The idea of having a routine sounds great, doesn’t it? Something steady, something that gives your day structure and makes you feel on top of things. But let me be honest—it feels impossible right now.
Being in the “IT Field” and being in the People Ops team means my day doesn’t just belong to me. New tasks pop up constantly, often to be completed before I’ve even had time to write them on my to-do list. And those things I did manage to add? They just sit there, untouched, as the day rushes by.
It’s not just work. Life has been a whirlwind these past few months. It feels like I’m always running – new and exciting projects, household chores, and barely a moment to catch my breath. Routines feel like a far-off dream I can’t quite reach.
Why It Feels So Hard
I think it’s the unpredictability that gets to me the most. Even on the rare days when I plan things out, the plan barely lasts an hour before something comes up. But the frustrating part is, I know routines would help. They’d bring some calm to the chaos. Yet, when you’re in the thick of it, how do you even start?
What I’m Trying
Lately, I’ve realized that routines don’t have to be perfect or big. For me, they’re becoming less about control and more about creating a little space in my day:
- Small wins matter: Instead of aiming to tick everything off, I try to get top few important things done. It’s not perfect, but it’s something.
- Pausing, even briefly: I’ve started to take five minutes here and there—whether it’s to sip a cup of tea or just breathe. It doesn’t fix everything, but it helps.
- Letting go of perfection: Some days, the to-do list stays long, and that’s okay. I’m learning to focus on what I can do, not what I didn’t get to.
Still Figuring It Out
I’m far from having it all together. Some days, it still feels like everything’s out of control. But maybe that’s okay. Life is busy and unpredictable, and routines don’t need to be perfect to be helpful. For now, I’m focusing on showing up for myself in the small ways that I can. And if you’re struggling with routines too, just know you’re not alone. We’re all figuring it out as we go.