This time of year always seems to be jam packed with change. This year has been particularly so for my family with a child starting college. Since its football season, we will use that analogy. Tip off starts in August for us with the start of a new school year. August always feels like the first quarter warm up and by September we hope to find our stride. The change in seasons and anticipation of the fall weather just seems to fit right in as well. If you are anything like me, this is when I crave routine the most. I like things peaceful and steady and when we lack routine or there is a major change it is always glaringly obvious.

Routine in early motherhood

Having littles is one season of life I vividly remember needing space for myself. I think most moms can identify with that. I was decent at creating routine for my kids and they seemed to thrive in it. But what about routine for myself? I think any mom will fully acknowledge the struggle to carve time out for herself in that season. Do you get up early or do you sleep in? The tired is real. Do you watch that show after the kids go to bed or do you go to sleep? I suppose some of this may depend on how introverted or extroverted a person is as well. If you are in this season right now, just know that its normal and perfectly o.k. to crave some time to yourself and to work on creating a routine that works for you.

For many years of my life that routine has meant getting up early. Even in my college years I thrived most mentally and enjoyed the quiet of a morning. When my girls were small it meant drinking my coffee in silence and doing my morning reading. I had some early risers so this was not always easy but I loved it enough to make it happen. I truly believe it helped me keep my sanity in that season of life. It wasn’t fancy or extravagant but it was do-able, even in my single motherhood. If you find yourself in a place where the daily ins and outs of raising small people is feeling a little harry, just know we’ve been there too. Is there a routine you can carve out for yourself on a daily basis that feels do-able?

Routine in the bigger years

I am solidly in the bigger years of parenting now. Two in college and two at home. As the kids have grown, I see them taking on rhythms and routines by themselves. Even the dog seems to have a feeling for what the day’s rhythms hold. While my hands on responsibilities of the small years are mostly behind me, this season of life feels much more mentally taxing. This is partly due to parenting and the very different challenges that come with big kids. And some due to age. Life can seem quite large and single parenting in this season has also had its difficult moments.

The need for routine feels more important than ever to just give my brain the mental space to be still. It is the constant in a world of continual change. Sports schedules, impromptu friend gatherings, school events, etc. If you are in this season too then you know. For me, routine currently means two things. I still get up early to drink my coffee in silence and read. Since my kids are bigger and nobody is trying to get up at 6am any longer, it is easy to get my workout in. These are my sanity givers and fairly non-negotiable in my life.

Everybody’s different

Thats not new news right? If you have a similar personality type to mine then you probably deeply feel the need for solid routines and daily quiet moments too. What I need in a daily rhythm and routine is not what someone else needs. However I do think its worth noting that God created the entire world with natural rhythms and routines and I believe thats why we love and crave them so much. If your world is feeling a little chaotic and sideways its worth examining where you need to shift in your daily routines. Do you need to add something? Take something away? Do you need space or people? To everything there is a season.

As we move into this fall season, remember that you can’t pour from an empty cup. Your heart and mind are so important to those in your life. Don’t be afraid to figure out how to take care of you.

Here are some of my latest favorites:

Valley of Vision – this was gifted to me by a sweet friend and I absolutely love it for morning reading

A Severe Mercy – I’m working my way through this one and its so good. Its been a slower read but a worthwhile read as well.

Favorite coffees – Betty’s blend – every once in a while I order this and its just so good. Its a blend of cinnamon, hazlenut and vanilla. Perfect fall flavors 🙂

XO

Sarah

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