Alice Turing
If you have ever started a routine on Monday and quietly dropped it by Thursday, you are not failing. Most routines fall apart when they feel uncomfortable, confusing, or too hard to repeat on a normal day. When you feel clean, comfortable, and prepared, you show up differently. You talk more easily, you stop overthinking, and you are more likely to keep going. I learned this after trying to copy “perfect” routines that looked great on paper but did not fit my real life. What finally worked was building a routine around comfort first, then consistency. Here is a simple 7-step framework you can use to make daily routines stick in a way that feels doable.
1) Set a comfort baseline you can repeat on a rough day
Start with the basics that make you feel like yourself. When your body feels “handled,” your mind calms down. Pick three comfort actions you can do even when you are tired. Try this starter set: brush your teeth, wash your face, apply deodorant or antiperspirant. If you want an extra that changes the whole day, add a clean shirt. When I was stressed, I stopped aiming for a big morning makeover and aimed for “I can leave the house without feeling self-conscious.” That shift made it easier to stay consistent.
2) Create a 2-minute minimum routine so you never hit zero
Your minimum routine keeps the habit alive. When life gets messy, you do not negotiate, you just do the minimum. Try this: 1) brush for two minutes, 2) rinse or cleanse your face and moisturise, 3) deodorant or antiperspirant. If you have more energy, great. If you do not, you still showed up. A practical rule that helped me is “never miss twice.” If you skip today, do the minimum tomorrow, even if it is late at night.
3) Make hygiene simple and specific so comfort becomes automatic
Hygiene sticks when it feels easy and you can feel the difference. Keep it simple and repeatable. Face: cleanse once at night as your anchor habit, then moisturise to keep your skin barrier comfortable. Hair: focus on your scalp, not just the ends. Many people do well washing 2 to 3 times a week, and adjusting based on oiliness, workouts, and hair type. Deodorant or antiperspirant: apply to clean, dry skin so it works better. Oral care matters for confidence too. If your mouth feels clean, you tend to speak more freely. Brush twice a day and floss when you can. If flossing feels annoying, start with floss picks. If you are also dealing with dental concerns that affect comfort, like sensitivity or old restorations, you can ask a dentist about options such as porcelain fillings as part of a broader plan to keep your mouth feeling comfortable day to day. The goal is not perfection, it is removing distractions that make you self-conscious.
4) Anchor your day with sleep and food that do not require a “full reset”
You do not need a strict schedule to feel steadier. You need one or two anchors. For sleep, pick a realistic lights-out range and aim for it most nights. If you want a simple move that helps, set a “phone down” reminder 30 minutes before bed. For food, choose a default breakfast or lunch you can afford and access easily. Examples: eggs and toast with fruit, yoghurt with oats and a banana, rice with tuna or chicken and vegetables, a sandwich and an apple. What did not work for me was trying to “eat perfectly” all at once. What worked was having two default meals that kept my energy stable, especially on busy days.
5) Reduce friction by organising your environment for future you
Consistency is easier when your setup is kind. Put items where you use them, not where they look nice. Try these friction cutters: deodorant next to your toothbrush, face wash and moisturiser by the sink you actually use, floss visible instead of hidden, a small grab kit near the door with gum, lip balm, and a spare hair tie. When I made one basket for daily essentials, mornings got calmer. Calm makes routines easier to repeat.
6) Add one confidence builder that is not about appearance
Confidence sticks longer when it is built on follow-through and usefulness, not just looks. Pick one weekly action that makes you feel grounded. Volunteering is a great option because it creates structure and meaning. Keep it small: 1 to 2 hours at an animal shelter, food bank, community cleanup, or helping a neighbour. If that is not accessible, join a club, take a low-cost class, or do a weekly check-in with someone you care about. I have had weeks where I did not feel my best, but I still felt steady because I showed up for something outside myself.
7) Protect flexibility and boundaries so your routine serves you
Your routine is a tool, not a test. Build rules that prevent the all-or-nothing spiral. Try this: good days get the full routine, hard days get the minimum, chaotic days get one thing. Set boundaries you can live with, like “I keep weekdays under 10 minutes,” “I simplify if my skin feels irritated,” or “I rest when I am sick instead of forcing it.” What works for someone else may not work for you, and that is fine. Your job is to build a routine that fits your life.
A simple routine you can copy and adjust
Minimum: brush teeth, face cleanse or rinse plus moisturiser, deodorant or antiperspirant. Regular: brush and floss, cleanse and moisturise, deodorant, quick hair check, clean shirt if needed. Weekly support: change pillowcase, clean phone screen, restock basics, one confidence builder like volunteering.
If you want routines that stick, focus on comfort first, then make it repeatable. Keep it small, keep it flexible, and let confidence grow from the proof you collect each day.
Follow me down the rabbit hole!
I'm Alice and I live with a dizzying assortment of invisible disabilities, including ADHD and fibromyalgia. I write to raise awareness and end the stigma surrounding mental and chronic illnesses of all kinds.
