That never happens! Usually wordpress saves as I’m going but apparently this time . . . it didn’t. I had a post all written about routines vs ruts + I’m not going to claim it was a masterpiece, but man — I’m sad it has completely disappeared! (PS: I’m rather pro-routine if you haven’t noticed.)
Most on that topic possibly tomorrow. Because I can’t interrupt my sacrosanct workout routine to rewrite that post 🙂
My heart goes out to those in TX. It is terrifying to think about the low temps and so many without heat. Thinking of friends there + my virtual friend Meg from Planners & Wine! I hope things improve soon.
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I want to read about routines vs ruts when you get the chance to rewrite it! Reminds me of how Gretchen Rubin sometimes talks about how her ideal life is like a monk — a lifestyle with a lot of daily habits has always appealed to me in a way as well.
Same!! I have thought many times that I think one of my biggest sources of stress is when I want to have very set rituals/routines for my life, but then REAL life (kids, dentist appointments, broken water heaters….) gets in the way and “messes up” my plans. 🙂 My favorite weeks are the ones with very minimal extra, random stuff that I can’t control in them. 🙂 Though I do realize all of that stuff is a normal part of life, too and is to be expected. Maybe I’m just a bit of a control freak? Hahaha.
It always amazes me that ALL people don’t feel this way. I have a friend who loves and lives for spontaneity. I can see enjoying that lifestyle occasionally, but wanting to LIVE that way just seems so foreign to me.
I prefer knowing exactly how I’m going to spend my day, and am happiest when I can just sail through from one planned activity to another. This is significantly harder with children – right now both my kids are home sick, yesterday was a snow day, Monday was a holiday. But, they are well enough to be outside playing together in the snow and they still seem happy enough with each other. But still, I can’t reliably plan on getting to do things at the time I’ve set for them, and that just makes my day feel clunky and unproductive, even though I do manage to get a lot done.
Agree – can’t wait to read your re-write of this post, Sarah 🙂
@Emily: your mention of the appeal of the life of a monk made me smile. I learned as an adult that my (either agnostic or atheist) mother had seriously considered becoming a nun after high school. The daily habits, uniform (also a habit!), the idea of having your days laid out and being essentially told what to do, were all very appealing to her. Of course my question after learning this was, “But Mom, you’re not religious…” Her response was priceless: “Yes, that was a bit of an issue.”
I can definitely appreciate where she was coming from! Can’t wait to read SHU’s re-written post on routines vs. ruts.
It is very, very bad in Texas. I’m in Houston and my parents in Dallas. We’ve had no water since Monday night and no power since around then too. We luckily have a generator. The whole state is a giant mess, and it’s very stressful and scary. It’s still snowing in Dallas and raining in Houston.
Oh my goodness ugh I’m so sorry. Thinking of you. So so scary.
I have been thinking about this topic recently. I think this is very tied to Gretchen Rubin’s four tendencies. I’m a questioner and I just wrote an article about how I approach planning as a questioner. Bottom line, I think Questioners need a flexible framework. I like routine but only because it frees up the space in between for creativity/flexibility. And I truly, deeply, hate weekend routines. I’m really interested in how different people approach routines and schedules.
Interesting! I am an upholder and love a schedule/routine. My brother is a questioner. He is very productive but doesn’t ever seem to be following a set schedule. We get on each other’s nerves sometimes because he thinks I’m rigid and a “stick in the mud.” Really it’s just that I need him to give me a head’s up about if and when he wants to get together.
Yes exactly! We Questioners resist outer expectations, even (especially?) the expectations of those we love. I haven’t found an answer to this conundrum but awareness is the first step I guess. 🙂
I wanted to say thank you for all your posts. You have been part of normal routines and hope throughout this very difficult isolated year. A reminder that family life and employed life continues with normal upsets and worries despite the pandemic and civil unrest.
THANK YOU. You help more than you can know.
Echoing what Rose said – thankful to have this regular check in. And also for a group of thoughtful voices in the comments. I do find it so helpful to read your perspective and the readers’ as well. Helps me feel more normal in this crazy time when i ride the whole roller coaster of emotions all the while knowing i am still in a super fortunate position. Thank you all!
I’m looking forward to reading it! I also know it’ll make me sad – routine posts always do – I feel like more structure would help me balance my persistent sense of overwhelm/falling behind and my tendency to overwork, but it is just SOOOO hard in EM. Especially with academics / administration – I have just enough routine (7:30 meetings 4 days a week) mixed with just enough chaos (24/7 shifts – most are evenings) and it’s so challenging. Somehow I always find the idea of more rhythm appealing.
The rut / routine thing is interesting – weekends are a good study in contrast around here – I’m hating both our long unstructured days of flitting aimlessly from one activity to the next, and the lack of novelty – I think my husband finds both these things comforting (chocolate chip pancakes again! No need to plan!), probably because the pandemic has made him more anxious and comfortable only at home, but I miss weekend breakfasts out and little adventures.