I had a plan.
I was going to post a new blog every week.
I brainstormed topics.
I mapped out a four-part series.
Then… life happened.
🤒 My son got the flu.
🤧 I got the flu.
❄️☃️🌨️ Three unexpected snow days (which I did LOVE, but...)
📅🗓️ Multiple classes had to be rescheduled.
📶 Internet problems—because of course.
My carefully planned schedule? Out. The. Window.
As adults, we all have things that pull us in different directions—work, family, unexpected events, or just the exhaustion of daily life. Whether you’re balancing a demanding job, raising kids, or simply managing everything on your plate, sticking to a routine isn’t always easy.
And this applies to learning a language, too.
We start with good intentions, but when life gets busy, it’s easy to push Spanish to the side—especially if we haven't built strong language learning habits yet. The key isn’t avoiding disruptions—it’s having a system that makes it easier to keep going, even when life gets chaotic.
Where I Went Wrong (And What This Has to Do With Learning a Language)
Looking back, I can see exactly why my one and only blog post turned into an unintentional solo act—just like what happens to so many of us when we try to build a new habit.
I had the best of intentions (a whole four-part series mapped out!), but I didn’t have a system to make it happen. I didn’t schedule time to write, I hadn’t prepped anything in advance, and I didn’t make it easy for myself. So, when life got chaotic last week, I naturally didn't follow through.
I’ve learned the hard way, especially as someone with ADHD, that motivation alone isn’t enough—if I don’t have a system in place, things just don’t happen. If I don’t make something easy and automatic, I’ll either forget, get overwhelmed, or talk myself out of it. And let’s be real—the same thing happens when we try to learn a language, ADHD or not. Good intentions aren’t enough—we need a system that makes it easier to follow through.
That’s why I’m a huge fan of Atomic Habits by James Clear. He talks about how success doesn’t come from motivation alone—it comes from systems that make good habits inevitable.
"You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems." — James Clear (Atomic Habits)
Instead of Just Setting a Goal, Build a System for Better Language Learning Habits
A good system is:
✔ Easy (Doesn’t require extra effort to start)
✔ Specific (Tells you exactly what, when, and how)
✔ Automatic (Becomes part of your routine)
Here’s what that looks like in action:
“I will listen to an episode of Cuéntame Comprehensible Stories podcast every morning while I make coffee and breakfast.”
“I will read one chapter from my Spanish learner novel every night before bed.”
“I will listen to Spanish music on my commute to work every morning.”
Your system should fit into your daily life, not feel like a chore.
Make It Effortless
Make it Automatic with Habit Stacking:
One of the best ways to make a habit stick is to pair it with something you’re already doing. Instead of trying to carve out extra time for Spanish, you simply attach it to a habit that’s already automatic—like drinking your morning coffee, commuting to work, or winding down with a book at night. This is called habit stacking, and it’s one of the most effective ways to build consistency without relying on motivation.
Habit Stacking is simple: take something you're already doing and add Spanish to it.
If you drive every day, listen to a Spanish podcast during your commute.
If you cook or clean daily, play Spanish music.
If you read before bed every evening, keep a Spanish novel on your nightstand.
Remove Friction:
Even when we want to do something, if it requires extra effort to start, we’re less likely to follow through. That’s why it’s so important to set things up in advance—so when the time comes, all you have to do is press play, open a book, or hit start.
Prep your resources ahead of time.
Follow your Spanish podcast so it’s ready to go.
Buy learner-friendly books and put them somewhere easy to reach.
Bookmark our Student Portal and other websites you use.
If you have an iPhone, download the Teachable App so that you can easily access the readings and audio on our Student Portal.
Print transcripts if you learn best by reading along.
Make a Spanish music playlist on Spotify or Apple Music.
The easier you make it, the more likely you are to stick with it.
Final Thoughts: Make It Easy & Keep Going
I could have set myself up for success by pre-writing drafts, scheduling writing time, and giving myself flexibility.
Instead of beating myself up, I’m focusing on what I can do differently moving forward.
Do the same with Spanish. Instead of thinking, “I’ve already fallen off track,” ask yourself:
What small change can I make today to set myself up for success?
How can I make Spanish easier to access in my daily life?
What’s one thing I can do today—even if it’s tiny—to keep going?
You’ve got this! And if you want structured support, check out my Spanish classes.
👉 Next post: How to measure progress (even when it feels like you’re not improving).
(Or… maybe something completely different? And let’s not pretend I’m ready to put a time limit on it just yet.) 😆
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