How to Start a Mindful Routine (Even if You Are Crazy Busy)

Is it just me, or does anyone else feel like they go into autopilot when the world gets…crazy? I try my best not to let the noise of society affect my mood and my daily routine, but it is difficult when things are as serious as they are these days, and as a single mom, the demands of life plus parenting can get overwhelming. It is easy to lose yourself and your own identity when you don’t have a strong handle on a mindful routine. Social media likes to convince you that a mindful routine includes a full day jam-packed full of steps to make you “happy.” Terms like “hot girl walks”, “clean girl aesthetic”, and “slow-living” give you an impression that if you aren’t following these trends or aesthetics, you aren’t doing the things necessary to feel beautiful or live a peaceful life.

I have fallen victim to these trends and put myself down if I don’t go on a daily walk, wear makeup every day, or forget to slow down in my daily routines. The reality is that mindfulness and being mindful are different for everyone, but the main concept remains the same. 

Mindfulness and being mindful means being conscious or aware of something, or focusing on your awareness and being present in the moment.

Being mindful and building a mindful routine doesn’t have to be stressful -, if it stresses you out and doesn’t fulfill you like it should, then it is not mindful.

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it,” – Ferris Bueller

How to Start a Mindful Routine – Even if You Are Crazy Busy

Building a mindful routine doesn’t have to be stressful, and it doesn’t have to include a gazillion steps. A mindful routine is all about creating a sustainable and consistent routine with your daily life. If you only have four free hours of the day, don’t create a routine that requires five or six free hours of the day. Build your routine around your schedule and go from there and remember that it is okay to stray away from that routine if you have to.

Think About What You Need vs. What You Want

A mindful routine is about creating something that allows you to stay present throughout the day and be calmer and happier. Take inventory of your days and list out what you need out of your day versus what you want out of your day. Your Monday routine may look different from your Wednesday routine, but at the end of the day, it should follow the rule that you are taking care of the things that need to get done and the things you want to get done.

How Many Hours Are in Your Day?

Every individual has a different “work” day. Someone’s work day may look like 8 hours, while yours may look like 10 or 12 hours. Factor in what you consider to be work; that may be driving to and from the office, dropping off children at school or daycare, or handling the at-home duties and child responsibilities for stay-at-home parents. Find out when you clock in or out for the day and begin to build your routine around that.

Remember that Sleep is a Part of Mindfulness

I know a lot of people (including myself) consider sleeping to be a passive activity. For so long, I would dread bedtime because there were so many things I still wanted to do during the day. Like it or not, you need sleep, and putting off your bedtime to spend more time relaxing during the day will lead to rushed mornings, sleep deprivation, and sometimes depression and other mental health issues. It is easy to take away our sleep hours to make up for the hours we lost during the day, but we still need sleep. Think about how many hours YOU need to sleep. Some adults feel great only getting six hours of sleep. I can’t sleep more than 6-7 hours because, after that, I begin to feel groggy and sick. Depending on how many hours of sleep you need, you can figure out your bedtime and your wakeup time.

What Makes You Feel Like You

Everyone has their own thing that grounds them and makes them feel human. The static schedules of our lives can sometimes make us feel like robots. Whenever I go for long periods not doing the things I enjoy, I end up feeling drained and empty. When you take inventory of your hobbies, interests, and the things that make you happy, it makes it easier to create a mindful routine that includes periods of relaxation and calm.

Click here for the FREE Canva Daily Routine Template!

examples of mindful activities

• Listening to music
• Listening to a Podcast
• Exercising – if you don’t have access to a gym, use YouTube for workout routines or the great outdoors
• Meditation – Insight Timer is a great app that has free features for meditation and reflection
• Journaling
• Reading
• Knitting or Crocheting
• Painting or Drawing
• Cooking

Remember That Routines Can Change

It is easy to feel discouraged when you aren’t able to stick to a routine. The purpose of a routine is to do it routinely, right? True, but routines can change. If you are going on vacation, maybe you won’t be waking up at the same time. Maybe you have family coming to visit and your night routine has to adjust. Take it day by day and remember that it is not about finding perfection, but finding calmness and something sustainable.

How do you find mindfulness in a busy life? Let me know in the comments below and share your tips! If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to share it with your friends!