Recently, someone very close to me ended up in the hospital, and everything stopped. My usual routines, my work-at-home rhythm, even the little daily habits I rely on to stay grounded—gone in an instant. When someone you love is hurting, nothing else feels important. And honestly, that’s how it should be. But now that things are calming down, I’ve found myself trying to figure out how to pick up the pieces and step back into some kind of rhythm again.
If you’ve ever been through a season like that—where life suddenly demands everything from you, and your routine takes a back seat—I just want to say: I see you. It’s not easy. But there’s grace for this, too.
Here’s what’s been helping me gently find my footing again:
1. Grace First, Always
Before anything else, I’ve had to remind myself that I don’t have to bounce back overnight. God’s not looking for perfection—He’s offering peace.
“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28
I keep returning to that verse. Rest isn’t just physical—it’s emotional, mental, spiritual. It’s okay to breathe before rebuilding. In fact, it is absolutely necessary. Now that my loved one is home, I need to give myself grace in order to help organize the post-discharge chaos that ensues after hospital care.
2. Take Inventory With God
I took some quiet time to sit with the Lord and ask: What still needs my attention? What can I let go of? What are You calling me back to right now?
Sometimes we try to pick up everything we were carrying before, without realizing some of it doesn’t belong in this new season. This is especially important as I make adjustments to what my family member needs (and doesn’t!) at this time. This season looks different, and that means my responsibilities, rhythms, and even expectations need to shift with it.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5-6
3. Start Small, Stay Steady
Instead of diving headfirst back into a full to-do list, I’ve started with tiny routines—like listening to my Bible in the morning while getting my coffee, or doing a short workout instead of a long one. These small rhythms are helping me reconnect with my day.
It reminds me of the manna in the wilderness—God gave just enough for today. Not tomorrow. Just today. I’ve had a major disruption, and focusing on what needs to be done today helps me to stay balanced.
“Give us this day our daily bread.” — Matthew 6:11
4. Let Go of the Guilt
I’ll be honest—there were moments I felt guilty for being “off track,” especially with things I had committed to. After all, I had a new semester in school that was starting during this time, and I have my business that I am starting up. Plus, I had to maintain my schedule at work. During my loved one’s hospital stay, I couldn’t keep everything up. But God isn’t tallying our productivity. He’s after our hearts. He knows when we’re weary, and He meets us there with compassion, not condemnation.
“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” — Psalm 103:8
5. Talk It Out
I’ve found healing just by opening up to a friend or writing things down—like this blog post. There’s something powerful about naming what we’ve walked through. When we pause to reflect, we not only create space for God to speak into our story, but we also begin to recognize how He’s already been present through it all.
It’s also empowering to look back and realize, we made it through. Even if we didn’t do it perfectly—even if we were tired, messy, or overwhelmed—we endured. And that matters. Sharing our stories, even the imperfect ones, reminds others they’re not alone in their hard seasons. Sometimes, our vulnerability becomes someone else’s encouragement.
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up…” — 1 Thessalonians 5:11
6. Celebrate the Little Steps
This past weekend, I made it back to the gym for a short workout. Then this morning, I finally sat down at my computer to work on my business and schoolwork. After the week of daily hospital visits and emotional exhaustion, even these small steps feel significant.
It’s a slow return to normal—one moment, one decision at a time. These might seem like ordinary tasks, but in this season, they’re victories. Because every small act of faithfulness matters. God sees them, honors them, and uses them to rebuild what’s been shaken.
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin…” — Zechariah 4:10
Final Thoughts
If you’re walking through a season where life has completely interrupted your plans, know this: You don’t have to have it all together to move forward. Just take the next step, however small, and trust that God is already ahead of you—making a way, providing strength, and holding space for every single emotion you’re carrying.
He’s not asking you to be perfect. He’s just asking you to come.
And I’m right there with you, one step at a time.
Girded with Strength Fitness 
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