Key Advantages of Establishing Routines

1. The gratification of completing tasks (it's a satisfying feeling!).
2. Assurance that essential tasks won’t slip through the cracks.
3. Enhanced physical wellness through regular intake of vitamins, exercise, and nutritious meals.
4. More mental space for enjoyable activities, which elevates your mood.
5. Time allocated for mindfulness practices.
6. A sense of relaxation knowing that mandatory tasks are managed.
7. A reduction in the likelihood of experiencing Autistic burnout.
8. Overall improvement in health.

It's easy to overlook vital aspects of self-care without a bit of organizational effort. During the winter months, I fell ill repeatedly and, preoccupied with feeling unwell, I neglected my diet. However, once I started incorporating regular fruit snacks into my day, the positive impact on my health was remarkable. Merely having fruit at home isn’t sufficient; I need to intentionally include it in my daily routine to ensure I consume it. Such seemingly simple actions can be the hardest to remember for those with divergent thinking patterns.

A Gentle Approach to Routines

Routines need not be synonymous with rigid schedules; in fact, they can be quite flexible. The goal of my routine is to ensure that I consistently engage in activities necessary for maintaining a healthy equilibrium for both my mind and body.

For example, I have a daily reminder for my medication, but juggling this with my vitamins can feel overwhelming, particularly on an empty stomach. Instead, I’ve developed a method: after filling my water bottle each morning, I place it next to my vitamins. This way, even if I don’t take them immediately, the placement serves as a gentle nudge to help me remember.

This may not seem like a traditional routine, but it embodies the essence of creating a consistent repetition of tasks—essentially what routines are all about.

Minimizing Autistic Burnout

Recently, I learned about Autistic burnout, which can easily be mistaken for general fatigue or even flu-like symptoms. Neurodivergent individuals often carry the burden of adapting to neurotypical standards, which can be exhausting. Throughout my life, I’ve faced challenges in recovering from colds and feeling drained after social events, even without consuming alcohol.

Incorporating some degree of order into my life has made things significantly easier. I now acknowledge the days when I’m likely to experience Autistic burnout and adjust my to-do list accordingly, allowing for lighter days when self-care takes precedence.

Prioritizing Mindfulness

It's crucial to teach your mind that it deserves moments of tranquility. I carve out time each day for mindfulness practice, typically after lunch. While the timing may vary, establishing this post-lunch routine has made it easier for my mind to anticipate this moment of calm.

Mindfulness can be particularly challenging for those with ADHD, but I find it helpful to focus on one thought at a time. Counting my breaths up to ten and starting over again provides a sense of serenity, even in moments of stress or insomnia. The key is to remind your mind that it is deserving of a break.

Choosing Your Battles

My ADHD tendencies make it difficult to maintain a tidy home. Rather than expending excessive energy on tidiness, I focus on ensuring that items I frequently use are consistently stored in the same place. While it may not be the most visually appealing arrangement, practicality takes precedence.

I often struggle to designate homes for small items, leading to clutter. However, I rely on my visual memory to locate them when needed. It's essential to choose your battles wisely; navigating life as a neurodivergent individual often involves a continuous struggle to conform to neurotypical expectations, which can be draining.

Limit Physical Reminders

That persistent feeling of forgetting something may stem from ADHD-related forgetfulness or anxiety associated with Autism. If this sensation is frequent, it’s worth analyzing the sources of this anxiety. I find reminder apps beneficial for tasks that arise unexpectedly. However, to avoid overwhelming myself with lengthy to-do lists, I consciously leave some tasks to memory.

Set Days for Mundane Tasks

Establishing specific days for routine tasks may seem old-fashioned, but it’s an effective strategy. Dedicating certain days to mundane chores allows me to minimize the mental load associated with them.

I’m aware that I may not consistently complete every chore, so I’ve selected a few essential tasks to perform regularly. These techniques free my mind to focus on thoughts that enhance my life, allowing me to utilize moments of solitude to unwind.

Doing What Works for You

Ultimately, it’s about identifying activities that uplift your mood and well-being. Since establishing my routines, I’ve noticed significant improvements in both my physical and mental health. Writing in my therapeutic journal daily is essential for my mental wellness, even if it seems trivial.

Start by integrating just two beneficial tasks into your daily routine and establish a physical reminder or a regular time for them. There’s no need for strict alarms; the more you practice, the more natural it becomes.

For those of us with neurodivergent minds, routine acts as a mental vacation: it allows us to flow through our day, confident that we won't forget what truly matters!