How can you start having a routine?
This has been one of my thoughts when establishing a morning and night routine—utterly unnecessary—until hitting that brick wall personally and professionally. It used to be crazy, I guess. Sleep came at whim. Scrolling social media would come as an after-wake routine and scramble around in a jumpy pace in doing everything to keep things afloat. Exhausting was one way of saying it, because at the end of every day, there is a strong sense of ‘not doing enough.’.
One particularly bad week, I failed to meet one of my key deadlines at work; I forgot my friend’s birthday dinner; I let laundry accumulate to the point where I did not have enough clean clothes. That is when I realized something had to change. I needed structure. I needed a routine.
A morning and night routine made me realize my lack of routine was impacting my productivity in both my personal and professional life, as well as my interpersonal relationships and mental health. I began by taking small steps since the concept of transforming my entire life overnight was daunting. Here’s how I progressed from having no routine to a structured daily schedule that brought balance to my life:
1. Set Priorities
I sat down with a notebook and put out what truly mattered to me, which are health, career, and relationships. Those formed the bases of my daily routine. With the knowledge of what to do first, I started planning my time distribution on each activity.
How this will help you: Through prioritization, you gain clear insight and set up a schedule that works according to what you truly value in life; therefore, energy is used more meaningfully on important aspects of life.
2. Developing a Morning Routine
My biggest challenge was the morning. I had to wake up at the same time every day, which was 7:00 a.m. I established a simple morning routine that I could follow:
- I drank a glass of water immediately after waking up
- I spent 10 minutes meditating
- I wrote down three goals for the day in a journal
- I exercised for 20 minutes
This ritual really got the ball rolling for the rest of the day, leaving me in charge.
How this will help you: A set routine in the morning gives a well-rounded base for your day so that you tend to be proactive rather than reactive.
3. Use of Planner
I bought a planner and scheduled my days. I decided to block out time for work, breaks, meal time, and leisure time. It helped me track my day and avoid procrastination for the day.
How this will help you: A planner will help you manage your time effectively, reduce stress, and ensure you do not forget important things to do.
4. Developing a Wind-Down for the Evening
I realized that just as the mornings needed routine, so did my evenings. I began an hour before bedtime to wind down by:
- Cutting off electronic devices
- Reading a book
- Reflecting about my day through journaling
- Preparing for tomorrow (e.g., choosing clothes, preparing my bag for the next day)
This enhanced my sleep, and I also woke up much fresher.
How this will help you: An evening routine signals your body it’s time to relax, improves sleep quality, and makes mornings less stressful by preparing ahead of time. Developing both a morning and night routine is crucial for this improvement.
5. Monitoring Progress
To ensure my routine was actually working, I tracked my progress every day. I used an app to monitor habits such as exercising, drinking water, and journaling. Seeing those streaks grow was incredibly motivating.
How this will help you: You will be more accountable, and you will be able to see tangible results that build momentum and keep you motivated.
Within a month, my life changed from being so disorganized to an easily manageable state of affairs. I began to hit deadlines at work, improved my relations with family and friends, felt healthier and more energetic, and most importantly, I started enjoying my days instead of dreading them.
Tips for Building Your Own Routine
If you’re looking to create a routine, here’s what worked for me:
Start Small: Don’t try to change everything at once. Focus on one or two habits at a time as you adjust to your new morning and night routine.
How this will help you: Starting small reduces overwhelm and increases your chances of sticking with your new routine.
Be Consistent: It is a fact that consistency is the key. Even if it feels hard in the beginning, stick to it for a few weeks so it becomes a habit.
How this will help you: Consistency transforms actions into habits, making your routine feel automatic over time.
Use Tools: Whether it’s a planner, an app, or sticky notes, use tools to help you stay organized with your morning and night routine.
How This Helps You: Tools give you structure and reminders so that you’re not likely to forget important things on your list.
Be Flexible: Life is unpredictable. It’s okay to adjust your routine as needed. The goal is structure, not rigidity.
How This Helps You: Flexibility allows you to adapt without feeling like you’ve failed, keeping your routine sustainable in the long haul.
Celebrate Wins: acknowledge and celebrate little milestones. They’ll keep you motivated.
How this helps you: Celebrating progress boosts morale and reinforces positive behavior, so you are more likely to stay on track with your routine.
Creating a routine changed my life, and it can do the same for you. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about making progress. Take that first step in establishing a morning and night routine, and you’ll be amazed at how much better your days can be.
