You've tried before. Maybe multiple times.
You set your alarm earlier. You bought the beautiful journal. You downloaded the devotional app. You promised yourself this time would be different.
And for a few days, maybe even a week or two, it worked! You felt grounded. Peaceful. Connected. Like you'd finally figured it out.
But then life happened. You hit snooze one too many times. Someone needed you. Something came up. And just like that, your quiet time routine disappeared again.
Here's what I want you to know: It's not your fault.
I mean, to an extent, it is your fault, but not necessarily because you lack willpower or discipline or even spiritual maturity. We could all use an extra dose of those things, but most of the time, when routines fail, it's more of a planning problem than a character problem.
The problem is that you've been trying to force yourself into a quiet time routine that isn't designed for your season of life.
The Real Reason Your Quiet Time Keeps Failing
Most people think their quiet time fails because they're not trying hard enough. They blame themselves for lacking consistency or commitment.
But after years of encouraging people through this exact struggle, I've discovered one of the sneaky causes: you're trying to follow someone else's blueprint.
You know the one:
- Wake up at 5 AM
- Read your Bible for 30 minutes
- Journal three pages
- Pray for 15 minutes
- Meditate in silence
It sounds beautiful. And for some people, it is! But if you're a night owl trying to force yourself into a 5 AM routine, or a kinesthetic learner trying to sit still for an hour, or a busy parent who barely gets five consecutive minutes alone... that blueprint is setting you up to fail.
You don't need to try harder. You need a routine that actually fits your life.
The 5 Mistakes That Keep Your Quiet Time From Sticking
1. You're Fighting Your Natural Rhythms
If you're not naturally a morning person, forcing yourself to wake up at dawn for quiet time is like swimming upstream. You might make it work for a few days through sheer willpower, but eventually, your body's natural rhythms will win.
The fix: Honor your energy patterns. If you're most alert at 9 PM, that's when your quiet time should be. There's no spiritual superiority to morning routines—God is available 24/7. (However, keep in mind that in some seasons, the most feasible time you'll be able to spend time with Jesus is in the early morning! That's the season I'm in as a young mom of three. Is it worth it? Yes. Work with your natural rhythms if possible, but whether you're a morning bird or night owl matters less than sitting at the feet of Jesus.)
2. You're Trying to Do Too Much
Reading, journaling, praying, memorizing, gratitude lists, Bible study, and worship music... all before breakfast. No wonder it feels overwhelming.
The fix: Start with the bare basics. Five intentional minutes in the Word and another five minutes of praying is infinitely more valuable than nothing at all.
3. You're Ignoring Your Learning Style
Not everyone connects with God through silent reading and journaling. Some people need to move their bodies. Others need to create. Some process best through conversation or music.
The fix: Match your quiet time to how you actually engage with the world. If you're kinesthetic, try walking prayers. If you're creative, try turning on background worship music. If you're verbal, try praying out loud instead of writing your prayers down.
4. You Haven't Planned for Obstacles
Life will interrupt. Kids will wake up early. Work emergencies will happen. You'll get sick or travel or just have an off day. If your quiet time routine has no flexibility built in, it'll crumble at the first disruption.
The fix: Build a backup plan. What does quiet time look like when you only have 2 minutes? What about when you're traveling? Create a minimum viable version of your routine. Write it down somewhere where you can reference or be reminded of your back up plan.
5. You're Chasing Someone Else's Experience
You read about someone's profound spiritual breakthrough during their 90-minute morning practice, and you think that's what quiet time is supposed to feel like. When yours feels ordinary or even mundane, you assume you're doing it wrong.
The fix: Stop comparing. Your quiet time doesn't need to be Instagram-worthy or life-changing every single day. Consistency matters more than intensity. Showing up matters more than feeling something. Trust me, stick with the discipline long enough and it will transform into something delightful once again!
Your Next Step
You don't need another pep talk about waking up earlier or trying harder. You need a routine that's actually designed for you.
That's exactly why I created the Plan Your New Year Quiet Time guide.
So grab a cup of coffee, your favorite pen, and a print out of the guide. Spend an hour thinking through the advice and questions inside it. Your goal should be to:
- Identify your natural energy patterns and best time for quiet time
- Discover which reading/prayer methods align with how you actually connect
- Build a personalized quiet time blueprint specifically for your season
No more copying someone else's routine. No more fighting against your natural rhythms. No more starting over every few weeks.
Just a clear, personalized roadmap to building a quiet time routine that actually sticks.
Because this year, you're not just going to start any old quiet time routine.
You're going to build one that lasts.