Reestablishing Your Routine After a Major Life Transition
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Chapter 1: Finding Normalcy After Change
How often do you find yourself altering your daily routine? Personally, I strive to maintain the core elements of my routine while introducing some variety. For instance, I might choose a different path to the gym or switch the order of my morning rituals like brushing my teeth. These minor adjustments prevent the monotony of feeling as if every day is a repeat of the last.
I cherish the foundational aspects of my routine—waking up early, finishing my classes ahead of time, and hitting the gym in the early afternoon. In essence, I enjoy having a structured routine but appreciate the flexibility to keep things interesting and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
It seems that life has a peculiar way of upending our established routines every few months. A significant life event can be a catalyst for change, sometimes beneficial, but often disruptive. This was precisely my experience just a week ago.
You may have noticed my decreased activity recently, and I apologize for that. I'm now ready to return to my usual engagement level. I was enjoying a productive summer routine, writing daily and producing some of my best content, all while my stats were at an all-time high. However, the impending start of school crept up on me, and I underestimated its impact on my routine.
The beginning of my senior year in college completely derailed my established rhythm. Fortunately, I'm now settling into a new, comfortable routine that promotes consistency.
Step 1 — Stay Calm: Admittedly, I struggled with this step and found myself stressing out.
Step 2 — Acknowledge the Initial Busyness: When life throws you into a whirlwind, it's essential to recognize that you'll be busy adjusting. I realized I needed to allow myself about five days to adapt as the initial chaos began to fade.
Step 3 — Identify Free Time: Now that the initial hectic phase has passed, I've noticed more pockets of time emerging where I can fit in tasks. For instance, I have two free hours on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays to focus on studying or completing assignments.
Interestingly, these steps felt instinctive. Humans naturally gravitate toward establishing routines, so it's about learning to navigate life's ups and downs. My challenge lies in the stress I feel after a major change when I struggle to find time for my usual activities.
If there's one takeaway from this discussion, it's this: It's perfectly normal to lose your routine after a disruption. Don't let it stress you out. With time, you'll find your way back to a normal routine. Just be patient with yourself during the adjustment period.
How do you re-establish your routine after a significant change?
Section 1.1: Video Resource for Life Reset Strategies
In this video, you'll find strategies to help you overcome a slump, regain motivation, and piece your life back together.
Subsection 1.1.1: Image Reference
Section 1.2: Reestablishing Routine in Daily Life
This video showcases a week in someone's life as they navigate back into their routine while managing stress and dealing with significant life changes.