It’s no secret that building a routine that you can actually stick to is no easy feat. You might have planned a whole schedule, probably on Notion or even on your calendars, hoping that you will stick to it, but then you don’t. This is because sometimes we set extreme expectations without the know-how on how to execute them. It’s very easy to write down plans, but we forget that routines should be structured in a way that fits our day-to-day. They should not feel like a task but more like a lifestyle. So here is how you can build a routine that you will actually stick to this time around.
Don’t follow trends
I’m pretty sure that I’m not the only one who’s been a victim of social media trends like ‘the it girl morning routine’ and many others just like this. The thing with following people online and romanticizing their day-to-day routine is that the actionable part does not usually stick. I, for one, tried waking up at three am because I saw someone who started their day at that time, and I thought I would do it. But soon, only a few days had passed, and I was drained and couldn’t continue. I gave up on that routine and my desire to change my daily routine entirely. Trends are just that, trends. They come and go, and every time there is something new to follow and obsess over. And the thing with trends is that after a certain period, they are no longer attractive. You want to create a routine for yourself that sticks. Not one that fades as the days go by.
Do what works for you
We are all unique in different ways. What works for me does not necessarily mean it will work for you. The same goes for your day-to-day routine. Maybe you prefer having your work block early in the morning because that is when you are most alert. Someone else might prefer either in the afternoon or late at night. Everyone’s productive hours differ. You need to sit down, analyse what time of day you do your best work, and then plan your daily schedule according to that. You should not try to structure your daily routine according to how other people are doing theirs. They planned themselves according to how best they can show up and perform at that particular time, and so should you.
Trial and Error, then Pivot
It usually takes time to fully figure out what works best for us. For instance, when it comes to weight loss, I figured that doing the OMAD diet helps me lose fat in comparison to going to the gym and whatnot. That does not mean I do not move my body, no, it means I am more intentional with how I move my body because I know what works. Walking and skipping rope are more beneficial for me. In that sense, creating a routine is all about trial and error. You try different methods, and if it does not work out, you pivot. You may start by waking up early and doing your most difficult tasks first, but if that does not work, you change. You try out waking up maybe at 8 am instead of 5 am, maybe that’s what your body responds to. Thomas Edison and his team tried over 3,000 different designs before the first bulb could work perfectly. So don’t just give up just because one routine did not work for you.
Be patient with yourself
Nothing good has ever worked from the jump. Same goes for you. In order to build a gentle routine that you will actually stick to, you have to be patient with yourself. You know how they say it takes 21 days to build a habit? It actually takes 66 days according to research. So, don’t expect yourself to have it all locked in immediately. It takes time, sometimes up to 90 days. And there’s no better way to build a solid routine than from a place of self-love.
We weren’t born to be good at everything from the jump. With consistency, failing, and trusting yourself to get back up and restructure, you are bound to succeed. Do not be afraid to fail, as with failure comes insight on what works best, tailored specifically for you and what doesn’t. So take that leap and get yourself a pen and paper and create your routine today.
XO, Shisoka.
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