Getting Into A Routine

As we're now a few days into the new year, we're getting closer to the time where some of us are going back to school, university or work. Our usual routine is shaking up over the holidays and sometimes it can be difficult to get into a routine.

I am someone that has always struggled to get into a routine. Most of the time I will go to bed at a ridiculously late time or sometimes I'll get up at a ridiculously early hour. Now I've tried many times to watch morning and evening routines so I kind of got a rough idea on how to get yourself into a healthy, normal routine. Of course everyone is different. Some of us are early birds, some of us are night owls and some of us just are in between. I just thought I'd give you a guys a reasonable routine that you can either follow or change it up a bit to suit your needs.

The Morning 

1. Set one alarm
We've had a moment where we set multiple alarms and learn to either switch them off or hit the snooze button. The problem is you can run the risk of switching off your last alarm then falling back asleep. Which could result in some unneeded panic in the morning. I've learned that if you set one realistic alarm then at least you know when it goes off that is the time when you have to get up. Of course you are allowed to press snooze (just once though) in order to adjust to waking up but after that you have to kind of force yourself to get up.

2. Figure out how long it takes for you to get ready
This might be a weird one to think about but if you figure out how long it takes for you to get ready for the day then at least you know how much time you need in the morning. For me I like to give myself an hour. It just gives me time to have my coffee, do my makeup, get dressed and fix my hair. At least I know I'm not rushing around in the morning and I can take my time.

3. Make your bed as soon as you get up
I don't now about you but making my bed honestly makes me feel good. It makes me think that at least my bed is made and while perhaps the rest of my bed is cluttered. At least my bed is made.

4. Try to have some breakfast
I am someone that always struggles to have breakfast in the morning. I go through phases where I either want breakfast or I can't stand the thought of having breakfast because I don't feel hungry. However, I do notice a difference when I do have breakfast in the morning. It feels like it gives me a boost of energy and makes me more ready for the day.

5. Get into a skincare routine 
Some people find a skincare routine to be a waste of time. I used to be one of those people but I kind of realised that it is important to take care of your skin. Especially as we're ageing every single year, our skin is too and it's important to make sure we're looking after it. We only have one face after all. I used to only use face wipes and moisturiser as my skincare routine but now I have a face wash, eye cream, toner plus a night time moisturiser too. Of course your skincare routine can be anything you like but definitely think about getting into a skincare routine because it will really help you in the long run.

6. Make some time in the morning to tidy up
I don't mean have a full spring clean in the morning but just put away any random clutter that's just lying around. I'm sure you will have some things not in there rightful place. Whether it's clothes on the floor, DVDs or video game boxes just lying around. Some makeup or random bits of paper just out. It'll only take you five minutes just to go around and sort out the clutter. It'll make you feel so much better and feel like you have your life together.

The Day

7. Time to be productive
Now I feel like everyday you should do something productive whether that is work or school or even if it's your day off. I feel like if you do at least something productive everyday then it feels like you've achieved something that day. So whether that is working on assignment, writing on your blog, tidying your bedroom or even just going for a walk. Do something productive. Of course you are allowed to have some relaxing time but as the phrase goes work before play. Work does come first every time but when you're feeling rundown or unmotivated then it is time to play.

8. Go Offline
I think sometimes we don't get caught up on the internet a lot. Especially with the likes of social media or YouTube. We can spend hours upon hours just staring at our phones or laptop. We may think it's helping us but reality is we have wasted a lot of time. So take a moment to go offline. Give yourself an hour where you're not on your phone or laptop. Just do something that will refresh your mind whether it is reading a book, doing some meditation, going for a walk or tidying up. Just spend some time offline. It will help you out in the long room and soon you will learn to appreciate your time offline.

9. Do some journaling or write in a diary
Something that I have been doing a lot recently is journaling but this year I thought I'd take the plunge and actually get myself a 2020 diary. I usually stuck at sticking to writing everyday in a diary and usually give up with a week but this year I am sticking to a diary. I think it helps that I have a cute diary. I'm trying to cherish more moments because it is the start of a new decade and I have some big plans coming up for this year. I kind of just want to remember them through my diary. Plus I can come back and read over all the things I've done this plus see how far I have grown as a person. Even if you're not sticking to diary this year then buy yourself a notebook with no dates on it. That way you can still treat it like a diary but just write whatever you want in it.

10. Go Outside
I used to hate going outside. I am an introvert and my comfort zone is definitely inside my own home. I'm surrounded by my things and everything just feels way more cosy. Plus I can wear my most comfiest clothes and not have to worry about how I'm dressed or what I look like. I've recently learned though that sometimes in life you do have to go outside. You have to go out in order to work, shop, exercise. Of course even though it is a scary place out there sometimes, the harsh reality is you're not going to achieve much by sitting on your bed. Just think of going outside more as an adventure. As you never know what the day will bring you. You never know you may meet the love of your life or a new best friend. You may discover something you never realised you needed in your life. You may discover a new favourite drink in a coffee place. It just feels so much more refreshing when you go outside. Take a walk along the beach or in the woods. Even if it is freezing cold, you can wrap up warm in your favourite coat. Take a camera so you can capture some memories and relive your day out. It will be worth it. You will feel so much better when you've had some fresh air. You can even do what you usually do inside, outside. You can read your favourite book anywhere outside or go on your laptop in your favourite coffee place. There is an opportunity to meet new people, even your favourite book could be a conversation starter. You never know unless you go outside and go on an adventure.

The Evening

11. Time To Unwind
After a productive or busy day it's time to unwind as you have earned it. Take a moment to get into your comfiest clothes or even your pyjamas if you want to. Have a shower or wash your face just to wash off today's adventures. It's time to relax.

12. Prepare for the next day
Whether that is sorting out your bag or making a to do list of the things you need to do the next day, just take some time to prepare for the next day. You will thank yourself in the morning. Just think about how much your future self will appreciate these little things you have done in advance.

13. Do something that makes you happy
Now is the time to be a little bit lazy so why not embrace it and do something that makes you happy. Whether it's snuggling down to watch your favourite movie or TV show or even play on a video game. Just do it because you have earned this time just to be lazy and do something that makes you smile.

14. Go offline for half an hour or an hour before bed
Once again I think going offline just before bed is so important. It just allows you to not get distracted and just do something that will relax your mind. Whether it is reading a book, doing a puzzle or some journaling. Just do something relaxing and then you will be ready to fall asleep.

15. Try to go to sleep at a reasonable time
Sleep is really important. You don't realise it but sleep helps you out so much. It allows your body and mind to switch off. It gets you prepared for a new day. It's important to get seven or eight hours worth of sleep because you won't feel so much like a slob in the morning. So try to go to sleep at a decent. Work out when you have set your alarm then count back the hours to a time where it is seven or eight hours. That way you know you can get enough sleep. I like to sleep at around eleven at night because even though it is a late time. I know that is I wake up at around seven then I will have my eight hours worth of sleep. Definitely try to go to sleep at a reasonable hour and soon you will get into a good routine ready for the next day.

I hope my tips were helpful to any of you looking to get back into a routine ready for work, school or just so your day has a routine to it. You can follow this routine or change it up to suit your needs. It is entirely up to you. These are just some of the things I learned to get into a good routine.

That's all I have to say for now, I'll be back again soon with another blog post for you.

See you then.

Megan x 

*This is not a sponsored post*

 For business enquiries or just a chat email: megantimeblog@gmail.com