Alright, let’s talk about dealing with changes in routine. It’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately, and I figured I’d share my little experiment and how it went down.
So, I started this whole thing by deciding to shake up my mornings first. I used to roll out of bed, grab coffee, and dive straight into work. But I read somewhere that easing into the day might be better. Sounds simple, right? Not for me. I’m a huge creature of habit.
First day, I set my alarm 30 minutes earlier. I actually got up instead of hitting snooze, which was a miracle. Then, instead of rushing to my desk, I made a proper breakfast and sat down to eat it without looking at my phone. It felt weird, almost like I was doing something wrong. Then do some stretches, it was really good to me, physically and mentally.
I kept this up for a week. Each day, it got a little easier to wake up early, but some mornings, I really wanted to just fall back into my old ways. It took a lot of mental pep talks, to be honest. By the end of the week, though, I started to enjoy this new, slower pace. I felt less rushed and actually more focused when I did start working. It actually felt pretty good. I noticed I was more focused when I finally sat down to work. Go figure.
Then I tackled another part of my day—lunch. I’m notorious for just grabbing whatever’s in the fridge and eating at my desk. I figured I could take a real lunch break, maybe even go for a walk.
- Week two, I prepped my lunch in the morning.
- When lunchtime rolled around, I stepped away from my computer.
- I found a nice spot outside and just ate, people-watched, and enjoyed the fresh air.
- It was tougher than I thought it would be to not think about work, but I managed.
Honestly, the first few days, I felt like I was wasting time. But then something cool happened. I started looking forward to these breaks. I came back to my work feeling refreshed, and I even had a few new ideas pop up while I was out on my walks.
The last thing I changed was my evening routine. Before, I’d work until I was too tired to do anything but sleep. I decided to stop working at a set time, no matter what. Then, I’d do something relaxing, like reading or taking a bath. This was the hardest part. It felt like I was doing something wrong by not working more. But, I kept at it.
After a couple of weeks, I realized I was sleeping better. I wasn’t lying in bed with my mind racing about work. I was actually unwinding before bed, and it made a huge difference in how I felt the next day.
This whole experiment taught me that change, even in small doses, can be really tough. It’s not just about changing what you do; it’s about changing how you think about your time and your priorities. It’s about giving yourself permission to slow down and take care of yourself. It’s all about making little changes, one step at a time, and not beating myself up when I slip back into old habits. Because, you know, it happens.
Main Takeaway
Changes in routine are more than just changing actions; they involve a significant shift in mindset, especially regarding how we perceive time and self-care. Starting small, acknowledging the mental effort required, and allowing for slip-ups without self-criticism are key to making these changes stick. It’s a process of learning to prioritize well-being alongside productivity, which, in my experience, can lead to surprising benefits in both work and personal life.
