Routine for the little guy
It is a sunny day so I’m writing outside in my garden. And I have to acknowledge my immense gratitude for having an outdoor space. While it needs a lot of work, we’ve got a place to stretch a little further than our four walls. I know this is not the same for so many people in these tough times.
This is why I wanted to put fingers to keyboard about the importance of routine. Now a routine is important whatever the world happens to be doing to you or whatever you happen to be doing in the world.
We humans are creatures of habit and our brains like things that have structure. It’s a bit like friends. You know what your friends are like and you generally have a good time with them. Consider the alternative of going out with a bunch of people you don’t know and hoping you will all get along. But you drop that lot and start over with a new bunch. Then again and again. Eat, sleep, weird, repeat. How extremely tiring and only ever at the surface.
Our brains like familiarity – which word came first, family or familiarity? Anyway, the brain likes structure. The routine.
You get the idea. However, a routine is different for everyone. Not just what you like to do but how you like to do it.
But here we all are……thrust into a real change. Wherever you are in the world, we are all affected by this one. If you are one of the thousands who cannot work or, worse still, have been laid off then a routine is important. Believe it or not, it will keep you buoyant. It will help keep you sane.
Like I say – we all do stuff in different ways which means I cannot give you a routine. The thing to do is get yourself a pen and paper. Or may be notes on your preferred device and just jot down the stuff you do. Try to consider everything:
· the fun stuff
· the dull stuff
· the got to get it done stuff
· the job stuff
If it’s looking for a new job, then stick it in there. It’s part of the routine.
To give you an idea of what I mean, last year my eldest did his GSCEs. And to help all the parents to help their children a session arranged by the school to talk about routine. The teachers spoke about the importance of maintaining everything. Keeping time for the fun stuff. Switching resources or tools to keep things fresh. Taking breaks. Making time for exercise. For being outdoors. Time to talk to people and to see friends and family. Learning new things.
Get everything down in notes. Put some priority to them and be realistic about how much time you think you need for each one. Like if it’s a HIIT class you may need to include time to shower and change.
Then set about creating a loose routine. You don’t have to pack your days full with a tight schedule. This is more about inclusion.
Why am writing this, by the way? Well it’s because I got thrown by the massive change in my life….
I thought the lack of daily commute would simply free up more time. Yet instead it threw me off because I had used my commute to listen to a bit of news and then Audible for learning. Being at home that time got sucked into getting up later (5:45am became 7am), helping get our children organised for home learning and then we all got in 30 minutes our allotted outside time with a morning walk. I took in news elsewhere – during work breaks when I could have stepped away from my desk. And Audible went out the window as I couldn’t find the personal space with a full house. Hence the delay in getting out a new blog – my creativity and energy waned.
So back to you guys…! If you are struggling with routine in this new world take solace that you’re not alone. Use this blog as a guide to get you started and re-find your groove.
If you need a little extra help, then reach out. I’m good with providing a free hour of consultation and I even throw in some homework – pointers if you will – on how to reboot.
WithOutLimit is a Career and Life Coaching Service. Created in Royal Berkshire, UK. Digitally delivered to the world.