Can anyone relate to falling out of your routine after traveling?

These last few weeks have been CRAZY for our family!  And it has wreaked havoc on any type of schedule we have managed to assemble prior!  This has left me feeling all kinds of out of sorts and not accomplishing anything!

I am in desperate need of strategies to reset a routine and stick to it!  Who’s with me?!!

Story time

My parents celebrated 50 years (Woohoo!!!) and we (my 2 brothers, myself and our families) decided to throw them a party back in our home state.

Most of the to do list involved internet searches and lining up some vendors.  Not too much to undertake while living out of state but our home is still pretty new to us and the basement looked like a storage facility for plastic totes and cardboard boxes.

So, the kids and I headed home about 2 weeks before the party.  We were having some renovations done to the home and needed to check in on that process.  We’ve had some bad experiences in the past in other states so we just needed to make sure everyone was on the same page.

Prior to leaving I was all in on a workout program, 6 days a week.  The kids were getting settled in to a routine back in the trailer and we were starting to find some fun activities in the area.

The problem

It only took me about 2 days to get off track on my workouts.  (Need ideas for working out while on the road?  Check this post out!). Just seemed like there was SOOO much to get done each day.  Plus, once I started on our project that gave me a bit of a workout!

The first week home involved making sure things were going smoothly with renovations, getting readjusted to our home and getting some supplies.

Second week my Dad and I took on a project in the basement to get that storage facility under control! It involved building a room around our mechanicals and shelves to hold ALL those totes.  I have to say it felt so good to be working on that, especially since it was a surprise for my husband.

The secret was out (almost)!

The kids almost spilled the secret on FaceTime though!  Luckily, Grandma was nearby to intercept.

During those two weeks the focus was on getting the house prepped for the party and completing so much so that I didn’t really get much else accomplished.  The kids’ routine was off, I stopped writing and as usual, I fall in to some bad eating/snacking habits.

These habits, or lack of, lasted for the entire time we were gone and for a bit back at the trailer too.  It finally hit me what I needed to do to change things and get back to a routine again.

Of course, true to this traveling life, it will all change in another few weeks.  Story of our lives, right?!

How to reset a routine and stick to it…

“If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.” -Tony Robbins

Assess your current routine

Sometimes it is just nice to take a break/change routine

Sometimes, we just need that interruption to help us refocus and get back on track.  The break can be as short as a few hours or as long as several days.  Whatever the duration, sometimes it is just nice to get that break from a long standing routine.

Acknowledge what isn’t working

Often times we don’t stick to our routines because there is something in there that is just not working for us anymore.  Maybe it is your wake up/bedtime.  Are you trying to do something that just doesn’t interest you anymore?

Whatever it may be, take a minute to think about the differences in your routines and what felt good to you in each of them.

Make a list of what needs to get done

Think about your perfect day.  What is involved in that day?  Do you sleep in?  When do you exercise, first thing or save it for later?  Do you make time for a hobby?  What tasks do you have to do on a daily basis?

Make a list of all the things that would make up your perfect day.  Then find a way to make it happen!

Focus on what is important to you

Knowing this information can help you set up a great routine.  Setting your day up with plenty of rest, movement, to do list items and fun things is a great way to help you stick to your routine.

What is important to us can change often.  Take time to look at what things are important and how to incorporate or keep them in your life.

You may have to reset a routine often

Obviously with our traveling routine there has to be some built in flexibility.  This can certainly cause some anxiety and chaos.  I could either not do any type of routine because it is changing SO often OR I can embrace the change and take that time to restructure/refine my routine with each new move or disruption.

Staying on track when you reset a routine

Put sticky notes out/phone reminders

Put your routine where you can see it.  Whether it is on a bunch of sticky notes or just on a sheet of paper, have it somewhere visible so you see it several times a day.

Use a journal if that is more your style.  Take time to write out your schedule in your journal and then make sure you reference it often.  The Happy Planner is one of my favorites because you can customize it to your liking!!

Set alarms on your phone when it is time to change activities.  If you are constantly checking your phone throughout the day, this may be a great option for you!  Getting those little chimes can help direct your attention to whatever task you have assigned for yourself.

Note:  If you are someone that can tune out your notifications on your phone this may not be best option.

Keep a set bedtime/wake up

Set your wake and bedtimes so that you get enough rest.  We often underestimate our bodies need for sleep, pushing ourselves until we are exhausted.

Establishing a regular wake up and bedtime helps your body regulate.  I know I am guilty of this!  Thinking I don’t have enough time to get everything done so I stay up later.  In all honesty though, it is not that I don’t have enough time, it’s that my time management sucks!

Don’t beat yourself up if you slip up, just pick up where you left off

We are humans, not robots. If you have a slip, acknowledge it and then get back on track.  If it keeps occurring, take a look at that schedule.

Is there something that needs to change?  Are you forcing yourself to do something that is not enjoyable?

Is there a way to reframe your thoughts about that task?  There will be times that we have to do something that we just don’t want or enjoy so, looking at how you think about that task may help you get through it.  If it is still a struggle, maybe it is just not the right time.  See if you can have someone else take it on for now or if you can tackle it at another point in time.

Accountability – share it with someone you know

Don’t underestimate the power of accountability.  It is nice to know someone else has your back and give you that friendly reminder of goals you have set.  Make sure you pick someone that will help you stay on track and not help derail you!

However you decide to reset a routine for yourself just remember that it is meant to be adjusted.  I know I could not maintain the exact same routine my entire life.  There are too many changes as we grow!  We need to adjust as we grow physically, mentally and professionally.

Make some space to make a plan for you and/or your family.  If you need some ideas feel free to reach out to friends, family, myself or our best pal, Pinterest!

As always, thanks for reading!

–Katie

That is quickly followed up by…

Asking my husband 100 questions he doesn’t have answers to

Anyone else do this? No?  Just me then.  LOL

I know I annoy him to no end but he still insists on telling me before he has all the details.  So, who is to blame really?

Part of it is the excitement of a new place but the other part is fear that we won’t find somewhere decent to stay.

My next steps all involve one word…internet!  I don’t know how we survived sometimes without it!  The internet has been such a big help though when it comes to finding out about new locations and places to stay.  So, my next steps are as follows:

Look up the location

If he doesn’t already know this answer he will generally go back and ask to satisfy my need.  LOL

I consider myself a planner. Not one of those super organized and well thought out planners though.  More like I need to have all the info to make a plan but I will only make half the plan and procrastinate the rest.

If I know the general area then I can scout out about a 50-mile radius of all the amenities we may need. Puts my mind at ease until I get more details.

See how long the drive will be and best route

I am always the navigator as my husband generally does the driving.  If I know how long the drive will be then I can find stops along the way to break up the drive so that our kids are not going nuts locked up in their car seats.

If it is a long drive, we like to look for a half way point to stay for the night.  None of us like to be in the vehicle for an all-day excursion so we make it about 6-7 hours max.

Locate closest campgrounds, hotels & short-term rentals

I check out ALL the housing options because I never know what we are going to find.  We try to stay in our camper as much as possible but there have been times because of lack of campgrounds nearby or them being full that we have had to find other options.  This is always dependent on when we are coming in to a job or how many other jobs are around the same area.

Check out city/town webpage

Another great resource is the closest town websites.  They often list any events happening and I have come across others that also help with rentals.  At the minimum, they list the local businesses which can help you decide if you want to stay near that area or a different one.  This is great for finding hair/nail salons, restaurants, healthcare or any services you may need.

My next focus is usually on what the city has to offer while we are there.  Any events, gyms, parks, kids’ activities, etc.

See if there is a local FB page

If there is you can connect with local businesses and any events that may be happening while you are in the area.  I tend to search for indoor play options for rainy/cold days, any unique shops or farms for trips and children’s museums or at least some museums the kids might be interested in checking out.

Don’t forget to look at a map to see what other towns may be close by and what they have to offer too!

Check out FB events

FB events is helpful for finding any festivals, art classes, food/drink tastings or other special activities that may be taking place near you.  It will default to the last place you used or biggest city nearby if you have location services on.  With smaller towns, you may have to type it in or look at towns close by.

To access FB events, go to your Facebook.  If on your computer, click on events on the left side.  Then Discover and type in your city.  You can also search a date range to help narrow things down.

If you are on your phone, click on the 3 lines at bottom left.  Find events then select your location either as nearby (preset) or change to town needed.  You can also select a radius to help find things close by.  Once you select your town you can choose from today, tomorrow or this weekend.

Groupon

Groupon is helpful for finding coupons to local activities, events or service in a location you choose. It will not be a complete list of things around but it can save you some money on a few of them!

Local hotel or chamber of commerce for pamphlets and info

We often go to a hotel to let the kids swim in the pool if we don’t have one at the campground.  Hotels usually have a shelving unit full of pamphlets for local attractions.

Chamber of commerce also has a ton of information and usually a knowledgeable person to speak with about the local area.  Both are great resources when you get to a new town.

See what activity options are near

My kids are just getting to school age so I usually try to find activities to keep us busy a couple days/week.  We have found sports camps, indoor play areas, farms, zoos and plenty of hiking trails to keep us busy.

For more information on finding things to do check out my post here

By this time the location has changed or time has been pushed back…LOL. Sound familiar?

Once we know for sure that we are going I either start from scratch for the new location (see above list) or start focusing on a place to stay.

Take a drive

If we are within 2 hours of the new location, myself and the kids or all of us will take a trip to the new area.  Look around. Find out where we are warehousing and map out what places we are considering staying (if there are options).

Most reputable places are honest with their pictures of their property and what sites may look like but there are other businesses that are not.  It’s just nice to be able to see them in person and also scout out other places to help anyone else that might be looking for a place to stay.

Visiting also gives us a chance to time and find the best routes to the yard from potential campgrounds, hotels, etc.  As well as routes from the current location to the new location.

Our most recent move we actually did about 3 trips.  Two to scout the area, to see what was around and potential yard locations.  The third was more of a drive by once we found a place we wanted to stay.  The kids and I were heading home to MI anyways so, we just drove an alternate route to see if that would work for taking the trailer and also to check out the campsite.

The two scouting trips were to check out some places I had already called on and to review a potential yard site.  Glad we made the trips because all the locations were not so great.  Definitely doable in a pinch but not ideal for us.

Peace of mind

All of the above tasks are essential to me getting comfortable with a new area.  I like to research and learn about the new place and see what options we have.  It helps me feel like I am participating a bit more with his work and gives me a sense of connection.  Some tasks are necessary for getting us set up but others are more for my satisfaction and mental health.

I hope these tips were helpful.

Let me know if you have a similar process for your moves, send me a message or comment below!

As always, thanks for reading!

–Katie