Finding a Routine That Works

As I’m sure it is with most people, I work best with structure and routine. With my daily mental health battles, it is so easy for me to become overwhelmed by the smallest things.

The routine I am in at the moment is incredibly unhealthy. When the kids are in bed, I sit down in front of the TV and pretty much don’t move until bedtime – except for food of course. It is so incredibly unproductive, and saps all of my energy.

Why am I in this routine? There is so fricking much to get done! My brain gets bombarded with all of these “I should…” thoughts, that I completely shut down and plead ignorance. After all, if you don’t think about it it doesn’t exist right?

Ha.

Whilst I am out of work, I am finding things incredibly difficult. Where I once had work hours to structure my days, I now have nothing other than the nursery run three days a week, and our Wednesday group. Allllll the rest of the day is free for me to fill with whatever fun activities and housework I want. Which essentially means there are too many possibilities to choose from and therefore I do nothing.

Today is the day (yes, that old chestnut) that I start building a healthier structure and routine. I am not going to make the mistake of bombarding myself with a ridiculous amount of change though – I will be taking it one step at a time.

Here is my list so far:

Self care

• In bed by 11, ready to sleep
• Drink more water – refill bottle at least twice a day
• Take a daily walk – weather permitting
• One night a week, in bed by 8 then read.

Home organisation

• Create a cleaning rota – start with a room for each day
• Declutter – choose one room to begin with
• Get the kids more involved – 10 minute tidy before bedtime
• Meal plan

Working from home

• Set evening hours just for work
• List of tasks I can start/accomplish during nap times or independent play
• Create a weekly/monthly plan of tasks to accomplish

How do you structure your days? Do you have a set routine or do you just wing it? I’d love to hear what works for you!