By Sara Sands
Have you ever felt stuck doing the same old things every day, just following the flow of life? While set schedules can be nice, there are times that these routines may feel suffocating. Sometimes, these routines need to be shaken up and flows need to be broken. Here are five things you can do to make your days less monotonous and more interesting.
1. Start your mornings off differently!
Mornings set the tone for your days, so it is important to start them off right. If you tend to sleep late, try waking up earlier. Waking up earlier can be a great way to feel (and be) productive. If you already wake up early in the mornings, there are other things you can do to switch it up. Try eating breakfast outside on a porch or even picnic-style in the yard. The air is wonderfully crisp and fresh in the mornings, which can wake you up and kickstart your day with a fresh, new beginning.
There are smaller things under this category that you can do to change your morning routine. If you eat the same breakfast every day, try making something new. Coffee could be replaced with hot chocolate, tea, or even better, just water. Even the small things can break up the monotony of your days and add extra excitement to your life.
2. Try leaving the house more, if you can.
Whether you go to a coffee shop, park, or friend’s house, leaving your own home can spice things up. If your usual homework routine involves working in your bedroom at a desk, you could go to one of the places listed above to change things up. However, if you can’t drive or get a ride anywhere, simply going outside at your own home can be a total game-changer. Working outside changes your surroundings and provides a great way to get sun and fresh air while being productive.
3. Make time for your hobbies.
You’d be surprised just how much better your days would be if you allotted even a small amount of time to do something you enjoy. This may require switching other things around, waking up early, or foregoing electronic time, but it is a great way to shake up your days. Giving yourself time to do what you love helps break up your usual routine and make you happier in general. It’s a win-win!
4. Try doing what you already do in a different way.
Simply switching around the processes of your usual activities can break up the typical, boring flow of the day. Suppose you tend to take school notes by typing them. Try writing them out by hand next time. Instead of doing a specific assignment on a particular day, switch around what you do first. If you usually start with math, try starting with science or literature.
This idea can be applied to things that aren’t school-related, too. If you tend to go shopping on a specific day of the week, go on a different day. Similarly, you can change around the days you do certain things like going to the gym or spending time with friends and family. Whether you change a day or slightly alter a minor task, you can make your days more interesting.
5. Replace your screen time with something else.
This generation tends to spend a lot of time on their phones or playing video games. Imagine how many hours spent on social media or playing video games you could trade in for participating in self-care activities or hobbies. Even though video games can be fun, there are so many other fun things that you can do. Whether it be reading, making art, playing a sport, or doing something else entirely, swapping screen time for hobby time can mix up your routines in the best way. You could also take care of yourself physically and mentally with this extra time. Ways to do this include taking a nice, warm bath, reading a self-help book, or simply taking a nap.
Overall, there are many ways you can change things up to break the monotonous flow of daily life. If you are stuck in a rut and feel like you can’t get out, try to remember that there are always new options to improve your life. Every day is a new day to do whatever you like. So, go enjoy your life in fun, fresh, and different ways!