Building Resilience Through Routine: The Not-So-Secret Power of a Bit of Structure
Let’s face it, we all get caught up in life’s whirlwind from time to time.
The things we planned to do get pushed aside, we’re distracted by unexpected events, and before we know it, the weekend’s approaching and we haven’t a clue where the week went or what we actually achieved.
If you find yourself feeling a little overwhelmed, or perhaps a bit disappointed, take heart in the fact that you made it through the week. You’re still here, still showing up, and still battling on. And that’s something to be proud of.
This blog is going to talk about the often mundane subject of routine. In the middle of all the chaos, there’s something surprisingly powerful in the ordinary.
Routine can be the unsung hero of our everyday lives. It’s like the dependable friend who always shows up, even when the world feels a bit topsy-turvy.
So, what is resilience, anyway?
Resilience is that little voice in your head that helps you carry on after a bad start to the day, a stressful week, or one of those “why does this shit keep happening” days.
It’s a quiet strength from within that encourages you to push through the painful moments to find the balance again.
Resilience can be built. Just like muscles get stronger with movement, your emotional resilience grows when you have little anchors in your day that keep you on track or just making sure you set off on the right foot.
Routine, a calm place in the storm
A simple routine can be a huge tool in helping you build resilience, here’s why:
- Predictability feels safe – When life is throwing a wobbly, knowing what’s coming next (even if it’s just your morning cuppa and a scribble in your journal) can be reassuring.
- Less decisions, more energy – Every decision we make uses up energy, a morning full of decision making can drain us, routine reduces that. If you’ve already decided how your morning looks, that’s one less thing your brain has to mess about with.
- Start the every day with small wins – There’s something satisfying about ticking off a habit. Whether it’s a walk, a stretch, writing in your journal, or making your bed, it tells your brain, “This day has started well and I’m doing OK.”
Simple routines that build strength, without dragging your arse to the gym.
Your routine doesn’t have to feel like a military operation. A few simple tasks that if done often enough will become a habit and you won’t even notice you’re doing them:
- Consistent wake-up time – Even on weekends, having a sleep in every now again again doesn’t hurt though.
- Hydration first thing – Before the tea or coffee, have some water. Your body will thank you.
- Five-minute journal check-in – How am I feeling today? What do I need? What went well?
- Fresh air once a day – Yes, even if it’s raining. Especially if it’s raining.
And remember, resilience isn’t about never falling over, it’s about having a soft place to land. A bit of structure in your day helps create that.
Stuck in a bit of a rut, just start with small steps.
You don’t need to change your entire lifestyle over-night. Just choose one item or task that feels manageable. It could be laying your clothes out the night before, making your bed every morning or taking three deep breaths before checking your phone in the morning, better still not checking your phone at all first thing in a morning…that’s a routine that requires you to actually do less!
The aim isn’t perfection, it’s progress. Routines aren’t set in stone; they’re scaffolding helping you build something. They give your mind a bit of breathing room so you can cope, adapt, and even thrive.
Remember, habits are formed through repetition. For an action or task to become a habit it is said that it can take on average 66 days…so don’t get disillusioned if you have the odd slip up, just keep going.
Need a Little Help Getting Started?
If you’re thinking, “I love the idea of a routine, but I can’t seem to stick to one,” you’re not alone, hopefully we have just the thing for you.
Take a look at the Get Stuff Done Goal Tracker Journal – designed to help you build better habits, one page at a time.
It’s a simple, no-fuss tool to track your goals, reflect on your wins, and keep you focused on what matters most. Whether you’re trying to drink more water, carve out me-time, or just feel a bit more put-together, this journal can help you stay on track without the overwhelming you.
Final Thought (and a gentle nudge)
Routine isn’t about squeezing the joy out of life, it’s about making space for that joy. When you’ve got a bit of rhythm in your day, everything else feels just a little bit more manageable.
So this week, why not try adding one tiny thing to your routine? Something that fulfils that sense of achievement, make it doable, and just for you. Then sit back, take a look at what you did, did it make your day or week feel a tiny bit better already?
And if you fancy a companion to keep you going, the Goal Tracker Journal is ready when you are. Let’s build resilience, one small habit at a time.
One last tip – Sometimes we need to be accountable to make these changes, tell someone what you’re doing and ask if they’ll check up on how you’re getting on. Or feel free to comment on here so the get stuff done community can help and support you. We also have a Facebook page where you can comment and post your targets or achievements.
ps. As an extra incentive, the first 10 people who comment on here with one of their goals will receive a free Get Stuff Done Goal Tracker & Journal.
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