Fall Back Into Routine
BY APRIL PASCARELLI
There is something about summer. The carefree and cavalier days, endless nights, and adventures and experiences that the season brings. We cram as much into our days as possible while trying to soak in all the good vibes. As we close out August, we try to hold on. But just as much as we crave that free feeling, September usually has us longing to find routine. From getting kids back to school and having that sense of structure to carving more time out for our careers. But, those few months have given us our fill of freedom and left us feeling like we are equipped and ready to get back to reality. Here are some surefire ways to get back into a groove and hit the ground running this fall.
Schedule your time
Our to-do lists can often feel daunting. With a billion things going through our brains, it can be hard to know where to even begin when the time comes to sit down and focus. If you can relate, know that you are not alone! For this reason, pre-planning your days can very much come in handy. Each night before bed, consider your to-do list for the next day and break down what you truly need for all areas of your life. Prioritize and plan. Pick the most difficult tasks and move them up the list. Then take a look at your calendar or planner (it may be time to get one if you don't already own one) and time-block your day. Set aside time for work tasks, schedule workouts and self-care, and pencil in everything that is a top priority for yourself and your kiddos. Set a timer to help you stay true to your chunked time and get to designing your dream days.
Find a friend
Having a friend to help hold you accountable along your journey is highly recommended. Whether for workouts or setting up an everyday work system, checking in with a chum could be the added boost you need to stay true to your commitment. Making a habit of having to report in with someone holds us to a higher standard than we would if we were just up against ourselves. Plus, isn't it better to share our life successes (and struggles) with someone else on the same page? So partner up with a pal (or two), compare notes and strategies - even if your goals are different - and get going. The buddy system will help keep you true to yourself and your potential.
Be realistic (and kind to yourself)
Set boundaries while allowing for flexibility. Things are bound to come up, and sometimes going with the flow will be the way to go. Learning to do the daily shuffle rather than the daily struggle will work in your favor. Also, understand that it is okay to say no to plans. Fear of missing out, or FOMO, is legit and can be very hard for some. Being everywhere and doing all the things is so much fun! (Thinking we can check off more than we can handle can also be skewed.) But, doing ALL of the things ALL of the time is also exhausting and can easily lead to burnout. So recognize that when you do not allow for downtime, you end up doing your body a disservice. Not to mention, we are humans (and not superheroes) so give yourself a little grace. If you leave a few things on your list at the end of the day, it will be okay! Keep working toward your goals and checking off tasks for regularity. Review your goals and be sure you are setting realistic timelines - especially if you want to enjoy life a little bit too. (*wink*)
A few other things to keep in mind:
Plan out your meals weekly to take away from the dinnertime dread. Make meal prep a habit, or use a delivery service to help with meals to gain time back!
Asking for help is okay. Our pride gets in the way but getting better at asking for what we need will help you reach your goals sooner. Remember to return the favor to others when you can.
Allow for reset days! Not every day will go as planned. And know that with kids, MOST days will not go as planned. Trust in the process. Keep chugging along, brush off the hiccups, and remind yourself there is always tomorrow. The key here is consistency! And be sure to reward yourself when you do stay on track.
As long as you continue to stack healthy habits in your everyday life, you are moving in the right direction. Create a plan that will work for YOU without being too hard on yourself. Going after goals is not always easy, but it should be fun! So, enjoy the journey as much as you would the destination. Now good luck (and go get 'em), you goal-getter!