I desperately need to come up with an off-day morning routine. I absolutely live for routines. Most days, I get up early and start preparing to go to the gym. There’s a lot of comfort in knowing exactly what I’ll be doing and when. I also really look forward to getting out of the house. This isn’t always realistic, though, and I’m struggling on days where this isn’t possible.

Some mornings require family related appointments. Sometimes I need a proper rest day. I’ve tried becoming obsessed with work on these mornings instead, but without getting out of the house to do so, it just doesn’t feel the same—something is missing and I feel unsettled. I like the idea of grabbing coffee and going to the library, except they open way too late. Maybe I need to settle for school drop off and then a cafe. Maybe I need to find an early morning gentle yoga class. Maybe I need to join a walking club. Maybe I need to write a book.

In the meantime, I’m just here at home climbing the walls, anxiously anticipating the mundane, predictable, safe routine that most Mondays bring.