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| The Harvester by Bouguereau |
For almost a month now, I have been taking a wonderful course online with my good friend and mentor, Becky Edwards of the Purpose Driven Motherhood blog.
As homemakers and mothers, we all know that we need to establish morning and evening routines, but summertime has really done a number on our family and my personal routines this year, as we all have slept in too much and let our schedules fall by the wayside.
So, while I know I should have routines I follow, I had forgotten WHY I should have routines until Becky's class reminded me.
Just as we need to plug in our mobile devices each evening to charge them for the following day, we also need to "power up" each morning and night in order to function at our best!
I now have a checklist of five things that I do each morning and night that sits on my nightstand, ready for me to mark as I complete each task. I have let go of the need to do them in exact order-- which helps me feel more in control-- but they ALL get done most of the time.
This powerful "Why" has been a blessing to my spirituality, to my relationships with my husband and children, and it has helped me prepare better for this school year than I have in quite a long time. My house is cleaner, and we feel more calm and happy.
All because of five little things I do as I rise and and five more as I retire each day.
Here are my own examples:
Mornings-
- Pray on my knees
- Make my bed
- Drink water
- Study my scriptures (while sitting outside, if possible)
- Get dressed and ready for the day
Evenings-
- BREATHE (I spend about 5 minutes doing some deep breathing.)
- Pray on my knees
- Brush my teeth
- Spend time with my husband
- Journal and/or ponder
Everyone's routines may look different, and that's the beauty of creating them for ourselves! We each know what we need, and if we're not sure where to start, we can counsel with the Lord about what to focus on.
I challenge my readers to start and end each day with a written routine of the little things that can make or break a mother's day.
I'd love to hear how establishing and following routines blesses your life, so please comment and share!
Lots of love,
Thank you for the reminder...I have a list...it is called a "Recipe for a Happy Suzanne." It's real. We need these concoctions for what we NEED to function.
ReplyDeleteLOL! I love your title for it! Routines really are necessary for happiness.
DeleteHello there! Yes, routines are really important for me, especially in the morning. It's so easy to get sidetracked without experiencing a healthy, grounding routine first. For me, it helps to get up quite early and ease into the routine in the quiet of the dawn. Let's pray I can stick to that! Thanks for an important topic. I don't think enough of us realize just how important it can be, for our mental health and in keeping us at our best with others too. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's so true!
DeleteThat's two good lists. It's amazing how big a difference little things can make. :)
ReplyDeleteYes! Little changes can really affect us in a BIG way!
DeleteI have had ups and downs with my routines through the years but I can say when I follow a routine I do much better with my dayl I love your list and it fits perfect for me right now. It is similar to what I do now but you added some things I liked. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this one! Hugs~
ReplyDeleteHappy to help! {HUGS!}
DeleteBeatiful post, Rachel. I have loved having you in my organizing class. I love you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Becky! You are so inspiring. You have literally helped me change for the better!
DeleteLove this Rachel !!!! Perfect summary of an amazing class and I'm totally in love with the picture at the beginning of the post. Can i steal for my blog with of course major props you ???
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words. I didn't paint the picture, and it's in the public domain, so no attribution to me is needed. ;-)
DeleteI love your routines and I know that when I did most of these same things when raising children, it really did make a difference in my day. I wasn't always perfect and consistant but I believe in them all.
ReplyDeleteNow as a missionary we do similar things to prepare for our days. It really does improve our spiritual and physical prepardness.
Loved this one! Hugs~