Since last week was mental health week, I really wanted to discuss how structure plays a major part of how we live.

It is so important to take ownership of your life rather than letting life take ownership of you. It does pose questions like, what is my routine and what do I do to benefit myself everyday? Some people tend not to realise why they could be feeling somewhat down and may pinpoint their sad feelings to one particular thing, but in reality this could also be down to their routine.

Analyse everything that makes you happy. Brainstorm the advantages and disadvantages of that negative voice in your head. We tend to resort to comfort when we feel fragile, we also tend to have setbacks in our routine, but this is all part of how life works. Setbacks can end with one thing positive like getting back on track and being motivated.

Taking ownership:

How you view life is very important when it comes to setting a schedule. It is good to realise that this is part of taking care of yourself and to declutter the mind. When the mind is in overdrive it can create an overwhelming feeling and trigger your fight or flight response which can make things worse. But being able to hack that part of your brain by staying organised and productive is very beneficial when it comes to your outlook on life itself.

I have eventually learned what should be important in my everyday life and it has made me prioritise my schedule a lot more than ever. Making these small changes is a step closer to ultimately being happy and less overwhelmed. We often don’t realise how much control we have over our own lives. We can make as many changes as we want and have the blessing of creating a positive frame of mind.

Making the change:

So change can be scary. It can make you feel very uncomfortable especially if you don’t know if you’re making the right decision. Believe it or not making a positive change is the best thing you can ever do with your life. For example small daily habits like: a to do list in bullet points, morning affirmation, reading, exercise or going for a walk. These are all things that can do nothing but good.

Another piece of advice that I have learned, is to start your day with one uncomfortable thing, so that any obstacle that may appear throughout, won’t effect you as much as it used to. The uncomfortable thing could be a cold shower or exercise. Productivity is key to viewing life in a positive way.

Related News

Screenshot 2025-11-07 101550
Ennis Tennis & Badminton Club raises over €6,300 for Breast Cancer Ireland
MHP Sellors LLP win National Law Firm of the Year 2025 at the Irish Law Awards
‘People should shop around for the right solicitor’ - MHP Sellors boss Stephen Keogh
o'connell square street public realm works 23-09-25 1
Pain of Ennis public realm works will be 'worth the inconvenience'
clare flag st josephs tulla v de la salle 22-01-22 26
Former newspaper editor, GAA development manager & sports officer on Clare GAA Head of Operations shortlist
Latest News
st flannans college v cashel community school 05-11-25 darragh mcnamara 2
St Flannan's & St Joseph's Tulla prevail in second round of Harty Cup
bridge utd v avenue utd 19-10-25 filip mostowy darragh whyte 1
Home comforts await Clare clubs in fourth round of Munster Junior Cup
clare flag st josephs tulla v de la salle 22-01-22 26
Former newspaper editor, GAA development manager & sports officer on Clare GAA Head of Operations shortlist
shannon shamrock 04-06-20 1
Appeals lodged over plans for housing on Shannon Shamrock site in Bunratty
ge24 election count 01-12-24 timmy dooley liam wiley liam hayes alan o'callaghan 1
Fiery Fianna Fáil AGM could be on the cards as members left 'hurt' over Presidential election
Premium
Fiery Fianna Fáil AGM could be on the cards as members left 'hurt' over Presidential election
Search for Considine's successor as CEO underway but no imminent appointment announcement
Scariff's Anthony among contenders for powerful European Commission job
Mayor Murphy 'still baffled' by Fine Gael failing to nominate Carey to Seanad
'It was a late call-up but late ones are the best' - Hynes kicks off Oscar Traynor tenure with a win

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.