Let’s talk about something wildly unsexy but incredibly powerful: routine.
Yep, I said it. Routine. Structure. Rhythm. That thing we used to rebel against in our twenties but now – somewhere in our fifties, and beyond – we realize it might actually be the secret to keeping our heads and hearts intact. There’s some comfort in that, right?
Here’s the truth: at our age, a solid routine becomes less of a boring obligation and more of a mental health strategy. Like green smoothies for your soul. Or workout wear for your schedule – holding it all together even when everything else feels like it’s sagging or unravelling.
Why Routine Matters More Now Than Ever
Let’s be real: midlife brings change. Sometimes a whole lot of it with a sprinkling of chaos as well.
Your kids might be grown and gone (or maybe refusing to leave or in my case possibly a little too early). Your career might be shifting (I bloody well hope so) or maybe you’re dreaming about finally launching that business you’ve been simmering on for years. YES! Your body? She’s doing her own wild thing (thank you hormones – NOT!) With all this unpredictability, your mind craves an anchor.
Enter: a daily routine.
A consistent routine gives your nervous system a big, warm hug. It tells your brain, “Hey, you’re safe. We’ve got this.” It lowers anxiety, reduces decision fatigue (hello, what-do-I-wear-today paralysis), and helps you stay grounded in a world that’s always trying to spin you off your axis.
What a Healthy Routine Can Do for You
- Boost your mood: Regular sleep, exercise and diet keep your energy steady and your emotions more manageable. This isn’t woo woo theory – this is brain chemistry and don’t we need more of that!
- Improve sleep: Our sleep cycles change as we age. A predictable wind-down routine helps your body know when it’s time to shut it down, sister. No more late night cry seshes after you’ve been partying with your bestie at that Club.
- Support your goals: Want to write a book? Start a business? Learn Italian? Routines carve out actual time and energy to make it happen. It’s all about priorities and being decisive – so love that!
- Reduce overwhelm: When everything feels like it’s “too much,” a simple routine acts like a lighthouse. A way back to yourself (not something to crash against).
But Wait, Doesn’t Routine Mean Boring?
Only if you’re doing it for the wrong reasons.
This isn’t about rigid, soul-sucking schedules that your boss prefers. It’s not about becoming some hyper-disciplined productivity robot. It’s about creating a rhythm that supports you. That fuels the version of you you’re becoming in this next season. And that is fluid, meaning it can change over time. It’s perfectly okay to test and tune and keep what works and chuck what doesn’t.
Maybe it looks like:
- Morning coffee and journaling before the house wakes up;
- A short walk after your evening meal, every evening;
- A 10-minute meditation between Zoom calls;
- Weekly Friday nights to unplug, wear fuzzy socks, and pretend you’re in a Bridget Jones movie (hello Ben and Jerry’s).
Bottom Line?
Routine isn’t about control – it’s about care. It’s one of the most underrated forms of self-respect as we age.
So no, you’re not “being too rigid” or looking like your Grandma in the morning, if you prioritize your morning ritual or block off sacred time for yourself every day. You’re being wise. You’re tending to your mental health and there is nothing more important than that. You’re building a foundation so you can handle the highs, the lows and all the glorious reinventions this chapter has in store.
And honestly? That’s sexy as hell.