in. It’s inevitable, it can’t be avoided, but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. Whether it’s a small change like maybe you want to start getting up 30 minutes earlier every day or something like going from having two coffees a day, to only one. Or it can be a much larger change, like switching jobs or moving to a different town. Change can be very hard, but often times, it can also be for the better.

Dan pointed something out to me this week. Something I know I’m guilty of doing, but until he called me out on it, I didn’t really see a problem with it.

I’ve mentioned in past blogs that I’ve struggled with OCD in many aspects of my life. I’ve worked hard to talk back to my own mind, and I’ve gotten to a point where it doesn’t really affect me like it used to. Except for one thing: my schedule. I am religious about sticking to a weekly schedule, and it makes me so incredibly anxious to break that schedule.

I have to wake up at a certain time on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays, and a different time on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I have to do specific workouts on specific days of the week and I don’t like switching it up. I have to go to the grocery store at the same time each week. I plan my supper schedule a week in advance, what days we are going to eat what meal and I’m pretty strict about sticking to that schedule. And if something does come up that ruins that routine, I usually go with it, but it puts me in a bad mood and like I said, my anxiety really kicks in.

So, we have plans this weekend to go to the farm. I asked Dan if we could be back by a certain time on Sunday so I can get my grocery shopping done. His response?

No. He said no.

He looked at me and asked me what would happen if I didn’t get to the store at the exact time I wanted to be there. I told him I’d have to rearrange my Monday schedule to fit in grocery shopping. He took me by the shoulders and asked me seriously, “Megan, will you die if you don’t get to the grocery store on Sunday?” Before I could respond, he said, “No, you won’t.”

He told me I need to stop stressing so much about sticking to an ironclad schedule. He said when we have kids someday, do you think our lives are going to be on a schedule? That every day can be predicated and it’s all going to go according to plan?

I know that’s not the case. I know throwing kids into the mix is going to change my every day schedule. Up until this week, I always told myself I would just deal with it when that time comes. But, I know deep down I am going to struggle pretty hard with that if I don’t start loosening up on it now. That’s why I’m now going to make a conscious effort to relax when it comes to making my schedule.

I can still plan ahead. I can still have somewhat of a routine. But if something doesn’t go the way I originally planned, I’m going to have to deal with it. I’ve got to change my way of thinking if this is going to work. It’s going to be hard, but like I said at the beginning: I’ll ultimately be better off because of this change.

Does something in your life need to change as well? What’s stopping you from taking that step towards change? Will your life be better off if you take that leap? If the answer is yes, then what are you waiting for!?

I believe you can do whatever you set your mind to, and wish you the best on that journey!

Until next time! 🙂

Megan Reiffenberger