How to Create a Routine and Stick to It.

Why Mama’s Need Routine

I like being organized and when I have a routine it reduces stress and makes life easier. Routine keeps us sane in the middle of chaos, which is why as a new mama it is so important to have one.

Not just new mamas, but moms with kids already. You can work your children into the routine, and it can build structure in their lives. When something is repeated so often the kiddos know what to expect. Routine creates and builds good habits, because they are constantly being repeated. Engraining these habits into us. You probably already have routines you do everyday that you aren’t even aware of.

We are going to take to take a routine you already have, but add new habits to it. Little things that you have been wanting to do, but keep forgetting. Like chugging a glass of water in the morning, or remembering to take your vitamins.

Key Things to Remember While Creating the Routine

• Trigger >>> You need a trigger to jumpstart your routine. It should be something you do everyday so that you start associating one with the other. Examples would be waking up as soon as you get out of be, or Putting baby down for a nap, getting home from work. You can set an alarm.
• Easy Habit First >>> You want the first habit on your routine to be a simple task. That way it is more likely you will get started.
• Flow >>> You want to easily flow from one habit to the next. When creating your routine think about what room each task happens in. We want to flow from one room to the next. It wouldn’t make sense to go from the bedroom to the kitchen downstairs, just to go back up to the bedroom to do something that could have been done before you went to the kitchen.
• Timing >>> Each habit should last 1-5 minutes. You want the total of your routine to last about 25-30 minutes and no more than that. When we set times for anything longer it starts to seem a hassle, and we are less likely to keep doing it. Or if we are strapped for time one day we might completely skip it, which is a no no. We can’t make it a habit if we aren’t doing it everyday. If there is something that I want to spend a little more time on I try to add it to the end of my routine. Like meditation or Reading BUT I only NEED to do it for 5 minutes.
• One Routine at a Time  >>> It can be fun to create multiple routines and plans we want to stick to, but its important to only introduce one at a time so you don’t overwhelm your self. Introducing to much at one time will lead to failure. Try a routine for 30 days and if you have stuck with it then GO FOR IT! add another to your life.

How to Start

1. Decide what type of routine you would like to have. ( Morning Routine, Workout, Before Bed)
2. Make a list of every habit you want to include in the routine. Not in order this will come next. Just list everything on a piece of paper so you can see.
3. Now think about what room each habit takes place in and picture your flow.
4. Next depending how many habits you have start numbering them in the order you will do them. I have 13 for my morning routine. So I labeled them 1-13 according to how they flow from room to room.
5. Then go over it in your head as if you are actually walking through your routine. This is when I started rearranging some tasks or deleting all together that did not really make sense.
6. I like to add how long each task will take next to each habit then add them up to make sure I’m at or around 30 mins.
7. Once you have your list. Write it down in order in some kind of chart form. This way you can cross each task off while you do it to make sure you are completing it. Once you start to memorize it without having to look at the list or mark it off means its working and you are on your way to keeping those new good habits.

I have heard that some people like to use apps on their phones where they keep their routine such as Evernote, but I personally love writing things down on paper. I made a free printable for Routine habit Tracker and you can get it HERE.

More Tips on Sticking with It

• Have a reason why you are creating this routine. What benefit does it have to your life. Does it help create more time to spend with your family? Make you feel more confident? Create a healthier you? These things will keep you motivated.
• Be held publicly accountable. Tell your partner what you are doing or post it on social media. When other people know about what we are doing we are more likely to stick with it. It’s embarrassing to tell someone we are going to do something for ourselves and then have them ask about it a few weeks later only to find we didn’t stick with it.
• Reward yourself. (Take yourself out for ice-cream, get a pedicure,) Food is usually my reward…more like always actually.
• Never miss two days in a row.
• If you mess up it’s okay. START OVER

Routines will not stay the same forever. They need to be tweaked when something isn’t working or reworked for new situations (or new babies) in our lives. Children get older and their needs change and so do yours. Try your routine for a month and if you need to change something then change it.

I’d like to hear some of your new good habits you are adding into your routines. Let us all know and maybe you can inspire someone to add something to theirs!