“Want to change the world? Start by making your bed everyday.”
Admiral William H. McRaven
I’m not great at keeping routines and I’ll be the first to admit it. Doing things the same way every time is simply not how my brain is wired. I actually used to think I was incapable of sticking to a routine. The problem was I could see the benefits realized by those who were able to implement simple routines and processes. I knew that always being able to find my debit card in a designated spot in my wallet would be an easier way of life. And yet, I was convinced that my life would always involve scrambling, shuffling, and doubting whether I had even put my debit card back in my wallet after using it last.
The end of 2015 was a time of total desperation. My daughters and I were still actively recovering from my late husband and their father, Jayson’s passing. We were learning how to take on each day and so, in an effort to have more good days than bad, I began my first real routine. I began tracking what I did each day. I took note of everything: what I ate, when I went to bed, when I woke up, if I went outside, if I exercised, etc. If I found I had a good day, I would repeat the schedule from the previous day as closely as possible. With so much of the day in a total flat spin, I knew I needed to take charge of the things that were within my control. Day after day, after reviewing my notes, I came to find some common denominators for every “good” day.
I collected routines from those early months that I still use today. It turns out those daily tricks wouldn’t just get me through the tough times but propel me from that point forward. After years of haphazardly spining my wheels, I had finally learned to harness the power of a routine. Words cannot describe how freeing it is to have even just one portion of my day solved, secured, and not requiring any thought. If you’re ready to adopt simple routines that will prevent you from feeling discombobulated, try the following:
- Early to bed: if we’re not well-rested, we’re not functioning at 100%. When I don’t get enough rest, I’m short-tempered, make poor eating choices, and am less focused.
- Early to rise: as adults, our brains are most alert in the morning. With this in mind, I stack the tasks that require the most concentration for the earlier hours. This is also a great time to have a quiet moment to yourself, free from incoming calls, emails, or household disturbances.
- Time block each day: I created the Joynal process to do just this. I list out my to-do’s, block off the time I’ve already committed to meetings or appointments, and then prioritize everything else that needs to be accomplished. This practice will give you a sense of where your time is being spent and ensure that you’re pouring your energy into the task or person that is going to provide the greatest return.
- Exercise in the morning: regardless if you’re a morning person or not, knocking out your exercise routine in the morning not only boosts metabolism and energy levels but increases the likelihood it’ll get done. It’s difficult to stop the clock to workout in the middle of the day and the motivation to exert yourself after a full day of work is rarely there.
- Fewer Starches & Sugars: Hi, my name is Megan and I am addicted to carbs. What I learned is the more I eat carbs, the more I crave them; it’s a vicious cycle of glucose highs and lows. Instead, try to focus on eating complex carbs like veggies and satisfying your sweet tooth with fructose (the sugar found in fruit).
- Music: Did you know that music has the ability to engage our sympathetic nervous system? When I’m preparing to tackle that to-do list item I’ve been avoiding, I cue up the tunes! Music energizes us and can make undesirable or mundane tasks feel tolerable by lifting our mood.
- No work in the evenings: this is huge for me! I was a classic put the kids to bed and pull out the computer person. The thing is, it was wreaking havoc on my nervous system. Evenings are meant for unwinding and resetting so you’re ready for the day ahead. Burning the candle at both ends used to be my MO, but I learned it only leaves you with a big puddle of wax.
Before deciding upon a new routine, jot down what you’re currently doing, think about how you feel, and look for patterns. Understanding what’s working and what’s not will help guide you in building a routine that’s right for you!
