Calling all routine rebels! It’s time to embrace routines. In this episode of the Routine and Things Podcast, you’ll uncover what makes you reject routine and learn what it takes to embrace more structure in your life. Listen to this must needed episode
Word for Word
Ashley Brown 0:00 [Intro]: Routines my absolute favorite word, but you either love them or you're working on getting there. But either way, I strongly believe routines can be a springboard for improving your home, yourself and your life. I'm Ashley Brown. And this is the routine and things podcast. And each episode, I'll share practical tips and simple ways to help you consistently live your happiest life, one routine at a time. Trust me, you're going to want to keep listening, because you're well on your way to getting and staying happy.
Ashley Brown 0:49
One of my least favorite memories as a mom happened when I was a stay at home mom. This day in particular, I have so many things to do. I was behind on laundry I needed to schedule my daughter a doctor's appointment, and the house was a mess. I mean a hot mess. And funny enough, even though it's not funny, when I got to the end of my day, nothing had been done. You know those days. Thankfully, I had a God moment and realized I had fallen out of routine. Yes, this routine oriented girl had fallen out of routine. And honestly, it took me a while to get back on track because routines have always naturally fallen into place for me in the past. But this was very different. I had to intentionally rebuild my routines one by one. And although it took time and patience, the impact routines had on my life was incredible. And I learned so much along the way. This is why I'm so excited to share with you that your girl did a thing. I've wrote a book, The Routine Building handbook your all in one habit builder for increased productivity inspired work and lasting success.
Ashley Brown 1:58
The Routine Building handbook is an easy to use Practical Guide for starting creating and maintaining routines to help you decrease stress, improve your sleep, and build a productive, joyful life. It gives you all the tools you need to introduce structure predictability, and stability, including a customizable habit building roadmap, ideas for weekday, weekend, morning and night routines, plenty of examples of realistic daily and weekly routines, and advice for staying flexible. You can now preorder the book which comes with some amazing bonuses for a limited time to preorder the routine but in handbook you can head to routineandthings.com/book, or click the link in the show notes.
Ashley Brown 2:48
Hey, girl, welcome back. I'm so excited about this episode, we're gonna be talking about how to embrace structure as a routine rebel I'm assuming you're a routine rebel, because you are listening to this today. And let me talk to you girl, let's have a whole conversation because I love you. I always love any routine rebel that I come up against that I am in contact with because I'm like, let me show you something about some routines, right? Like, that's my vibe. I'm like, let me show you the power of routines. Because there's no reason to reject them. I remember I was doing a podcast interview. And the lady I was doing the podcast with was like, I remember I came across your podcast. And the intro is different now. But my intro in the past in the beginning would say, routines my absolute favorite word. You either love them or you hate them. And she was like, I was so surprised when you say it. You either love them or you hate them. And she was like because I really was like I hate routines that made her listen to the podcasts because I was like you either love them or you hate them.
Ashley Brown 4:17
Now I've decided to change that because I personally don't like the word hate. And it also don't want you having that negative perception and thinking you hate routines. And we're not gonna have this over here. We're not like you can be a work in progress. No need to hate routines. Let's not hate on routines, okay. So, if you're listening to this welcome, we're gonna have a conversation about how you can actually embrace routines and really things that you want to stop believing and things you want to start believing in order to embrace the structure that is going to add so much more ease and comfort and joy in your life. So first, we have to think about Why is it that you're rejecting routines? You may know, you may know clearly why you reject routines. It could be a range of things. I know the things that I've heard personally from people who feel a little bit iffy about routines is that one they like to go with the flow, so maybe you'd like to go with the flow and you think routines will interfere with this.
Ashley Brown 5:26
Maybe that could be why you're rejecting routine. Maybe you don't really vibe with routine, because you're very creative. And you believe routine is going to stifle your creativity. If you're creative listening, I love your brain. I love people who are super creative. Because honestly, that's not my brain. So I love it. Or maybe you believe you function better with that routine? What is it for you, it could be one of these, it could be none of these, you could have a totally different reason. I know that some people reject routine because they feel like it's making them feel like they're adulting. I've heard that one. It's multiple things that I've heard. But in whatever case, whatever the case may be for you. You don't die with routine. And so I want to help you shift that perspective and really lean into seeing the beauty and value of routine and knowing and believing that everything actually worked for you.
Ashley Brown 6:35
No matter if you're not type a no matter if you like to go with the flow of routines can be your jam. So how can you embrace structure, and still do you and be you? Right? So here's how let's break it down. You have to start believing a few things in order to embrace structuring your life and know that it is actually benefiting you. So the first thing I want for you to believe is that structure is not your enemy. routines are not your enemy. structure is your friend, like structure is over here like sending you love notes. Like I'm, I'm your friend. So one way that I think about this is you don't think a roller coaster has too much structure, do you? Right, you're not getting going to Six Flags, or Busch Gardens or Disney World. And when you get on the ride, you're like, you know what, this got a little bit too much structure like, I don't know why they have this bar that needs to be right here.
Ashley Brown 7:41
When I'm on this ride like this too much structure is gonna like cramp my style. You don't be saying that, right. So think about it. In that way. Like really, the fact that you have structure on that ride, the fact that you have something they are helping you to be stable and secure, then you are even more comfortable on the ride, you feel like you can enjoy yourself more. You feel like you can do you because at the end of the day, you know, you're going to be safe, and it's going to be fine. I want you to think about that for a second. Like really believe in that structure is not your enemy, that structure is your friend and it's there to make you feel stable in life is there to help you lean more into yourself is really there to help you enjoy life a lot better.
Ashley Brown 8:40
Because when you have that structure, then you are way more efficient with your time and energy. And you are intentional with what you are doing. And when you have intentionality as a part of your life. I mean, it just opens up so much space for creativity and joy. And it makes you feel better honestly. So that's the first thing you want to start to believe is that structure is not your enemy. Another thing to start to believe is that there can be spontaneity in structure. That spontaneity and structure can coexist. They can be together. Like I think that many times people think that oh no structure means there's no spontaneity and it's like no there can be spontaneity in structure and I'm going to give you an example of this. So I meal plan every week. And you know, your meal plan and you'll get to those times in days where you're like, I don't want what's on this freaking meal plan. Like I don't want what's up here. And so what I've started to do with my meal plan is not only do I decide what meals we're making in the week, but I also write down takeout options. Mm hmm. I surely do for those days when I want to be spontaneous. And I have a taste for something else. At least I have a plan, at least I set up here and was proactive with my time and my actions, okay, so there can be spontaneity in structure. And by having that meal plan there has not only what I can cook, but also when I can go pick up or be brought to the house, in lessens my mental low, but there's still room for going with the flow.
Ashley Brown 10:26
So spontaneity and structure can coexist, you have to start believing this. The next thing and this is so important to start thinking about, especially if you believe you function better with that routine, you have to start to believe the evidence that shows you don't function better without routine, we need to look at the evidence that shows your lack of routine is messing up your life. That's just in the like, simplest way I can say you have to start believing that evidence that shows that your lack of routine is not leading you to a good result. And so if you are constantly stressed, or your partner is always getting on you for not being more organized, or you are always in a rush, pulling things together at the last minute, you are not functioning well. That evidence shows that you are not functioning well. So is no need to reject routine, when your life is a clear indication that a routine could be helpful for you. Right?
Ashley Brown 11:40
It could be helpful for you. So that's another thing you want to start to believe believe that evidence I know, I know that you may be listening. And you could be a hard core rebel this like whenever somebody says, because I know see, I've lived some life. And I've been around multiple people, because I'm an educator. It's just some people in life, you could be one of them listening right now, that's just a true hardcore rebel. And when someone tells you to do one thing, you just legitimately turn their head and walk in a different direction. I already know. And this, this is you that you might as well just turn the podcast off, I'm gonna tell you right now, because you probably are not going to listen to what I'm saying. Which is okay, it's your life to live.
Ashley Brown 12:33
But I'm telling you, you start to believe the evidence that shows you don't function better without routine. Start looking at the evidence that shows maybe I need a routine in this area, maybe a routine will actually be helpful for me a flexible routine. A go with the flow routine will be helpful right now. And then lastly, this is super important for you to take into account. You must believe that you make the rules for your routines. Because as a rebel, you have to make the rules. And you know that as a rebel. You don't like following nobody's rules. So at the end of the day, you have to make the rules for your routines, if you are going to even start the routine and maintain it. And I'm here to tell you, you make the rules for your routines. I don't make the rules for your routines, I'm not living your life, you do.
Ashley Brown 13:33
So if you want to structure your routine in a certain way because it better serves you do it. You make the rules. You create routines to meet you where you are. And if you need flexibility add flexibility if you need spontaneity, add spontaneity it's your routines Do as you please, but as long as you have routines that's all that's important to me have routine a part of your life. I'm not saying to go routine your life away because nobody needs to routine that life away that's just not going to be helpful. But having some areas of your life that have structure start in one place. And then see see what the benefits are see if it improves, you know your life in any type of way. Right? test it out. So that's what I want to share with you today. In the title I put routine rebel just to call you in because I wanted to be able to call in the right people for this episode. But after today, I do not want you calling yourself a routine rebel or even thinking that you are a routine rebel because it's going to keep you stuck. If you consider yourself a routine rebel after today, it is going to keep you stuck and stagnant and you are not going to create a routine. Let go of that title.
Ashley Brown 14:59
You aren't you are not routine rebel, go rebel about something that's not routines, okay? You deserve and are worthy of more structure and routine. Don't allow how you've always done things to dictate how you continue to do them, especially if they're not working for you. Structure is your friend, it will lighten your load, you will be more creative and spontaneous and you will begin to love the heck out of life already know you're loving the heck out of life now, with your go with the flow self already know you are, but you're gonna love the heck out of life even more with some structure in there. Alright, so here's some routine wisdom for you, your routines, your rules, I'm going to invite you to do something today. Because you did listen to this episode. And if you got all the way to this point, then you may likely really be in change mode.
Ashley Brown 15:55
So with that being the case, I want to invite you to preorder my new book Routine Building Handbook, your all know one habit builder for increase productivity, inspired work, and lasting success. It is available to you I break down routine building step by step, a whole bunch of examples. A whole bunch of stories it's a great book. It's a great resource. You know, I don't do anything but practical over here. So it's a practical guide for you easy to follow. You can preorder that today and get some amazing bonuses by going to routineandthings.com/book or click the link in the show notes. Before you go if you could do me a huge favor and rate and review the show. Give it five stars. If you enjoyed this episode, share what you love about the podcast. And also share this episode with someone you know someone you love today. A routine rebel. And until next time, continue to enjoy wherever you are, whatever you're doing, stay happy. Get out of your own way. And I'll talk to you soon.
Ashley Brown 17:04 [Outro]
Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed today's episode, take a screenshot and share it on social I would love to know you're listening and for tools to help you start maintain and enjoy your routines. Be sure to head to routineandthings.com. Here's to staying happy.
Ashley Brown 0:49
One of my least favorite memories as a mom happened when I was a stay at home mom. This day in particular, I have so many things to do. I was behind on laundry I needed to schedule my daughter a doctor's appointment, and the house was a mess. I mean a hot mess. And funny enough, even though it's not funny, when I got to the end of my day, nothing had been done. You know those days. Thankfully, I had a God moment and realized I had fallen out of routine. Yes, this routine oriented girl had fallen out of routine. And honestly, it took me a while to get back on track because routines have always naturally fallen into place for me in the past. But this was very different. I had to intentionally rebuild my routines one by one. And although it took time and patience, the impact routines had on my life was incredible. And I learned so much along the way. This is why I'm so excited to share with you that your girl did a thing. I've wrote a book, The Routine Building handbook your all in one habit builder for increased productivity inspired work and lasting success.
Ashley Brown 1:58
The Routine Building handbook is an easy to use Practical Guide for starting creating and maintaining routines to help you decrease stress, improve your sleep, and build a productive, joyful life. It gives you all the tools you need to introduce structure predictability, and stability, including a customizable habit building roadmap, ideas for weekday, weekend, morning and night routines, plenty of examples of realistic daily and weekly routines, and advice for staying flexible. You can now preorder the book which comes with some amazing bonuses for a limited time to preorder the routine but in handbook you can head to routineandthings.com/book, or click the link in the show notes.
Ashley Brown 2:48
Hey, girl, welcome back. I'm so excited about this episode, we're gonna be talking about how to embrace structure as a routine rebel I'm assuming you're a routine rebel, because you are listening to this today. And let me talk to you girl, let's have a whole conversation because I love you. I always love any routine rebel that I come up against that I am in contact with because I'm like, let me show you something about some routines, right? Like, that's my vibe. I'm like, let me show you the power of routines. Because there's no reason to reject them. I remember I was doing a podcast interview. And the lady I was doing the podcast with was like, I remember I came across your podcast. And the intro is different now. But my intro in the past in the beginning would say, routines my absolute favorite word. You either love them or you hate them. And she was like, I was so surprised when you say it. You either love them or you hate them. And she was like because I really was like I hate routines that made her listen to the podcasts because I was like you either love them or you hate them.
Ashley Brown 4:17
Now I've decided to change that because I personally don't like the word hate. And it also don't want you having that negative perception and thinking you hate routines. And we're not gonna have this over here. We're not like you can be a work in progress. No need to hate routines. Let's not hate on routines, okay. So, if you're listening to this welcome, we're gonna have a conversation about how you can actually embrace routines and really things that you want to stop believing and things you want to start believing in order to embrace the structure that is going to add so much more ease and comfort and joy in your life. So first, we have to think about Why is it that you're rejecting routines? You may know, you may know clearly why you reject routines. It could be a range of things. I know the things that I've heard personally from people who feel a little bit iffy about routines is that one they like to go with the flow, so maybe you'd like to go with the flow and you think routines will interfere with this.
Ashley Brown 5:26
Maybe that could be why you're rejecting routine. Maybe you don't really vibe with routine, because you're very creative. And you believe routine is going to stifle your creativity. If you're creative listening, I love your brain. I love people who are super creative. Because honestly, that's not my brain. So I love it. Or maybe you believe you function better with that routine? What is it for you, it could be one of these, it could be none of these, you could have a totally different reason. I know that some people reject routine because they feel like it's making them feel like they're adulting. I've heard that one. It's multiple things that I've heard. But in whatever case, whatever the case may be for you. You don't die with routine. And so I want to help you shift that perspective and really lean into seeing the beauty and value of routine and knowing and believing that everything actually worked for you.
Ashley Brown 6:35
No matter if you're not type a no matter if you like to go with the flow of routines can be your jam. So how can you embrace structure, and still do you and be you? Right? So here's how let's break it down. You have to start believing a few things in order to embrace structuring your life and know that it is actually benefiting you. So the first thing I want for you to believe is that structure is not your enemy. routines are not your enemy. structure is your friend, like structure is over here like sending you love notes. Like I'm, I'm your friend. So one way that I think about this is you don't think a roller coaster has too much structure, do you? Right, you're not getting going to Six Flags, or Busch Gardens or Disney World. And when you get on the ride, you're like, you know what, this got a little bit too much structure like, I don't know why they have this bar that needs to be right here.
Ashley Brown 7:41
When I'm on this ride like this too much structure is gonna like cramp my style. You don't be saying that, right. So think about it. In that way. Like really, the fact that you have structure on that ride, the fact that you have something they are helping you to be stable and secure, then you are even more comfortable on the ride, you feel like you can enjoy yourself more. You feel like you can do you because at the end of the day, you know, you're going to be safe, and it's going to be fine. I want you to think about that for a second. Like really believe in that structure is not your enemy, that structure is your friend and it's there to make you feel stable in life is there to help you lean more into yourself is really there to help you enjoy life a lot better.
Ashley Brown 8:40
Because when you have that structure, then you are way more efficient with your time and energy. And you are intentional with what you are doing. And when you have intentionality as a part of your life. I mean, it just opens up so much space for creativity and joy. And it makes you feel better honestly. So that's the first thing you want to start to believe is that structure is not your enemy. Another thing to start to believe is that there can be spontaneity in structure. That spontaneity and structure can coexist. They can be together. Like I think that many times people think that oh no structure means there's no spontaneity and it's like no there can be spontaneity in structure and I'm going to give you an example of this. So I meal plan every week. And you know, your meal plan and you'll get to those times in days where you're like, I don't want what's on this freaking meal plan. Like I don't want what's up here. And so what I've started to do with my meal plan is not only do I decide what meals we're making in the week, but I also write down takeout options. Mm hmm. I surely do for those days when I want to be spontaneous. And I have a taste for something else. At least I have a plan, at least I set up here and was proactive with my time and my actions, okay, so there can be spontaneity in structure. And by having that meal plan there has not only what I can cook, but also when I can go pick up or be brought to the house, in lessens my mental low, but there's still room for going with the flow.
Ashley Brown 10:26
So spontaneity and structure can coexist, you have to start believing this. The next thing and this is so important to start thinking about, especially if you believe you function better with that routine, you have to start to believe the evidence that shows you don't function better without routine, we need to look at the evidence that shows your lack of routine is messing up your life. That's just in the like, simplest way I can say you have to start believing that evidence that shows that your lack of routine is not leading you to a good result. And so if you are constantly stressed, or your partner is always getting on you for not being more organized, or you are always in a rush, pulling things together at the last minute, you are not functioning well. That evidence shows that you are not functioning well. So is no need to reject routine, when your life is a clear indication that a routine could be helpful for you. Right?
Ashley Brown 11:40
It could be helpful for you. So that's another thing you want to start to believe believe that evidence I know, I know that you may be listening. And you could be a hard core rebel this like whenever somebody says, because I know see, I've lived some life. And I've been around multiple people, because I'm an educator. It's just some people in life, you could be one of them listening right now, that's just a true hardcore rebel. And when someone tells you to do one thing, you just legitimately turn their head and walk in a different direction. I already know. And this, this is you that you might as well just turn the podcast off, I'm gonna tell you right now, because you probably are not going to listen to what I'm saying. Which is okay, it's your life to live.
Ashley Brown 12:33
But I'm telling you, you start to believe the evidence that shows you don't function better without routine. Start looking at the evidence that shows maybe I need a routine in this area, maybe a routine will actually be helpful for me a flexible routine. A go with the flow routine will be helpful right now. And then lastly, this is super important for you to take into account. You must believe that you make the rules for your routines. Because as a rebel, you have to make the rules. And you know that as a rebel. You don't like following nobody's rules. So at the end of the day, you have to make the rules for your routines, if you are going to even start the routine and maintain it. And I'm here to tell you, you make the rules for your routines. I don't make the rules for your routines, I'm not living your life, you do.
Ashley Brown 13:33
So if you want to structure your routine in a certain way because it better serves you do it. You make the rules. You create routines to meet you where you are. And if you need flexibility add flexibility if you need spontaneity, add spontaneity it's your routines Do as you please, but as long as you have routines that's all that's important to me have routine a part of your life. I'm not saying to go routine your life away because nobody needs to routine that life away that's just not going to be helpful. But having some areas of your life that have structure start in one place. And then see see what the benefits are see if it improves, you know your life in any type of way. Right? test it out. So that's what I want to share with you today. In the title I put routine rebel just to call you in because I wanted to be able to call in the right people for this episode. But after today, I do not want you calling yourself a routine rebel or even thinking that you are a routine rebel because it's going to keep you stuck. If you consider yourself a routine rebel after today, it is going to keep you stuck and stagnant and you are not going to create a routine. Let go of that title.
Ashley Brown 14:59
You aren't you are not routine rebel, go rebel about something that's not routines, okay? You deserve and are worthy of more structure and routine. Don't allow how you've always done things to dictate how you continue to do them, especially if they're not working for you. Structure is your friend, it will lighten your load, you will be more creative and spontaneous and you will begin to love the heck out of life already know you're loving the heck out of life now, with your go with the flow self already know you are, but you're gonna love the heck out of life even more with some structure in there. Alright, so here's some routine wisdom for you, your routines, your rules, I'm going to invite you to do something today. Because you did listen to this episode. And if you got all the way to this point, then you may likely really be in change mode.
Ashley Brown 15:55
So with that being the case, I want to invite you to preorder my new book Routine Building Handbook, your all know one habit builder for increase productivity, inspired work, and lasting success. It is available to you I break down routine building step by step, a whole bunch of examples. A whole bunch of stories it's a great book. It's a great resource. You know, I don't do anything but practical over here. So it's a practical guide for you easy to follow. You can preorder that today and get some amazing bonuses by going to routineandthings.com/book or click the link in the show notes. Before you go if you could do me a huge favor and rate and review the show. Give it five stars. If you enjoyed this episode, share what you love about the podcast. And also share this episode with someone you know someone you love today. A routine rebel. And until next time, continue to enjoy wherever you are, whatever you're doing, stay happy. Get out of your own way. And I'll talk to you soon.
Ashley Brown 17:04 [Outro]
Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed today's episode, take a screenshot and share it on social I would love to know you're listening and for tools to help you start maintain and enjoy your routines. Be sure to head to routineandthings.com. Here's to staying happy.