We are all living a new way of life that requires us to stay home and many of us to work from home for the first time. Because I am such a routine-oriented person, I knew I would need to get into a new groove for this period of life or I would become aimless and listless. And so, I’ve started following a similar schedule each day. If you’re like me and enjoy having some structure in your day, keep reading for my new daily routine!
7:30 am wake up
I’ve been waking up around this time each day (more like 8:00 am on the weekends), which is a little crazy to me because I’m used to waking up at 6:00 am for work! I’m a fifth grade English teacher and have been teaching online for the past week, and my classes post each day at 8:00, so I get up a little beforehand. I feed Cleo, our little beagle mix rescue pup, and take her out, then make myself breakfast with a cup of tea.
8:00 am – 12:00 pm get ready & teach
I shower and get dressed and ready for the day. I’m not a person who could stay in my pajamas all day – I would get depressed! I even put on a little makeup. Getting ready just makes me feel more functional. Then throughout the morning, I monitor my class and track the work they do as well as conduct virtual conferences with them. This is also the time when I pre-record lessons and upload them for the coming days. (On the weekends, I’m having a slower morning, enjoying a pot of tea and working on a puzzle. I still shower and get ready.)
12:00 pm lunch
I’ve been stopping for lunch every day at about noon! H, my live-in boyfriend and I have been making a lot of paninis.
1:00 pm walk
After lunch, we walk! We take Cleo to the park. We’ve been trying for more remote locations, because some of the parks in Nashville have been too crowded, and that’s just not social distancing. If you have a dog or enjoy walking outside, please stay to your side and go single file when passing other people! I have noticed some not following these rules, and it can be stressful. When everyone is being safe, taking a walk is a wonderful, relaxing thing to do every day. I have loved seeing the wildflowers pop up around Nashville lately.
3:00 pm chill
Sometime in the afternoon we’ve finished the walk and are back home. I check in with students and see that they have completed their work. Then, for the rest of the afternoon, I read, work on a puzzle, color, listen to music, or sit on our balcony. H and I just hang out and do little projects around the house or have quiet time.
7:30 pm dinner
Around 6:30-45, H and I prep and cook dinner for the night. We’ve been keeping things pretty simple – chicken, salad, avocado, green veggies, pasta. We definitely feel healthier eating in every evening.
8:30 pm tv
When we’ve cleaned up from dinner, we watch an episode or two of something. We just started Ozark season 3! I highly recommend if you haven’t seen this show yet.
10:00 pm get ready for bed
Around 10:00, we’re getting ready for bed. I journal and read every night before bed, just as I always have! I’m currently reading The Kennedy Debutante and have been enjoying it.
11:00 pm lights out
I’ve been going to sleep around this time each night, which is also wild to me because I used to go to bed way earlier!
It’s so funny to say “used to.” I’m talking about two weeks ago. But it’s true! Life is so different now. How have your routines changed? Share in the comments!
P.S. Little things making me happy right now and my routine before social distancing. Also, I joined TikTok! I have no idea what I’m doing, but let’s follow each other.
It’s so nice to have a pet to keep you company. We have a beagle rescue too! She’s the original quarantine queen because before we had to stay home, she would have a fit anytime we left her home alone. I’m thankful to be working at home and having her has my home office buddy.