August 31st, 2020

Finding Your Flow: A Smooth Sailing Transition Back to Routine
By Kimberly Staley

Image by Daniel Büscher from Pixabay.
We’ve been out of the usual routines for a while now, a long while! As the seasons shift, weather changes, and kids begin school, it’s time to look ahead and settle back into some routines.  I know, this may create a bit of anxiety to some. Especially after these long months of quarantine and this unusual summer, but with a bit of planning a smooth transition back into routines is possible. In fact, you just might find yourself looking forward to it.
To give you a bit of motivation let me remind you of a FEW of the benefits of having a routine. A range of studies have shown “having ordered and predictable routines is central to children’s healthy development.” (Fiese, 2006) Routines can also reduce anxieties and help encourage optimism towards new situations. Not only that, people who follow a routine usually have more free time for creativity and personal pursuits because they aren’t caught up in a list of never ending to do’s without enough time.
If any of those benefits sound desirable to you then you then keep reading to find out how to make the transition back to a routine. The key to success is to go at your pace. Take each step one at a time. Some will move through the steps one after another and be on their way, others may want to spend time moving through and building each step over a few day’s-time. Either way will work, take it at the pace that works for you.

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Image by S. Hermann & F. Richter from Pixabay

1. See It- Get excited about what is ahead. Spend some time finding the positives and focus on those. Make a list of things you are looking forward to, growth opportunities. If excitement is too far of a stretch then it’s ok to focus on positive curiosity. (I wonder how this will work out. Maybe I can learn to do _______.)

 
 

Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

1. Write it-
   1. Start with a Wide Lens approach – This means you are going to WRITE down your general schedule- Take a paper turn it landscape and write down the days across the top. What is the basic structure of your days M-F.?  These consistent events are your anchored items. (i.e.: Monday through Thursday I head to work at this time/I drive kids to school, or Every Tuesday from 9-10:30 this happens. Friday’s is Friend day or Movie Night.)

Image from www.Pixabay.com

1. Zoom in- analyze each day and add details that pertain to your priorities.   

1. Did you include errand time, grocery shopping, practices, and activities?
2.  What about your priorities? What are they and are they represented on your schedule?    

Image by Amanda Randolph from Pixabay  

1. Build It- Start plugging in what you just created into your actual calendar/schedule.   Having a prebuilt schedule helps take away the stress of figuring what else in needed in the moments. Think ahead to any major events or dates coming ahead and decide if you need to do anything now to be prepared for those.

 

Image by congerdesign from Pixabay.

1. Use It- Set a time to regularly review your schedule. I suggest the beginning of the week. Know what is ahead and add anything new that has come up. Check with family members so that there are less surprises. Then make sure to peek at your customized, amazing “Plan for Success” throughout the day. You are on your way!

One last point of advice, the secret to the success of a routine is to recognize you are the creator. If you feel like it is controlling you, don’t throw it out the window, instead analyze the parts that are weighing you down and adjust. With a little refining you will find what works for you!   
 
Sources:
Fiese, B.H. (2006).  Family routines and rituals. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press

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