Ashley Brown 0:00 [Intro]
Routines are my absolute favorite word, but you either love them or you're working on getting there. And 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. In each episode, I'll share practical tips and simple ways for you to consistently live your happiest life, one routine at a time. Trust me, you're gonna want to keep listening, because you're well on your way to getting and staying happy.
Ashley Brown 0:46
Before we get into today's episode, have you ever wonder which routine is the best for you to start right now, if you are unsure of which routine will best meet the needs of your home and life at this very moment, you now have a way to find out. I've created for you a very simple and free routine assessment that will help you identify which routine you really need most right now, to take this quick assessment that will point you in the right direction and get you started with the right routine. Click the link in the show notes or head to routineandthings.com. Alright, let's go ahead and get into today's episode.
Ashley Brown 1:21
Hey, welcome back for another episode of the routine and things Podcast. Today we are talking about how to decide which routine to start when you need more than one. Because I know that you might be listening to this and like girl, I need more than one routine. But I know you said start with one. But I cannot decide which one I need. I need help with this. And so I really want to answer this question today because I want you to make the best decision. And I want you to know what it takes to make a good decision for which routine to start. Because it is really vital that you start one routine at a time because you want to get that one establish because when you start multiple at once it can really throw you off, you're less likely to be consistent with all of them. It really your focus goes to one anyway. And so why not just focus on one, get that one up and going get it established and then you can move on to the next routine.
Ashley Brown 2:15
That is the best way to go, especially if you want to be consistent with your routines. And so I want to share today what can help you make this decision. So let's go ahead and get into it. The first thing when it comes to deciding which routine to start when you when you feel like you need many. And the reason why I said when you feel like you need many is because sometimes we can think we need many. And when we actually take time to assess, we don't need many routines. And so the first step is to figure out which routines you actually need by assessing your routines not which routine you want, not which routine you feel like is going to be best but actually assessing your routine to decide, oh, this is the one I actually need. So you want to assess your routines, first and foremost. You know, I've shared this before if you've listened to the podcast before, but you can take the free routine assessment that's available in the show notes or you can go to routineandthings.com to grab it.
Ashley Brown 3:17
This assessment will take you through five routine categories, you will assess these five routine categories at the end of the assessment, you will see which ones are in green, yellow, and red. And so the assessment will show you which ones are in red, those are the ones that you actually need. And after doing this assessment, you may see that you only have one in red, you may see you only have to and red and it will actually show you that you don't need as many as you think you need. And so if you're unsure about what I'm talking about when I say the five routine categories, go back and listen to episode 159 for an overview of the five routine categories, because this will share what those routine categories are. But when you take the assessment, you're going to be able to see which ones are in red, which ones do you actually need. So for example, you may take the assessment and you may say Okay, it says you need to focus on the children category and the self care category.
Ashley Brown 4:13
Please go back and listen to episode 159. If you don't know what I'm talking about here, but the routine categories Once you know which routine categories you need to focus on, that's when you're gonna get more specific and actually choose the routine within that category. But you'll see that oh, I just need to focus on these two categories got you versus you thinking that oh my god, I gotta focus on so many. It's like, no, these are the only ones so let me then decide which of these categories I really need to focus on. Now, that's when we get to step two, because once you figure out which routine or routines you actually need, now you can decide which one you're going to start with. So let's say you're between children and self care, this is what can make this decision easier for you. So for example, if self care is in red, if you have self care in red start with a self care routine. So Start with a self care routine if you're between multiple categories, multiple routine categories when you take the assessment if self care is a routine category that's in red start with a self care routine, a morning routine, or a bedtime routine or a rest routine or a routine that you put together and name for yourself.
Ashley Brown 5:19
Start with a self care routine might be an exercise routine. Start with something where you're caring for you because it is more difficult to keep other routines going when you are not properly and consistently caring for yourself. Let me say that again, it is more difficult to keep other routines going when you are not properly and consistently caring for you. So if you see that the self care category is in red, start with a self care routine. That is an easy way to decide which routine to start with, especially if you're between multiple routine categories. Okay, all right, let's say that you don't have self care as the category that's in red. And maybe you have cleaning and children, right? Maybe you have cleaning and children, okay, from that you can then think about which routine has the least barrier of entry, aka which routine is easier to get up and going for you which of those two routine categories are easier for you to get up and going.
Ashley Brown 6:13
I would probably lean towards cleaning, if I'm between cleaning and cooking, I will probably say cleaning especially if my cleaning does not involve anybody else in my house. And like I'm like, Okay, I want to start doing a tidy routine around here or kitchen routine. Okay, that involves me that's easy to get up and go. It doesn't involve anybody else. It doesn't involve my kids. It doesn't involve my partner for right now. I just want to do this cleaning routine myself, then I would choose cleaning, okay, so that's another way that you can decide which routine to start with is which one is easier for you to get up and going. And typically, those are routines that don't involve someone else. That's another tip. Now let's get to the last thing I know you're going to be like, well, what if the routine categories that I need involve other people, then it's just about you making a decision and running with it. That's it.
Ashley Brown 7:01
It's just about you deciding okay, I'm gonna start with children and just go no overthinking, just start when it does not matter is not a right one that you need to start first just make a decision and start, the quicker that you can make a decision and move forward, the quicker your routine can begin and you will begin to feel a difference that it makes just start if you're between children and let's say cleaning. And you know, the cleaning routine that you want to start involves your family then just choose one, just choose one, it doesn't matter at that point. It's just more important that you start one so that you can establish it so that you can feel and see the benefits of the routine. So that's how you make a decision when you are in between multiple routine specifically when you are in between multiple routine categories when you go to take this routine assessment and if you've already taken the routine assessment, go back and retake it if you find yourself in between multiple categories. This is how you decide self care if it's in red, start with a self care routine. If you don't have self care in red then start with the routine that you can get up and going the easiest.
Ashley Brown 8:06
Simply that doesn't involve someone else in the routine. If you have categories and read that do involve other people, just pick one start it. Don't overthink, get moving with the routine, get the routine up and going and if it does involve someone else, please please please get their input in the routine. Please okay, I have an episode that is out. That's about how to get your family on board with routines. You have to get their input and you have to get them involved in the process. So that's how you decide hopefully this was really helpful for you. Be sure to get the routine assessment. It is linked in the show notes or you can get it at routineandthings.com like I said if you already have it go back complete it again and then use this episode to decide which one routine you will start. One routine at a time and share it with me screenshot this episode tag me on Insta share with me which routine will you be starting. I would love to hear from you. Until next time continue to enjoy wherever you are, whatever you're doing, stay happy and I'll talk to you next week.
Ashley Brown 9:14 [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 routine and things.com Here's to staying happy