Routine… it has such a bad rap, whether it’s something you “have to” do, or whether it’s the supposed blandness of your life. However, in times of limited social contact, self-isolation, or quarantine for this COVID-19 pandemic, routine is essential to keeping your sanity! It allows you to have something predictable when so much is changing around you, something to look forward to, and especially something to control when so much is outside your control these days.

Obviously, you can’t be having your same routine from before all the changes to minimize Coronavirus spread, like going out, getting a coffee, meeting in large groups, maybe even just sitting down at restaurant with a friend or two. However, what you can do, is create new routines at home. What are you going to do when you get up? How will you cook, or some meal plan? How’s about morning, afternoon, or evening routines? Get some regular practice in for something you didn’t have time for, or as much time for, as now?

If you’re stuck on ideas, experiment! That could be the funnest part of this process. Set some default routine, then try it. Refine it as you go to find the exact details that work for you, then evolve it as you go, so as not to let something settle in long enough to be, well, routine, in that boring sense of the word.

So if you don’t have a routine set in your life already under the new, extenuating circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, or have a routine consciously set, make one! Then share it and see what you can learn from others, and what they could use from yours, to make everyone’s routines better. Maybe even have a little competition to see who can make their routines the most interesting!

Good luck, and stay safe and healthy!