Life is messy. Your brain is messy. There are a million things floating through your head at any given moment, from paying bills to responding to emails to wondering if your friends secretly hate you.

Here’s a little secret: routines are underrated AF. They don’t make life perfect. They don’t fix everything. But they take some of the chaos out of your day and can actually make you feel like a human being instead of a frazzled mess.

I have a few routines that keep me grounded, sane, and surprisingly happy. They change sometimes, but the core is always the same: wellness. Here are the top three things I swear by.

Supplements That Don’t Suck

I try to eat like a normal human. Balanced-ish. Sometimes. But let’s be real: life happens, and sometimes you need a little backup. For me, that backup comes in the form of supplements. My favorite right now is Hers Mood Mental Health Probiotic, and honestly, it’s a game changer.

This isn’t your boring, one-note probiotic. It does gut health and mental health. L-Theanine and Ashwagandha keep me calm without making me feel like a zombie. Bonus points: B and D vitamins. As someone who battled low Vitamin D, I can tell you firsthand: low D makes everything suck, from your mood to your energy. This little combo makes mornings feel manageable again.

Exercise That Feels Fun

Most people hate exercise. I get it. I used to be the same way. But here’s the trick: make it fun or don’t bother.

For me, that’s a walk in the woods, a jog by the water, or a Peloton race with my girlfriends. It doesn’t matter what it is, as long as it makes me feel alive, not punished. Exercise is part of my routine because it makes my brain feel less like a chaotic hamster wheel.

Mindfulness Without the BS

Mindfulness is more than meditating on a pillow for 20 minutes. It’s noticing your choices, your habits, and how your body and brain respond.

Sometimes it’s as simple as making a better lunch choice when the day is too busy to cook. Sure, french fries are life, but if I want to feel like a human instead of a sloth, I’ll hit Cava or Sweet Greens. Other times, mindfulness is stillness.

The pandemic destroyed me at first. I was single, alone, and terrified of my own thoughts. But eventually, I found my groove: yoga, reading, journaling. My favorite? Gratitude journaling. Writing down three things I’m grateful for every day keeps me from spiraling into negativity. It’s small. It’s simple. It works.

Why This Works

Routines aren’t glamorous. They aren’t trendy. They aren’t a photo op for Instagram. They’re functional, practical, and life-saving if you do them consistently.

Supplements, exercise, and mindfulness. That’s my trifecta. That’s what keeps me sane, grounded, and honestly, a little happier than I used to be.

Start small. Keep it consistent. Don’t overthink it. And if you miss a day, don’t beat yourself up. You’re doing your best in the chaos. That’s enough.