Routines. There’s a lot of back and forth with this. Some people love them. Some people hate them.What is a routine any way?
Routine: a sequence of actions regularly followed; a fixed program
I feel like our school systems and the work force have tainted the idea of routines. It’s about doing things we don’t want to do. Sometimes the things that we didn’t necessarily sign up for. Most of us don’t like being told what to do. So I understand when people find resistance to having routines.
It spotlights the monotony of everyday life
People don’t want to feel restricted or tied down to something. I think deep down we all really want freedom. But one thing I have realized, in routines you create freedom. The freedom to do the things you want to do. Let’s be realistic here, there are things in life that we will have to face and do. Some of them we want to do and some of them we don’t. Either way, these things will come up.
By creating a routine, you’re taking the guess work out out of it. You’re not giving you mind the option to ponder and hesitate about it. You get it done because its something that you have gotten accustomed to doing.
Your mind just knows that this is just what you do, at this time, everyday
Because if we give our mind time to ponder, it will choose the easier option.
The one that takes the least amount of effort. The mind likes to be comfortable. It likes to be in auto pilot. So that way it can use its conserved energy when the lion comes out of the bushes and tries to attack us.
We all know this isn’t going to happen, but the brain is wired to be that way. It’s primal and still thinks the way it used to when these kinds of threats were a real.
Sometimes were trying to make changes in our lives, we want to better ourselves and also do things for ourselves. Things like working out, taking time for ourselves, eating healthier, etc.
For example. I want my weekends to be mine, I want to be able to work on my business and spend time with the people I care about, while also giving myself some much needed R&R. One thing that takes up a lot of my time is cleaning. For me, I cannot stand a messy home. Because a messy home is a messy mind.
So I spend every weekday cleaning a part of my house. I get home from work tired, I dont always want to do it, But because its a part of my routine, I don’t even think about it. I just do it. I have broken the days up to specific areas. I can’t clean the entire house and I have to be ok with some parts being messy. But I know that by the end of the week, it will all be done. I’m not deep cleaning anything, I am just doing what I can within 20 mins to clean up.
Then on the weekends, I wake up and my entire house it completely clean and clutter free. So if I have something I want to deep clean during the weekend, I can just focus on that one thing. And that gives me more time to be able to do the things I actually want to do.
Not only does having a routine help me with freedom of time. It also helps me to stick to the things I know I want to do that are good for me or that I want to do.
For example, I know that after I finish cleaning during the weekdays, I spend an hour working on my business. I don’t even have to think about it or allow my brain to convince me otherwise. It’s just what I do after I clean. It’s just a part of my everyday now.
Because I’ve created a routine to make it that way
Another example. Every Sunday I go to the grocery store and while I am out I fill up my gas tank. I then prep for the entire week. That saves me time with cooking during the week and also takes the guess work out of what I am going to eat.
So you see, you can develop a routine for just about anything. And the more you do it, the more it gets engrained in your mind. It’s always hard in the beginning, just like anything. So I recommend starting small and adding to it as you stick with it.
Now I know things come up. It’s not always easy to stick to so routine when we feel like we are getting pulled in so many different directions. Sometimes life happens. But so long as most days you are sticking to it, you will start to see the benefits that come with it.
I also know, that for women, its really hard for us to do things for ourselves. To think about our wants and our needs. But you are what makes the world go round. So if you’re not taking the time to put yourself first, then everyone around you will suffer.
Sometimes its easier to think about helping others than it is to think about helping ourselves. But you deserve to give yourself some time. Whether thats starting a workout routine or waking up an hour earlier so you can get some uninterrupted “me” time. Or even just spending a little time cleaning around the house during the week so you have more time to spend with your loved ones on the weekend.
You deserve it
If you are having a hard time sticking with the routines you have set up for yourself, I would love to support you. Because I truly believe that you can only help others when you help yourself. Let’s hop on a call.
