Why You’re Resisting Routine (And How to Stop): The Pivot Series #4

You’ve heard it before—routines can be life-changing. I’m a living testament to that idea, albeit a reluctant one. If you’re someone who resists structure, keep reading. I’ve got insights that may just change your mind.

The Morning Ritual: How I Accidentally Became a Routine Convert

When it comes to morning routines, I was more of an accidental adopter than a conscious creator.

Courtesy of the Circadian Life app, I’ve developed a practice of soaking up some sun in the morning.

Barefoot and outdoors, I spend 10 minutes absorbing natural light right after sunrise. This simple act regulates my circadian rhythm and even serves as a natural anti-inflammatory practice.

I repeat the process around UVA rise time for the same reasons. And guess what? I’ve seen my deep sleep hours skyrocket from almost none to 5-6 hours on most nights. I track these changes using the AutoSleep app on my Apple Watch, and the results have been nothing short of transformative.

Why You Might Be Resisting

Like many of you, I once viewed routines with a dose of skepticism.

During my cubicle days, I never saw the point of a structured morning routine.

But here’s the irony—I was so focused on a job that left me sleep-deprived, I ignored the simple routines that could have improved my well-being.

Now, I still don’t have the morning routine I aspire to, and that’s the million-dollar question: why?

Despite the benefits, there are mornings when I fail to make the most of my sunrise sessions. Yes, coffee is a consistent part of my routine, but why aren’t books?

Tools for Building Habits

To address these questions, I use an app called Streaks, where I’ve set two simple goals: read a chapter of the Bible and write something daily.

Will I be adding more? Probably. And even if some of them don’t stick, it’s all part of the journey.

I’m a firm believer in tweaking routines until they serve you, not the other way around.

The Night Owl’s Dilemma: Breaking Bad Habits

Then comes the evening, where I’ve been less successful in implementing routine.

My tendency to doze off on the couch while watching TV may be comfortable, but it’s hardly restorative.

It’s a habit rooted in my snoring issues, which have long disrupted my husband’s sleep.

However, with the help of a device called zQuiet, I’ve seen improvements in my blood oxygenation and perhaps even reduced my snoring.

The Takeaway: Make Your Routines Serve You

In sum, the key to adopting a beneficial routine is to tailor it to your needs and keep asking why you’re doing what you’re doing.

This mindset is especially useful when you find yourself resisting parts of your routine.

When that happens, don’t hesitate to make adjustments.

After all, the goal is to enhance your life, not to adhere to rigidity.

Share Your Stories

I’d love to hear about your experiences and challenges with routines.

Do you have any insights to share?

Please comment below.

And stay tuned for updates on how I manage to refine my routines further.