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Creating Structure In Your Life
Last Updated on August 22, 2023 by Tracey McGrath
Structure sounds boring, right? But it can be the tool that saves you from pulling your hair out quite literally. Creating structure in your life is a small daily way that can help you achieve your goals and reduce stress. It means having a plan for how you spend each day. And those small changes can make a huge difference. Creating structure in your life can also help you set boundaries. And having clear boundaries can make it easier to deal with stress. This article will show you a few easy ways you can start to create structure in your life today!
Why Is Structure Important?
Do you often find yourself wishing you had more calm in your life? The secret is to get more structure! Yes, structure can help you feel more relaxed.
Structure is important for staying calm and focused. Having a plan for how you’ll do things can bring more peace to your life. Building more structure is your secret weapon for feeling less stressed.
Structure is also helpful if you’re struggling with anxiety. Routines have long been connected with better mental health and sleep.1
Changing your habits and routine can be challenging, but it can help you take more control of your emotions. Check out my article Tips on Anxiety Reduction that Really Work for more ways to overcome anxiety.
Here’s how to get started
Start by asking yourself what you really want out of life. What would make you happy? What would make you feel fulfilled? Once you figure out what you want, write down everything you might need to reach those goals.
Then, break down your list into smaller tasks. This can take some time but knowing where you want to go helps to motivate and give you a clear picture to aim for. Next, set aside some time every week to work on one task at a time. If you find yourself getting overwhelmed, take a few minutes to think through your priorities.
As you move through your life journey, you may find that a goal isn’t what you want anymore. It’s ok to let go of something that doesn’t feel good anymore. Just be sure you’re letting go, not giving up. You can achieve any goal you set your mind to and put in the effort. When you create structure in your life you’re setting yourself up to achieve your goals.
Create Intent In Your Morning Routine
How do you feel when you first wake up in the morning? If it’s challenging to get out of bed every day, creating an intentional morning routine can be a game-changer.
This involves spending a little bit of time every morning doing something to fuel your mind or body (or a bit of both). Meditation, journaling, mindful art, reading, and gentle exercise are all great examples of things you can add to an intentional morning routine.
Check out my article on the Benefits of Meditation to learn more about meditation practice.
Journaling is a wonderful practice that also helps reduce stress. Getting your thoughts and emotions out of your head and onto paper can help to put things in perspective. Plus, just the release you get from writing your thoughts down can clear your mind. Read my article How to Start Your Journaling Practice to learn more!
Mindful art is my favorite method to reduce stress and encourage calm in your life. It’s easy to do and fun! Art is a natural way that we can relax and practice focusing on something other than our negative thoughts. To learn some simple and fun activities check out my article Art for Anxiety Relief.
A morning routine will set an intention for the rest of your day. You feel calmer because you have nourished your soul even if just for a few minutes. By creating structure in your morning you are setting yourself up for a successful day.
“Every morning starts a new page in your story. Make it a great one today.”
— Doe Zantamata
Start with small goals
Start with small goals because they will help you build momentum. For instance, if you want to lose weight, start by setting a goal to walk for 15 minutes 4 days a week. This might seem daunting, but once you begin walking regularly, you’ll most likely find yourself wanting to walk more. As James Clear states in his book “Atomic Habits”, start with small habits since you’re more likely to actually achieve success.2
Create a plan
Once you set a goal, write down what steps you need to take to achieve it. If you want to eat healthier, you might make a list of foods you want to eat more of. Perhaps research some recipes that you’ll try. Clear out the pantry of unhealthy snacks. Join a group of others with similar goals to keep yourself accountable. Even keeping track of your progress using a calendar or habit tracker can help to motivate your new behavior. Check out my article on 7 Unique Habit Trackers for Self Care for some other good ideas. Remember what gets measured, gets improved!
Set a Sleep Structure
Getting plenty of sleep is essential for feeling calm. Not sleeping well is linked to anxiety and a huge factor in feeling stressed.3
Going to bed at the same time every night is a game changer. Your brain learns that it’s time to get ready for sleep. If you struggle with sleep issues this simple shift can be a huge help.
Give yourself a bit of time to unwind before bed. This helps your body to recognize that it is bedtime. Make a routine that works for you before bed.
Mine looks like this:
- a cup of chamomille tea,
- a bath or shower,
- some light stretching,
- a 3 things I’m grateful for journal entry
- reading 10’ish pages in a book
And getting up at roughly the same time in the mornings (even on weekends, if you can!) helps your body to know when it’s time for sleep. This is so good for your body. Check out my article on How to Naturally Reset Your Sleep Cycle for more info!
Plan Your Week On Sundays
Planning out your week beforehand saves a ton of stress and time. Using a planner like the ones I mention in my article 5 Planners for Moms that Help You Manage it All may help you too.
I like planning my week on Sundays. This helps you create a structure for what needs to be done that week. And when you better manage your time and you feel less stressed.
Your weekly plan won’t necessarily be set in stone, though. Life doesn’t always go to plan. And I get it, not sticking to your original plans can feel stressful especially if you’re a control freak like me. Do your best. But realize that things will change and that’s ok.
Make a realistic to-do list for the week. It doesn’t have to be jam-packed with tasks. Keeping a realistic to-do list helps you get on top of things without being overwhelming.
Schedule Self Care
Making sure you get plenty of self-care in your life is important for creating more calm in your life. Self-care is an excellent way to maintain your autonomy. You remind yourself of what feels good to you and what you enjoy.
When life gets crazy busy, self-care can quickly fall by the wayside. Fitting in self-care activities when you can is better than nothing. But ideally, you need a structure to make it happen regularly. Like a massage every third Wednesday. Walking with friends every Thursday evening. Time for journaling or reading every day. Whatever feels good to you and allows you to recharge.
The best way to make sure you can keep up with your self-care routine? Make an appointment with yourself and book it into your calendar. Or book the massage or haircut or yoga class. Make plans with your friends and schedule it!
“If you talk about it, it’s a dream. If you envision it, it’s possible. If you schedule it, it’s real.”
-Tony Robbins
Add a Bit of Structure At a Time
When you’re adding more structure to your life, it’s better to do it gradually. Introducing a ton of structure at once can feel overwhelming. The exact opposite of what you want. You’re more likely to give up on a new routine if you add too much too quickly.
Go slow and keep going. You may get thrown off course. That’s ok! Remind yourself of the benefits that creating structure in your life can provide and get back up again. Stick with your plan so you can reach your goals.
Creating structure in your life is perfect for encouraging more calm and less stress!
Let’s Connect!
I hope these ways to create more structure in your life will help you feel less stressed. I teach stressed-out moms how to reconnect to their creative selves with simple meditative art projects that anyone can do! You can feel more calm and peaceful just by doing art.
If you want to learn more about mindful art check out my Start Here page. I also created a digital course, Becoming Blissful with Mindful Art. You’ll learn simple techniques to easily bring in more calm and creativity in your life. For more information, you can check it out here!
Frequently Asked Questions about Creating Structure in Your Life:
Planning is generally the easiest way to create structure. When you plan ahead your mind knows what to expect and can better prepare. This helps to soothe the nervous system. When you have a general routine for each day your brain can relax knowing what comes next.
Typically when you have a routine you feel less stressed. Our brains like structure and routine. You’ll feel less stressed with a regular routine in place even when unexpected things pop up.
My advice is to start with your morning or bedtime routine. Those are things you know will happen every day regardless. Make time in your schedule (5-15 minutes) to create a routine that your body will start to expect. It will help you wake up easier and/or get to sleep more easily.
References:
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-gen-y-psy/201810/the-power-routines-in-your-mental-health
- https://jamesclear.com/habit-guide
- https://www.sleepfoundation.org/mental-health/anxiety-and-sleep#:~:text=Lack%20of%20sleep%20is%20known,anxiety%20and%20further%20sleep%20difficulties.
Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through these links. Please note that I’ve linked to these products purely because I recommend them and they are from companies I trust. There is no additional cost to you.
Tracey McGrath is an artist and pharmacist. She is on a journey to share how mindful art can help women with their mental health. She is a certified mindful art teacher by the International Mindfulness and Meditation Alliance and a certified meditation teacher by UnPlug Meditation Studio. She is also a Duke Health & Well-Being Usui Reiki Level 3 Master Practitioner as well as a Certified Strategic Life Coach and Certified EFT Practitioner by Priority Academy. She earned her doctorate of pharmacy from UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy in 2004.