Revamping Your Routine

Revamp Your Routine by Brittany Pruess

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We are in the era of "work-life balance." We want to be efficient with our time and our energy. Many are diving into the process of creating morning and night routines, finding structure in their schedules, and time-blocking down to the tiniest detail. Women want their lives to run smoothly and they want to be able to show up for the people and events that matter most to them… on cue… no matter what. While it is extremely important to have clarity on what is important to us and to maintain a structured schedule in order to show up for them, when we are too rigid with our routines, we lose sight of what it means to LIVE life.

Breaking up the pattern of our routines in small, yet impactful, ways can bring life back into our days, as well as creativity and growth. Our lives have a well of untapped potential just waiting for us to create space and opportunity in order to experience its nourishment and rejuvenation. We must shake up our routines and engage with spontaneity to fully understand the pleasures we can find in the lightness of living.

If you are feeling over-committed and undervalued… Consider canceling an appointment and walking to your next destination. Life is too short to spend it chasing the mouse and never getting the cheese. If you are feeling the stress of your overburdened schedule, and, perhaps, the lack of acknowledgment of the tasks you complete either at work or in your personal circle, take a moment to evaluate your commitments and eliminate the unnecessary obligations that are causing you to feel overwhelmed. Then, thoughtfully plan out your next few days and find pockets of time to slow down and savor the commute to your commitments. Walk to work and fill your senses with the space around you. Appreciate the scents, sounds, and sensations that make life so serendipitous.

If you are feeling unproductive and uninspired… Sign up for a new class or check out someplace you have never been. Although you may find value in a routine in order to get your creative juices flowing, sometimes that very routine can leave you with a lack of creativity and excitement. What is so neat about human nature is that whenever we experience something new or foreign to our normal way of being, we gain perspective and knowledge from that experience and bring it to the work we do and the life we live.

To break the barriers of boredom in your life, be bold enough to dive into something new. It does not have to be an extensive commitment (such as a 6 month workshop), but rather it can be a small endeavor. A few local options include taking a social dance lesson from National Dance Club or a pottery class from Prouty Pottery, attending a play put on by Black Hills Community Theatre, visiting a local art gallery (the Dahl Fine Arts or Suzie Cappa Art Center), or taking a cooking class from Someone’s in the Kitchen. As you dive into these unique adventures, you will take what you need to be inspired and creative in the work you complete on a regular basis.

You may also consider taking a new route to work to experience a fresh perspective of your city, or if you are looking for a bigger impact, consider booking a flight to a place you have never been. When you switch up your environment, your senses are required to become engaged. This engagement will fill you with energetic enthusiasm to grow your creative repertoire to include the new ideas you have experienced.

If you are feeling tired and depleted… Switch up your food choices and sleep an extra hour.

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Sometimes all your body and mind need are a reboot and a little extra rest. Knowing what foods your body receives well is a fantastic way to keep your vehicle functioning properly. However, if you are feeling a bit sluggish, try switching up your dietary selections slightly. One of the best ways to keep your body guessing is to eat seasonal options. Doing this also helps your body stay in sync with the shifts in the environment. If you already mix up your food selection, add water with fresh lemon and mint to your daily routine for an added boost of energy.

When you are feeling depleted, it is also important to incorporate a few more hours of sleep into your day. Look at how you can adjust your routine and cozy up under the covers for extra z’s. If you are feeling extra daring, I encourage you to take an impromptu siesta. You may be surprised how energizing and exciting your day becomes when you hit a moment of snooze midday. Who does that? You do! Listen to your body and embrace the rest, lovely lady.

Another great way to revamp your routine is to embrace a restorative practice to replenish your mental and physical energy. Consider taking a restorative yoga class from a local studio, scheduling a spa treatment, or simply being intentional about focusing on your breath for 5 minutes. It can be tempting to hit the gym or squeeze in another commitment, but when your vessel is truly fatigued, these activities may actually cause more harm than good.

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Routines are vital for consistently showing up for the commitments and the people who are important to us. We value our schedules for the stability they bring to our lives and their ability to provide clarity to the day ahead of us. However, our habitual routines are only beneficial if they are incorporated into our lives. The moment they become our lives, we are no longer living. If you are feeling overcommitted, uninspired, or completely depleted, I encourage you to shake up your schedule, rotate your routine, and embrace the life you have been blessed with! You may be surprised what life looks like on the other side of ordinary. BHW

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