The Myth of Chaos as Freedom

Some individuals romanticize the idea of living without boundaries. Spontaneity, flexibility, and "going with the flow" sound liberating, especially for creatives and entrepreneurs. But a life devoid of structure often leads to stress, missed opportunities, and diminished mental clarity. Without routine, the mind is bombarded with choices from the moment you wake up. What should I eat? Should I work out today? What task do I start with?

This mental noise, or decision fatigue, reduces our ability to focus on what truly matters. Spinning our wheels in indecision and unproductiveness takes a great amount of energy that can and should be directed productively. By contrast, establishing a regular routine automates many of these decisions, creating more room for deeper thought, focused creativity, and intentional living. And that’s what I work toward in my life.

Journaling: Anchoring Your Thoughts

One of the most accessible tools for creating structure is journaling. This has been a daily habit of mine for years. I still remember when I was in middle school with a “diary,” which is really a small journal. I wrote down very deep thoughts only with what I was wearing that day! It’s funny to think about that now, but my little diary created a habit.

Today, I start my days early and read a short passage of biblical scripture then write a few lines in my journal. It helps me focus my thoughts as well as spend just a few moments with gratefulness as I look forward to the day ahead. Whether it’s morning pages or an evening reflection, journaling serves as a personal check-in that organizes the mind and emotions. It creates a safe space to process what you’re feeling, recognize patterns, and set intentions.

Daily journaling allows you to:

• Reflect on challenges and wins
• Clarify your goals
• Acknowledge your emotions without judgment
• Practice gratitude, which increases emotional resilience

A simple five-minute journaling habit each day can help keep chaos at bay. For those new to the practice, start by writing down three things: what you're grateful for, what you want to accomplish today, and any lingering thoughts or worries. It’s freeing to leave those thoughts on a piece of paper in a journal.

Here are other ways to incorporate reflection:

• A brief morning meditation or prayer
• Evening walks without headphones or distractions
• Setting aside weekly "thinking time" to review your progress and course-correct
• One I love is to get outside and work in my garden and our orchard of trees.

Reflection allows you to step back and evaluate, rather than just react. This space creates freedom by aligning your actions with your long-term values and vision.

Exercise: Moving Into Mental Clarity

Exercise is often approached solely as a tool for physical health, but its benefits extend far beyond the body. Movement is medicine for the mind. A consistent exercise routine fosters mental clarity, boosts mood through endorphin release, and reduces anxiety.

The key to incorporating exercise into your routine is to remove the friction. Set a specific time, layout your workout clothes (I do this the night before,) and choose activities you enjoy—not just those you think you "should" do.

Exercise ideas to fit various lifestyles:

• 30-minute morning walk to set the tone for the day.
• Lunchtime yoga or Pilates to reset focus.
• Strength training 3x per week to build physical and mental resilience.
• A stationary bike or treadmill that is easy to access.

Even short bursts of movement throughout the day, like stretching or a 10-minute dance break, contribute to a structured rhythm that lifts your energy and reduces the chaos of mental clutter.

Planning a Healthy Diet: Fueling Your Focus

Food is fuel, and what you eat directly affects your mood, focus, and energy. I remind myself of that often as it’s so easy to grab a bit of chocolate in the afternoon! Chaos in your eating habits often mirrors chaos in your life. Skipping meals, last-minute takeout, or sugary snacks may feel convenient but often lead to crashes in energy and productivity. (Download free goal setting sheets)

The solution is not a rigid diet but a flexible meal plan grounded in intentional and smart choices. Here’s how to build structure around food:

• Meal prep: Set aside time once or twice a week to prepare meals and snacks. Plan your shopping list accordingly. I like a lot of salads so I make sure I have the fixings on hand.
• Simplify choices: Create a go-to list of healthy meals you enjoy and keep them handy.
• Mindful eating: Sit down to eat without multitasking to enjoy your meals fully. I’m definitely guilty of not doing this especially when my husband is not at home so it’s a good reminder.
• Hydration routine: Keep a water bottle with you and build hydration into your schedule. I’ve added more electrolytes as it’s seemed to help.

When you nourish your body intentionally, you create a foundation of health that supports clear thinking, emotional stability, and greater output.

The Paradox of Routine: Flexibility Within Structure

Structure doesn’t mean every moment of your day must be micromanaged. In fact, the best routines allow for adaptability. You might journal for five minutes one day and twenty minutes the next. You may shift your workout from morning to evening based on your schedule. The goal is not perfection, but consistency.

By anchoring your day with a few non-negotiable routines, you provide your brain and body with signals of stability. This makes it easier to handle the unexpected because your foundation is solid.

Creating Your Personal Routine Framework

If you’re ready to move from chaos to structure, start with these simple steps:

One: Audit your current habits: Identify where you feel the most overwhelmed or disorganized.

Two: Start small: Choose one area—journaling, exercise, diet, or reflection—to improve.

Three: Establish anchors: Build routines around natural transitions (morning wake-up, meal times, bedtime). Tiny Habits is a good book to read on this principle.

Adjust weekly: Use weekly reviews to refine your schedule and celebrate progress.

My usual personal routine, when in town, includes a morning devotional, brief journal entry focused on gratefulness or reflection on what I’ve just read, a quick check and posting online, then exercise including our stationary bike and walking our little dog, Amelia. I then enjoy a morning cappuccino with my husband where we catch up on news and pray together. Only after this do I shower and fully get ready for my work day. Getting up early allows me to accomplish all of this before embarking on other daily activities.

You don’t have to get up as early as I do to establish a good routine. Find what works for you and put a system together. I talk a lot about systems in my book Power of After and routine fits right in with defining your ideal lifestyle. With a solid routine, it’s possible to feel good, be productive and enjoy every moment.

Final Thoughts: Freedom Through Intentional Living

The idea that routine limits your freedom is a myth. In reality, routine creates the space and structure needed to pursue your goals, explore creativity, and live intentionally. My father was a wonderful example of this. When you know what your day holds, you reduce stress and create room for what truly matters.

Journaling brings clarity. Reflection fuels purpose. Exercise builds energy. A healthy diet sustains focus. These simple, structured practices are your keys to a more powerful and purpose-driven life.

In the end, it's not about controlling every moment—it's about designing your life in a way that supports your freedom, not stifles it. Choose a solid structure that works for you and set yourself free.

Additional Resources 

Power of After: What’s Next Can Be Your Most Purposeful Chapter by Deborah Johnson

Goal Setting Worksheets: Free Download

Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything by BJ Fogg, PhD

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear

Deborah-Resources: These are most-used and recommended resource links