We all have rituals that we embrace as sacred additions to our days. They can be as simple as a comforting cup of tea to help you wind down at the end of a busy day to a full-blown skin and hair care routine that takes nearly an hour. Routines can help one manage stress and anxiety, aid with productivity, encourage you to know yourself more deeply, build self-confidence, and forge healthy habits you can be proud of. With a solid routine, we find peace of mind and a sense of calm in our otherwise chaotic lives. It is my sincere hope that this blog helps you find space in your day for serenity – student and educator alike.

When I am overwhelmed, I feel there's no space to breathe or do things that make me happy. It's easy to feel like doing something for yourself will take away from the time you could be doing something else 'more productive.' There's always more work to do, right? With a routine, you set a non-negotiable time to do the things that help you find calm and take care of yourself. By making space to do the things that make you feel relaxed, you cut down on stress. Such things can be included in your custom-made routine tailored for you, by you.

There's always some goal we want to accomplish occupied in our minds. I had a few - taking supplements, caring for my skin, and journaling every evening. They're small things, but these tasks I wanted to accomplish were things that I thought the best version of myself would do. As you add goals to your routine and follow through on completing them, they become habits. The things that people do that you look up to can become something of your own. It's rewarding to reflect on your progress and realize that the qualities you hold in high regard are integrated into your own life. Making things like that a part of your daily routine, it's easy to feel a well-deserved sense of pride.

When you have a set routine, you can truly focus on the demanding tasks you need to get done. Routines create space for you to do difficult, needed tasks while also making space to take care of yourself. I have a routine for when I come home after a day of attending lectures. I make mock-tails and sit down to watch a movie. It's simple, but it gives me something to look forward to and helps me push through the day. Creating a routine can provide something to look forward to and feel like a reward. Routines can be a much-needed respite to nudge you through tough days.

A routine should generally be a consistent practice, but it doesn't have to be completely inflexible and set in stone. A routine can change as you do. If a goal or ritual no longer serves you, replace it with one that makes you feel more like yourself. Adding and taking away from your routine encourages you to learn more about yourself. Through assessing different routines, you try things you thought you'd like but realize you don't. Through consistent diligence and holding yourself accountable for your routine, you trust in yourself more. You believe deeply in yourself and your ability to follow through on your goals. You know you can become the person you want to be.

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