I don’t like routine. I prefer to think of myself as free to roam and do things in my own way. However, I have found that developing small routines that I perform in exactly the same way each time I approach a task or time of day lets me keep moving while maintaining the order that is necessary for a peaceful mind.
Wakey-wakey
There are loads of articles on the internet about why a good morning routine can help you be more successful in life and business. They include anything from morning workout time, when to have your coffee and how long to ignore your emails for.
I say, screw all that and think smaller. Think about the essential things you must do before your day can begin, pick an order to do them in that works for you and mentally – or physically – check them off.
For me, there are two routines when I get up. The essential for every day is toilet, teeth and tablets. The second depends on whether I need to leave the house that day, which is hair, make-up and clothes. I do one or both before anything else, then I am ready to start the day.
Working nine to five
Work brings its own routines. Often, these are out of our control — but not completely. For example, if you set simple practices at the start and end of your workday you can ensure you set yourself up to feel in control of your day and end it feeling accomplished.
Again, the key to this is keeping it simple. Put the kettle on, catch up with a colleague and read through all your emails — then look at your to do list for the day. Wrap up every day by putting everything back in its place, making a note of things you need to pick up urgently tomorrow and make sure your desk is clear and tidy for the next morning.
Bedtime stories
Just as winding down your work day brings everything to a neat close and sets you up for the following day, so does a good evening routine before bed.
Whoever you speak to about this will have different advice, all I can do is tell you what works for me. However, one thing almost every resource agrees that you need to be putting down your phone and stepping away from the TV at least 30 minutes before you put head to pillow.
For me, it’s all about being calm and quiet. I find it useful to centre myself and clear my head of everything that has gone on during the day. I start by writing down three good things that happened during the day, then I meditate for ten minutes.
Now, I do use my phone to follow guided meditations on the Calm app (find out more here), but I lower the brightness on my screen as far as possible.
Just before getting into bed to read for twenty minutes or so, I do a final sweep of my bedroom, fluffing pillows, putting laundry in the basket and making sure everything is where I want to find it in the morning.
What’s in it for you?
Developing simple routines like this, and even ones for what you do as soon as you get in from work or for different chores, has three core benefits:
• It gives you a feeling of control and they are little things you can mentally check off to give you a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day — something that is particularly useful if you struggle with mental health issues.
• As they become habit you don’t have to think about them, freeing your mind to focus on more important things — like what you’re going to have for tea...
• It trains your brain to think in simple patterns and to form good habits, helping you to develop new ones more easily.
As always, these tips are things that have helped me adult (and stay as lazy as possible). If you have any suggestions about daily routines that others may find useful, drop me an email at lazycatguide@gmail.com and I’ll feature them on the blog.
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