This post was sponsored by Athleta
Ah, routines. Some people love ‘em and some people can’t stand ‘em. I, however, fall into the former category and LOVE a good routine. Call me boring and predictable – I assure you my day to day is anything but.
But before I get into that, a little background.
Along with this nifty blog that I’ve run for the past several years (can you believe it?), I work as a Creative Strategist at Pinterest. And if you’re scratching your head on wtf a Creative Strategist is – you’re not alone. In a nutshell, I work with brands to help empower them to create beautiful and actionable content. I’ve been at the company for 3 years and get to travel all over the country talking to brands big and small. It’s a special job with an even more special team.
Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way, my work schedule is a bit…uh, all over the place? From internal meetings with my team and brainstorms to flying across the West Coast educating and working with brands, it’s never dull.
With all that’s swirling around me, I find that routines are my favorite way to find a bit of peace in an otherwise wild workday. So if you, too, experience a jam packed schedule, here’s my routine (when I’m at home!) and some tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way.
6:15 a.m.: Wake up – usually a little groggy and dehydrated. Pro Tip: Once you wake up, drink a full glass of cold water to get your body going.
6:30 a.m. : Finally get up and walk my dog Bolt. While early, this is one of my favorite ways to “wake up.” We usually walk for 20 minutes or so and it’s a nice opportunity to enjoy the city when it’s still calm and peaceful.
6:50-7:25 a.m.: Grab all my stuff together for work. I often times work out in the evening so I carry everything in my backpack. Luckily, even when I stuff my backpack to the gills, I never feel like a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle with this Caraa x Athleta Commuter Backpack.
Pro Tip: Whether it’s a backpack or tote, find a bag with comfortable straps even when the load gets a bit heavy. Oh, and bonus points for a ton of pockets – perfect for water bottles, keys, phones, lip glosses, and well, basically everything.
7:30 a.m. – 8:20 a.m.: Now this is one of my ALL-TIME FAVORITE things to do, guys! It’s walk to work! Yes, you have to wake up a little early, but for me, I initially hated commuting. You know how it goes – fighting for a seat on the bus or worse, running to catch the bus when you’re late. It’s stressful and kind of a bummer start to your day.
So, I made the decision to walk to work at least 3 times a week. Now, I’ll be honest, guys. Sometimes it’s not 3 times a week. Or even 2. But it makes SO much of a difference when I spend that time walking instead of taking a Chariot, rideshare, bus, etc.
I get my muscles moving, my blood flowing, and have an hour to think about the day. During this time I set a few intentions, take several deep breaths, listen to my favorite podcast (currently loving Jen Gotch Is Ok…Sometimes).
Trick: If you hate commuting, reframe the problem! Try thinking of commuting as a great opportunity to get shit done! Call your parents, best friends, or whoever! Listen to a podcast or the news. Or if you’re like me, I opt for walking to work on days where I don’t workout!
8:30 a.m.: I finally get to work and more often than not am still in workout clothes – where I have to change. Luckily these Athleta pieces make getting ready for work waaaay easy – I just put on the Athleta Lucca Sweater and am ready to take on the day. It’s perfectly soft and cozy (great for long days) and great for chilly offices!
12:45 p.m.: After a full morning of meetings and sitting, I make it a point to take a walk outside or at least go somewhere for 15 minutes. Whether it’s walking around the block or stretching, I find that it helps to give me a jolt of energy that can last me throughout the day. Thankgawd these Stellar Trousers have a bit of stretch – no one needs a rip mid-day.
5:20 p.m.: I finish out my work day and more often than not have to stop by an event, workout, or back at home to grab my pup Bolt! While walking all the way home isn’t something I usually do, I either walk to the bus stop to get a few extra steps in.
7:00 p.m.: Take my pup Bolt to the dog park and I want to be nothing but comfy. I love these Athleta Stellar Trouser that’s soft, sleek and has pockets to stash my essentials (aka: dog treats).
At the end of a busy day, it’s a nice feeling to wear clothing that can stretch with me throughout the day. From meetings to commuting to work, I’m super stoked about this new Athleta commuter line here. Check it out for yourself, too!
