I’ve talked about routines before, but this is different. 2026 is not the year we copy someone else’s routine. It’s the year we build one that actually fits our life, our responsibilities, our energy, our goals. Building a routine isn’t the same for everyone and we are going to make it work for YOU this year!

Why most women struggle with routines

• Most women try to fit their routine into a box. For example, influencer-style “perfect mornings” – these look very nice on social media, but honestly, it’s unrealistic for most of us women in our 30s/40s. We also struggle building a routine because we pressure ourselves to have long routines, feeling like if it’s not 30 minutes or longer, it doesn’t count. The truth is, it’s a bunch of small, quick routines that have worked the best for me. Remember, more does not equal better.
• We try to copy routines from people who are in totally different seasons. Maybe we see someone with no kids, or kids with childcare, and think they have a great routine. But if you are in a different season, this might be different for you. You may even try to copy someone’s routine who is more flexible or is in a different state of fitness or stress. All of these things vary from person to person and are why your routine has to be personal for you right now in this season of your life.
• We think the routine is the magic, instead of consistency. Routine itself is not the golden ticket. It’s picking something you can actually do!

The mindset shift for 2026

Your season matters more than the structure. Think about what’s true of your life right now. What responsibilities or rhythms can’t be ignored? Once you know the answer to these questions, you’ll be able to see where your routines can fit. 

Release the perfectionism! A 10-minute routine done daily beats a 60-minute routine you quit in 5 days. That’s a harsh reality, but it happens so often. Shift from the aesthetics and instead focus on the alignment. 

Your routine needs to evolve as your life does. It’s okay to change your routine monthly or quarterly as your life changes.

What a routine that fits your season actually looks like

There are 5 components to a routine that you should have to make your routines align with you.

1. A routine that supports your HEALTH. This could be a morning walk, a 10-minute stretch, or a high-protein breakfast. Whatever it looks like for you, keep it simple!
2. A routine that supports your MINDSET. Examples might be 3-minute journaling, gratitude, beathwork, or an intentional question of the day. The key here is that this mindset piece can be tiny. It doesn’t have to be an overhaul to be impactful.
3. A routine that supports your ENERGY + SCHEDULE. What time do you naturally have the most energy? If mornings are chaotic, create an evening routine instead. If evenings are exhausting. Build micro-morning moments. 
4. A routine that supports your GOALS. What are you working toward in 2026? A health goal might mean you habit stack around movement + food. A confidence goal could include a self-talk routine. With a mindset goal, you could incorporate a routine that includes a daily walk or listening to a podcast during your commute. 
5. A routine that fits your capacity. Use your real life as a starting point. What do you have the capacity for, right now? What can you realistically commit to?

Simple 3-step framework for creating your 2026 routine

Step 1: Identify your season. Are you a busy mom? Have a new job? High stress time of life? Building consistency? Know where you are right now, not where you hope to be in the future. Then ask yourself, what do I need most right now?

Step 2: Pick 2-3 anchor habits. These are going to be your “non-negotiables”. For example, you might say that a walk is non-negotiable every day. Just make sure that you have 3 or less. 

Step 3: Decide on the minimum version. This will look different depending on what you decide for your anchor habits. If it’s walking, the full version might be a 30-minute walk. But you need to have a minimum version as well. In this scenario, it could be a 7-minute walk. Minimum keeps the routine alive.

If you feel behind or overwhelmed, that’s ok. You’re not alone. You don’t need a perfect routine. You just need a supportive one. Your routine should lift weight off your shoulders, not add more.

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If you liked this blog, here’s more for you!

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