In her blog The Importance of Maintaining Structure and Routine During Stressful Times, Kendra Cherry highlights insights from Rachel Goldman, PhD, who explains that lacking a daily routine or structure can lead to increased stress, anxiety, overwhelming feelings, and difficulty with concentration and focus.
When motivation is hard to come by—especially during tough times— completing even small tasks from your daily routine can foster a sense of progress and control. As adults juggling multiple responsibilities, it’s normal to feel lost or overwhelmed. Creating a routine checklist can offer clarity, restore focus, and make daily life more manageable.
Moreover, consistency can also be observed, and being on track is maintained. Adherence to planned day-to-day activities can help you manage distractions. Instead of relying on motivation, which isn’t possible to be always present, routines make it possible for actions to turn into habits. We may sometimes not know what to accomplish first, but if we have something to follow, it makes room for us to at least have something done. This way, responsibilities are not overlooked—they seamlessly blend into your daily flow, no matter how busy the day gets.
“While routine is important, flexibility should not be overlooked. The goal is to create a balance where routines are guidelines rather than strict rules.” David Anderson wrote in his blog The Power of Routine in Enhancing Workplace Wellness
Flexibility also comes from being responsible and regularly evaluating your routine’s effectiveness. Life demands evolve, and so should your resiliency. What works in one season might not fit in the next. That’s why it helps to check in with yourself now and then and ask, “Is this routine still helping me become who I want to be?” Or is it just letting me cope?” Permitting yourself to adapt isn’t a failure of discipline—it’s a quiet act of wisdom. It’s about honoring the season you’re in, staying connected to your deeper intentions, and trusting that consistency doesn’t mean resistance to change. It means showing up for yourself in the way that makes the most sense.
A good routine is like a flexible spine—it holds you up, but it also lets you move.” – Unknown
ADU INTERN Fionna Alyzzah M. Serrano