If you’are a Working Mom, your evening routine is one of the most important things you could do to add peace and calm into your life, create a clean house, and feel prepared for the next day. Learn the three things that a great evening routine should include.

As a working mom, routines are our secret sauce. Everything thrives when we have routines that work well.

Although most people talk about the power of morning routines, I believe that evening routines are even more important.

The reason why evening routines are so important is that it sets up your next day. You can do a perfect morning routine but still feel way off if your evening routine didn’t go right.

Here’s what a great evening routine should include:

– time to relax away from screens
– a little bit of cleaning
– preparation for the next day

It’s not a mistake that this list is short. I believe that the BEST way to actually accomplish anything in life is to keep it simple. The simpler the better!

Time to Relax Away from Screens

You may be surprised to learn that time to relax is actually the most important aspect of any evening routine!! The busier you are, the more important it is that you relax in the evenings.

I have to be very clear here since relaxing time isn’t actually relaxing if there’s a screen involved.

Screens are deceptive since they feel relaxing. After all, who doesn’t love a great Netflix binge? But if you’re watching TV or on Instagram, you’re not really relaxing.

Imagine reading a book with your coziest PJs with a mug of your favorite tea. You would feel totally relaxed, right?

Compare that to watching TV or scrolling on Instagram. While on the screens, a part of you wouldn’t feel relaxed. You’d be “on,” while you absorb the emotions of whatever show you watched or feed you were reading.

I want you to feel nourished and happy each day. Screens before bed are SO MUCH fun. But they don’t nourish your exhausted Mommy heart and body.

You need rest. True rest can only come from leaving all the noise outside of your room so you can recharge and be the happy, relaxed person you’ve always dreamed of.

If you turn off your screens before bed (I try for at least an hour, ideally a bit more), you’ll feel more relaxed, less frazzled, and you’ll most likely have a better quality of sleep.

For more encouragement on this, I would love for you to read my post on how you can get more done by relaxing.

A Bit Of Cleaning

Once the screens are off, I like to spend a few minutes straightening the house.

This isn’t about cleaning anything perfectly, it’s about picking up a few things in the common areas, sweeping the kitchen floor, or washing a countertop.

These few minutes aren’t meant to take long, but they will make a big difference in keeping your house from looking like a tornado hit it.

I’m always amazed at how much I can get done in just a few minutes, once the kids are in bed and the house is quiet.

This type of cleaning is calming and makes me feel settled and happy. It’s a great feeling to take a care of my house and create a nice environment for my family.

I’m usually not home when my family wakes up since I’m already at work. As I do my nightly clean-up, I enjoy picturing their happy faces when they wake up to a clean-ish kitchen. It warms my heart.

Related Article: How to Relax When Your House is a Disaster

Preparation for the Next Day

Once I’ve done a little cleaning, I get ready for the next day.

I lay out all my clothes for the next day, including my shoes. Since I leave the house so early (usually around 5:15am), I don’t want to have to take time in the morning finding anything. My goal is to throw on my clothes and get out of the house!

Even if you’re lucky enough to leave the house later (or not at all!), having everything you need prepared for you will make your morning run so much smoother.

If you’re new to doing this, start small. Make a lunch or set a bag out where you’ll need it. Find your keys and set them by the door. Anything you can do, no matter how seemingly insignificant, will make your day so much better and start you off feeling like you can conquer anything. All it takes is a little planning!

What Will Your Evening Routine Look Like?

If you’ve been inspired by this article to create your own evening routine (and I hope you will!), your next step is to jot it down.

What will you do and what time will it start?

Your notes don’t have to be a big deal. You can do it on your phone or on a post-it note, but it’s important to write out your new routine.

By writing it, it will be solidified and more likely to actually happen!

Of course, your new routine will take some tweaking and some nights it won’t be possible, but once you write it down, you’ll start doing it. Once you see results, you won’t ever want to be without your new routine!

I have a free printable in my resource library to help you create your ideal evening routine. Click here to get your free copy.

A Sample Evening Routine

Here’s an example to get you started.

8:00pm Put Kids to Bed

8:15pm Check phone one last time and enjoy social media

8:30pm Put phone in Silent Mode, do a quick 15 minute clean-up starting in the kitchen and moving to the Living Room, if there’s time

8:45pm Set out clothes for the next day and put bags by the front door. Make lunches, if you haven’t already.

9:00pm Put on PJs and any evening rituals (washing face, taking a bath, etc.)

9:15pm Read a book or chat with spouse (don’t talk about anything that will get you riled up!)

9:45pm Lights out and go to sleep

If you’d like some help with creating a habit, I have a free course you can take to get you on your way! Click here to signup.

What Will You Do?

I’m excited for you to get started on your evening routine or if you already have a routine, refine it so it’s more helpful and nourishing for you.

Let me know in the comments how it goes and what you enjoyed about your new (or updated!) routine.

XOXO,
Rina

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