And why routines are so important for Autistics.
Published in Neurodivergent Life on Medium
Rewind to May 2024. I wasn’t getting anything done. Unfocused, unmotivated, and utterly exhausted. When I sat down to work, I felt like I was already running on fumes. Being Autistic, I have a certain amount of energy each day and I need to use it wisely. Thus, something needed to change. But first, I needed to find the root of the problem.
Examining The Daily Routine
I reviewed my daily routine (this was an easy step because I keep a journal). I quickly noted that the morning part of the routine was lengthier than the rest of the day.
To get a better picture of this I wrote a list of everything I do in a day. I tried to keep the list as in order as possible. Nothing was too small to add on.
For example:
Get out of bed
Make the bed
Open the curtains
Pour and eat cereal for breakfast
Etc.
Next, I assigned one or more points to each item depending on the amount of energy I spent on it. If you do this for yourself, don’t overthink it. The goal is to get a general idea of where you’re spending your energy throughout the day.
Lastly, I added up the points for each section of the day:
Morning
Afternoon (work and lunch)
Late Afternoon (supper)
Evening
My hypothesis was indeed correct. I spent a third of my energy in the morning before I even sat down to work. Yikes! No wonder I wasn’t getting anything work done.
Why Do Autistic’s Like Routines So Much?
Before I explain my new Plan™ that resulted from this exercise, I want to take a look at how and why routines are so important to Autistic’s like me.
“The point is not what the routine consists of, but how steady and safe your subconscious mind is made through repetitive motions and expected outcomes.” Brianna Wiest, 101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think, pg. 17.
Wiest may not be Autistic, but she clearly understands the value of routines. Every Autistic will have different routines and their own reasons for having them. Here are just a few of those possible reasons.
1 | Routines Are Familiar and Safe
As Wiest pointed out, routines can help calm your mind due to their familiarity. I’d take this one step further and say they also bring a certain amount of safety and comfort.
While I, and many other neurodivergent’s outside of Autistics, have to consciously think about each step of our day, the amount of mental energy spent lessens because we’re not having to think up new ideas or ways of doing things. Routines mean we can simply do each task and do them with ease because they aren’t brand new, but familiar.
2 | Routines Provide Structure and Predictability
Similar to the above, routines can also provide structure and predictability. I think it’s worth separating these two points because while routines are familiar, the underlying reason why Autistic’s often cling to them is because of the structure they provide.
The world is unpredictable, chaotic, and unexpected to say the least. This is difficult for my Autistic brain to process. I’m constantly absorbing sensory input and it uses up a lot of my energy, more so when I’m in a new environment and/or meeting new people.
A routine looks like taking the same route to the grocery store, going to the same grocery store each and every time, and maybe even choosing the same cashier. While this doesn’t negate the sensory input I’m receiving, the small moments of routine and predictability help counter the overwhelming environment.
3 | Routines Have Sensory Benefits
Routines have sensory benefits because you have more control over your environment and can work in sensory/stimming breaks.
I include a 15-minute walk around my neighbourhood (weather permitting) mid-afternoon. The walk makes sure I get some form of exercise each day, but it also lets me enter a familiar environment outside of my home (because I wfh) where I can take in the sights and sounds, i.e. the sensory input.
This also acts as a transitionary period. Task switching is difficult for me and many Autistic’s, so the sensory walk gives me a much needed break in the middle of the day and helps me transition between projects I’m working on.
4 | Routines Offer A Sense of Purpose
Fourth and finally, routines can provide a sense of purpose. Rather than aimlessly go about each day, a routine guarantees pre-set tasks get completed and you’ve accomplished something, whether that be writing an article or just making the bed.
Autistic’s have an eye for detail however, this means we can forget the big picture sometimes. This is one of the reasons I keep a journal and recommend others do as well. A journal or to-do list gives me that visual overview of everything I’ve completed in a day, from the smallest, everyday tasks to the larger projects I’m working on. It helps me see the bigger picture and that I am working toward my goals and living a purposeful life.
The New Routine
Now that we’ve covered why routines are important, let’s move on to how I created a new one that makes better use of my energy levels throughout the day.
As I mentioned earlier I realized I was spending most of my time and energy in the morning. Except I know I am most productive in the morning which means I should be working on…well work.
While I would try to do all the little tasks first thing in the morning such as doing the cat litter, the dishes, making the bed, and more, I moved some of those things down to the afternoon. This way I can start working and being productive right after I’m done getting ready for the day.
Here’s what my routine looks like now.
Morning
You’ll only find the bare minimum here. These are the tasks that help set me up for the day ahead like making the bed and tidying up my workspace.
Afternoon
I spend most of the afternoon working, but I have built in an hour mid-day to get lunch, go on my walk, and do some of those previous morning tasks like the cat litter. As I said above, this mid-day break is a nice way to transition into new tasks.
Late-Afternoon
After I’m done with the work day I take some time to practice gratitude and journal. I also plan for the day ahead. This is a nice transition and a way to wind down before I head down to the kitchen to cook some supper.
Evening
I spend the rest of my day reading or watching a show or movie to unwind. I’ve been really into documentaries lately, and the dedicated reading hour means I’ve read much more consistently. I also try to set myself up for a good start the next morning by choosing what I’m going to wear beforehand. It’s one less decision I have to make the next day.
Final Thoughts
I’ve been practicing this new routine for a month now and I am amazed at how much I’m getting done and how balanced I feel.
I haven’t been on social media as much. Actually, I’m sort of taking a break from social media. I haven’t been following such a strict content schedule and therefore am feeling less anxious and stressed out.
I also make time to write almost every day and it’s fantastic! Whether that’s writing an article/blog or a piece of fiction, I’m really enjoying stretching my creative muscles. Writing is my true passion after all.
All of this together, minimal social media and a set routine that balances my energy levels, means I even have some extra time in the day to learn something new or take a free course.
I’ve somehow managed to build a routine that doesn’t exhaust me, gives me that work-life balance, and allows me to pursue both professional and personal goals. Who would have thought this was possible? Not me. Not a month ago.
Now, I will put in a small disclaimer here that l keep some things flexible. During each transition period, I try to assess where I’m at and what I feel up to. So, maybe I don’t write every day, or I only get an hour of work done, but the routine gives me a framework to operate within.
So, there you have it, a look into my routine that works with my Autistic brain and why routines are so important to many Autistics.
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