In our LIVE hangout discussions at “Between Us Girls” at DareWhimsy.com ( a community for creative and gifted girls of all ages) we are discussing how routines can really support a peaceful and productive life.(read more here later) Boy is that the understatement of the world for my personal experience. Routines, that is, figuring out how to manage my personal, professional, and family needs through consistent “practices” has really helped change the landscape of my 
life experience.
When I was a young child I saw my mother, Anne Nunnally, manage being a rural doctor’s wife, a mom, my dad’s right hand in their multiple businesses, a community leader, and a Sunday School teacher and she never seemed to break a sweat. There were three of us and she still managed to make homemade clothes for us, to cook from scratch dinners, to keep the house organized, and to do amazing things for the community as well as keep up with Southern expectations for invitations, teas, showers, and thank you notes on time and well done.
Whew. My mom wore size 10.5 AAAA shoes…and you can tell by the list, those were not the only ways her shoes were hard to come behind and fill. (and she was beautiful inside and out, too!)
I had no idea how important this training was for my life until I was almost fifty and started to break down WHY it worked for her to do so many things and how she did them well. Some of my “aha’s are below:
- She had a standard get up and go to bed time.
- She got up an hour earlier than my father (unless he was called out to the hospital which was almost daily)
- At night her kitchen was clean, the coffee pot set for morning and she had her favorite cup and saucer out welcoming her when she arrived at 5 am.
- She set specific goals for her days (some were daily some were once a week or month goals)
- She said “no” often, but kindly and often intentionally after a move for one solid year, then chose carefully what she said “yes” to. (She later taught me that if you always said “no” first, then if you changed your mind not only would others respect you, but your “yes” would be revered not taken for granted. )
- She took a nap every day when my dad came home for lunch. It revived them both to lay down for 30 minutes and our entire household did for that time (we could read, sleep, or quietly draw, but learning quiet was important…stillness brought refreshed time…movies do not do the same)
- She planned our weekly menus and worked to be a good steward of all money spent.
- She planned for weekly time with others that she enjoyed and weekly time to volunteer.
- She did not allow us to enact back to back scheduling, everything had margin built in.
These are all premises for “routines” that worked for our family. I find that my own routines have been to add the following ones to my daily life:
- Begin the day in quiet mode, either soft music while I do my morning routines of getting up, writing, devotional time, and affirming the day. (no social media, interacting with others, or high energy work until that is done)
- Set the ‘no brainer” repeat activities to have a check box in my planner (_L1 _L2) reminds me that 2 loads of laundry need to be done every day I am home M-Th to get in the loads for our household and my husband and I if we are to stay easily dressed. Consider buying a stamp with the boxes you use for your planner or fridge.
- Writing down modules of time focuses (1.5 hrs for morning routine as opposed to get up, bed, breakfast, solitude, study time, prayer time, start laundry) you may need to work out the schedule, but most things down the road only need to be “morning routine” and it needs to be in my planner to acknowledge that time is already taken.
- I need throughout the day 5-15 minute routines to “reset” destress, or remind myself not to go 100 mph without self-care, which is my natural speed of get things done. Keeping beautiful magazines to look at for 3 minutes can so reset my hour. Keeping music nearby that helps me move, so I am out of my chair and moving for 15 minutes, helps my body stay healthy, Taking a brisk walk around the office or house resets my mind for fresh awareness and creativity. If I do not remind myself though that the last 5 to 15 minutes of the hour are “mine” I don’t do it!
- I set out 5 thank you’s per day to make sure I communicate appreciation for all those in my life that support our goals, our projects, and me personally.
- I set meals on my menu and often double them to put one away for freezer days when I am out of town so my family can stay on their usual fare and eat well, keep our budget happy and know they are loved!
What routines work for you? I’d love to hear!
P.S. Here’s the show with the other’s hints!
