As we grow older, we are able to find a routine in order to keep our day running smoothly.
Whether you are a student, a young professional, or a parent, we all need a routine. Moreso on busy days.
The pandemic has taught me a lot of things, one of them is mainly to stick to a routine, even though you’re stuck at home. For me, it helps to have something physically written on my planner or even a note on my phone to have a better idea of how the day is supposed to go.
While not every day can be as perfect as we have always planned, it does help to find the basics that help us feel productive and accomplished throughout the day.
Here are some of the things that might help you practice establishing a routine that keeps you sane.
*note: This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. Qualifying purchases may earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Sleeping/waking times
We all have body clocks that change as we grow.
Gone were the days that I can party up until 3 a.m. and wake up at 6 a.m. in time for Sunday service, and THEN go straight to work (Talk about energy zapper). Looking back, it’s one of the worst habits I have had, and eventually forego.
Of course, this will all depend on the season of life that you are in.
While it is understandably challenging for parents of little ones, over time, your body will be thankful to have ample rest at more consistent times of the day/night.
It will also help you get less cranky toward anybody. Don’t ask me how I learned that. 🙂
Eating Habits
I am Filipino, and that coincides with being a food lover! An average Filipino eats at least 5 times a day.
One of the downsides of eating at home is that more time is spent on preparing all the food, from getting your ingredients at the store, to cooking, all the way to cleaning up.
Over the course of 5 years, I have managed to go with a meal plan that enables me to serve meals for the family without spending much time in the kitchen.
I have mentioned a bit on my socials that while we mostly eat at home, I no longer cook every meal, every day. This helps me to carve out time for doing other things I enjoy, like gardening, music, and learning more about blogging!
The Power of Time
Motherhood is indeed a roller coaster ride, and the feeling of overwhelm is inevitable. My routine completely varied on my child’s queues when he was a baby, and I have learned to be flexible and work around them.
While it’s forever true that there are more things to do than the time to do them, setting an actual time in the day to do something is the best way to start any project!
It is important to show your child how you manage your own time. It helps establish a good example especially when your child sees you doing it firsthand.
Family Calendar
The one major culture shock for me here in the U.S. was that not everyone is readily available. So if I want to hang out or spend time with anyone, it needs to be planned way ahead.
So every weekend I sit down with the family, pull out our calendars and see what’s going on for the coming week/s. It also applies if we wanted to have a party, go visit family, or plan for a trip. Especially with families or friends that are out of state, it helps to go even months back to plan certain events.
What matters to you the most
Ever heard someone say “I wish I have more time to do… such and such things”
The reality is, we are all given the same hours in a day. Nobody has been granted more time than others. So it’s up to us how we spend it.
My friend Amber Curtis has wonderful training in time management and simplifying tasks and has helped me find an appropriate amount of time on doing things, without sacrificing family time or falling behind on other responsibilities.
Craving for self-care?
We are in a beautiful era where self-care is more promoted and discussed. I feel that the more stress you have, the more you should prioritize a self-care routine because no one can pour out from an empty cup.
It is wonderful for our souls to spend some time for ourselves to be able to reflect deeper on what our main purpose is.
Whether finding some peace and quiet for prayers, a workout, a quick beverage break, or a hobby that you love, try your best to make time for these things.
As a parent, our priorities mostly revolve around our home and our children, eaten by tasks both immediate and long term, and then our own desires usually get pushed aside.
Sometimes, 10 minutes is all you need to breathe, reset and help you get through the rest of a wild day.
I hope you find these helpful and may you establish a routine that works for you!
