Friday, January 1, 2016

New Year Goal - Making a Daily Routine

For the last week or so, and all day today, I've been thinking about what my New Year Goals for 2016 should be.  I decided in the end that what I really want to work on, is routine.  Now, if you know me, you're probably thinking, Val needs to work on routine?  I do keep myself and my family in a pretty good routine, but there is room for improvement.  We have had great times of our routine throughout 2015, and I'd like to take all of those great times and combine them all into one.

New Year Goal - Making a Daily Routine

The first routine:
Kids strive on having regular bed times and wake-up times, so why do I, as Mom, not do that for myself?  I need to get myself back in my best groove by going to bed at a regular time and waking up at a regular time too.  Now, talking about waking up, there are days I have just slept till I heard the first kid wake up, but I have noticed, especially over the last year, if I don't get at least 30 minutes to myself in the morning - I'm sluggish all morning, and sometimes all day.  With three kids and a fourth on the way, I don't have time to be sluggish.

The second routine:
At the end of the summer I started focusing on including daily exercise into my routine.  I did a pretty good job working out daily, and then fall harvest hit and my exercise routine decreased to rain days.  And I have to add, after harvest it has been hard to get back into my regular exercise routine.  I know I need to add exercise to my day because it gives me strength in multiple ways.  I also know that I need to exercise either during afternoon quiet time or right away in the morning.  Exercising at night doesn't work for me.

The third routine:
I have a hard time being productive at home if my house isn't clean.  A clean house makes me feel at peace, and able to tackle other tasks that need to get done.  I have a pretty good daily house cleaning and laundry routine that I plan on keeping, but I'd really like to monthly tackle some bigger jobs (aka clean and organize closets, our porch, our garage, our basement, etc.)  For some reason these areas have never seemed to be organized since we moved to our house over two years ago!  When we moved in we had a few areas that became dumping spots, and I have never been able to get those areas out of those ruts.  2016 will be the year of finally getting fully unpacked and organized!

The fourth routine:
Over Christmas break I have realized the importance of time with my kids.  Now, it is not like I don't spend time with my kids.  After all, I am a stay at home Mom and I'm with my kids everyday.  But there is a difference between being around and being present.  All of my kids do better if I can give each of them individual time daily.  This individual time can be reading books - just the two of us, playing a game - just the two of us, working on walking (aka JP), etc.  Also, My Farmer and I have a routine of going on a date night monthly (which we will continue in 2016).  I'd like to do better of doing something fun monthly with our kids, and including one on one kid dates too.

So there is a look at the best of my routines that I'd like to keep going all year long.  What are some of your goals for the New Year?  Remember to Comment for a Cause!

8 comments:

  1. I so agree when it becomes part of you daily routine then it will become easier for sure I have noticed this with many things I have had come up n life

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    1. As of Day 2 I'm keeping up with all of my daily routines! Here's to making them all habits!

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  2. A) read the miracle morning. It is a morning routine that involves quiet time, prayer, exercise and more. I read it this summer and it changed my life. I've been getting up at 5 for my quiet time ever since!

    B)read The Life Changing Magic of Tidying up. It also changed my life!

    (I totally didn't plan for my comment to be two book suggestions, but guess it was! )

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    1. I'm going to check out your book recommendations! Thanks Katie!

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  3. these are all great ideas. I love the idea of spending more time with each child. I have a hard time with that, and I only have two!

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    1. I have noticed if I can give all of my kids individual time daily - even if it is even for just 15 minutes, they are happier and better behaved.

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  4. Routine is something that I am working on too this year Val. The bedtime is hard one for me. The kids are great at going to bed and have a good routine, but I am horrible at sticking to a set bedtime.
    Laurie

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    1. I understand completely. So far I have been doing well at not staying up too late! I get far more done waking up early in the morning, than staying up late.

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