When my battle with postpartum anxiety started – I felt out of control. I was overwhelmed… almost frozen in my tracks. I couldn’t make any progress on my day because I just didn’t know what to do next.
After talking it thru with my doctor, she suggested I start trying to create a routine. Daily habits that would keep me moving forward – even if I was just going thru the motions. So I did – I started small, but slowly it helped me go from frozen to moving.
Now that I’m back to functioning – I’ve done a lot of research about why routines work, especially for those of us with anxiety struggles. There are a lot of different opinions and theories, but some of the experts speculate living with a routine can reduce your anxiety by up to 60%.
Routines give you a feeling of control over your day. They can give you SOME structure, and help you maintain a “normal” when you are feeling overwhelmed.
When I get overwhelmed, I go right back to freezing. Before I implemented a routine in my life I would’ve just remained paralyzed. But with my routine, I can keep going even if I’m just going thru the motions. And I know now, that it is in the moments I want to STOP that it is the most important I keep with the routine and keep moving.
I also know that my anxiety leads me to obsess over one thing or another. Sometimes I can get completely caught up in one activity or another – and I let all the other things go. With my routine, and my habit tracking – I can stay on target with all the things, and keep all the plates spinning.
Routines for me are much more habits than a schedule. I don’t do times – I have specific things I do on certain days. I have a time of day I do certain things, but my day by no means is scheduled. Nothing in my life is scheduled – I’m definitely STRUTUREDish.
I plan my months, weeks, and days LOOSELY – and I “track” all of my “habits” for most parts of my day. I have lists, logs, & trackers that keep me on track & accountable. For more on this keep watching my Instagram stories, as I share my routines and tracking all this month!
But for just a minute, let’s talk about the challenges of a routine. Because we all know that saying – the best laid plans – being too rigid in structure only leads to breaking. We have to be “bendable“.. And we have to plan to be interrupted. I have a plan A : The picture perfect routine.. and a plan B : the part where kids, and life come into play!
The key is to not let life STOP you. And that’s hard. But it is doable! It is possible.. and once you set those routines, I have no doubts that you will feel more in control, and on track with all of your daily goals!
This month – every Friday I will be sharing an IGTV about creating and implementing a routine that will work for YOUR life!
If you are ready to create a routine in your life, but you don’t know where to start, I have created a collection of resources to help you on your journey to combating your overwhelm! Check all of the resources out here.
Until Next Time –
ALL THE MAGIC,
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