the tiny habits that hold my day together.

Here is a little collection of small daily and weekly habits that help keep me sane. They’re not particularly exciting, and none of them are revolutionary, but together they help my days feel a little calmer, steadier, and more manageable.

Making my bed every day
I make my bed every morning without fail. It doesn’t matter if I’m rushing out the door or running behind schedule, I always take a minute to straighten the blankets and fluff the pillows. To me, a made bed instantly makes the whole room feel more put together. I’ve also realized that I don’t enjoy climbing into a rumpled bed at the end of the day; it just doesn’t feel restful. It’s a tiny habit, but it makes my space feel a little more settled.

Doing the dishes at night
I try to always do the dishes before going to bed. Waking up to a clean kitchen just makes the whole day feel easier, like I’m starting from a calm place instead of a chaotic mess. The rest of my kitchen may still be messy, but my sink is clean and empty.

Reading and real downtime
I need some kind of real downtime every day, even if it’s just a little. Reading or knitting usually fills this space for me. I like to relax on the couch with something familiar on YouTube in the background. It helps me slow down and step out of my “always-on” mode for a while.

Planning and tracking my food
This is more of a practical habit, but planning and tracking my food helps me feel more aware and intentional about what I’m eating. It removes a lot of mental clutter, too, because I’m not constantly wondering what I’m going to eat next. And honestly, it’s kind of fun. There have been plenty of days when I’ve looked at my meal plan and silently thanked Past Shanna for putting that meal on the list.

The NYT Games in the morning
Doing the New York Times games in the morning has become a small ritual I really look forward to. It’s a quiet way to ease into the day before everything gets busy. Plus, I like to think I’m exercising my brain with a few puzzles.

Journaling
I don’t always write a lot, but journaling helps me clear out whatever is stuck in my head. Even a few minutes makes a difference.

Putting on real clothes
This is more of a weekend habit, but I always change out of my pajamas, even if I’m not doing anything that day or leaving my apartment. There’s something about putting on “real clothes” that helps me switch out of sleep mode and into day mode. Even if my plans are just reading, running errands, or puttering around the apartment, I feel more awake, capable, and ready to tackle the day.

Tuesday coffee
Another weekly ritual: I get coffee on Tuesdays on my way to work. On Tuesdays, I work in a different office than my usual one, and there just so happens to be three coffee shops on the way. Knowing that Tuesday is coffee day gives me something to look forward to and adds a little rhythm to the week.

Picking out clothes for the week
Not something I do every day, but once a week, usually on Sundays, I like to pick out my outfits for the week. It saves time during busy mornings and keeps things simple when I’m trying to run out the door. Plus, I’m never surprised by the realization that something I want to wear is dirty because I’ve already figured that out ahead of time.

At the end of the day, none of these are complicated habits, but together, they make a difference in how my days feel. In this chaotic world we’re all living in, at least I know that on Tuesdays, I get coffee.