Re-establishing routine in isolation

Re-establishing routine in isolation

Emma Taylor

How are you meant to cope with isolation when you're a routine-driven person?

You’re now stuck at home with almost no social interaction and you’re losing motivation. Your productivity has been lost as you've gone down the rabbit hole that is Netflix. On top of this, many of us are transitioning to the entirely new process of working from home.

Isolation has been rough. Really rough. My routine was destroyed the second I was stood down from my job and uni transitioned to online learning. Without a steady routine I found myself losing my usual drive, and consequently my productivity. Even after having my position reinstated, I struggled to establish a new routine that accommodated these significant changes without losing momentum. Some people seem to be thriving. They're using their time in isolation to relax and tackle new projects—really just doing things they normally don’t have time for. But for people like me who thrive on routine, it’s a battle to get anything done.

My week is normally structured around my uni classes and work schedule. Having deadlines and specific goals gives me the momentum to work. Since my daily regimen has been thrown off, I established what I could control. So I began looking for tools to help me reset my routine. Here’s a few things I tried that might help if you’re feeling unproductive.

1. Planner

I know it seems simple and obvious, but a planner can be a really effective tool in helping you visualise your week. I found my A3 study planner (which I got from Officeworks) and began to plan my week: setting goals and tasks, listing upcoming deadlines and prioritising what I wanted to achieve each day. My motivation improved as I ticked items off my list, leaving me with a sense of achievement.

2. Bullet journal

I started using my bullet journal as a creative way to organise during isolation. A bullet journal can be whatever you want it to be, but it generally acts as a calendar, notebook, planner and organiser. The system is customisable but primarily helps you record tasks, notes and events (check out bullet journalfor more information). What I love is the combination of organisation and creativity. Alongside weekly calendar spreads, you can set up habit trackers for things like reading, exercise and sleep; a budget tracker; reading goals; lists; and ideas to keep you motivated. I set up new spreads in my journal as part of my creative downtime. They also keep me creative, on schedule and excited about getting tasks done.

3. Pomodoro technique

This has to be one of the best tools I’ve come across for improving my productivity. I use the Focus Keeper app which uses the Pomodoro method to keep you focused and on track to completing tasks and accomplishing your daily goals. It’s a timer system that uses twenty-five-minute focus sessions. You start by choosing a specific task to work on and press the start button. The app alerts you when twenty-five minutes is up, then you take a five-minute break and do no work-related tasks—instead, stretch your legs, get a drink, go to the toilet, or get some fresh air. The app will alert you again when the break has finished, and you go back to the task you were working on—or start another task if you completed the first task—for another twenty-five minutes. Once you’ve completed four twenty-five-minute focus sessions you take a twenty-five-minute break. This method helps improve productivity by breaking tasks into manageable goals. Plus, you can see yourself systematically working toward completing your tasks and goals.

So, if your iso situation has you in a bit of a slump, try to find some tools that help you re-establish a routine for yourself. It might be something as simple as going for a walk at the same time every day, or it might be using specific tools like I have. But whatever you do, remember that getting started is the hardest part.