Aligned but Imperfect: Planning for the Unexpected When Life Doesn't Go As Planned

We've all been there, right? You've got your planner out, your to-do list is a work of art, & you're feeling on top of the world. Y'all master list-makers know what I'm talking about! Your goals are perfectly aligned, & you're ready to conquer the week, never planning for the unexpected. Then, bam! The universe throws a wrench in your perfect little plan. The unexpected happens—a sick kid, a sudden work crisis, or maybe you just wake up feeling totally drained. Major side-eye loading...

It's so easy to feel like a failure when this happens. You might look at your perfectly organized plan & feel frustrated that you couldn't stick to it. But here's a thought: what if the plan was never meant to be a rigid blueprint, but more like a compass? A compass gives you direction, but it doesn't map out every single bump or detour on the journey. It's something I'm learning to come to terms with & release some of the control I strive to have over my life.

Being "aligned" doesn't mean being perfect. It means your actions, even the small, imperfect ones, are still moving you in the direction of your goals. Maybe you didn't finish that huge project, but you managed to send one important email. Maybe you didn't get to the gym, but you took a walk around the block. That’s not a failure—that's staying aligned. Some progress is better than no progress!

Being thrown off of my schedule/checklist can cause my whole being to go down the toilet. Anxiety immediately goes to 1000% & the attitude can go to rude real quick because of the pressure of being a perfectionist. Releasing control can be scary, but it's super necessary to getting through life. Everything won't go as planned every time.

So, next time life throws you a curveball, don't ditch the plan completely. Adjust it. Be flexible. Celebrate the small wins & give yourself some grace. Remember, the goal isn't to be a perfect planner; it's to keep moving forward, even when the path (& your planner) is a little messy.

Alignment isn't always pretty

What's a time your plan went sideways & you had to adjust? Share in the comments!