As of October 2025, there were 5.9 million posts on Instagram with #routine. 

Morning routines, evening routines, best weekend ever routines, everything shower routines, 4 a.m. dog-mom routines.

You get it. There’s a routine for everything in life.

As the New Year’s fireworks fade, I assume there is some type of routine aspiration on your goals list. Perhaps the same one (or ones) as last year, and, if you’re like most of us, it’ll pop up on your 2027 aspirations list, too. 

Why are we all so obsessed with routines? And, more importantly, are routines the key to life that we crave? The answer is yes, and also no.

Hello, Rhythms

Rhythms are, as described by Merriam-Webster, “strong, regular, repeated patterns.” Often describing movement or sound, in our case, we use “rhythms” to mean repeated patterns of behavior. More holistic than to-do lists, rhythms take into consideration who you want to become, the environment you’re in, and the natural ebb and flow of life.

A routine is a list of actions you perform in the same order every day. It’s repeatable and structured, about consistency and predictability. It’s like a playlist. 

A rhythm is a flexible pattern molded into your season of life. Rhythms are more focused on time and energy than strict performance. It’s a genre of music — same tone, but different song.

Routines are a tool. Rhythms are a way of life.

Routines are added. Rhythms are innate. Routines center action. Rhythms center being.

How about an example?

A morning routine might look like: Wake up at 6:30 a.m., then make the bed, brew coffee, read Scripture, go to the gym, eat breakfast at your desk as work starts. 

A morning rhythm might look like: Waking up with slow, centering activities, followed by energizing activities that lead into a productive work time. 

With a rhythm, you have creative access to many activities, taking into consideration that every day is not the same. One day could begin at 5:30 a.m. with an hour of reading, followed by an exercise class and dedicated time to planning the day. Another day could begin at 7:30 a.m., when prayer time is combined with a short neighborhood walk, followed by a shower and a “priorities” check.

Same rhythm, different routine. Same outcome, different activities.

The moment that routines are having in today’s culture demonstrates that people are seeking intentionality and presence, desiring to know that every action can have meaning. Routines are helpful and important, but rhythms lead down a pathway to a more intentional, sustainable, and focused life. 

The Unforced Rhythms of Grace

Living rhythmically is especially important for followers of Jesus. Scripture, the life of Jesus, and church history share extensively about living rhythmically. In the book of Matthew, Jesus talks about the “unforced rhythms of grace” that become the framework of our lives (Matthew 11:28-30, The Message). The Apostle Paul tells us that we are transformed by the “renewing of our minds” in Romans 12:2 — a cyclical, rhythmic process. 

The rhythms we follow are what shape our lives and the people we become. As we strive to make our lives look like Jesus’, we look to the rhythms of His life within the context of our 21st-century lives. There’s no version of living a full, powerful, abundant life with Jesus apart from living rhythmically. 

Building Your Rhythmic Life

You’re already living rhythmically. There is already a cadence or a natural flow to your days, your months, and your years. Start by becoming aware of your reality before making shifts. Examine your days, weeks, and seasons. What rhythms during weekdays, weekends, or holidays do you notice? 

While routines can help us form rhythms, the goal isn’t to be awesome at routines — it’s to live our lives smoothly according to rhythms. Making change starts with casting vision. Consider what you want for your life — not to set a goal, but to form an ideal. Goals end. Ideals don’t. Routines help us reach goals. Ideals inspire us to live according to rhythms. 

Perhaps your ideal life feels peaceful and orderly. Maybe you want to spend more time on your hobbies or walk more closely with the Holy Spirit. You could imagine the best version of you is wildly generous, very involved at church, or in a totally different career than the one you’re pursuing.  

Now that we’re clear on what you want, let’s return to the reality check-in we did earlier. Are your current routines supporting or sabotaging the ideal rhythms you want to invite into your life? Consider what changes you could make in the next few weeks to explore what living intentionally and rhythmically towards the way of Jesus might look for you.

Rhythms Are Worth The Effort

Shifting your focus away from performance-based routines and onto ideals-based rhythms will open the doors to growth, satisfaction, and productivity.

Instead of imposing strict routines for spiritual connection, physical health, work, relationships, you name it — rhythms help you look more like Jesus.