Routines can become daunting and monotonous over time. The key to a well-balanced life is to include habits that make our soul smile.

*The difference between habit and routine:

“The definition of a habit is the impulse to do a behavior with little or no conscious thought” Meanwhile, a routine is “a series of behaviours frequently repeated,” he adds.Before my routines, I used to wake up in the morning feeling tired, unmotivated, and drained. I went to bed thinking: what did I even do today?

Something about those morning and evening routines makes us feel really good and in control. So for the most part, I don’t see much wrong in that.

But let us repurpose the word control to — peaceful mind — instead. This small differentiation empowers our sense of Self and what truly feels good to us rather than our ego -which is linked to our false sense of identity; what we think we want because of what society has dictated us.

How can we know the difference? Read my blog on how to get in touch with your Self and find out.

Routines were never my thing though. I’ve been too free-spirited to imprison myself in a world of high-performers that promises wonders. Besides that, I convinced myself that I wasn’t even self-disciplined enough to stick to them.

It’s not like I was incapable of having routines, it’s just that my mental resistance was too stubborn in fighting back.

But you know what? After several trials & errors, ups and downs, achievements and frustrations, I can proudly say that I’ve finally begun to find routines that fit my lifestyle. Let’s see if I manage to persuade you into discovering some that suits yours too.

General health benefits of routines

According to this article, routines can help us reduce stress, improve sleep, include physical exercise and better eating habits. I mean, who wouldn’t want to wake up and take a nice doodie first thing in the morning after a leafy detox juice, followed by a power walk before work. I say that’s a nice recipe for boosting your energy and conquering the day.

Mental health benefits

Like I mentioned before, we are indeed contributing to the organization and structure (aka control) in our lives by doing less thinking and less worrying with our routines. It creates a sense of safety and accomplishment that are great ways to feel like we are actually getting somewhere, that we are growing.

However!! Our routines should never EVER be a metric for our self-worth. They are tools simply there to support us, yet so many people (myself included) get stuck in the toxic productivity loop - where we feel awful about ourselves when we haven’t been “productive” and many times not even having a clear definition of what that is.

So if everything’s about structure and order, where do we leave space for flow and creation in our routines?

Unconscious VS. Conscious habits

I would say there are habits that make us “loose” time instead of adding value to our time.

What do I mean by this?

Well think about the habits you barely have to put any thinking into, the ones in auto-pilot. You come home from work, eat a pre-workout snack, go to the gym, get home, eat dinner, watch a movie, go to sleep… While effortless habits can be great, it does deprive us of the chance of spending time doing something mindfully, something that allows us to be present within ourselves.

I’ve thought about 3 ways to incorporate mindful habits into your routine and bring your personal development game to the next level:

1. Increase your self-love

My mentor gave me this one and well, I’ve struggled in being consistent with it. But whenever I’ve had, my positive energy becomes infectious and spreads faster than a virus.

After every le toilette visit and while washing your hands, I want you to look yourself in the mirror and tell yourself one compliment (could be any of your amazing attributes) and two things you did that you’re proud of.

Ex: “I am proud of you Nina. You woke up extra early today to make your favorite breakfast.”

Or: “I am proud of you Nina. You didn’t react to that persons comment. You stayed observant.”

No big or small things to be proud of, think of anything and say it outloud.

This practice rewires our brain and make us focus on what we love about ourselves instead of constantly looking for things to improve. Would you say this is a mindful and sustainable habit?

Give it a few days and you’ll start feeling this crazy life force growing inside you. I promise it will make as much difference for you as it did for me. Try it out today.

2. Reading away compulsive thoughts

Spending time with my books has been one of the most peaceful and rewarding habits I could have incorporated into my life. This activity puts my obsessive thinking into peace while giving myself the chance to feed my brain with knowledgable nutrients.

You could read any book really. But based on my own experience, I recommend you read at least two at the same time:

• One that fuels your spirit and your inner being. Something that brings stillness and self-reflection into your life. You get excited about working on those fears you know have been holding you back for years.

• One that is work-related. Boost your expertise, passion, and confidence with a book that stimulates your ambitions. When doing the inner work, you start to uncover new areas of your life that you never thought you’d be interested in.

The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go. — Dr. Seuss

3. Find an expression of your most authentic Self

I find it challenging to describe this one in words. Also because it sounds so abstract. What is my most authentic self-expression?

We often lose ourselves in the process of chasing goals and constantly planning for the future. We forget about what’s available to us right now in order to feel good. There is in fact no need to wait for, long for, or desire for anything else. Your intrinsic happiness belongs to your sense of presence and gratitude.

But having a hobby means taking the time to reflect upon what fills you, what is in alignment with you. What kind of thoughts makes you excited? If it’s traveling and you aren’t able to do so right now, perhaps your hobby is to read travel blogs and plan mind-blowing excursions for people? Remember: there is no need to wait, long, or desire anything. It’s a matter of perspective.

We cannot solve our problems with the same mind we used to create them. — Albert Einstein

I love abstract painting and I love writing. Both of these activities have become an essential part of my well-being because every time I spend time doing any of them I get into a trance-like state.

I can fully allow my creativity to be free, express itself and flow into something beautiful. It brings me back to the present moment and it gives my mind peace.

Tool for finding your type of routines: What’s your IKIGAI?

IKIGAI is a Japanese concept that helps a person find a sense of purpose and a reason for their existence. I’ll leave you with these reflection exercises and you’ll have to tell me. (Psst: you might actually discover a profitable passion).

• What you love + What you’re good at = your Passion

• What you love + What the world needs = your Mission

• What you’re good at + What you can get paid for = your Profession

• What you can be paid for + What the world needs = your Vocation

Find your IKIGAI, find habits that are both mindful and “productive” and I promise you a life of passion, excitement, and fulfilment. You’ll look back only to witness how much you’ve grown.

Con amor,
Nina