52 Ways for More Serenity in Life and Home :: morning & evening routines (week #31, #32)

Summer is slowly closing in, and busier fall days are ahead….

So, our 52 ways posts in August will focus on the home, rhythm and routines, and the like. My mind is filled with ideas and thoughts around these themes.

I figured other Moms may be in the same boat.

First, let me introduce you to the NEW landing page for ALL 52 ways posts! It’s an ultra-simplified way for you to access each and every post – to review, to read, to catch-up.

Now for August…

Week #31 and #32 Practice a morning and evening routine

{yes, I took an unannounced break last week!}

While I’m a fairly organized person, and I appreciate structure in nearly everything I do, a minute by minute schedule has never been a system I stuck with.

I prefer instead to establish a rhythm and routine with a framework of what should be happening, but which also includes generous flexibility. It’s the idea of practicing margin.

Why?

Because life often has an utter disregard for my plans! The future simply won’t listen to me, and stay put exactly as I’ve arranged it. Oh, the nerve. 🙂

So, instead of setting myself and my family up for repeated failure, I try to find ways to establish expectations with an understanding that it may all need to change.

One way to do this is to frame your day – the beginning and the closing of it – with a routine. Simple acts you plan to make each morning and evening.

Tips for a Morning and Evening Routine

Yes – routines are good.

A rhythm to the start and end of your day will bring peace, order and calm. When I practice this consistently, I’m amazed how much better the rest of the day goes (even with its many interruptions)!

Here are a few things I’m re-establishing in my days:

begin with a time to awake and a time to go to sleep – make it realistic for your lifestyle.
limit yourself to 4-5 simple tasks to do daily – go for consistency in small steps instead of a huge list to accomplish
do what is helpful to you! think of tasks which will benefit your days
in the evening, think of how to set yourself up for success in the a.m., such as laying out clothes, or doing a quick clean-up of living areas

I’ve recently helped our children to establish their morning and evening rhythm, and now I’m working on my own!

Action Plan: think through your lifestyle and priorities right now – make your routines based on what is needful and helpful. Just start by jotting down thoughts! Then, narrow it down to 4-5 tasks in a.m. and p.m. times. Step by step…

More to Read: FlyLady! – will help with morning, evening and even afternoon routines. How to Develop a Routine that Works (with sample a.m. and p.m. routines).