Here are 4 things to keep on your weekly routine and 4 to add to your nightly. 

I am, apparently, a creature of habit. 

If you ask me to tell you about my entire day, and then compare that to other days – I probably seem like a robot. Predictable. Maybe even, extremely self-disciplined.

But really, I don’t think that’s the case. 

I am simply fond of habits and routines. If I do something a few days in a row that works for me, I keep it up until I’m doing it daily, nightly, or weekly. I do it until it doesn’t work for me anymore then I do something new.

Why are routines and habits so amazing?

They help lessen the mental overload we all share as busy moms.

“It is utterly exhausting to keep track of everything for an entire family. There are countless invisible things a woman typically keeps track of that no one sees but her.” Mental Load of Motherhood 

By turning something from a to-do list line item to a habit… you simply do it without thinking. It no longer takes up brain space nor do you need to put reminders everywhere. You simply do it and it’s done regularly.

Things To Do In Your Weekly Routine, Nightly Routine, & Morning Routines

Note: Some of the things mentioned here will apply to us all. But you might want to add some things in here I haven’t mentioned. Please take this as inspiration not “should” advice. The key is to add things into the routines that take up mental space so that you can feel more at peace.

WEEKLY ROUTINE: Set Yourself Up For The Week Ahead

These are things that come in handy for me to do once per week. I personally do these on Sunday afternoon or evenings to alleviate some of the “Sunday Scaries” but you can do them at any natural break in your week. Friday before dinner, Saturday morning, or even Monday morning.

Meal Plan & Grocery Shop

We live in the sticks. No InstaCart. No grocery delivery. I cannot – this is not a joke – even order my groceries online and pick them up.

No, sir. Old school grocery shopping for me.

I used to randomly go to the store whenever we ran out of food and this caused stress. I dreaded it – since I wasn’t organized – and would put it off until we barely had food and were forced to eat out. Now, I meal plan immediately before going grocery shopping and I go grocery shopping at the same time every week.

• Choose your meal planning medium (Pinterest, write on a chalkboard, print out recipes, etc.)
• Choose a time that suits you to grocery shop that you can do every single week
• Do the full shop at this time. Don’t skip the milk if you already have a jug in the refrigerator, buy all the regulars.

By doing this I soon found my pantry was always well-stocked, my fridge rarely got to empty, and I spent less money both at the store and eating out.

Update And Plan In Planner

Whether you use a digital planner or a paper planner, it’s a good idea to update it weekly. Every Sunday evening, I go to my desk, get out my paper planner, and get to work. I’ve personally used both the Simplified Planner and the Brilliant Life Planner and love them both.

• Get out your planner of choice (digital or paper).
• Fill in all the standing weekly appointments (church, groups, extra curriculars, etc.)
• Write down things you need to complete this week, making sure not to add too many Big things so you stand a chance of completing it.
• Make note of any appointments or meetings you need to tell your spouse about so you can tag team things. (If digital, it’s likely already shared)

Create Weekly To Do List

I do this at the same time I’m filling out my planner. I write down things or projects I need to complete by the week’s end. This is different than a brain dump which is essentially a huge master list of all the things you want done. A to do list is a list of things you’ll be able to complete in a 7 day period.

• Projects
• Phone calls
• Things to buy
• Things to brainstorm / plan (like plans for an upcoming birthday or holiday, etc.)

Choose Kids Clothes For The Week

Before we started homeschooling, I picked out all of my school aged children’s outfits each Sunday evening and then hung them up ready for the morning. This cut down on So Much Stress as the kids got themselves ready each morning for school.

Also these….

• Confirm any social plans with friends
• Think about the weekend ahead, schedule in tentative plans
• Plan workouts… they’ll be more likely to happen
• Check bank accounts, budgets, etc. make sure you’re on track
• Buy miscellaneous things you know you need from Prime (Wal-Mart and Target have quick shipping now too)
• Dump old leftovers from fridge

NIGHTLY ROUTINE: Things To Do Each Night To Set Yourself Up For Success

Morning routines are very important when we have young kids. But I’ve found that the evening routine may even be more important than the morning for having a good day. If I’ve done a good nightly routine the night before… I am far more likely to be up and running the next morning.

Helpful Habits Each Evening

• Lay Out Clothes | I lay out my early morning gym clothes for the mornings I’m going to work out, or whatever other outfit I’m going to wear. It is some how easier and more inspiring to do this at night.
• Check The Planner | Reference your plans for the next day to make sure you’re prepared. What needs to happen, appointments, or anything else you want to fit in. Waking up surprised by what has to be done breeds stress.
• Set Out Morning Drinks | I will put a mug, my vitamins, and a gallon water jug near my coffee station. It’s all sitting there waiting on me prettily for the first cup o the day.
• Confirm The Morning’s Plans | If you have any plans the following day, confirm them with interested parties so you’re not left hanging.
• Set Your Alarm | Even getting up just 15 minutes before your kids do can make a huge difference in your mindset.
• Evening Sweep | Do a general sweep of your entire home by doing my “macro organizing” trick.
• Clean Surfaces | It’s a total stress buster.
• Put Clothes In Washer | If you have a timed washing machine, put a load of clothes in the wash to go off in the morning. Before lunch you’ll have one load done.

So there you go…

If you feel that your days, nights, and weeks go by in a flash and you don’t have a good handle on them, try choosing a day each week to block out some weekly routines. Then do it nightly.

“Good habits are worth being fanatical about.” John Irving

Click here to grab your own printable weekly routines checklist to help you start fresh each week with energy instead of dread.

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