I have always heard people say how important routines are for a healthy mind and body.
Growing up, I was on a strict routine. Wake up at 6:30, get changed into my uniform, go out and let the
horses out for the day, come back in for breakfast, grab my bag and lunch and was driven to school (45
minutes away by car, no buses near our house). School was from 8:20am until 3:35pm. My mom would
pick up my brothers and then me and we would make the 45-minute drive home. Once home, I would
get changed and head out to the barn, muck out the stalls (4 horses), get fresh water into their buckets,
ride my horse for an hour or so, give him a good brush down after, get their oat mash ready, put hay in
their stalls and then head back in for a quick wash up and dinner. After dinner was homework, going
out to the barn once again to call the horses in for feeding and to keep them in for the night. After that
it was shower time, I would choose reading over TV and then bed only to repeat the next day.
Since I’ve grown-up I have lost the art of routines. I did for my kids as they grew up. By the time they
were in high school it was every person for themselves. My ADHD is way worse to the point where I
need sticky notes to remind me to eat or take my medications. I can’t seem to remember even the
simple tasks that should be done daily. In my self defense, I suffered two major concussions less then a
year apart (but that was 11 years ago). I have read books and watched you tubes and programs but I
have found it so hard to start a routine.
If you would like to read one book, I highly recommend Atomic Habits by James Clear. He goes into
more detail but to sum up one of his books, try habit stacking. This is where you already have a habit,
ie: brushing your teeth in the evening, and stacking on another like putting all your clothes out for the
next day so you can cut out time in the morning.
My routine that I will be implementing will be:
8:30 wake up, make bed, dress for the day, tidy bedroom, bathroom and closet
9:00 feed my cats, let them out, make breakfast, clean up dishes and kitchen
9:30 read for half an hour
10:00 go to gym with my daughter
11:30 read and rest until lunch at 1
1:00 lunch, clean up dishes and kitchen, tidy all our rooms
1:30 -5 Free time (spend with friends or family)
5-6 prepare dinner and eat
6-11 Free time (No electronics after 9pm – except Kobo)
11:30 Bed time (Prepare clothing for next mornings gym, have gym bag and water bottle ready)
I will track my routine schedule come September 1, 2023 and let you know how it goes at the end of the
month. How I feel after and if it is something that I can stick with. I may be trying to make too many
changes all at one time but even if I only get ¼ of the things done consistently then I am on my way. I
just hope this will help my overall health, mental, physical and psychological health.
May your days be filled with purpose, enjoyment and love!!
Cindy