Embracing the Return to Routine & Lessons from a Chaotic Summer

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As we welcome fall and the kids return to their back-to-school routines, I’ve had some time to reflect on the whirlwind of our chaotic summer months. This summer was different for us—exciting, spontaneous, and full of adventure. We packed our days with beach outings, poolside fun, and impromptu trips that created beautiful, lasting memories. Yet, amidst all this joy, there was a certain undercurrent of chaos that crept in—a chaos that, while energizing at first, eventually became overwhelming.

In the past, I’ve always found a little chaos invigorating.

I thrive on variety, unpredictability, and spur-of-the-moment decisions. But this summer took that to a whole new level. Without the structure of a school schedule, we were juggling jobs, caring for the kids, and managing a household with no real plan. On paper, it sounded like the perfect formula for an unforgettable summer. In reality, it was a bit more challenging than I anticipated.

The chaos didn’t just manifest in our schedules. It seeped into our home life, too. Household tasks and chores slipped through the cracks, leaving clutter—both physical and mental—in their wake. At first, it seemed like a small price to pay for the spontaneity we were chasing. But as the weeks wore on, I realized that a little bit of structure goes a long way in keeping everyone grounded. Don’t get me wrong; there’s nothing like an impromptu day of fun, but as our home grew messier and my to-do list grew longer, the chaos began to feel less liberating and more overwhelming.

Now that the school year has begun, I’m feeling a profound sense of gratitude for the return to routine and structure.

The predictable rhythm of school days, homework, and extracurricular activities has brought much-needed order back into our lives. It’s a comforting reminder that, while flexibility and spontaneity have their place, there’s also a lot to be said for the security of a routine. With structure comes stability, and with stability comes peace of mind.

Looking back at my pre-summer self, I smile at my enthusiasm for an unstructured, free-flowing summer. In a June blog, I wrote about the magic of spontaneous adventures and how I was embracing a go-with-the-flow mindset for the summer months. I still believe in that magic, but I may have underestimated the challenges of such a free-spirited approach. There were times when I felt disheveled and disorganized—like I was barely keeping my head above water. But if you ask my kids, they’ll tell you they had the best summer ever.

And therein lies the beauty of it all. While I was feeling the strain of our chaotic days, my boys were basking in the joy of endless fun and freedom. It’s a beautiful reminder that everyone experiences the same situation differently. To them, summer was perfect. And honestly, when I reflect on all the smiles, laughter, and memories we created, I have to agree—it was a pretty incredible summer.

The return to routine has reminded me that structure isn’t the enemy of fun—it’s the foundation that supports it.

I’m not advocating for rigid schedules or over-planned days, but rather a flexible framework that gives us enough structure to stay grounded while still allowing for spontaneous moments of fun. By striking that balance, I believe we can have the best of both worlds—a chaotic summer full of magic and memories, but with just enough order to keep the chaos at bay.

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