During such an uncertain time, one of the best things I did for myself was to create a daily routine that I was in tune with. Now, you may function in a different way but having some kind of structure to your day will ensure a day filled with purpose and focus. Here is an example of a few “time-chunks” that can help guide you when building a daily routine:
Set the tone for the day.
Is today a chill day? Is today a high-stress day that’ll require a lot of your energy? Whichever it may be, set the tone and tell yourself your intention for the day. Here is an example:
I wake up and make my bed, because I want to start being productive from the moment I’m up. And I tell myself:
“Today is going to be a good day. It will be busy because there is lots to do before the end of the day but I’m going to try my best to finish as much as I can. It’ll be okay if I don’t – the important thing is that I stay positive, enjoy the day, and be kind to others and myself. Today is a gift and I am going to make the most of it.”
Hygiene
Whether you like to shower in the morning or in the night, take some time to freshen up. Doing this first thing in the morning, or in the early stages of the day, will help energize you. If you feel best when you wear work clothes and a full face of makeup, go for it. Do whatever makes you feel good so you can do good.
Emotional and Physical Interaction
I love this part of the day. I like to spend a good chunk of my morning interacting with my loved ones. I love to have breakfast with my parents, while sitting on the couch and talking about random things. I prioritize this part of my day fiercely because I always want to let my family and friends know that I am there for them and that I would never take this precious time for granted. This always puts me in a good mood, and I find that it usually puts them in a good mood too so double win 🙂
Nourishment
For all those friends I scold for not eating breakfast, this one’s for you (you know who you are). I know, I know – sorry for being such a mom but this is VITAL. Nourishing your body with proper foods and hydration is going to help keep your mind sharp and make sure that you have the proper energy to be up and running all day long. Your body is like an engine. Invest in it by fueling it with good energy.
Productive Time
After spending some time with family and eating a good breakfast, I like to get to work. The earlier, the better. This is because, naturally, energy levels drain throughout the day because I like to wake up early and sleep early. I want to take advantage of that positive momentum I started out with in the morning to get all my work done.
Self-Care
This one is so important! So many of us work so hard but don’t take the time out of our busy days to care for ourselves. In no way is this selfish. In fact, if you think about it, it is the opposite. If we fill our cups to the full, we can help “top-off” the cups around us. One of the best investments you can make in life is yourself – your health, your happiness, and your peace. Do something everyday that makes you happy. Check out my post on self-care ideas to see some examples that you can practice everyday.
The important thing to keep in mind is to listen to your mind and body. What’s lacking? What does it need? Self-care doesn’t always have to involve just yourself. Maybe what you need is some cuddles from your dog to instantly boost your mood. Whatever it may be, listen to what your soul needs and do just that.
Physical Health
Exercise is SO important for our overall health. I love incorporating some sort of workout into my daily routine, especially during quarantine. I exercise not only for my physical health, but for my mental health too. It boosts my energy and I feel so accomplished at the end. I actually believe that it’s a form of self-care since I’m able to appreciate my body and the fact that it has served me faithfully for so many years, and hopefully many more. It is strong and resilient, and that’s something I always try to keep in mind.
Wind Down/Reflect
This time signals the end of the busy part of the day. It’s time to wind down and relax. Some ways I like to wind down:
- Cook dinner
- Take a warm shower
- Unplug from social media
- Wear PJs
- Journal
- Stretch/do some yoga
- Aromatherapy (I usually stick to something relaxing like lavender or jasmine)
While you do these things (or before) think about how the day went. Did you end up finishing everything you wanted to finish? Did you have a good day? If not, what could have been better? Think about these things and see if any of the answers are in your control. This way, you can fix them for the next day!
Plan for Tomorrow
Make note of what you need to do tomorrow so that you can wake up and start the day without wasting too much time. You can go to bed peacefully, knowing that your day tomorrow is accounted for and planned for.
Remember, this is just a general guide. Feel free to rearrange according to your style. Take these building blocks to create a routine that works for you. Several months into this COVID-19 quarantine, you may think it is too late to start building a routine. But is it really too late to start investing in yourself to secure a better, stronger future? Nope 🙂
Try to outline a mini routine for yourself. Don’t overwhelm yourself by making a ton of changes at once; you’ll most likely get discouraged and quit altogether. If it ends up working for you, keep building and growing from there. Having a routine is all about thinking ahead so that you can relieve some stress and anxiety that usually comes from uncertainties. It’s about creating certainty in times of uncertainty.
If you have any questions or want to get together (virtually, of course :)) to build a routine for you, feel free to reach out to me at therisensunblog@gmail.com. Hope this helps!