After I moved to Santa Monica, I sat down and made a list of routines to create post grad. I wanted to be more intentional with my days and make the most out of my time. These are the 5 routines I have created to be most productive and of course, happy!
5 Routines To Create Post Grad
Will Rogers State Park, Pacific Palisades, CA, February 21st, 2018
We did a sunset hike on Monday with a few friends and had the best time. Will Rogers is only 10 or so minutes away from where we live and it’s like a completely different environment. I love having these little escapes and soaking up all the beauty of this place.
Waking Up Early
One of the hardest things to make a routine post grad was waking up “early” (I say that because I know some people wake up way earlier). It was one of those routines I always told myself you only do when you’re a parent. But, getting up at 6:30 or 7 makes the days feel so much longer. Therefore, I can get SO much more done before work. I love to check blog emails, finish posts, work out, and make breakfast before work. It sets me up for a more productive day. Plus, there is something about the morning rays and quiet time that is so special to me.
Working Out
I know I have talked about this in the 5 steps to a healthier me and my new year’s resolutions posts, but it has been something I have been working really hard to keep up. It helps me be less stressed with everything on my plate and all in all, just a lot more confident and happy. Who doesn’t want that? I try to workout 5 or 6 days a week and do something. Whether it is running, walking, biking, an intense hour-long workout or a 30 minute one, I just try and make sure I am breaking a sweat!
Plan Out My Meals And Make Extra Servings
When I was in school, I would just whip up whatever dinner I could find in my house. Or I would make something unhealthy and fast. Worst come to worst, I’d go out and get something to eat. But, I have tried to make a routine of planning what I am eating for the week on Sunday’s so that I know what I am bringing for lunch and eating for dinner each day. One of the greatest tricks is to make your meal for 2 more servings than you think. That way, you can take it for lunch 1 or 2 days/eat it after a really stressful work day and not have to cook. It is so easy to make pasta (trust me, I use to live on pasta) or pizza, but spending an extra 15 minutes in the kitchen makes all the difference in the world. Eating healthier has given me so much more energy.
Leaving Work At Work
This is probably one of the goals I struggle with the most, but also work the hardest to maintain. If I have learned anything in the real world, it’s that sometimes 9:30-6 just isn’t enough. But, I do everything in my power to stay really focused at work and knock everything out, so come time to leave work, I can leave all my tasks there as well. Work-life balance is so important. I can’t say that enough! Getting all my work done in the office means I can come home and do my blog work without stress for a little while before enjoying time with Russ or my friends. All in all, trying to keep it balanced has made me continuously love to wake up each morning and come to work.
Going To Church
I bobbed back and forth with going to church a lot in college, honestly. Sundays were a crazy homework day and I was usually sleep deprived from late nights in the studio. I always made an excuse as to why I couldn’t make it on the weeks that I missed. However, I would go home for breaks and be so happy every time I went. So I knew it was something I wanted to get back into, it was just a matter of finding the right community and making a point to go every week. Luckily, we’ve found a church here we really love and some great church friends along with it. I think I’ve always struggled when it comes to going to churches that aren’t mine from home. I hold that church so, so close to my heart that everything else never felt right. Plus, attending church at home means going with family which makes everything even better. But, having Russ along side of me here has made the journey to find a church and get acclimated easy and fun.
What are some routines you have started?
