Why you should have routines

 

A routine is a word that is commonly associated with high achievers, millionaires, and successful people. You hear the word routine and Oprah comes to mind…but what if I told you that you also have a routine?

A routine is a series of things you do at a particular time every day without fail, whether you are aware of it or not. It’s not the same as habits even though the lines get blurry.

Simply put, habits are a single action while routines are a series of actions. There are morning, night, Sunday reset, and skincare routines. Pretty sure you have heard about all this but why is it important to have a routine?

 

Benefits of routines

They offer a sense of control- Having a routine means you are in control of the behaviors you repeat daily. Nothing takes you by surprise because you know exactly what you are doing at a given time.

Creates stability- similar to having control, it gives you a sense of stability and order in your life. The mind craves order so the more automatic your activities are, the more seamless life is.

Better time management & productivity- A routine frees up time for you. You are not wasting time wondering what to do next. You prioritize and focus on what’s important which allows you to get more done.

 

How to establish a routine

Assess- Do a little life audit and see which unconscious routines you have. Grab a pen and paper and make a list of everything you do from the moment you wake up till when you go to sleep. Determine which current habits are serving you, which ones you want to develop, and which ones you need to stop.

Set goals- pick one thing and focus on that only. Say you want to get into a morning routine, that’s all you need to work on. From that list you made, pick out 3 things, one you want to continue, one you want to stop, and one you want to develop.

Make a plan- Now that you are clear on what needs to be done, time to plan. This is where you get down to the smallest details. What time will you start your routine? How long will it take you? How many variations do you need of it? Take your time and really think it through.

Examples of routines

Morning routine

• Drink water 
• Make bed 
• Stretch 
• Shower and get ready for the day

Night Routine

• Change into pajamas 
• Do some skincare
•  Journal 
• Affirmations

Sunday Reset Routine 

• Do laundry 
• Deep clean your room
•  Watch your favorite show 
• Write down goals and intentions for the week ahead

 

Remember that routines are meant to serve you, they are not a way for you to restrict yourself. It takes some trial and error to find the right one so be flexible, adapt, and have fun with it. They will always benefit you in the long run I promise.

 

Until next time

xo xo