Justin thinks that I am a bit extra because I tend to have a bit more structure than he does. He prefers a to-do list, whereas I, have a to-do list journal, calendar etc. However, every productive person in the world has routines which is an important aspect of every individual’s life. Routines require consistency and dedication, and if you successfully stick to one you will make immense progress over your peers. However, rigidly adhering to routines over long periods of time has its disadvantages as well.
Boredom, monotony, and even depression can result from following a daily routine with no deviation, so you need to change your pace once in a while. If you have a packed daily routine and want to switch things up, here are a few ways to do that without making any major changes to your current routine.
1) Train New Muscles
One of the easiest and basic ways to inject some much-needed energy into your routine if you spend most of your time stuck at a desk is working out. If you don’t have time to hit the gym, hire a trainer if you can afford it and chart out a workout routine focusing on different muscle groups throughout the week.
If you can’t dedicate a particular timeslot for working out in your daily routine, you should try naturally integrating activity in between other tasks (like using a more physical mode of transportation like walking or biking. Doing so will prove your physique and make you healthier physically and mentally.
2) Swap Out Free Time Blocks
Propose switching up a daily routine by swapping out the free time blocks in one’s day (the time periods between mandatory obligations like work or school.) Emphasize the potential of swapping out their free time with new activities and hobbies to keep their routine varied and more beneficial to their long-term personal growth and wellbeing.
In every daily routine, there’s a particular time you assign after each mandatory activity, such as work as free time. One of the most common mistakes most people make when it comes to making and following through with routines is always doing the same hobbies or activities during this free time.
Instead of reading a book daily during your free time or doing the daily crossword puzzle, try something different like playing cards or conversing with a friend or family member. The main takeaway is to keep your routine as varied as possible to keep things enjoyable.
3) Look Inwards
A good way to switch up your routine and be introspective at the same time is self-reflection. Once in a while, you should be checking on your wants and needs and think about how to realize them. You can do this in various ways, such as journaling, therapy, meditation, etc. If you have past trauma, this can help you slowly ease that trauma without focusing on it too much.
4) Digital Disconnect
It’s safe to say that as a society, we have become too dependent and engrossed with technology, and the side effects are starting to show. Most people spend a ridiculous amount of time on their smartphones and the internet without realizing that they have become addicted to their devices.
If you’re in a similar position, maybe it’s time for a digital disconnect and reduces your device and internet usage to a minimum. This way you’ll be more in touch with reality and reduce your chances of being affected by online addiction.
5) Get Dressed Up
A great way to switch up your daily routine is by changing the way you dress. Most people stick to a particular style of dressing, leading to a monotonous sense of fashion.
Instead of staying stuck in a fashion rut, try new clothes and accessories to switch things up. For example, if you don’t wear shades then you can try sports sunglasses and see how your new style works for you.
6) Let Go of the Old and Embrace the New
For two reasons, you should always try out new hobbies and activities to shake up the monotony in your daily routine. Firstly, sticking to the same hobby and activities gets boring once you’ve mastered it. And secondly, trying out new hobbies and activities might give you a new perspective and help you with self-improvement.
7) Take a Break
If you have stuck to your daily routine for a long time and you’re started to find it monotonous, then switching it up a bit with new activities and tasks is the best way to go. Remember, variety is the spice of life, so the more variety you add to your routine, the more fun it will be. Just ensure your variations don’t interfere with your main tasks of work or studying.
Leave a Reply