Ask Erin: Getting Back Into a Routine

article by Erin Sharplin Love

This year I got my first taste of what summer actually means as a mom of a school-aged child! Boy, was I in for a surprise! My routine QUICKLY went by the wayside and left me in such a daze that I was unsure whether I was coming or going. Now, given the fact that there are some moms reading this article, I hope you can empathize with me. The good news is that school will begin again soon, and we can all get back into our routines. In fact, why not start now? That’s finally what I had to do! I have developed a “summer” routine that works for me now, but I will soon be transitioning to my “school year” routine.

With that in mind, I started thinking that you, too, might need a bit of advice on how to get back into a routine once school begins again. Here are my tips!

• Routines WORK! Developing a routine makes you more productive instantly, and, therefore, you will check items off of your “to-do” list like a maniac! A routine makes it much easier to focus on each task, so you will do it efficiently and completely. Your mind will stay clear and pressure free.
• Routines can be customized! You can choose a daily routine that is regimented or as laid back as you prefer.

Create YOUR Routine:
• Write down everything you need to do in a day – Including meal prep, bath times, laundry, etc. I mean EVERYTHING!
• Next, write down everything you want to do in a day – get your nails done, massage, read, etc.
• Specify what you enjoy on each list and what you find to be stressful. Mark the enjoyable tasks with an E and the stressful tasks with an S.
• Now, pick out the tasks that take up most of your time. Mark these by drawing a small clock next to them.
• Finally, identify the times of day that you are most productive. For me it is mid-morning, early afternoon and late in the evening.

Now you can create your routine efficiently. You probably already have some sort of routine in place without even realizing it. In other words, do you get up, take a shower, brush your teeth, have breakfast, etc. about the same time and in the same order every day? If so, you already have your routine set. We just need to fill in the blanks so that your day is as productive and stress-free as possible.

I suggest that you purchase a planner, or you can even print one for free online. You could simply get an inexpensive notebook and write out your routine manually. I have used all three of these resources and am currently writing out my schedule manually. You choose what is right for you.

Remember, too, that even though we are creating a “routine” you will need to remain flexible since “stuff” will inevitably happen.
I sit down every Saturday or Sunday to prepare for the week ahead and suggest that you choose a day to do the same. Planning takes work on the front end but brings peace in the end.

Now, let’s go back to your list of “things to do.” All of your “Stressful” tasks as well as your “Enjoyable” tasks should be spaced throughout your week so they work together to further propel your productivity. In other words, say that one of the “Stressful” tasks is doing laundry. Schedule it for a time that you can follow it up with one of your “Enjoyable” tasks. This will make it much less stressful.

Below is a sample of my weekly schedule to give you a bit of inspiration to create your own. Remember that everybody’s routine and schedule will be different! It depends totally on your career, what age your children are, etc. So feel free to adjust my schedule to fit your life.

SUNDAY
• Wake. Have coffee and enjoy the view in my backyard
• Prepare breakfast for my family
• Clean and put away dishes
• Spend time with my children
• Begin my Sunday cleaning routine
• Prepare lunch for my family
• Self-care (typically, I polish my nails)
• Spend time with my family
• Laundry
• Pick up and organize one small area
• Prepare dinner
• Bathtime and bedtime routine for my children
• Self-care = plan my week ahead
• Bedtime

MONDAY-FRIDAY
• Wake
• Coffee and a 2-minute chore
• Check messages
• Get-ready routine
• Children wake, so a 5-minute break is inserted
• Tend to pets
• Leave for work
• Begin day by checking all bank accounting
• Begin checking off my to-do list
• Lunch
• Out-of –office job or appointment
• Errands
• Home
• Family time
• Prepare dinner
• Dinner
• Clean kitchen and put away dishes
• Begin bathtime and bedtime routines with my children
• Clean and/or organize one small space
• Pick up items that have been strewn about
• Begin my bedtime routine
• Read and review goals
• Sleep

SATURDAY
• Wake
• Coffee and review my day ahead
• Prepare for work or prepare for a day with my children
• Go with the flow!
• Dinner
• Bed and bath routines
• My bedtime routine
• Read
• Sleep

Again, this is a sample of what my week looks like, but yours will (and should) look different. This is what works for me. I like to have a routine, so my days flow freely and without stress! If you have a current routine that you would like to share, please send it to me at [email protected]. I would also love to hear how getting into a routine helps you! Please share!