How to Build Routines & Why They Are Important
Hello and welcome back to the blog! Today. we are going to talk about the importance of routines and how to create them. So, the exact definition of a routine is doing something in a regular order. Of course on YouTube, we see everyone creating videos about their morning routines, or evening routines. Sometimes I wonder if they really do all the things they are saying they do.
Most people already have established routines, and they might not even realize it. For example, most people get up in the morning, turn off their alarm, make their bed, brush their teeth and get coffee. Maybe not all of these things make it to your list, and maybe not in that order. However, whatever you do in a day that you repeat on a daily, weekly or monthly basis is a routine.
I think the real issue behind routines is that people either want to stop doing something (i.e. a bad habit) or start doing something (something that benefits them, or makes their life easier).
Personally, I haven't read any books on habits yet, but “Atomic Habits” by James Clear is on my reading list for this month. Maybe I will write a follow up segment to this blog to let you know how I feel about routines once I read the book. Perhaps I’ll start reviewing books!
Creating habits are hard. Not only do you need to do the habit, but you have to do it long enough that you remember to automatically do it all the time. Some habits are easier to start (or quit) than others. For example, I am trying to remember to drink four bottles of water every day and I have been doing this for over two years). Where am I going wrong? It is because I forget every few weeks and all of the progress I’ve made is lost. It also depends on how important it is to you. Many people who smoke and who are trying to quit will tell you that it is definitely not so easy.
Think of new habits that you are trying to maintain as mini goals. They are actually called maintenance goals - they are a type of goal that you do on a daily, weekly or even monthly basis. Usually, they are something new that you want to add to your current system or routine.
The easiest way to start a routine is to group the new habit with other things you already do. Say for instance, you want to start making your bed every day. Start tracking it on paper and do it before you brush your teeth. One of the tricks to adding new habits to your routines is to smart small. Take baby steps and only add one at a time. Try to remember to do it every day before something that you already do, and eventually it will fall into place. Once you have been doing that for a few months, add in something new.
It is easier to remember if you track it in a notebook or on paper. Many people use a habit tracker (I first heard about this when I began bullet journaling a number of years ago). You can use a monthly calendar and a pen or highlighter or you can print out a free one online. Either way, once you start marking down that you did that habit, it becomes easier to remember.
My current routine that I am attempting to work on is my evening routine. I’ve alway had an evening routine, but I’m adding new tasks to my list. The purpose of changing it is to get to bed earlier. Part of my evening routine includes journaling with a cup of herbal tea. I do this to calm down before bed and to wrap up the events of the day. The process of writing in the evening sometimes helps to stimulate ideas, and helps me to develop a plan for the next day. This leads to my next task, writing out a daily plan for the next day. There are so many benefits to planning, and we will not get into them here. Instead, check out this blog: https://sandradahl.ca/planning/https/sandradahlca/blog-page-url/https/sandradahlca/blog-page-1 .
Routines are important because they give you a sense of normalcy. Have you ever had those days or weeks when nothing goes to plan? For me, it starts when I wake up late in the morning and I don’t get time to do my morning planner routine. When that happens, it seems like the entire day is just off. (Not to mention, I usually get behind schedule and lose my productive morning time). Routines help to normalize our life. Adding habits to your day or routine can also be a form of self care (i.e. skin care routine in the morning or evening). It can be your time for relaxation or learning (reading for 20 minutes per day). You can basically do anything that you want, and if you do it every day it will soon become part of your routine.
Having routines are especially important when you have children. Growing up is hard enough! Routines give a child a plan to follow and can be used as a helpful learning and training tool. It helps to make your life easier as a parent too. A good bedtime routine started early will help your child sleep better.
Thank you for taking the time to check out today’s blog. Hopefully it has helped you think about creating a new routine and/or adding new habits to your current routines.
🌞 SAN
