The Power Behind a Routine
April 29th, 2025
Writer: Emmylou Ethan
Editor: Sophia Wohl
Most mornings, with my eyes barely open, I make my bed as best as I can, fluffing my pillow and straightening my blanket, not perfectly, but purposefully. I brush my teeth, wash my face, and take in the few quiet moments that fill my day. It may not sound like much, but in our chaos-filled lives, these small acts can provide structure and have meaning—something that we all long for.
There's something truly special about having a routine. These small pockets of our day are what keep us anchored and hold us together. The freshly brewed cup of coffee, the bright sun slipping through the blinds as our eyes twitch—the parts of our day that we have control of are those that can help us feel grounded. No one is forcing us to do these things, yet we choose to. Maybe that's what makes them so special. We do them because we care. Because we’re trying.
As a college student, I have learned that having a routine is not only key, it is essential. It allows me to know at least a few brief aspects of my day. When assignments pile up, and deadlines start to feel not as far away, my routine is what brings me back to earth. Even if it’s a 15-minute walk around the block to get my mind straightened out, it's the little things that make me feel human.
Personally, I am someone that craves control. I find comfort in knowing what to expect and when to expect it. I feel safe when the pieces fall perfectly into place and no change has to occur. Yet when these pieces shift even the slightest bit, I lose my balance. It may not always feel catastrophic, but it can be quietly overwhelming.
Control and routine are deeply intertwined. Routines offer us a way to gain back control over our lives and serve as the guiding hand that reminds us that we can not shape the outcome, but we can choose how we respond to it. In that choice lies our power - turning uncertainty into opportunity and instability into clarity.
Routines are not about what we do in the morning to feel productive. They represent more than that. They represent trust, the trust we have in ourselves to show up when life’s puzzle pieces aren’t fitting the way we deemed them to be. They are about choosing to keep moving at times when our path seems foggy—and most importantly, addressing our personal needs and creating stability when life seems uncertain.
Having a daily routine is not just about looking put together to everyone else on the outside; it’s about choosing to show up for yourself in the quiet times when no one is watching, and creating structure to build strength from within.
