Change Your Routine and Get The Most From Your Day

Routine-a sequence of actions regularly followed; a fixed program.

https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/routine

Routines are used by mothers as a form of survival. We have to deal with individuals with varying levels of emotional control. They may be clingy one day and then want to be independent the next. Mothers hold tight onto what we schedule and structure for our children and spouse, as well as ourselves.

Our routine helps us set expectations. It also helps us accomplish things through organization. Routines definitely provide benefits to how we function in our household and professional settings.  However, constant use of routines is not always the best way to function. This post will look at some of the benefits of a routine, but also some of the restrictions a routine can place on you as well.

Benefits to a routine

Everyone knows what to expect with a routine

Managing expectations is what mothers do daily. We outline for our children what is the next event for the day. We use words to aid them in coloring their responses like ‘this is going to be fun’ or ‘how exciting was that?’ Mothers have to address expectations while still making the outcome a reality. With a routine, this is much easier to do because those involved already know what to expect and what is expected of them. Routines are great when assigning chores in your house or letting family members know what they will be responsible for during the week. 

Having expectations in place for your family when you decide to create that much needed self care time is also great when their is a routine in place. If you perform self care as part of your normal routine, they may even remind you that you need that self care time to be at your best.

Interested in ways to make self care more of a reality in your routine? Check out this post.

You can become an expert at a task

When you are able to perform a skill on a regular basis, you can become an expert. 

There has been some discussion in the scientific community about 10,000 hours of practice make you an expert at performance of a skill. There are, of course, many variables that affect your proficiency at higher level skills. Check out this link for further information on this: https://www.6seconds.org/2020/01/25/the-great-practice-myth-debunking-the-10000-hour-rule/

However performing ROUTINE based skills as a mother is not that challenging (laundry, vacuuming, cooking, doing the dishes, etc). What is challenging is all the other requirements that have to be performed along with all the routines (providing advise to your children, managing a budget, assisting your children with their learning, teaching your children manners, etc).

Downfall to routine

Boredom can manifest with routine

You may have experienced this downfall yourself: boredom. The routine part of motherhood becomes so expected that you can get bored of it. Those routine things can make you want to add some sort of change to what you do daily.  

Little outlet for creativity and learning Performing the same actions over and over takes out the decision making part of your brain functioning. You officially become a laundry robot or a dish washing robot. Not much to have to ponder or decide between.

Here are two articles that address the changes in brain health as you vary your routine:

• https://lifehacker.com/why-and-how-you-should-change-up-your-routine-even-i-1520593445
• https://www.claritychi.com/the-change-up-how-varying-your-routine-can-improve-brain-function/

What you do becomes thankless

As you go through your daily routine and tasks, it is easy for your family to expect these things from you. Mom always does___________________________. I have often wondered what would really happen if I did not complete the laundry process or prod them along to complete it. But then I can’t take the backlog anymore so I do it.

I know you are not doing your routine for a thank you. But it is nice to be acknowledged occasionally for the things you do. And not just on Mother’s Day or your birthday.

Easy ways to change your daily routine

Create a schedule with a varied focus each day

You can not escape routines. You may even crave them at times because they do provide comfort. Every Sunday you go grocery shopping so you are ready for the week and are able to get the items needed to provide for your family. 

You can switch up your focus for each day or change it weekly.Some tasks may have to always be performed on certain days, but there are some things that can be switched up from week to week. This helps in addressing boredom from creeping in.

Add in a fun activity

Surprise yourself and your family with a different event some time during the week. This changes your routine just enough to allow you to still complete necessary tasks but adds in some flavor that makes everyone happy.

We usually wash the car each weekend but we may go to a different car wash on a different side of town so we can visit a different park or book store to complete a routine task with a fun reward.

Pick up a new hobby

What have you always been interested in?

Now is your time. Try it today! You would be surprised how easy new skills are available to you right now in the virtual world and at a nominal fee. Use this activity to create moments in your routine that provide an outlet for you.

DELEGATE

This is a huge way to change your routine. Now at first, you may just be delegating to your spouse. Because everyone else is so small. 

Once children are toddlers, they can participate in chores around the house. They can start being responsible for cleaning up behind themselves. They can use a hand vacuum. Beginning early chores will help your children know what to expect but it will also help you change your routine as you will eventually be more of a supervisor versus a worker.

My husband has been instrumental in this for me because I am sometimes like they are too young to do that. And he is like let’s try them. There may be some complaining and mild resistance in the beginning but then it becomes part of their routine and they know you expect them to complete it.

Resources

Check out this information from Parents Magazine that contains chore suggestions for all ages. It also provides you with a way to create a chore chart for your household. Delegate! https://www.parents.com/kids/discipline/rewards/downloadable-chore-charts/

Here is a link that leads to chores that are a good fit for your toddler. https://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/development/behavioral/chores-for-toddlers/

Change is a challenging thing for me. I get anxious when the seasons change or when school is out and then in again, or in and then out again. I know with each season change there are new responsibilities I will be assigned. I have to be ready to change my routine and adapt to something new. 

Are you ready to incorporate change into your life? Check out this article that gives you even more benefits of changing your routine!

Other suggestions to vary your routine:

• Do not forget self care!
• Do not forget family movie nights!
• Do not forget family game nights!

All of the above are linked to posts that I wrote about on the topic.

I am passionate about optimal work life balance and I can help you excel in both areas without compromising in either area because I have found systems of planning, organization, and personal development that help achieve goals. I created this blog to discuss topics on our journey of motherhood that we experience daily. Come on this journey with me and Find Your Flourish!

Be you, be well, be focused! Find Your Flourish! |Shanna|

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