When Overwhelm Hits: The Hidden Power of Routine

The other morning offered an unexpected insight into just how deeply routines can anchor us — especially when everything feels like it’s spiraling.

After a few rough nights of poor sleep thanks to a lingering cough, the day started off on shaky ground. Add to that a toddler in full “no” mode — no to getting dressed, no to brushing teeth, no to stopping play — and the morning quickly became tense.

Eventually, the child was coaxed into the bathroom for the usual teeth-brushing routine. As part of that rhythm, a face wipe and moisturizer followed — a sequence that had become second nature. But just as the cream came out, the “no” chorus resumed. In the middle of it all, a partner suggested, helpfully, to just skip the cream and move on.

And that’s when the snapping happened — a sharp, out-of-character reaction to a very reasonable suggestion.

It was only later, lying on the floor trying to reset, that the pieces started to come together. The emotional reaction wasn’t really about the cream. It was about the overwhelm. Physical exhaustion, emotional fraying, and the constant negotiation of a toddler’s needs had already stretched things thin. That small, simple routine — washing the face, applying cream — had become an anchor. A moment of structure in an otherwise chaotic morning.

When that anchor was questioned, even gently, it felt like one more thing slipping out of control.

This moment was a powerful reminder of how routines do more than keep a household running. They help offload decision-making, reduce stress, and create moments of stability when emotions are running high. In times of overwhelm, these little rituals matter more than they seem.