routines.

I feel like I've been seeing a lot of posts from other people in the past few months about how they balance life--whether it's a tip they've found works for them or it's a frustration because they're not exactly where they want to be yet.

I remember posting awhile ago about needing advice for filling up my day. I had an infant who wasn't mobile or too demanding yet and being at home all the time was just boring. My friend Megan suggested I make a to-do list every day with even the most basic things on it (like reading books with Jaden) as a way to have direction, be motivated and have the satisfaction of physically crossing things off my list. It would also help see what I accomplished at the end of the day. I tried it and it has actually really helped me for the past almost two years, especially as I've gotten busier. The days where I create a list, I get more done. I feel more productive. I don't walk around aimlessly wondering what to do first or if I'm forgetting something.

Most of all, creating a list helped me establish a routine. I started out with the most basic, and yet most important, things on the top of my daily list and added from there. After a short while, I noticed a pattern in my list. I had come up with 5 things that were my keys to having a good day. They've been at the top of my list ever since then:

1. Prayer

2. Scriptures

3. Exercise

4. Shower

5. Breakfast

These are the things that don't change, no matter what I'm doing for the rest of the day. I don't always do them in that order, but I've found that when I miss even just one of them, my day doesn't go nearly as smoothly. They are my personal keys to feeling put together and on top of things. Those five things are how I take care of myself so I feel like I have something to offer everyone else for the rest of the day. They are how I invite the Spirit into my life each morning. I have some days now where I don't create lists, but when I do quickly write one out, I still put all five of them at the very top. I actually went so far as to buy a cute notebook that I would like to have sitting on my kitchen counter. I just write a new list on each new page, as well as any notes during the day. (Even random stuff like checking off how many glasses of water I've had so I make sure to get enough.) It actually surprised me how grateful I'd be for doing it--looking back through those notebooks is almost like looking at a journal in a way.

Anyway, I'm just jotting this down because I've felt a push to do so for the past few months. I know I've had seasons of imbalance and I'm sure I'll have them again. I'm not claiming AT ALL to be all put together right now with a perfect life ;)--I am SO far from it. I just want to remember what I've learned so I'm not so broadsided the next time a season of imbalance in my life rolls around again. I'm also grateful for friends in the blogging world who have shared what works for them and how they're trying to be better women, wives and mothers.
Thank you for helping me! :)