Building a Routine You Look Forward To

8 September 2025

Let’s be honest—when someone says “routine,” what’s your first reaction? A sigh? A mental image of a strict, boring schedule that sucks the fun out of life? Yeah, I’ve been there, too. But routines don’t have to be these robot-like structures that make us feel like we’re stuck in the movie Groundhog Day. In fact, the right routine can actually free you.

The trick? You’ve got to build a routine you genuinely look forward to. One that fuels your energy instead of drains it, a structure that works with your life, not against it.

So, if you're tired of forcing yourself to follow morning routines that feel more like military boot camps than habits of happy, thriving humans, keep reading. We're going to talk about how to create a daily flow that sparks joy, boosts productivity, and helps you live your best life.

Why Do Routines Even Matter?

Before we jump into the "how," let’s take a sec and talk about the “why.” Why should you even care about building a routine?

Routines are more than just schedules—it’s about intentional living. They give structure to your day and free your brain from decision fatigue. When you already know what you’re doing in the morning, what your evening looks like, and where your priorities fall during the day, you can focus your mental energy on what actually matters—your goals, your creativity, your peace of mind.

But the real magic? When your routine is something you love, it becomes your personal rhythm. Like your favorite playlist on repeat—it keeps you moving, motivated, and feeling like you’re in sync with yourself.

Step 1: Flip Your Mindset—Routines Aren’t Prisons

First things first—you’ve got to break up with the idea that routines are strict or suffocating.

Think about it: does having a bedtime mean you’re being “controlled”? Nope. It means you’re choosing to get enough sleep so you’re not zombie-walking through your day.

Here’s a simple mindset shift:
Your routine isn't a set of rules—it’s your personal recipe for thriving.

If a routine feels like punishment, it’s probably not the right one for you. The goal is to create structure, not restriction.

Step 2: Know Your Why

You can't build a routine worth sticking to if you don’t know what you want it to do for you.

- Do you want more time for fitness?
- Are you desperate for better sleep?
- Want to stop feeling like you’re constantly playing catch-up?

Get clear on what you want—not what you "should" want. "Should" is the enemy of motivation. When your routine reflects your real desires, it's way easier (and way more fun) to follow through.

Step 3: Start Small—Like, Really Small

We tend to get excited and overhaul our entire life in one night. New 5 AM workout, no sugar, journal for 30 minutes, drink 80 oz of water... and by day three, we’re crawling back into bed with a donut and Netflix. Sound familiar?

Here’s the fix:
🎯 Start with one or two micro-habits that will give you big wins.

For example:

- Instead of “I’ll exercise for an hour every morning,” try: "I'll do 10 minutes of stretching while my coffee brews."
- Instead of “I’ll meditate for 30 minutes,” try: "I’ll take 3 deep, intentional breaths after I wake up."

You can always build from there. It's about building momentum, not perfection.

Step 4: Design Around You, Not Someone Else's Routine

Just because some YouTuber wakes up at 4:30 AM doesn't mean you have to. Your dream routine might look completely different—and that’s the point.

Are you a night owl? Cool. Design a night routine that helps you wind down. Feel energized after a morning walk? Great, make that your anchor habit.

You don’t have to copy someone else’s rhythm—you just need to find what rhythm works for you.

Step 5: Make It Enjoyable (Yes, Seriously)

We don’t talk about this enough, but your routine should have stuff in it that feels good.

Think of your routine as a personal smoothie—you want it to be healthy, but also delicious enough that you keep sipping.

Here are some ways to add joy into your routine:

- Add music to your morning shower
- Light a candle during your wind-down time
- Read a book while sipping tea instead of scrolling social media
- Write affirmations that actually hype you up (no more cookie-cutter stuff)

The point is, routines shouldn’t be just about discipline—they should also include pleasure and presence.

Step 6: Anchor Your Day

Anchor habits are small but powerful actions that tie your day together. Think of them as your non-negotiables—no matter what chaos the day brings, these stay steady.

Examples of great anchors:

- Making your bed
- A 10-minute morning journal session
- Prepping your outfit the night before
- A nightly gratitude check-in

These little routines give your brain cues. They say, “Hey, we’re starting the day now” or “Hey, it’s time to relax.” And once these become automatic, they act like bookmarks for your day.

Step 7: Leave Breathing Room

No one likes a schedule so jam-packed that you feel like you can’t even pee without bumping into your next to-do. That's why flexibility is everything.

Give yourself buffer space—literally schedule "nothing" time. Use it for rest, creativity, or whatever your soul needs in the moment.

This decompression zone makes your routine feel more human and less like a robot-run life.

Step 8: Use Triggers for Habits

Ever forget to take your vitamins even though they’re staring at you from the kitchen shelf? Yeah, same.

That’s where habit stacking comes in. Pair a new habit with something you already do. It’s like riding the coattails of routines you’ve already nailed.

Try:

- Meditating right after brushing your teeth
- Journaling right after your morning coffee
- Doing squats while your food microwaves

Your brain loves patterns. The more you stack, the easier it becomes.

Step 9: Build In Celebrations

Ever notice how good it feels when someone gives you a high five? You can build that into your routine, from yourself.

Each time you complete part of your routine, celebrate it—even if it’s just with a fist pump or mental “HECK YES!”

Celebration rewires your brain to connect routines with reward. You’re more likely to repeat things that feel good, not just things that are “good for you.”

Step 10: Review and Tweak Often

Spoiler alert: You won’t get this perfect on your first try. And that’s okay.

Routines are meant to evolve with you. The things that worked last season might not fit this one—and that doesn’t mean you’re failing. It just means you’re growing.

Do a monthly review. Ask yourself:

- What part of my routine feels good?
- What’s draining me?
- What needs more fun?

Tweak as needed. This is your life—we’re going for thriving, not surviving.

Quick Wins for Morning and Evening Routines

Looking for easy ways to build routines that feel like a warm hug? Here’s a go-to list for inspiration:

Morning Routine Ideas:

- Open your blinds and let natural light in
- Drink a glass of water before coffee
- Move your body for 5–10 minutes (stretching, a walk, dancing)
- Set a goal or intention for the day
- Avoid your phone for the first 20–30 minutes

Evening Routine Ideas:

- Dim the lights after dinner
- Write down 3 things you’re grateful for
- Do a brain dump so your mind’s not racing at bedtime
- No screens 30–60 minutes before sleep
- Try a sleep meditation or calming playlist

Even just one of these can shift your entire day.

The Real Goal? Feeling Aligned

A well-built routine doesn’t make you perfect. It makes you present. It lets you live on purpose instead of on autopilot.

And the best part? When your routine feels good, you stop resisting it. It becomes a flow instead of a fight.

So, ditch the guilt. Say goodbye to routines that feel like punishment. And start building one that feels like home—a space where you show up for yourself, every single day.

You deserve a life you don’t want to escape from. And it all starts with how you spend your days.

Make them count