My wonderful friend Nadya is one of the most put together women I have ever met. I admire her for always having a smile on her face and loving herself unconditionally. Nadya graciously wrote this week's guest blog and I feel so lucky to be let in on one of her secrets of success in her every day life - Routine!<3 Mae---Hi Everyone!My name is Nadya, and I consider Mae one of the best friends I’ve ever had. I’m so proud of her for starting this blog, and it is nothing but my pleasure to be a guest writer!While looking through her topics for each week, this one really stood out to me. Self love and pampering can mean a lot of things – but I’d really like to take it down to the simplest form out there.My entire life my mother always told me to take care of myself first. No matter what- in any situation - there is no exception to this rule! Not ever. As I’ve grown to the ripe age of 20 (hey – I’m almost 21!) this philosophy has translated into the best advice that I give my peers: you cannot, and will not be able, to love and accept a companion until you can love and accept yourself. I’m sure you've heard similar outlooks on life that might sound like “you cant fix others until you can fix yourself” or “you can’t be happy with someone until you can be happy by yourself.” Any of these will do. I believe that most of the relationships in the world fail because people cannot connect with themselves on the level that they are trying to connect with others. This idea can be applied to romantic relationships, families, and sometimes even our own nation.This instilment to always put myself first, so to speak, might have come across as selfish in some instances, but I’ve never once regretted making a decision for the sake of my own happiness. Let me give you an example:I don’t like sleepovers. Sure, being girly and hanging out painting nails and watching movies is a great time, but sacrificing the wonderful feeling of waking up in my own bed in my own home and drinking my own coffee and eating my own food and using my own bathroom? Not worth it! I was that little girl who always called her mom at bedtime at a friend’s house because I changed my mind about our slumber party. Most college students would happily stay at a friend’s house if they could drink all night long, but I’d much rather be sober and drive myself home at the end of the night. This might come off as anti-social, but to me, its just part of my routine.Ah, routines. Here’s where we get to the punch line. Routines are the simplest way to pamper yourself and show yourself love every day. Sure, spontaneity is always a kick of adrenaline, but when it comes to living a functioning lifestyle, routines are where it’s at. If you watch any version of Super Nanny on television today, the first change implemented in a disruptive household is always a routine. If you feel that your life is out of control and you’re always forgetting or missing something, a routine will put you at ease. It might seem complicated at first to try and schedule certain parts of your day, but it actually is a form of simplifying your lifestyle.If you’re interested in simplifying your life, check out the Internet, your local bookstore, and keep reading Sustainable Happy Life!And watch this video about how it’s okay to want to spend some time by yourself.http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=c0KYU2j0TM4