Discipline Isn’t a Punishment

Being at sea does something strange to your sense of time.

The days blur.

The rhythms shift.

Your usual anchors, gone.

The irony?

The job itself is built on routine.

Schedules.

Briefings.

Landings.

Watches.

Safety drills.

Every day has structure, but it’s not your structure.

It’s designed to keep the ship running, the guests safe, the mission clear.

Which means your personal routines...

The ones that keep you grounded...

Can quietly slide off the rails.

And even though I’ve lived and worked at sea many times, I still find myself thrown off when it comes to the small things:

Nutrition.

Movement.

Stillness.

Space to think.

The routines that connect me to myself dissolve in the name of service.

Not because I lack discipline.

But because discipline is often misunderstood.

Discipline is not control.

Discipline is self-respect.​
It’s a form of devotion to the version of you you’re becoming.

When my routines fall apart, I don’t shame myself.

I don’t try to force structure where it doesn’t fit.

But I do remember who I am.

And I look for ways, small, flexible, human ways, to stay connected to that.

Because discipline isn’t a punishment for being messy.

It’s a promise you make to yourself, even when things are hard.

So if you’ve been knocked out of your routine, If life feels too chaotic for structure,

Start small.

Recommit gently.

Come back to yourself.

Not because you “should”—but because you can.

Thanks for reading 🖤,

Aitana

P.S.: If you’re someone who thrives under structure but still feels like you’ve lost touch with yourself.

That’s the kind of work I do with my 1:1 coaching clients.

It’s not about forcing discipline.

It’s about rebuilding alignment that actually fits your life.

I’m taking bookings for May.

Hit reply and let's talk.