(Read time <5 mins)

Ok, so there are somethings that are set in stone. Like exercise classes, the time you said you would meet up with friends, and making sure you are on time for your train. But other things in our routine are a lot more flexible than we let ourselves believe.

So let me share with you how I (and some people I know) make routines work for us, so life is not dull, monotonous and just more difficult to survive through.

How to make your routine less boring

• In quite a lot of cases, you can negotiate your working hours with your employer. We start work between 7 am and 8:30 am. I have a friend who takes an exercise class at 9 am. That means they extend their workday, to make up for those hours. But free will and a simple negotiation (dependant on your type of job) allows them to change the routine in their week.

• I workout 7 days a week for a minimum of 45 mins, with only 2 days being set exercise classes. Some weeks I do 5 days in the gym and others I do 2 days in the gym. But I don’t break the workout routine on those 2 day gym weeks, I just go for a walk instead. And the thing is, no one can stop me, because I’m still active. Yeah a walk is not the same as lifting weights, but I keep my workout routine and it mixes it up a little.

• Habit stacking is a great way to keep the routine interesting. I want to improve my hip flexibility and I want to read more. So, before I go to bed, I play some calming music, open up my kindle app, and read whilst I do stretches. Also, when I prepare dinner each night, I prepare my breakfast for the next morning. I’m in the kitchen anyways, so it makes sense rather than thinking about it before I go to bed.

• If you’re like me, and wants to keep on top of protein but not in the mood to follow a recipe, add peanut butter (obvs as long as you’re not allergic) to your pot noodle sauce, and hey presto! Protein source. I also make protein brownies, using the Betty Crocker brownie mix, and throw in some My Protein chocolate flavour. I love consuming my protein shake as a brownie with cream (and maybe some extra peanut butter), rather than drinking the shake every time.

• Sometimes I don’t want to do something, like sit down and plan my content for the blog and newsletter (lol). So, instead I do something else in my routine, like clean or hoover. That frees up the original space in the week that it was planned for, and gets my brain in an active mood to hopefully do what was originally planned. If not, then I’m allowed to rest as well, because I have bought myself time in the future (routine math😉).

Ok so these were examples of ways to spruce up a routine. And I hope they get your brain thinking, because if there is anything I have learnt from scrolling online, it’s that I’m not using enough of free will as an adult with free-will on her routine. So, have it and the best of luck.

Thanks for reading and enjoy your week.

Speak soon,

Rue

Adulting For Life