Over the years I’ve learned that I enjoy my life so much more when I have established routine and order in my daily schedule and in my surroundings. I thrive on routine! Much of that has to do with my personality – I know there are many people who thrive on spontaneity and flexibility.
However, I believe that most people benefit from some sort of routine in their daily lives. One question I receive often is, “Can you tell me how to establish a routine for my current stage of life?” I believe that those people, while they may not be the type who thrive on routine, realize that it’s a helpful tool for days that are naturally less structured.
Summer is a very important season for establishing routine! Whether you’re a teacher who has the summer “off,” a working mom of children who will be home all summer, a homeschooling mom who takes the summer off from teaching, a student home from college or anyone else with a different schedule than the other nine months of the year, you can benefit from a summer routine. Here’s how to create one!
#1 Use A Daily Planner
I recommend using a planner instead of daily to-do lists. Each weekend, map out the tasks you’d like to accomplish each day of the coming week and cross them off as they are completed. Tasks that aren’t crossed off get moved to the next day.
This might motivate you to accomplish a task instead of moving it to the next day. It also helps you to see where you’re trying to do too much – or not enough – as you get settled into the first few weeks of your routine. (New to planning? Grab some helpful tips here!)
I use the Happy Planner, but you can also find simple planners that work well at Dollar Tree!
#2 Establish A Morning Routine
Write down the basic, essential things you want to accomplish each day. It could be things like walking the dog, making your bed, getting ready for the day or doing a load of laundry. If you run a household, you know that laundry still has to be done during the summer!
Work those tasks into a routine that you follow as soon as you get up in the morning – whatever time that might be. Once those things are completed (it might only take you a few minutes), you’re free to enjoy the day without those tasks hanging over your head! My morning routine is very simple, but it makes a big difference in my day.
#3 Create a “bucket list” of goals, projects and fun things that you want to accomplish
Sit down with your family and create your summer bucket list. Include household projects or fitness goals along with fun activities like travel or making homemade ice cream. Take your planner and work those items into the summer months. This will keep you from waking up on September 1st and realizing you didn’t really do anything you wanted during the summer!
If you have kids at home, post your monthly calendar where everyone can see and anticipate the fun things you have planned. Knowing what days are taken up by big events or projects also helps you take advantage of the slower days you can enjoy at home.
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Do you enjoy a different schedule during the summer months?
Come Home For Comfort 
We are still working on figuring out our daily routine over here now that it’s Summer. We are having fun, but I’d love to figure out times to do a little school every day, read, play games, etc so that the kids know what to expect for their day.
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I always feel like it takes at least a few weeks to get into the groove with a new routine. I’m sure you’ll be settled in before no time! 🙂
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Goodness, I thrive on schedule and routine. Honestly, I think most of us do…even if our routines look different from each other. Great photos in your post today! I know you say summer is not your favorite – but I think it really agrees with you:)
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Thank you for your sweet comments, Jennifer! I agree that we all need a little routine in our lives. 🙂
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Great ideas! I use a Happy Planner, too, and because I’m keeping tracking of several people’s appointments, etc., I use a different colored highlighter for each person. Like you suggested, posting it on the fridge so everyone can see is a big help — I use a Martha Stewart “sticky” weekly calendar and each Saturday night write in the coming week’s activities. No more questions about what’s up for the week! Thanks for posting this.
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I love color coding to keep track of things – it’s a smart idea to use a different color for each person. Yay for another Happy Planner Girl! I don’t know what I’d do without mine.
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