What's your daily routine (and do you stick to it?)

[OnlyHerefortheBiscuits]

Do people actually stick to routines? I’d love to be one of those people, and I know my dog would benefit too.

I like the idea of a structured rhythm—either the same routine daily or specific routines assigned to each day (e.g., Monday: inc check on sister’s dog, Tuesday: office, Wednesday: WFH, etc.). But whenever I try to settle into one, one-off things keep disrupting it. They’re genuinely occasional, so I can’t just build them in.

Even with wind-down routines, people online seem to have these beautiful rituals—dim lights, prep food, write tomorrow’s board, do ablutions, turn down the bed, herbal tea, read, then sleep. But does anyone actually follow one consistently? Same with wake-up routines.

I don’t struggle to create a routine, and I’m realistic with timings—I just struggle to stick to it.

Anyone else?

The way I've come to view it is that if I try and stick to a routine, guaranteed something will mess it up so I just don't bother now😂

I think it takes time. You need to pick something and implement it, and then the next thing.

Example: I was finding mornings hard to get everyone up. For other reasons as well we decided to get Alexa's for the kids and Christmas. We set the alams and I checked them every morning/few days. I just realized yesterday that I don't do this any more and everyone just gets up now. My point is that I thought i had sorted it immediately, but really it took a while to bed in. I've added in new things now - for example that the kids take up their laundry after school. They now also always have clothes ready to put on. Smooooothh

Interesting question. I definitely have routine but it's not premeditated. It's my routine BECAUSE I do it every day not because I PlANNED to do it that way. Its lots of little things that have weaved themselves together into a routine over time.

However, when I need to reset I do write down a routine and try to follow it. For example, when I was pregnant I did light a candle on the bathroom and do skin care, sat on the balcony and had a coffee, read a chapter of my book, stretched etc before the day properly began. I did this because it was a period of my life where I wanted to prioritise me time and self care. I usually write down a routine when I feel like I'm i a rut just to shake things up. I stick with it for as long as I need to. Some of the things I drop because it's too much, but by following a routine I come to learn what is important to me. That is how I have my own little routine now.

Life changes. You need a routine that fits with your life. Having a 1 hour getting ready routine followed by 30 minutes of yoga and green matcha smoothie, reading positive mantras with freshly ground coffee with a candle lit might work for a student in their 20s or but isn't going to work for a mum of two who has different responsibilities and priorities.

Don’t pressure yourself into a daily routine as such, as each day is different and things pop up throughout the week! I tend to have a structured morning routine and nighttime routine. I feel like this helps me relax and get into a good space for sleep and in the morning it helps me get ready and organised without stress! Hope this helps x

I'm home based at the moment with a little one in tow and dh away with work 5 days/week so routine is everything for us. I have a chore planner and map out each day of the week with what needs to be done (cleaning, errands, appointments, social plans etc). I also have a set way I do the tasks at home so I know it'll be done to the end result how I like, each time. The way I've structured it the routine covers mon - Thurs and leaves Fri- sun free for family time but also there is time in our day for lots of spontaneity if we want it. I doubt it's for everyone but I find it keeps me on track lland helps me get everything done.

I have an app I use and I have a "routine" of things I like to do every day. It has a bundle of things on it: stretch; unload dishwasher; reset laundry; read a book; call mum etc. It works for me; doesn't have set times to anything although I do tend to do things at the same time. Of course I have days that I don't do all of them (or any of them) but I find it REALLY helps me. At the moment am not doing any of them because I am moving house and that really is very disruptive but even when I am e.g. travelling for work I have it with me and do the things I can.

I have a routine but I’m autistic and it’s my way of coping with the world. My routine is familiar and comforting and reassuring.

Do you mean a routine where you do things in a specific order with tappy tappy fingernails and excessive use of products? Because if so, it's not real. It's social media content. It's like TV but in tiny bits - no-one actually lives like that.

It's perfectly normal for something to interrupt your normal routine, especially if you have kids and pets. Just do what needs to be done. I don't have a wake up routine, I just get up, go to the loo, make a cup of tea and feed the cat. Because that's what needs doing.

If you mean like previous posts and it's just a way to keep on top of chores, I use lists. I don't necessarily always do what's on them though!