Turns out, daily routines are nice
The day has finally come. I have a daily routine. And I love it.
No. 90: Turns out, daily routines are nice
Who woulda thunk it? I have a daily routine. I’ve held off on announcing this earth-shattering news, but lately it’s become consistent enough to write about.
Last time I had a daily routine was public school. We all know how that goes. Private school kids know, too. There are slight variations, sure. Sports. Extracurriculars. Hanging with friends. Wandering around your small town, dreaming.
But for the most part, it’s all the same.
Wake up, go to school, do something after.
For a long time, I associated routines with a premature death. But I like mine. Does that make me old? I’m 27. Before making your judgment, know that I can sort of use TikTok.
If it does make me old, I still like it. I don’t like my routine to the point of protecting it at all costs. I’m not disturbed when the pattern is broken. And I don’t stick to it religiously. On weekends, not at all. But if I can perform the ritual five out of seven days, I will.
What’s so great about it? Hard to pinpoint in only a few words. Something about tranquility. Peace. The kind of soothing expectedness you get watching a video of someone making lines in a tiny sandbox with a miniature rake. I have plenty of time for pondering, one of the reasons I took a remote job. I’m relaxed, in control, and happy. My dog is also pleased with the arrangement.
If you can set up your life to include an enjoyable daily routine, I highly recommend. If you already have, you won. Unpredictable days, I decree, are out. Daily routines, in.
Timeframes are general. I’m not a cuckoo clock. If you had the totally original idea of ambushing me, screw you. Your plans are foiled.
My Daily Routine
6:45am - 9am: Write, for fun, and maybe do some reading.
9am - 4pm: Write some more, but as a job
4pm - 5pm: Gather six tennis balls in a black book bag. Sling it over my shoulder. Leash Archer. Walk him to his favorite grassy field. Throw balls. Walk home.
5pm - 6pm: Read or ride bike
6pm - 7pm: Wander around the house and complain about not knowing what to eat for dinner
7pm - 8pm: Eat something for dinner
8pm - 9pm: Watch TV or a movie or read (The new Game of Thrones? Do not dig.)
9pm - 10pm: Go to bed by ten at the very latest
11pm: Actually go to bed
If you feel like it, comment your daily routine or your ideal daily routine.
I’m curious. ♦
I'm bound by a day job which forces me to have a daily routine (morning writing) in order to ever get anything done, and then interrupts my daily routine (travel and events) on an irregular basis. When I have a routine, I love it but wish for more excitement. When it's interrupted, I get annoyed but have a lot of fun. To an extent, for me at least I need both the daily routine plus the occasional interruptions. Variety is the spice of writing, I guess! But overall, that morning writing time is golden.
Let us know when and how you break it. That was enforced routine and this is self- imposed routine. Waiting to see what happens next.