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.
This is an interesting take! But I know what you mean. When I have to travel for work or something, my routine is totally screwed from a writing perspective. But not everything can be viewed from that POV. From a life perspective? It's nice to get out and about and switch things up. Like you said, in reality, there is no dichotomy between writing/life. They feed on each other. The main thing? To be adaptable and open. Sounds like both of us, mostly, are just that :)
Thanks fo reading and for your thoughtful comment.
Thanks, Romana. Will do. So far, going strong. I think the whole thing is pretty much based on my time in the morning to write, which I cherish. After that, bets are off. But not exactly, because I have to work. Weekends, the routine likely becomes: write in the morning, then do whatever for the rest of the day. Thanks fo reading and for your thoughtful comment.
I recently read Mason Currey’s books on the daily routines of artists, writers, musicians/composers, philosophers and scientists (mostly artists). He also has a Substack. Anyways, it was intriguing and inspiring to read (random factoid that I’ll never forget: Beethoven counted his coffee beans each morning, and apparently 60 made the perfect cup for him). I have had routines and then been interrupted (most recently by travel, but sometimes by a more existential dread, or boredom) so I was inspired to start anew since I recently returned from 3 months RV travel to Baja California.
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.
This is an interesting take! But I know what you mean. When I have to travel for work or something, my routine is totally screwed from a writing perspective. But not everything can be viewed from that POV. From a life perspective? It's nice to get out and about and switch things up. Like you said, in reality, there is no dichotomy between writing/life. They feed on each other. The main thing? To be adaptable and open. Sounds like both of us, mostly, are just that :)
Thanks fo reading and for your thoughtful comment.
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.
Thanks, Romana. Will do. So far, going strong. I think the whole thing is pretty much based on my time in the morning to write, which I cherish. After that, bets are off. But not exactly, because I have to work. Weekends, the routine likely becomes: write in the morning, then do whatever for the rest of the day. Thanks fo reading and for your thoughtful comment.
I recently read Mason Currey’s books on the daily routines of artists, writers, musicians/composers, philosophers and scientists (mostly artists). He also has a Substack. Anyways, it was intriguing and inspiring to read (random factoid that I’ll never forget: Beethoven counted his coffee beans each morning, and apparently 60 made the perfect cup for him). I have had routines and then been interrupted (most recently by travel, but sometimes by a more existential dread, or boredom) so I was inspired to start anew since I recently returned from 3 months RV travel to Baja California.
I like you routine of failing at bedtime, that is being honest with yourself (and us).
I seldom get to sleep before midnight, rarely to bed before 11pm but mornings start between 8 and 9 (sometimes earlier) every day of the week.
I would be happy to get to bed earlier but cannot justify it yet.
It will be interesting for me from October. I retire on September 30th. I plan to be busy. Now, what’s the plan?