The Power of Routines

The Power of Routines

I never truly understood the importance of routines until one day, my superior questioned my schedule. I had always been the ‘flexible’ girl—adapting quickly, shifting tasks around, and squeezing as much as possible into a single day. If someone needed me, I would push my own priorities aside, often finishing work late and even sacrificing sleep. I packed my schedule so tightly, believing I was being productive, only to realize I was actually depleting myself. I was sacrificing my mental health, my energy, and my self-care for the sake of others.

Working with different superiors has always been a blessing. Each one brings new insights and habits to learn from. One particular superior, however, changed my perspective entirely—he taught me the importance of ‘taking care’ of myself. He advised me to set fixed slots for specific tasks rather than constantly shifting things around. Initially, I was skeptical. As a habitual people-pleaser, I resisted structure, believing that flexibility was my strength. But as time passed, I found myself overwhelmed and burnt out, and that’s when I finally woke up.

This superior was also the only one who genuinely cared about what I was doing. At one point, I was unknowingly providing free training sessions to cover for my seniors, and he mistakenly thought I was freelancing. The truth was, I had been working over 12-hour days—sometimes even 15—without proper compensation or recognition. No one else seemed to care; they just expected me to keep going. But when he noticed, I felt seen and appreciated for the first time.

After years of learning, applying, and prioritizing my well-being, I now have much more balance in my life. I’ve set boundaries, created a structured routine, and found time for myself—something I will never regret. Even now, whenever I feel overwhelmed, I take a step back, review my schedule, reset my routine, and follow it consistently. Because at the end of the day, taking care of myself is not just necessary—it’s non-negotiable.