As school returns (for some...) and the endless list of 'to-do's' start to creep in - it's time to take a deep breath and remind yourself that it's not too late (it's never too late) to carve out some intentional space for the things that matter most.
To create margin in your week for care, for slowing down enough to notice and appreciate the little things and for scheduling out some time just to catch your breath. Here are some daily rhythms I've picked up along the way and also started putting into practice myself to help me live a little more lightly. Let me know your favourites and if you have any daily or yearly routines that help you find a little more joy in each day.
#1
Don't sit down
Ok...I know this seems counter intuitive when we're wanting to head to a more rested schedule and obviously I don't mean don't sit down ever, but stay with me. I'm not sure about you, but after the dinner, bath, books and bedtime routine of our little ones, my husband and I are usually truly ready to hit the sofa and just chill out - but I read somewhere about not sitting down until the kitchen was cleaned. So, that's just what we've done! Usually, we eat dinner with our boys - so by the time they are all tucked up in bed there are just a few dishes and the remnants of the day scattered on the counters. The promise of a chocolate for dessert and time together on the couch is usually enough to motivate us to get through this cleaning as quickly as possible. This sets us up for a fresh start every morning, I'm sure there's something written somewhere about about clean benches and clear minds?!
#2
Go to bed...on time.
Another rhythm we've introduced is going to bed earlier. Previously, time would somehow slip away until the hours were late and we'd fall into bed over tired and never quite taking steps toward our goals of reading more, getting 8 hours of sleep and being able to quiet our soul and minds before sleep. So, we set a reminder and made sure that at a time that was not too late, we would shift into our bedroom to make space for these things - still affording us plenty of time for rest, but also to enjoy each others company as we read or journal our thoughts.
#3
Write it down
Another rhythm we've introduced is going to bed earlier. Previously, time would somehow slip away until the hours were late and we'd fall into bed over tired and never quite taking steps toward our goals of reading more, getting 8 hours of sleep and being able to quiet our soul and minds before sleep. So, we set a reminder and made sure that at a time that was not too late, we would shift into our bedroom to make space for these things - still affording us plenty of time for rest, but also to enjoy each others company as we read or journal our thoughts.
#4
One good thing
I've also started scheduling into my year something I've affectionately nick named 'one good thing'. I don't know about you, but I can be prone to diving into work, commitments and just life in general and and then popping my up when it's August - somehow surprised at where the year has 'disappeared' to. So, in order to be more present and to really appreciate the months and seasons as well as allowing myself opportunity to celebrate little wins throughout the year - I pick one good thing to do, maybe it's something for yourself, something as a family, a kind thing to do for someone else Now, I've chosen a couple of categories to do this in - but you might just have one, or you might have 5 - I guess the idea was just to be able to finish the year and have 12 little highlights or moments of inflection so the months don't (as they sometimes do) just roll into one.
#5
Pre-prepare
Years ago a friend told me of this 'lunchbox hack' that was simply to pre-make their kids lunch boxes the night before. I can say, after one year of doing this - I can't imagine any other way. All the food says super fresh and delicious (I promise) and it makes our morning routines so much smoother when we're simply grabbing lunch boxes from the fridge rather than starting from scratch. This also goes for preparing breakfasts for yourself too or preparing your outfit for the day ahead the night before.
I have a fantastic overnight oats recipe on the way that I can't wait to share with you soon!
If you have any habits or rhythms that inspire you to create more space in your life - let me know below. I'd love to hear from you!
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Our favourite throw for snuggling up with in all seasons.
Enjoying this every night before bed
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