Simple Habits that Stick

Habit. Raise your hand if that word makes you shudder. Over and over, we hear that good habits lead to happier lives. But honestly? Thinking about developing good habits can feel boring at best, or at worst, like one more thing on your to-do list. But you can harness habits you already have into simple routines that can free up your mind and your schedule. This week, Emily shows three ways to incorporate routines that’ll give you a bit more space for what matters most to you. From finding ways to make doing the dishes enjoyable, to outsourcing your least favorite chores to your kids (this is a judgement-free zone, friends), Emily shows that routines and habits don’t have to be hard. With a little effort and a lot of grace, making simple choices ahead of time can offer you the freedom and breathing room you’ve been looking for.

 Three Routines That’ll Help You Breathe Easier

1. Establish routines for household chores. Find ways to automate chores so you don’t have to spend hours of your week wondering when it’ll get done.
   
   
2. Decide who does what. Get your whole family on board by dedicating a few chores per week to each person. This way, the entire chore list doesn’t fall on your shoulders.
   
   
3. Create routines for fun. Not every routine has to revolve around work. Make sure your family has time for a Sunday afternoon card game or a weekly walk to the park. These routines breathe life back into your family. 

“I want to reclaim the concept of routine. Routines serve us well, because they add time and calm back into our days and make room for something or someone that truly matters.” – Emily Ley 

“You have so much more than you think you do sitting right under your nose.” – Emily Ley

“You're making time for building a life you love. And routines and habits are some of the building blocks that will help you get there.” – Emily Ley 

“The words habit and routine seem interchangeable, but there is a difference. A habit is just a very on-brand behavior. It's just a way you do things. They're just kind of a thing that happens because that's the way you do the things. Routines, on the other hand, are a bit more on purpose. They're a conscious procedure that gets repeated over and over again. Habits are involuntary. Routines are a choice.” – Emily Ley

“Here's a tip: you can choose to batch good habits together to create a routine. And honestly, routines make our lives so much easier.”
– Emily Ley 

A Blessing for Your Week

May you have the courage to look at what serves you in your daily life and take away what doesn't when your routine doesn't go as you’d like. 

May you give yourself the grace and permission to start over. 

May you experience the joy of freeing yourself from unhealthy routines and make more time for what matters most. 

May you find the pockets of peace in your routines that bring light to your life

Try a more disciplined, focused routine where you're basically changing an old habit to a routine that serves you better, like having one less latte per day toward a goal of saving money. It really can be anything. Start with one thing, and you'll be on your way to creating space and clarity to live more beautifully day to day.

Order Emily’s new book, Growing Boldly: Dare to Build a Life You Love!

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