Make Routines Enjoyable: The Secret to Building Habits You Will Look Forward To

Written by Michelle Ong | March 8, 2025 | Productivity

“The difference between who you are and who you want to be is what you do.”

Although I acknowledge that routines can make all the difference between success and failure, I used to think they were the enemy of fun.

I heard about the 5AM Club movement for people who wants to be successful and decided to try my own version of a strict 1.5 hour morning routine—waking up at 5AM, doing light stretches followed by a run around my estate, shower, learning Japanese, and planning my day. By day five, though, I was already hitting snooze and seriously questioning my life choices.

Routines seemed rigid, boring, and a total buzzkill, especially if you are someone who values freedom and spontaneity. But what if I told you routines don’t have to feel like a prison? In fact, they can actually add joy and ease to your life. This post will help you see routines in a new light and show you simple ways to make them enjoyable—so you might even start looking forward to them!

1. Perfection Is The Enemy

I used to be that person—the one who felt stressed if my routine didn’t go exactly as planned. I’d rush through tasks, constantly watching the clock, and get antsy if I took too long on one thing, eating into the time slot for the next. If I missed my morning Duolingo practice, skipped a workout, or failed to complete my daily to-do list, it felt like the entire day was ruined.

But over time, I have learned that routines work better when I’m flexible and open to change. Life happens—things pop up, schedules shift, and nothing ever goes perfectly. Instead of getting uptight and stressing about sticking to routines 100%, I realized it’s much smarter (and healthier) to loosen up and go with the flow.

“It’s not about perfecting your routine, it’s about making it work for you.”

When you approach routines with a relaxed attitude, they stop feeling like a rigid checklist and start becoming a helpful guide. This small but profound shift allows you to focus on enjoying the task itself, being present in the moment, and actually finding joy in the process.

2. Ritualize

Are there times when you feel like giving up because you feel that your routines didn’t seem to be working? This often happens when routines haven’t been turned into lasting habits. One game-changing strategy I discovered is to transform routines into rituals—something enjoyable that you genuinely look forward to and feel connected to, rather than just another item to check off your list.

“Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” – Jim Ryun

I used to dread my evening routine because it felt like just another chore. But things changed when I treated myself to a nice pair of running clothes and shoes—and made a deal with myself to enjoy an episode of anime and a snack after my run. Suddenly, the routine felt more intentional and enjoyable. It turned into an invigorating ritual that not only got me moving but also helped me unwind after a long day at work.

When you make routines a meaningful part of your life, they become habits you want to stick to. You might also enjoy exploring these posts about my morning and bedtime routines for inspiration in creating your own.

3. Own It

It’s easy to start by trying out routines you have heard about—maybe from a celebrity, influencer, a successful entrepreneur, or even a friend. I did this too when I first started. But I realized that routines only stick when they are a good fit for you.

The key is to add a personal touch that keeps things interesting and makes you invested. Make routines your own. Incorporate activities you enjoy, mix things up, and don’t be afraid to rearrange the order of your daily tasks.

For example, I found that getting a nice green (my favorite color) rubber mat and diffusing lavender essential oil during evening yoga and meditation made a huge difference and made me look forward to this routine. Small touches like these minimize the friction and make routines easier to stick with.

Think about ways to optimize your environment too. Love bright colors? Design a workspace that energizes you. Enjoy relaxing music? Put on some soothing background tunes during meditation. Even adding quirky decor—like a fun clock or pretty stationery—can make your space more enjoyable.

Routines don’t have to be rigid or repetitive. Rotate them, embrace variety, try out new tools, apps, or gadgets. Add tasks that excite you, remove ones that don’t serve you anymore, and keep refreshing your routines to reflect your current needs and interests. By personalizing them, routines become less of a burden and more of a tool that works for you, not against you.

4. Gamify

If you are a gamer or just someone who finds games fun, try applying this same mindset to building routines. Think of the routine tasks as mini-quests with goals and milestones to keep things interesting. Like unlocking achievements in a game, challenge yourself to complete a task faster, learn something new while doing it, and track your progress over time.

I used to dread cleaning up my room until I turned it into a little game for myself—timing how fast I could clean up, challenging myself to beat my “record,” and rewarding myself with a treat (like enjoying a little sweet snack guilt-free). I found that pairing tasks with small rewards to be an effective way to keep myself motivated.

This gamified approach keeps your routines less like a boring checklist and more like an engaging adventure. It fuels motivation, makes you want to keep going, and most importantly, makes the process enjoyable.

The Real Secret

Adding a touch of creativity and playfulness to make them more meaningful can turn routines into something you genuinely enjoy. You could experiment with new ways to do familiar tasks or turn them into little challenges. But here’s the real secret: practicing gratitude.

When you approach your routines with a grateful heart, you start to see them differently. Instead of feeling like chores, they become moments to appreciate—whether it’s the quiet time you get while journaling, the energy boost from your morning workout, or even the satisfaction of ticking off a task. Gratitude helps you stay present, savor the small wins, and find joy in the process.

I hope you found this article helpful! Pin and share it with your family and friends so they can benefit from it too. If you are keen to learn more about building effective routines, check out this post for a step-by-step guide. Or if you are still skeptical about the need for routines, you can read this post where I discuss their pros and cons.