When Did Structure and Routine Become a Bad Thing?

In a world that increasingly champions spontaneity and the freedom to forge your own path, it's easy to view structure and routine as restrictive—even soul-crushing. As a Gen Xer with ADHD, I push hard against a routine. I once had someone suggest I schedule time every weekday for a recurring task, inevitably, it would pop up on my calendar, and I’d see red. I hated the schedule telling me what to do and when.

While there's undeniable merit in embracing flexibility and delighting in the unplanned, it begs the question: When did the very things that once offered a sense of control, productivity, and peace—structure and routine—become synonymous with limitation?

Rethinking Routine in Today's World

Not too long ago, having a structured day was viewed as a badge of honor—like, if you had your life together, you were on the path to success. Just think about all those high achievers, from bestselling authors to top athletes, who swear by their daily habits and routines as the key to their wins.

The Allure of the Unstructured Life

Two major cultural shifts help explain the decline in routine’s reputation: COVID-19 and the rise of the gig economy. Together, they catalyzed a movement away from the traditional 9-to-5 and toward flexible, remote, and freelance work. The “digital nomad” lifestyle—working from a beach or a café in some far off city—became a new ideal, often portrayed as incompatible with fixed routines.

Then there's social media. Our feeds are filled with curated snapshots of impromptu road trips, late-night creativity bursts, and off-the-cuff adventures. We rarely see the mundane consistency behind the scenes—early bedtimes, structured mornings, or incremental progress. Routine doesn’t go viral.

Add to this the fact that the word routine itself can conjure images of monotony. In a doom scrolling culture filled with next new thing, doing the same thing day in and day out can feel dull or limiting. But that overlooks what routine actually offers.

The Quiet Strength of Consistency

Let’s reframe what structure really provides:

• Reduced Decision Fatigue

• Increased Productivity

• Improved Well-being

• A Sense of Accomplishment

These are hardly limitations—they're quiet superpowers.

Reclaiming Intentional Structure

Books like The Miracle Morning remind us that structure doesn’t have to be rigid (although you won't see me getting up at 4 am). It can be intentional, adaptable, and deeply personal. You’re not trading freedom for control—you’re creating a stable foundation from which freedom and creativity can flourish.

So maybe it’s time to challenge the narrative. Structure and routine aren’t outdated relics. When thoughtfully crafted, they’re powerful tools for living a life that’s both purposeful and liberating.

What Works for You?

Which routines make your life better? Morning walks? A consistent bedtime? A quiet hour before work to think or plan? Let’s stop shaming structure and start reimagining it.

👉 Leave a comment: What small routine gives your day more meaning?