Routines & Habits

Routines and habits have been our go-to when we are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and unable to keep things under control. We create these routines and habits to provide some order in our lives and give us some peace of mind as we go about our day.

From someone who loves to be organized, you would think creating habits and routines would come easy. Though I can create them fairly well, living by them is a completely different story. I have gone months following a routine only to take a day or two off and never get back on.

Have you ever started an exercise routine where you’re doing very well? Then something happens where you take a few days off and then those days turn into weeks, then months and then you are back where you started when you first began your exercise routine. I remember working out with my husband doing P90X, Insanity, and MM100. I could get through all of them at least once. Then try to go another round only for my body to lash out creating spasms that would put me down for a week or more. Getting back on the routine of exercising is tough and now the worry of getting hurt creates a wall for me to climb, but that’s another story.

The point is, even though we create these routines and habits, they don’t always stick. So what do we do when that happens? Let me give you some suggestions, but first…

What Are Routines and Habits

Routines and habits are organized methods of a process you intend to complete at a given point in time. A list of activities and tasks you intend to accomplish regularly every day, week, or even month or year.

You decide what is added to the list, when it’s completed, and how you accomplish each item your routine contains. Whether your routine is one for the morning, evening, afternoon, or specific subject base; you are in charge of your routine and when you make them into habits that you unconsciously complete each day.

Why Are Routines and Habits Important

Creating routines and habits can have a major impact on your home, life, and goals. In fact, creating a routine more than likely is aligning with one or more of the goals you set for yourself. What you add and how you complete them is completely up to you, but there are some areas where having a routine become habit is beneficial:

Creates Systems

In order to create a successful routine, you must put in place systems to help you along the way. What those systems are, are your choice and depend on what’s included in your routine.

The routine itself, is a system you’re creating to keep yourself on track with your goals. I you have to put things in place to assist in your routine efforts, then you are creating a system. Setting an alarm, making a list, completing tasks are all part of your system. You just need to arrange it in a way that suits you best.

Organization

Who doesn’t love to be organized? Well, I guess some of you have a messy organizational approach and I will never understand how you do it, but that’s beside the point.

Creating a routine that you succeed at every day will help you become more organized and aware of your cluttery tendencies. Having something in place that helps you get things done is a great feeling. It also allows you time to focus on other important things in your life.

Personal/Mental Health

Some need to have a routine to assist with personal or mental health challenges. It provides a systematic guide to assist in getting your mind/health of on the right track first thing in the morning (if that’s when you decide to complete your routine). A self-care routine can go a long way to helping you feel more like you, keep your thoughts where you want them, and assist in fighting those things that are bothering you most.

Stay Informed

Have you ever told someone you were going to put something on your schedule, made an appointment, or promise to do something, but then have it completely slip your mind? Here you can review things, make lists, and stay informed of the things that need to get done. Of course, you would have to make time to review your routine and make sure you write down your important tasks. Keeping a notebook or even a reminder app handy for such things is fantastic for this.

Gain Focus

When you have a routine, one that is completed every day; you are able to gain the focus you need to continue with other tasks. You know what needs to be done, how you’re going to complete it. When you move onto the next thing, your mind is clear and ready. You can tackle anything!

How To Create Your Routine(s)

Now that you know some of the benefits of having a routine and creating habits, it’s time to talk about how to create your routine(s). Here is where your organizational skills come in and if you’re not the organizational type, well, don’t worry. These steps won’t be hard so you can complete them pretty easily.

Step 1: Set Aside Time

In order to create a successful routine you need to have some time set aside to plan it out. You’re going to be creating a list of tasks that you will complete at a set time. If you have a calendar or schedule, get that out and schedule a time to sit down for your routine creation.

If you’re like me and don’t have a set schedule, choose a day and time you know doesn’t have any events and make sure you set an alarm to remind you of your scheduled routine creation. You have time right now? Well, let’s get going!

Step 2: Decide the Type of Routine(s)

There are many types of routines you could do for your life. Morning, evening, afternoon, business, and many more. You can get as creative as you like here and create a routine for any task or job you want.

You just have to see that there could be a routine built into it, then you can have one.

Listed below the steps will be examples of routines you can find inspiration from. Use what you know and create a routine for any area of your life.

Step 3: Gather a List

Lists are one of the most used items in a persons day to day operations. We create lists for home items, business to-dos, groceries and more. Here is no difference. For this step, you need to create a list of all the things/tasks you want to have as part of your routine.

Write down all the tasks and we’ll move onto the next step.

Step 4: Organize and Schedule

Now is the time to set your routine the way you would like to create a flow you enjoy and fits you. No matter what you are creating the routine for, you have the option in which order things get complete. You decide where on your schedule things go. If you need something in the morning when you get up, then morning it will be. If you’re in need of relief before bed, then create an evening routine with meditation and relaxation.

Or if your schedule is so busy that you don’t have a larger block of time, but have smaller ones throughout the day, then schedule each part of your routine where you feel it would fit best. It’s your routine, do what you need to.

Step 5: Implement Routine(s)

Now it the time to put your routine to work. Try it for a few days and if it doesn’t quite feel right, rearrange until it flows the way which works best for you.

Remember these routines are here for you, no one else. If they don’t work for you change the until they do!

Bonus: Creative Atmosphere

Now, I’ve talked a lot about creating an atmosphere for other areas such as relaxing and writing, but you can create an atmosphere for nearly any part of your life you wish. You just need a little guidance and imagination to make the space what you need.

Check out our Creative Atmospheres page to see how we suggest creating some spaces and use your imagination to create your own. Don’t forget to let us know what you’ve created. We would love to see/hear about it!

What to Do When You Fall Off

Jump In

Well, the obvious answer is to get back on. It may not be easy and you may have to fight yourself to jump back in, but you will be glad that you did. Complete your routine when you remember it. (If you have the time and space to do so, obviously. At work doesn’t work for things you need to get done at home.)

Phone

Use your phone to set an alarm for the start time you want to complete your routine. Once the alarm sounds you get to work. This way you don’t miss it.

Plan It

Pit it in your plans. Some find it easier to have it scheduled into their planner and their schedule in order to get it done. If this is you, then your best bet is to enter it in so you see it every day.

To Do List

If you are the kind of person that loves a good to-do list, add it to the top priority list so you can get it done when you originally planned to have it performed.

Accountability Partner

Ever have an accountability partner for your goals, or exercise? Well, this is a great task to have an accountability partner for. If they are looking to start or are completing routines, you can keep each other on task and accountable for each others goals.

Routine Samples

As promised, here are some routines you can take inspiration from as you create your own for whatever area you’re looking to improve on.

Final Thoughts

No matter when or what you’re creating your routine for, you can find creativity and focus in all that you do. Take a look at your day or week and see where routines may come in handy. Even if they are once a week like planning meals and creating a grocery list, or once a month like home/car maintenance. You can have a routine for just about anything. Have fun with it and create better flow in your life.