creating structure without routine

navigating post-grad, unemployment, and uncertainty

As a type-A person who thrives on predictability, I have recently begun to wonder how to maintain routine as I enter post-grad life. While I love having a reason to get up and get dressed in the morning, I can’t help but hate the idea of working a 9-to-5 corporate job. I have started brainstorming my dream career, and most of what I picture involves a flexible schedule, the ability to work from home, and travel.

I was speaking to a friend about this, who said I might hate any job that lacks regularity. I mean, I am someone who has everything in their Google Calendar, still uses a physical planner, and has a whiteboard calendar on their refrigerator. I write down my to-do lists on random post-it notes, in my notes app, or anywhere else in arm’s reach.

Suddenly, I realized I don’t love my routine; I love the structure. I love having tasks to complete and goals to accomplish. I can do these things no matter the job, location, or time of day. I have created these little predictable moments every day that make my day just a little bit easier, and a career that doesn’t require me to work 9-to-5 doesn’t take away my ability to create structure.

Creating a structure that works with your livelihood is what makes the difference, and then basing that structure on varying moods or situations is a plus. It is important to remember that women go through four phases per month that affect our energy levels, moods, and ability to focus. Because of this, we should create a flexible structure that limits stress and expectations, sets boundaries, and prioritizes balance.

Speaking of prioritizing balance, wellness is something we should incorporate into our daily structure, which looks different for everyone. Wellness could be drinking a glass of water before coffee, getting sunlight as soon as you wake up, taking a morning walk outside, sitting on the couch while reading a book, or moving your body. Wellness is personal. Everyone knows what wellness is to them, but it is important to have one consistent thing. For me, yoga is my way of being in tune with my mind and body every day. It is my opportunity to slow down, practice mindfulness, and get off my phone. This simple habit takes less than 10 minutes, and it is so good for my mental and physical health. The point is to find a few things that you enjoy and make those a priority that can easily fit into a regular, average day.

I challenge you to break this idea of structure and wellness into four categories: personal, work, social, and rest. Pick one thing in each category to set aside time for in one day. For example, my personal goal today is to go on a 20-minute walk after dinner. My work goal is to spend 30 minutes on Substack. My social goal is to take a couple of minutes to call my friend back. My rest goal is to finish the show that I started. It can be as simple as that. It doesn’t have to happen in that order or all at once, but by creating a structure and breaking up my to-dos into buckets while also honoring my low energy and mood, I know it will get done.

Wellness culture can be overwhelming. I constantly compare myself with others online, and then I end up getting down in the dumps about my lack of productivity. I like to remind myself that the internet is fake, and I am enough even if I didn’t get around to completing all my tasks. I am proud of you nonetheless, just for being here and supporting my work <3 Let me know some ways you incorporate wellness into your day’s structure in the comments!