It’s Supposed To Be Fun...

Ever had one of those mornings where you open your eyes and think, “I’m not quite ready for the world”? That was my start today, courtesy of a cat who decided my door needed urgent scratching. In this episode, I share how that early wake-up call led me down a path of sluggishness and reflection. If you’ve ever struggled with managing your energy and getting back on track, especially when your day flips upside down, you’ll relate.

We talk about the surprising ripple effects of sleep disruption and how our brains love to fill in the blanks with anxious thoughts. I also chat about the frustrating moment when you realise your best-laid plans are going nowhere. From there, it’s about cutting yourself some slack, recalibrating, and finding the positives before you dive into the rest of the day.

A Rough Start to the Day

I’d stayed up too late, streaming shows I probably shouldn’t have. Then morning arrived with an unwanted alarm: a cat acting like it was on a mission to tear down my door. It felt like entering the day on the back foot, half-asleep and oddly annoyed.

Realising I was in a foul mood from the get-go, I tried to shift gears. I reminded myself that a cranky mood is usually temporary, but it can make everything else feel heavier. I said, “OK, this is where I’m at,” and decided to see if I could reclaim some positive energy rather than staying in low gear all day.

The Power of Small Interruptions

Little interruptions can add up quickly, especially when you’re feeling delicate. I wanted to sleep in, but the cat had other plans. That small annoyance spiralled into a chain reaction—I was now behind schedule and had far less mental clarity.

Rather than letting it become a giant meltdown, I remembered how easily the dyslexic mind can latch onto one frustration and run with it. It’s like a train that just won’t stop. Still, I knew I had a choice: keep moving forward or sink deeper into whining mode.

“I woke up tired, having stayed up later than I should, and a cat scratching at the door like a banshee wasn’t the wake-up call I wanted.”

Resetting Expectations

Once I accepted that my day was unlikely to be perfect, things felt lighter. We often set ourselves up for disappointment by chasing an imaginary ideal. It’s easy to tell yourself that today you’ll be super-productive and cheerful, but reality sometimes says otherwise.

So I paused. I let myself sip my morning coffee and have a slow start. I embraced the fact that my plan would change, and that it was OK. Letting go of unrealistic expectations often reduces the sting of feeling behind. It brought a sense of relief, which gave me some mental room to think more clearly about what I could still accomplish.

Dealing with Self-Criticism

For many of us with dyslexia or ADHD, that inner voice loves to chime in. “Why didn’t you go to bed earlier? Why are you letting a cat ruin your morning?” It can feel like a mini-lecture in your head. I used to believe I had to ignore these thoughts or fight them off. Now I’ve found it’s more productive to acknowledge them and move on.

Sometimes you can’t tame the chaos fully. But you can negotiate with it. I decided I’d let those thoughts come and go without feeding them too much attention. It’s a technique that’s helped me avoid circling the drain of negativity when I’m low on energy from the get-go.

Nudging the Brain Forward

Our brains are brilliant at collecting clutter when stressed. If one thing’s wrong, it’s suddenly easier to see other things that are also “wrong.” The good news is that it doesn’t take a miracle to shift perspective. I found a few small actions could help me gain momentum again:

• Take a quick walk – A five-minute break outside can reset your mind.
• Jot down tasks – Writing a short list simplifies the mental maze.
• Acknowledge the wins – Did you manage to brush your teeth before midday? Great, that’s a win.

We don’t always need giant leaps. Simple steps can loosen the grip of negative thoughts, especially if we’re already prone to overthinking.

Letting the Day Evolve

By mid-morning, I realised I wasn’t near 110 percent, but I could be functional. I told myself it’s not a race to perfection, so let’s see how the day unfolds. The truth is, even a day that starts with a rocky vibe can transform if you allow it some space to breathe.

After a bit of coffee and acknowledging the disruption, I tuned in to what my mind was trying to tell me. Maybe it was reminding me to get better sleep next time. Maybe it was urging me to plan a calm evening ritual. Or maybe it was just acknowledging that cats will be cats, and I’m only human.

All said, it’s shocking how quickly a challenging morning can turn into a new story you share, one that might even inspire a decent podcast episode. Sometimes an early bump in the road leads you to think about all the ways you can adapt and learn from the random chaos life throws at you.

Key Takeaways

• Sleep can make or break your mindset. Invest in a more solid evening routine.
• Small annoyances can spiral. Accept them early to stop that chain reaction.
• Let go of rigid expectations. Adaptability often reduces stress.
• Focus on micro-wins. They build positive momentum even on rough days.
• Your brain might throw blame around. Acknowledge it. Then move on.

Want to hear more about how I navigate these ups and downs in real time? Be sure to listen to the full episode, which you’ll find at the top of this page. Give it a go and see if it helps you the next time you wake up on the wrong side of the bed. We’re all in this together—one morning at a time.