Simple Tasks for Routine & Structure

I know this uncertain time while we are all under quarantine/social isolation/stay-at-home orders is weird and anxiety-inducing for many people.  It causes me anxiety at times too.  I try to focus on the positives and hold on to those when I feel myself slipping into an anxious state.  I focus on the fact that I am not “stuck at home.”  I am SAFE at home.  There are healthcare workers and other essential workers that don’t have the luxury of being able to stay home and stay safe, that put themselves on the line every day fighting to save others and get our lives back to normal.  Remembering that helps.  Perspective is everything.

That being said, I know a lot of people’s lives have been turned upside down and normalcy has gone out of the window.  We are all trying to adjust to what life looks like now.

Since I work at home all the time and am a little more used to this general set up, here are some things that help provide some routine & structure that I think will help with finding a new normal during this time.  Do some of them or all of them…you can decide what is best for you:

• Make your bed.  Such an easy task you can do in a couple minutes to start feeling productive!
• Do a workout.  If you can do it first thing in the morning I think that’s even better.  Breaking a sweat really helps focus your mind and prepare you for the rest of the day.  You can do any of my workouts from home!  I have also been sharing some on my Instagram stories.
• Morning devotional.  I have especially been needing these right now, and it only takes a few minutes of the day to read them.  You can grab the same devotional I have here.  It’s just one quick paragraph reading every day with a few Bible verses to go with it.  It puts my soul in a place of peace & faith, which is perfect to counteract feelings of worry and sadness.  I’ll make my coffee and read and just take a moment in the morning to pause.
• Shower & get ready.  For me, doing my brows, concealer, and a little mascara works WONDERS.  I feel so much more put together and ready to be productive.
• Change out of the PJs.  You can still wear cozies!  But just the act of changing out of pajamas will help.  My go to cozy work from home outfit usually involves soft joggers & an oversized tee or top, like this.
• Don’t turn on the TV.  I never watch TV during the day.  The exception to that is maybe on Friday afternoons if I’ve finished my work for the week early, I might catch up on some reality TV (my guilty pleasure, don’t judge) while Emma is napping but hey, you can allow yourself some perks from working from home, too!
• Eating times.  Set a little schedule of when you’ll eat.  Back when I had my corporate job, I had a pretty set routine of when I’d eat my morning snack, lunch, and afternoon snack.  I had breakfast at home.  So when I started working full time for myself from my house, I tried to keep up that same routine.  Of course not every day is the same, and now with a baby things can change really quickly 🙂 but in general that is what I try to do!
• Fresh air.  Get some fresh air each day, even if that just means stepping out your front door!  Take a few deep breaths, just relax.  I try to go for short walks most days so if you’re able to do that (while still practicing your social distancing) I recommend it.
• Do something for you.  This is a strange time, so if taking a few minutes to do something that makes you feel good or less stressed is helpful, do that.  No guilt.
• Keep it tidy.  For me, making sure our living space & kitchen is tidy is SO helpful to me and really helps me feel more calm.  A messy space stresses me to the max, so I try to keep it as clean as I can.  (My closet, on the other hand, is a different story. A bomb went off in there and it doesn’t bother me at all, lol.) And lighting a good smelling candle (or 2!) is a must.
• To-do list.  Every night before bed, write out the things you need to do for the next day.   This way, as soon as you get up, you will have a focus on the most important tasks to complete.  I also like to do this before bed because it helps clear my mind so I can sleep better.

I hope this list helps!  What are some things that have helped you find a new normal during this time?

Sending you lots of love.  We are going to get through this!  I want to leave you with a quote I saw on Pinterest last night that I just loved so much:

“If everything around you seems dark, look again. You may be the light.” -Rumi

xo,

Bess