Blogmas Day 14: My Current Routines

AM, PM, and Workout Regime. That’s right, it’s time for my current routines!

I’ve mentioned my preference for consistency in my days. It helps keep me on track with my goals! Subsequently, the way that I rise, workout, and go to bed stay relatively the same, no matter what the actual day holds. Here’s a look at each of my current routines!

MY CURRENT ROUTINE: AM

1. WAKEUP TIME: Typically I get out of bed at 5:45 in the morning on the weekdays. On the other hand, I’ll wake up at 7 AM on the weekends. I’ve been known to sleep in on occasion, but I’m big on the “early to bed, early to rise” movement.
2. Brush my teeth! Pretty basic start, right? I save the face wash for after my workout.
3. Stretching. I tend to feel a bit stiff in the morning. A few butterfly bends and pigeon poses open up my muscles and wake my body. Rosa, my cat, likes to occasionally (regularly) take advantage of my low body bends. She’ll climb onto my shoulders, or my neck, and perch for ten minutes. I can’t leave the pose until she does! I’ll listen to music, browse Instagram, or watch Youtube while I stretch.
4. I get dressed! Most days, I’m putting on leggings, a sports bra, and a tee shirt. You know, workout clothes…
5. The daily workout commences! On weekdays, I aim for a completed workout by 7:30 (9:30 on weekends). That gives me half an hour to really recover before the rest of my day.
6. Shower time! I like to light candles as I take my shower. To me, candles make the day more positive! I wash my hair every two or three days. I’ll wash my face and upper body with acne cleanser after I’ve rinsed the sweat off of me. After I get out of the shower, I moisturize my face with sunscreen!
7. Get dressed, part 2. More often than not, I’m throwing on loungewear or a basic tee shirt with jeans. If I’m styling my hair that day, I’ll towel it up for twenty minutes. Subsequently, my hair gets styled when damp, not wet.
8. The “glam” process. I’m trying to style my hair with heat less these days. However, if it’s a styling day, I’ll apply leave in conditioner and heat protectant before I hit my hair with a hot styling brush. My makeup these days is just as simple! I fill in my eyebrows, swipe on some chapstick and lip gloss, and line my eyes with eyeliner and mascara. Done!

MY CURRENT ROUTINES: WORKOUT

1. A run. I try to run at least twice a week! Now that I’ve registered for another 5K, that frequency will probably double over the next few months.
2. Bike rides. This is my favorite! I love going on bike rides during my lunch break. It gives me a solid hour of sun time, and I get to burn off some steam from the morning’s tasks during the workday.
3. 10K steps! I aim for ten thousand steps each day. Morning and evening walks have become a regular occurrence for me, almost daily! During my walks, I either listen to music or an Audible book. If it’s late at night or rainy, I’ll pace my kitchen watching TikToks. Now THAT makes the time go faster!

MY CURRENT ROUTINE: PM

1. Personal Project. On a good day, I’ll finish dinner and start working on something for me by 6PM. I like to give myself that time to watch a movie, a new TV series, or code. On Tuesdays, that’s typically when I write my blog post for the day!
2. Relaxation and unwind time. I like to put a cap on personal projects by 8PM, 8:30 at the latest. I use that last hour or so in my day to watch Youtube, browse social media, or get the last of my 10K steps. More and more, I find myself being ready to conclude my day at 9PM.
3. PJ time! I love a good matching pajama set, or Triple XL novelty shirts, for sleeping.
4. Brush teeth. When I do take the time to whiten my teeth, it happens after the evening brush. I either brush a second time with charcoal toothpaste, or apply whitening strips.
5. Wash face! The makeup comes off, and the cleanser follows. I also use an evening moisturizer on my face. However, my skincare routine doesn’t get more elaborate than that!
6. Read a book. This happens if I’m not too sleepy… or not browsing Instagram. On my best days, I’m reading!
7. Bedtime! I like to be in bed by 10, at the latest, and asleep by 11 (again, at the latest). That gives me about seven hours of sleep (give or take) a night, at least!

I have high hopes for my current routines in the upcoming year. In 2022, I’d like a more elaborate workout routine. In addition, I think yoga should find its way back into my rising routine! To clarify, all these routines go as planned on good days. Good days don’t happen EVERY day! Though my routines remain consistent, I’d like my consistency with them to be better. I intend to really research morning routines in the beginning of 2022, to see whose routines closely aligns with where I want mine to be. 2022 feels like a year of change. I’d like to think consistency and change can coexist!