Having a routine can be one of the most beneficial things someone can do to become the best version of themselves.
Routines not only keep you doing things that are beneficial to your mental and physical health but it keeps you on track, motivated, and self-disciplined.
I don’t know about you all, but in college, it was hard to have a routine when every day looked different.
Classes started at different times, sometimes you stayed up way too late studying and you needed to sleep in, or your roommates were still sleeping and you didn’t want to wake them by making your morning smoothie.
There is no time like the present to start a routine & if you are still in college don’t be so hard on yourself, start a small routine. Something is better than nothing!
Here are some tips and advice when starting a routine and how beneficial they can be!
Figure out your personal goals for a routine
When wanting to create a routine for yourself, it is important to ask yourself “what do you want to get out of it?”
Figure out if you want to be less stressed during the day, be more healthy, or overall more organized.
Everyone’s reasons for wanting to incorporate a routine into their lives is completely different so it is important to figure out what will be most beneficial for you!
So let me ask, what is your reason for wanting a routine?
Write down your current & future goals for your routine
This is one of the most important tips that I can give someone.
Don’t just think of your goals mentally but WRITE them down too! This is to keep you organized but to also hold yourself accountable and allow yourself to grow.
Writing down your goals will also make it easier for you to come up with a routine that will help you achieve your goals.
I am going to write another blog post with my morning routine as well as the goals I want to achieve with my morning routine so you can get an idea that hopefully sparks inspiration.
Write out your ideal routine
Remember to start small and that you can always add more.
Begin with the time you want to wake up and a few things you want to accomplish (only do a few things, you don’t want to overwhelm yourself).
For example: Wake up at 6:45 -> Take a shower at 6:50 -> Make bed at 7:10 -> (work out, read a book, journal, watch cartoons, go for a walk, make breakfast, organize agenda, meditate, get dressed) at 7:15 -> Start work at 8 a.m.
OR (if you like to work out in the a.m.)
Wake up a 6:00 -> Workout at 6:10 -> Take a shower at 6:40 -> Make bed at 6:55 -> (read a book, make your coffee, journal, watch cartoons, go for a walk, make breakfast, organize agenda, meditate, get dressed) at 7:00 -> Start work at 8 a.m.
OR (if you like to sleep in)
Wake up at 7 -> Make bed at 7:05 -> Stretch at 7:10 -> (work out, read a book, journal, watch cartoons, go for a walk, make breakfast, organize agenda, meditate, get dressed) at 7:25 -> Start work at 8 a.m.
It is important to do what YOU want to do and what is not only going to benefit you but also make you happy.
Setting yourself up for success in the mornings will set up the theme for the rest of the day.
Start into your routine gradually
After listing out your goals and reading my post on what makes a routine successful it is time to begin your routine!
Begin by setting yourself up for success by going to bed earlier and mentally preparing to wake up earlier than you may have before.
When you wake up…DO NOT PRESS SNOOZE!!! This is something we all are probably guilty of doing from time to time and now is a good time to break that habit.
Once you start getting into a routine you can figure out what works best in your morning routine and what find to be most beneficial.
Hold yourself accountable
Many successful people will agree that holding yourself accountable is one of the factors in becoming successful.
Without accountability, it is easy to make excuses and not complete what you set out to achieve.
It is easy to stay motivated when you are proud of yourself and you enjoy what you are doing so when you wake up you should be excited, motivated, and looking forward to completing your routine.
Reward yourself
This is SO important to remember!
Reward yourself with more things that bring you joy, leave you feeling accomplished and motivated!
For you, this could be treating yourself to coffee after work, buying a new plant for your window, going out to dinner, buying a new book, trying a new walking trail, or a new outfit that makes you feel confident!
Be proud of yourself <3
Keep improving & growing
Remember that you have to start somewhere and starting at the bottom only means you have THAT much more to improve and grow!
Growing as a person is so rewarding and beneficial in so many ways, it can also be the first step in becoming “that” person.
Most important thing to remember
Everyone has good days and bad days. It is okay if some days are easier to accomplish your goals than others.
After adjusting to your routine you may find that when you are having an off day or don’t feel yourself, persevering and still completing your routine helps you clear your head, leaves you feeling accomplished, and leaves you with a different mindset & attitude.
Just remember that you can do this and you are awesome for even getting this far!
