Once summer ends and school begins schedules change and life feels a little less predictable. Adding routine to your life will bring back that sense of peace you left behind as summer ended. The normalcy of routine and rhythm are especially helpful if you have children or have very busy schedules. Take into consideration the following tips and you will be feeling more Zen-like:

Compile Schedules
Take the time to gather everyone’s schedule and sit down for a family meeting. Make it fun, order out pizza and bring a big poster board, divide it into days, and write down what everyone is doing with colorful highlighters and pens. Beside each event write down what needs to be done in preparation for that event. For example, if your child takes swimming lessons and needs a ride, make a note of that. Post the schedule where everyone can see it, preferably near the breakfast table.

Younger children also enjoy managing their own checklist. For example, when they get up for the day they can be in charge of five or six things that need to get done before they leave for school. For example: make bed, eat breakfast, get dressed, take vitamins, brush teeth are all manageable for young ones.

Combine Errands
If the grocery store is near your child’s swimming lessons, make that your grocery day. Get acquainted with the places your family frequents and have them pitch in to do errands. Not only will it prevent you from running around in different directions of town, it will also help you save gas. The environment will thank you.

Household Chores
Feng shui experts will agree when I say that a clean orderly house brings in more peace than one that is disorganized and messy. Establish certain days for certain chores so jobs do not become overwhelming. For example, make Mondays your bathroom cleaning day, Tuesdays are vacuuming day, Wednesdays are laundry days, Thursdays are dusting days etc. Certainly some chores need to be done on a daily basis, but they typically do not take as long as those just mentioned. Garner support from your family. Even young children can do things such as fold laundry, sort recycling, and water house plants.

Make Time for Yourself
Take time to do things that interest you and schedule that into your day. Some like to exercise, do yoga, read, or journal. Life is so hectic, honor yourself and do things that please you!

Make Bedtime Soothing and Peaceful
An hour before bedtime I start my children on the journey of winding down. I dim the lights in our house, draw them warm baths, get their pajamas out, and read them a good book. Easing them into bedtime helps them to fall asleep quickly and deeply. Thus, this assures them a restful body the next day.