Starting with just once a week on a weekday, I’ve decided to break routine intentionally. Adding something new to my weekly reset routine, like a walk after work to clear my head, trying a new workout, exploring a new restaurant, a fresh recipe, a new neighborhood, or attending a random event, gives me a simple but powerful break from routine. Even a small switch helps! If I take the opportunity to break routine in even a minor way, I’ll call it a win.
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Why Breaking Routine Matters
After a long day working my 9 to 5, my default setting looks like this: come home, make dinner, watch TV until bed. Occasionally, I’ll swap TV for reading, but for the most part, I don’t take full advantage of my evenings to do something for myself.
This makes the days blend, and although the work week might seem long during the day, the week ends up flying by without anything of note. That’s when I realized that life feels stagnant sometimes. Worse, sometimes life feels unfulfilled. It’s time to be more intentional not only about breaking routine but about finding joy in the mundane moments, too.
Don’t get me wrong, of course, I’ll still watch my favorite shows and spend time reading before bed. There’s beauty in ordinary routines, and learning to love them is part of this. I’m chasing a balance between appreciating the repetitive parts of life and adding intentional new experiences when I can.
Ultimately, my two goals are to find peace with the day-to-day monotony and be intentional about new experiences when possible. I am looking for a balance between the two.
How I’m Planning a Weekly Reset Routine
Who knew being more spontaneous took so much planning?
Being realistic about your schedule is the best way to set aside some time for yourself. Try planning at the beginning of each month or each week. I’ve started a weekly reset where, at the beginning of the week (or even the month), I sit down and look over my calendar to mark off a day/couple of hours each week that are reserved for new experiences. Whether it’s exploring, trying something creative, or simply shaking up my normal rhythm, my weekly reset helps me carve out space to live more intentionally.
I find it easier to organize my thoughts when I physically write out my weekly plans with pen and paper. I’ve purchased planners in the past and then never opened them. I’ve also attempted to use a plain notebook, but then I’ll never go back to look at what I wrote down. The happy medium for me is an open notepad designed as a weekly planner. That way, it can sit on my desk, and I’ll always be able to review my week quickly.
This Weekly Planner Notebook has worked well for me so far.
New Experiences To Break Routine
1. Mini Adventure
Getting out of the house for a mini-adventure is one of the simplest ways to break routine. Explore a nearby park, coffee shop, or art gallery you’ve never visited. Make it feel special, like a little field trip just for you. Be careful not to let your mini-adventure turn into errands, though!
I always bring a tote bag and a few things that could enhance my overall experience, like my Kindle or a book, and my water bottle. Sometimes I’ll take a long walk and need water, or find a coffee shop or a bench where I want to sit and read. You never know what you could find, so I like to be prepared.
Many times, when I leave the house, I have one objective, and that’s to get from point A to B as quickly as possible. Be more intentional and notice the people around you, the conversations happening, and the leaves on the trees. Just the other day, I was walking down a street and forgot how rarely I look up at the treetops above me. Small experiences like this help me find grounding when life feels stuck.
New environments force you to be present. You’re not operating on autopilot when you’re figuring out how to order coffee in a new spot or figuring out where the bathroom is. This might sound silly, but even though those are simple things, at least you’re not going through the motions. Getting a feeling for the new environment creates a moment in your week that you’re much more likely to remember.
And yes, sometimes an adventure is a flop. This is the number one reason I avoid trying new things, that and having the time to do it. I like to look at it this way: not everything will be a 10/10 experience, but if you never try it, you’ll never find those gems. Also, let’s say it is an awful experience (-100000/10), you now have a fantastic story to tell your friends, and you’ll have a much more fulfilled life in return.
2. Cook or Go Out to a New Restaurant
Another easy way to break routine? Shake up your meals. Pick a recipe or restaurant you have never tried before. Whether you cook it, grab takeout, or go out to eat, it’s a flavorful break from your norm. Maybe try a new cuisine you’ve never had before!
Bonus Points: If you go out to a familiar restaurant, order something from the menu you haven’t tried. Bring a few friends and order a few plates so that you can try different things! I just recently did this with some friends at a happy hour. We all ordered a shareable plate (or an entree to share) and split the bill evenly.
Photo by Alyson McPhee on Unsplash
3. Shake Up Your Media
Instead of sitting down on your couch and turning on the TV to your favorite comfort show. Make an evening out of it and break routine with a more intentional experience. One way I do this is by keeping a running list of classic movies that I want to watch so that I can turn a random Tuesday into a movie night. Just recently, I watched a few classic ‘80s action movies from my list to shake things up.
If you plan to do the same, pop some popcorn, go to the store on the way home from work to grab your favorite box of candy, and create a cozy movie environment with pillows and blankets. I like to pull the guest bedroom mattress into the living room to be a little extra.
Another way to shake up your media if you have a gaming console is to buy a Co-op game and invite a friend over to play. This might be obvious to a lot of people, but I don’t play a lot of video games typically, so this is an excellent way to break the routine.
Same idea, though, I’ll pull out the mattress and make a few snacks. Then play a video game that requires two people. I love the game It Takes Two and Split Fiction. There are a lot of games out there you can play with friends that don’t even require you to be good at playing video games.
Some other games I love include Overcooked 1 & 2, Super Mario, Gang Beasts, and for larger groups, Jackbox Games are always fun.
Photo by cottonbro studio
4. Treat yo’ self
Anyone else a big Parks and Rec fan? Inspired by Parks and Rec, I’ve started incorporating a “treat yo’ self” attitude into my weekly reset, but in small, sustainable ways.
I’m not saying you have to spend thousands of dollars every week to have more fun. Many times, the most impactful experiences can be the cheapest! I think it’s the value for what you’re getting in return, maybe? BUT a little treat never hurt anybody!
Treat Yo’ Self With a Purchase:
I’m not talking about a major purchase here, I just mean stopping by a coffee shop and spending a few extra dollars a week. I try not to let it get out of control by getting a treat every day, but I do like to go once or twice a week to mix it up.
Stop by a coffee shop and get a fancy coffee instead of your normal cup from home for a change, or stop by the nearest grocery store’s pastry section and grab a few sweets you can sample after dinner. I love to go to Whole Foods and buy a few of their mini tarts and cannolis. That way, I can have a little bit of every sweet treat. Tiny treats like these break routine and create little sparks of joy during an otherwise average week.
Treat Yo’ Self With Self Care:
Self-care can also be a treat: a bath, a face mask, a cozy “everything shower,” or throwing your pajamas in the dryer for 10 minutes before putting them on. These tiny gestures help me reconnect with myself, and finding joy in the mundane is what it’s all about.
Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash
5. Take Advantage of the Mornings
If you’re not a morning person, hear me out: waking up early (just once a week) can be a magical way to break routine.
For my fellow non-morning people, I’m not saying this has to be a weekly event, but maybe once a month, set your alarm a couple of hours before you normally get up and use the time to do something for yourself.
This could be as simple as reading, taking a walk, going to the nearest park to watch the sunrise, or meeting friends for coffee. I’ve started to dedicate Wednesday mornings to meeting up with a few friends before work at a local coffee shop for an hour. We might not get to spend countless hours chatting on the couches during the work week like they do in Friends, but seeing the people you enjoy the most before going to work is a nice way to begin the day.
If life feels stuck, it’s usually because I’m caught in the same loops over and over. Shifting just one morning a week into something intentional has helped me feel more energized and connected to my life.
Even if you can’t do it every week, a once-a-month morning reset is enough to breathe new life into your schedule.
For the non-morning people, I just got the Hatch Alarm Clock not too long ago, and it has made such a difference in my mornings. Gone are the days I wake up in a panic to my phone alarm. I would recommend it to anyone looking to improve their sleep and build a better morning routine. If you are looking for a more budget-friendly option, there is the 1st Generation Hatch Alarm Clock is still available. I know a few people who have this one and like it a lot.
Photo by Elena Rabkina on Unsplash
Your Turn To Break Routine!
When my life feels stagnant, it’s almost always because I’ve fallen too deeply into autopilot. By committing to a weekly reset and finding simple ways to break routine, I’ve been able to find more adventure experiences, build authentic experiences into my schedule, and reconnect with the quiet joy of everyday life.
The goal isn’t to avoid all repetition, it’s learning to balance the repetitive parts of life. Some routines are comforting. But when life feels stuck, it’s often a sign that we need to break the routine in small but intentional ways.
Tiny changes create big shifts. A new dish. A morning coffee date. A movie you’ve never seen. A short walk in a new park.
Week by week, moment by moment, this is how we bring new experiences into our lives and remind ourselves that even the most ordinary days are filled with opportunity.
