One of the things I've learned since starting No Meat Monday is that life doesn't always go to plan.
Recently, Michelle and I were away in our motorhome, enjoying a few days of travelling, relaxing, and generally forgetting what day of the week it was. That's one of the best things about being on the road. The normal routines disappear, the calendar becomes less important, and every day feels a bit like a Saturday.
Or so I thought.
A couple of days later, Michelle casually said, "You do realise you ate meat on Monday?"
Apparently, while I was happily ordering food and enjoying our travels, I had completely lost track of what day it was. Somewhere between campsite breakfasts, tapas lunches, and evenings under the awning, Monday came and went without me noticing.
My first reaction was to laugh.
After all, the whole point of No Meat Monday isn't about perfection. It's not a strict rulebook with penalties for getting it wrong. It's simply about making a small change that can have a positive impact.
Would skipping meat one Monday have been better? Of course.
Did accidentally eating meat on Monday ruin everything? Not even slightly.
Sometimes people think that healthy habits, environmental choices, or lifestyle changes only count if they're followed perfectly. In reality, the opposite is often true. The people who stick with something long-term are usually the ones who accept the occasional mistake and carry on.
No Meat Monday was never meant to be about guilt. It's about awareness. It's about making one small choice each week that benefits your health, your wallet, or the planet.
This week I got it wrong.
Next Monday I'll do it again.
And that's perfectly fine.
Because success isn't measured by one forgotten Monday. It's measured by all the Mondays that come after it.
So if you've ever forgotten, slipped up, ordered the wrong thing, or completely lost track of what day it was while enjoying life, don't worry about it.
Just enjoy the moment and pick it up again next week.
That's exactly what I'll be doing.