We all need a daily routine, whether we want to admit it or not. Having structure in our day can help us to feel more in control and organized. But, like all things in life, moderation is key. If you have this insanely busy routine where every minute of your day is mapped out, you’ll be on the road to burnout. A simple daily routine will help you enjoy all the benefits of routines with none of the drawbacks. Here are some ways to simplify your life with a no-pressure daily routine.

1. Follow your natural rhythms 

Think about how your energy levels fluctuate throughout the day and try to align your must-dos with your natural rhythm. For example, if you’re just not a morning person, this isn’t the best time for you to do your most-dreaded daily tasks. Save the most draining things you need to do for your most energized times of day.

2. Run the dishwasher daily 

How many times have you gathered all the dirty dishes after dinner, only to open the dishwasher and find it full? And why does this always seem to happen on the days when you have the least amount of time available to hand-wash everything? I’ve gotten into the routine of running the dishwasher every day so it’s ready to unload before dinner prep. This means it’s always empty at the busiest time of day!

3. Run a load of laundry every day

A lot of people have a dedicated laundry day, but for me, every day is laundry day. If we let everything pile up and dealt with it all on the weekend, I’d be facing a huge pile of clothes to sort, clean, dry and iron. It’s much easier to make it part of your daily routine – or every other day, if your family is smaller. Empty your hamper into the washer, toss the kids’ uniforms or clothes in when they get home from school, and make it part of the daily routine. As a sidenote, I do try and avoid laundry during the weekends, for the most part, or else I try to do the easier stuff like sheets, towels etc which are quicker to get out of the way.

4. Plan your meals

Do you spend too much time every day trying to figure out what to make for dinner? Are you finding yourself making emergency runs to the shops a few times a week because you’re missing one crucial ingredient? Do you get takeaway or convenience meals more often than you’d like because you just don’t have time to cook? Planning your meals frees up SO much time in your afternoon. It’s something you can do once a week, and then you’ll always know what you’re making… No stress, no trips to the shops, and no overpriced takeaway.

5. Choose the next day’s clothes before going to bed

A hectic morning can set the tone for the rest of the day, and one of the biggest stresses in my house is deciding what to wear. Check the weather forecast before bed and set out everything each member of your family will wear, and you’ll make every morning that much smoother. Choosing the next day’s clothes before bed is one of the best ways to simplify your morning routine. Even if your kids wear uniforms, taking the time to pull them out (and make sure they’re ironed) and getting out their accessories, socks, and shoes can really make a big difference and is one of the greatest ways to simplify your morning routine.

6. Find ways to make everything more fun

Even a simple daily routine is going to get dull at times. Try to find opportunities to combine the boring tasks with something a little more exciting. Does exercise bore you to tears? Try to find an engaging podcast to listen to, and you might actually look forward to those workout sessions! Do you suffer through making your bed and putting on makeup in the morning while fighting the urge to get back in bed? Pop in your headphones and put on some uplifting tunes to boost your energy in the morning.

7. Turn off your devices

I saved this one for last because I didn’t want to scare anyone off. This is probably the hardest advice to follow, but it’s the thing on the list that could potentially make the biggest difference in your life: turn off your technology during the last hour or two of each day. Smartphones and social media can be so toxic and obsessive, and they’re huge time sinks. You’ll feel so much better if you focus on relaxing, getting some things set up for tomorrow, or just being present in the hours before bed – and studies show you’ll sleep better, too. 

If you always feel like you’re burning the candle at both ends, adopting a minimalist routine can help you turn things around. The best part is that it’s really easy to do when you have the right strategy.