The Importance of Routine
When you hear the word ‘routine’, what comes to mind? Is it a fitness routine, a skincare routine or a dance routine etc? All of these have one thing in common: structure. Whether it’s diet, exercise or positive habit, it almost always requires structure in order to be successful. Structure is what gives the body a sense of control, stability and consistency. There’s a reason successful people are successful. They stick to a routine, making it a sacred part of their life. More specifically, they stick to a ‘healthy’ routine.
I find it strange, and almost comical, how easy it is to develop bad habits and how difficult it is to build healthy habits, all while enduring the obstacles of life. When thinking of the adversities and trials of life, a metaphor comes to mind. Imagine two houses, side by side, being built and only halfway completed. One house is being built outside in, with little to no structure inside. The other house is being built inside out, with a strong foundation firmly in the center. Out of nowhere, in the midst of construction, a vicious storm occurs without warning. (You can already see where I’m going) Which house do you think survived the storm?
The storm is known as “life” and the houses represent us as individuals composed of habits/routines or lack thereof. When life hits you from all angles, it can feel overwhelming and even the simplest things become difficult to complete. However, if you have a routine in place, full of positive and healthy habits, this gives you more power and stability to remain resilient during life’s toughest circumstances. With a world full of so much uncertainty, it is important to focus on things in your control, which is your attitude and your effort.
Even with the most solid routines and habits, these can still be cumbersome to maintain when adjusting to busy life and incoming adversity.
I just started a new job this past weekend, and I’m not going to lie, it has been an absolute struggle adjusting to. I had just spent the past 8 months building a beautiful routine and plenty of healthy habits, yet, it was STILL difficult to maintain any routine or habit. Like the storm I mentioned above (except having a job during these uncertain times is absolutely a blessing), life can shake your routine up. It can really challenge you and most definitely, remove you from your comfort zone. However, because I built such a strong foundation of healthy habits, I am better equipped and have a stronger chance of remaining consistent. Some of these habits include getting a full night’s rest (this is a MUST for me), practicing morning meditation and reading God’s Word. I have more, but these are my top three priorities if I am going to start my day off successfully.
WARNING: Building these habits took time. Lots of time.
You all know it takes 21 days to build a habit, and 60 days to build a lifestyle. Seems simple enough right? Except, there’s one crucial thing that people forget. It’s probably the most important factor of successfully building a habit and a concept that took me a long time to fully grasp. When you start the journey of building healthier habits, you should only focus on ONE habit at a time. Yes, I said ONE. Sorry to burst your inspirational bubble, but it’s true. If you try to change your diet, exercise, and professional habits all at once, you will most certainly feel frustrated, and eventually give up sooner than later. Plus, you feel so overwhelmed you develop a sense of hopelessness, risking the chance of ever trying again. This is a vicious cycle, one that spins round and round at the first of a new year as everyone is attempting to start their New Year’s resolutions. You get so excited for this “New Year, Better You,” but then quickly lose this deep motivation after a few days, a few weeks or sometimes a few months. It’s honestly so heartbreaking! So how do we break this unhealthy cycle?
Take those changes one habit at a time. Even if you start small, it still counts as part of your routine. Remember, the more you do the small stuff, the more impactful the results. It could simply be practicing meditation 5 minutes a day, switching out french fries for a salad at dinner, or even just walking for 10 minutes after lunch. Progress is progress. Don’t be afraid to start building healthier habits and routines today. What have you got to lose?
