How does routine play into your life?

How does routine play into your life?

I am very routine-oriented. Until I establish a routine, I feel really off-kilter.

I like having things follow a familiar trajectory. When the world turned upside down and we started doing school and work at home, it took a few weeks to really get into a routine. I remember trying to figure it out.

I have a schedule (I use an app called “Things” on my phone and laptop). I sit down every Sunday night and plan out my week. I start and schedule lists months in advance (currently I have lists schedule through mid-July). As things come up, I put them into the lists so nothing falls through the cracks. I put exercise in there, laundry, any cleaning that needs to get done, work stuff, appointments, and these days I put the kids’ school assignments. I like to start each day with a list of things that need to get done. It feels good to check things off. It feels good to have a plan. I like not being worried things are going to be forgotten. And I like not having to remember stuff because it’s in a list.

These days, I get up before the rest of the family and exercise (4 weekdays a week - I take 1 day to sleep in until 7:30 or so). I get a little work done (email, post a daily greeting to my students). Dominic officially starts school stuff at 8:00. We try to get 2 assignments done before 9. Then free time for the kids while I do more of my job. Outdoor time. Then we try and get another school assignment done for Dominic before and after lunch. Typically after that he’s done for the day. I can let the kids play and I can get work of my own done. Dennis comes down around lunch and I try to retreat up to the bedroom and slam through as much work as possible in an hour or so. Then I’m half parenting half working until Dennis comes down after 5 and we relax.

When we’re finally done with this, it’ll take a couple of weeks to settle into our new summertime routine. I think I’d have made a pretty decent stay-at-home-mom because of my ability to establish a routine. I’m not killing it right now, because I’m trying to work and teach Dominic on top of everything. So I guess this isn’t a true test. But I do think that kids do well with a predictable routine. As do I!

What about you? Did you have to readjust your entire life in March? Do you like routine, or do you prefer to take each day as it comes?