The Benefits of Having a Routine
Have you ever woken up day after day and felt unmotivated, confused, frustrated and anxious? Everyday you rise at a different time and move from one task to another without feeling a sense of calm? Maybe without a sense of accomplishment? Do you have a routine?
Um, probably not if you’re feeling that way. In which case, I am sorry and I will say “get thee a routine now!” You might think routines are boring, for nerds, or children and that your grown-ass does not need one, but you do.
The benefits of a routine range from
Increased creativity
Reduced stress and anxiety
Better sleep
The ability to prioritize
Greater productivity
Enhanced overall sense of well-being and mental health
When we have a routine, there’s a timeline to follow in our day, which means that when the unexpected presents itself, we can still manage what will happen next. Routines are predictable and that, my friends, is their inherent beauty. In a world where we sometimes don’t know what to expect or in a day when we don’t know what to expect, routines anchor us in a safe place. And, you know what, sometimes safety and assurance is a really nice feeling. You might not know what will happen in your 11am meeting, or at 2pm when you receive a phone call because Johnny is at school and has a mishap; or in 30 years when a friend or partner unexpectedly gets sick. Routines do not prevent, stop pain or hard times from happening - but they do make all of those moments more manageable to deal with because you’ll have some semblance of structure to rely on. When we repeat a series of acts enough they become habit and habit keeps us steady and level. Through routine we can remain grounded in our lives instead of struggling to get everything done as it’s thrown at us. We can act instead of react.
Imagine a world where you organized yourself enough to do the below and you repeated the actions day after day.
Rise at the same time daily
Write or have a quiet moment to prepare grocery lists and organize what you need to do, pay bills, etc
Exercise
Eat breakfast
Shower, get dressed, commute and start your day
Here is the space where work and life happen, this is where things often become unexpected and this is where small breaks, taking a lunch and grounding yourself in a mini-routine can help
Pack up and commute home
Prepare dinner and clean up
Tuck the kids in
Prepare lunches
Unwind and shut down devices
Go to bed
Now this routine is an example and is subject to change based on your life and lifestyle. Personally, I’ve always been a morning person and someone who likes to prepare their day before they step into work, office, life and family events. When I know I’ve organized myself and cared for my person, at least I’ve started the day with a sense of order and accomplishment. Whenever I’ve danced with exercising or doing something creative at the end of the day I’ve faltered because by then I’m pooped. Get out your journal, have fun and write down a routine that works for you. Get started and see what happens after a few weeks with consistency and commitment.