Contrary to popular belief, routines can be flexible. If you’ve ever considered routines to be rigid or restrictive, this lesson will give you a different perspective. I have to admit when I first started creating intentional routines I thought they needed to be super structured or things would fall apart. This was so far from the truth and I realized the stricter I made my routines, the less I enjoyed them and the more pressure I put on myself. I then began creating more flexible routines that created more freedom and ease in my life.
To make your routine flexible means having the ability to change your course of action if you choose to do so. If you consider yourself a spontaneous person who loves to go with the flow, having flexible routines will be very important for you to consider. Even if you’re like me and are naturally routine oriented, having a flexible routine can also serve you. As humans we are creatures of habit but we also love choice. Flexible routines give you the power to choose and can lessen the possibility of routine fatigue and boredom, two things that can hinder you from maintaining your routine.
There are two ways to add flexibility to your routine. The first way is to make the timing of your routine flexible. The second way is to make your actions flexible. Before we dive into each, it’s important to understand not all routines will allow for flexibility but if your routine does have the ability to be flexible, consider doing so.
When it comes to timing, it can be helpful to think about whether your routine can be done at different times of the day. For example, if you want your laundry routine to be done first thing in the morning, can it also be done at night? Or if you usually do your weekly planning routine on Sunday, can it fit into your schedule on another day of the week? Having different times for doing your routine provides much more freedom for you.
Another way to create flexible routines is to focus on your actions. This is the only time you’ll hear me say specificity isn’t your friend. Try not to make your actions super specific. Broader actions create flexible routines. Here are some examples for you. If you are creating a morning routine instead of yoga, broaden this to be exercised. Instead of making coffee, broaden this to make beverages. Instead of reading devotional, broaden this to read something.
Like I said before, flexibility won’t work for every routine but it can be helpful to consider if possible. How can you make your routine flexible? Think about this. Now it’s time to move on to the last consideration in the creation phase, making it fun.
