Like Clockwork

Ever since high school, I've become addicted to routine. A set schedule of activities and responsibilities mapped out over the week. Obviously my routine has changed over the years--instead of setting time aside for homework and dance rehearsals, I pencil in a few hours each week for writing and yoga classes.

As obsessive-compulsive as it sounds, my weekly routine in New York is something I planned even before I officially moved back. I knew there were certain things I wanted to do each week, certain chores I wanted to take care of on certain days, and just enough (but not too much) downtime that would keep me sane.

I recently finished reading the book Career Code, a new release from ABRAMS (my employer). The authors are the co-creators of the web site "Who What Wear," and two women I greatly admire. I was surprised to find that my routine and to-do lists and obsessive scheduling habits are all included in the book's tips for a successful personal and professional life. So as inane and tiresome as it may seem, setting up a routine and sticking to it actually has a lot of benefits. I've shared a rough example of what a normal week looks like for me.

Monday:

8:45 - Arrive at work and review the emails I've received since Friday

12:30 - Take an hour lunch break to run errands, spend some time in the sun, or grab a latte

5:00 - Leave work and head to the subway

6:00 - Yoga class at a studio close to my apartment

7:30 - Leftovers for dinner, pack breakfast and lunch for Tuesday, watch some TV

Tuesday:

8:45 - Arrive at work

2:00 - Weekly production meeting with my team

5:00 - Head home, eat a quick dinner, and prep breakfast and lunch for Wednesday

7:00 - Small group at Trinity

9:30 - pack for yoga, catch up on Reign and (starting tomorrow) The Bachelorette

Wednesday:

The same as Monday (including 6:00 yoga), except I usually cook something new for dinner

Thursday

8:45 - Arrive at work

5:30 - Happy hour with friends

8:00 - Cook something for dinner (usually a one-pan meal)

Friday

8:30 - Pick up a double latte and a croissant from Telegraphe Cafe for breakfast

12:30 - Lunch out...a treat! Usually Pain Quotidien, Pret, Just Salad, or Exki

5:00 - The night is young...who knows what will happen?

Saturday

Usually I work for at least part of the day at Kate Spade. And if I'm not exhausted, I'll meet up with friends for drinks or dinner; or I'll come home, put on comfy clothes, and settle in for a Netflix marathon.

Sunday

9:30 - Trinity (leave early if I have to work at Kate Spade)

The rest of the day is work (if I'm scheduled), grocery store, meal prep, and house cleaning (vacuum, change the litter box, take out the trash, change my sheets, etc.)

And every Sunday night, I order takeout Indian food, which I eat leftover on Monday nights. I'll prep my breakfast and lunch for Monday and pack for yoga class.

There are weeks when the routine gets ambushed but some spontaneous activity, party, happy hour, or date. Which is why I don't have every hour scheduled. It's also important to have things to look forward to, not necessarily every week, but every other week or once a month (post-pay-day mani-pedi, Sunday brunch with friends, weekend trip home, ABT ballet performance, monthly facial, etc. etc. etc.