In Chinese Medicine, the fall season is associated with creating rituals and routines. Whether it is going back to work onsite, beginning a new job after having quit during The Great Resignation or losing a previous job, sending kids off to new schools, or some other shift, many of us have found ourselves in new rhythms or phases of life as the pandemic wanes. As you settle into these novel patterns, it is key to design routines and develop habits that will support your well-being and health so you can avoid burnout, exhaustion, frustration and depression.
First, consider this: If you don’t consciously design a routine or pattern for your life, you will unconsciously design one. More often than not, that unconscious pattern will either be chaotic or boring. If you find yourself barely hanging on and subject to whatever springs up out of nowhere, that’s a clue you have a chaotic, unconscious routine. This is the closest to having no routine at all, where you may only have small routines or habits, like getting ready in the morning, but everything after that is a crap shoot, to put it bluntly. You feel pulled in every direction, and at the end of the day, you feel like you got nothing done and have no idea where the time went. If you find yourself doing the same thing day in and day out, feeling like you have no time for anything other than dinner and bed, and struggle to find meaning in your days, you likely have a boring, unconscious routine. While there is likely more conscious design in this type of routine than the chaotic one, there is a lack of intention and meaning in the day, which leads to depression and frustration. It’s not hard to see why someone doing the same, repetitive things day in and day out may find it hard to get out of bed in the morning, just to watch themselves repeat the pattern over and over again.
As human beings, we need to feel that our lives have meaning. We thrive when we have some sense of control and predictability, and when we minimize chaos and boredom. To design the ideal life, we must marry these concepts and consciously design routines that support us to that end. You may already have certain positive daily habits in place, such as taking a shower, brushing your teeth, or drinking enough water. However, conscious design of routines and habits demands going beyond the basics. We must align our daily actions with what supports our highest selves; in other words, we need to build time into our schedules to do the things that will help us achieve our goals and be the best version of ourselves that we can be.
There is always time for what we want to do; it is purely a matter of what we choose to prioritize. Yes, life is a balance, especially when you have kids, aging parents, or others competing for your attention and time with their own priorities. And, that all being said, you must learn to find inherent value in your own needs enough to fit in some, if not all, of the practices that support you in becoming that healthy, balanced version of you that you are currently wanting so badly to be.
Whether you choose to start with one or more of these, consider the following suggestions for practices you could add to your daily routine:
- Expressing gratitude. It is an incredibly powerful practice to write down or speak aloud things you are grateful for, whether big or small. Think of three things you are grateful for each day, such as a soothing cup of tea, the soft fur of your pet, or the color of the sky at sunset, and shift your mindset to the beauty in life.
- Spending time in nature. I feel like I write about this in almost every article (because I do), but that speaks to just how important it is for each of us to connect to the natural world around us. Every day, consider spending just a few minutes outside, or even noticing the details of a plant in your home or office. When we spend time in nature, we lessen our stress and learn to be in the present moment.
- Adding mindfulness. Practicing yoga, meditation, qi gong, tai ji, deep breathing, prayer, or even eating in a conscious manner are all ways to add mindfulness to your day. Pepper mindfulness practices throughout your day to bring a sense of calm and peacefulness, regardless of what is going on around you.
- Be creative. All human beings like to create. It’s important to build time into your schedule to express creativity in whatever way that means to you- art, cooking, decorating, designing games or programs, playing with your kids, and so on.
- Pursue your passions or hobbies. Go on a hike, get out that sketchpad, sign up for that pottery class, or rent that stand-up paddleboard and get out on the lake. You deserve time to do the things that light you up, no matter how trivial they might seem.
- Have scheduled time for your side hustle. Are you working a full-time or part-time job while you are trying to build up the business you hope one day will be financially viable enough to support you and your family? Your mission or purpose in life is a driving force that you need to schedule time for, or else you will begin to drift aimlessly and feel disconnected from it, or become distressed when you aren’t able to make progress. Schedule regular time to work on your projects, and practice expressing gratitude for the full- or part-time job(s) that are allowing you to be financially supported while you work towards your dreams.
These are just some suggestions for what you can add to your routine. Think about what brings you joy, peace, and meaning and consciously design your day around it. Remember that even small shifts to your routine can have profound effects. Starting your day with five minutes of writing down gratitude can set you up for a day with a positive mindset. Taking two minutes to close your eyes and breathe every couple hours while you sit at your desk can calm your nervous system. Walking outside for ten minutes at lunch can relieve stiff joints and get mental juices flowing. Gentle stretching for a few minutes in bed followed by a quick guided meditation can make for a more peaceful night’s sleep. Start simple and add more practices as you feel comfortable, and you will begin to reap the benefits of consciously designing your daily routine.
Note: This article was originally published in a local magazine for their November 2022 issue. For citation references, please contact Dr. Yocum at https://jenyocum.com/contact/
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