We all have a routine. For most of us, we crave a sense of order. Getting any type of order is a battle in and of itself with kids. Yet, when done intentionally, there is power in routine. That power and sense of peace is not just for us, but also for our families. As wives and mothers, we are typically the heart and managers of our household. Having a routine gives everyone a sense of what they can expect from you and what is important to you.
We have to be intentional about what we are doing and what becomes a part of our routines. Not just merely doing something every day because that is what you’ve always done. Really take a look at why you do what you do. What that says about you, your values, and what you deem important.
Changing my routine
Recently we decided to cut our cable down to the basic channels. We did this to save money, but also because watching tv had become an unhealthy part of our routine. I started to notice that usually my girls only watched tv when I asked them if they wanted to. They were more than content to just play, read, or spend time with Eric and I.
I also noticed that other than watching sporting events, the tv became nothing more background noise to Eric and I. It also was taking our focus away from what it most important to us, spending time with God, each other, and our girls.
One thing that I recently added to my routine was getting up at 5am to do my daily devotions and either exercise or work on 21 Flavors of Splendor. At first, this was EXTREMELY hard. I am so not a morning person. Getting up before the sun rises seems very wrong to me. Yet, I decided to do this mainly for two reasons.
First, I enjoy quiet time and exercise. I am a better wife and mother when I have been able to exercise and work on things uninterrupted that excite me. Secondly, I noticed myself becoming very inconsistent in spending time in the Word and with God. I was slowly pushing God out of my routine, except for on Sundays. To have true power in your routine, your routine must be God-centered.
Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat—I am.
Luke (:23 (MSG)
Daily means just that daily. Not when we can, when our schedules can allow, or once a week. Our schedules are filled with things that we allow and are important to us. We have to make time in our daily routine to spend time with God. When I finally committed to doing that again, it helped me to grow in so many ways.
Not just personally, but also as a wife and a mother. And yes I said again because I had previously been committed to doing daily devotions, but over time I stopped being consistent. Yet, we serve such a gracious and merciful God. Although my routine did not reflect my love and devotion to Him, His love and devotion for me never waivers.
Embrace the power of the routine
Don’t look at a routine as something that is limiting you, but as something that gives you the freedom to enjoy your life. To embrace the fact that your routine can allow you to grow in the areas that mean the most to you.
Allowing the light within you to shine brighter and in ways that it hasn’t been able to before. Allow your routine to remove the things from your life that are of no value to you or trying to dull your shine.
I’d love to hear about your routine in the comments!
Routine plays such an important role in my life! It’s amazing how much of a difference it makes in my happiness, productivity, and balance. And I think we can have different “types” of routines that allow for flexibility as well. Many people think of routine as the *exact* same thing every single day. But in my opinion, there is room for flexibility within that schedule. For example, if I want to get exercise every morning at 5:00, I don’t have to do the same thing every day, I can do yoga one morning, run the next, walk my dog the next etc. Great post!
I like a mixture of routine and fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants. It takes discipline to make happen what needs to happen, but I get bored of the same things too. Balance.
Finding a balance that works for you is very important, Alexandra. Building in some flexibility in your routine is needed as well.
It’s pretty incredible how sticking to a routine can transform your day. It can be challenging to keep up with, but if you stick it out everything just flows easier.
It is so awesome that you’re getting at 5am to start your routine. That is something I hope to do too. We have a routine at home and it definitely helps!
It has helped me so much, Jolene. Now it definitely was not easy to do at first and I still have some days when I just want to roll over. But sticking to a routine that works, makes a huge difference in your day. ?
Hi Ayanna. I just stumbled on your blog on Pinterest. This is powerful stuff. I am truly inspired. I’m trying to start waking up earlier and to get some order in my life. This really helped me. I think one of my biggest problems is that I sleep way too late, which makes it hard to wake up early. And I struggle to sleep on time. I keep saying I’ll go to bed on time but then I’ll go online or find some or other insignificant thing to do
. But I’m working on it.
So proud of you for sticking to this routine! I have been trying to force myself to get up at 5 am, but it is a real struggle! I can’t seem to make myself go to bed on time, so I never feel like I get enough sleep. I, too, feel like I need to get time with God and exercise in before my kids wake up or it doesn’t get done, no matter how much I would like for it to. It all comes down to discipline, which I need more of!
This is a great post. Routines are so important to me also. I write down my work in my journal, and find that really helps me stick to my routine. Life goes so much more smoothly when I do.
good for you for cutting back on TV! my husband and I only have Netflix and Hulu and sometimes it still seems like we watch too much! Having a little one around will def change our routines up. 🙂
Roxy, kids will definitely make you change more than your routine, lol. I will have to check out Hulu and Netflix, because although I’m glad we cut our cable when I do want to watch something there is nothing on. Be Blessed!
I love what you said about making it a priority and doing it daily. My husband and I are trying out a new (more intentional) routine this week and you’re right, quiet time and prayer has to be the foundation of it all.
That’s awesome Lauren! Change is not always easy, but worth it. I’m so glad you and your husband are doing it together. I’d love to hear how your new routine works out for the both of you. My husband and I have been adjusting our routines as well, and so far so good. Be Blessed!
I recently cut my TV watching time in half, I was waisting way too much time watching tv, looking forward to watching tv, and looking up characters on TV. It was a horrible cycle and I’m so happy I’m out of it. Getting up early is physically painful, but you have to find extra hours in the day wherever you can. Good luck Miss Early Riser 🙂
I love this! I recently also started getting up early to do my devotions and get a jump start in my day. I’d love to add working out to that routine, but I need to get up earlier for that, so I’ll need to work on that. Maybe I’ll interchange days of working out and working on my blog. Thanks for the motivation!
If I don’t have a daily routine I’m off track all day! I get stressed out. I use a planner and alarms on my phone to stay on schedule because otherwise, I get side tracked easily.
That’s great Britney! And thanks for the reminder about the phone alarms. I have to get better about using my phone alarms to help with getting things done. I also get sidetracked easily, and then later get upset with myself for not remembering. Be Blessed!