Falling Out! of Routine

The Wellness Woman on September 29, 2008 12:03 PM

I’m a creature of habit. Well, at least most of the time. I’m OK if I just follow the routine. Like this morning, for example…I got up around 7 a.m. and felt well-rested, only because, I’m convinced, I got in bed by 11:30 last night (they say 8 hours is best), and got my run in before it got too hot (or-gasp!-before the day got going and I lost my motivation!). And then, I had my oatmeal with a little crunchy peanut butter and honey, one egg (cage-free, of course), and a fruit smoothie (fruit is easier to digest in blended form, so it’s a safe bet) for breakfast. After all, that kept me full until I was done doing my first round of work in the morning and it was time for lunch. Since all that went well, then-ahhhhh, it was a good start to my day.

Yikes.

OK, I admit it: I’m a creature of habit lots of the time. Don’t get me started on the post-lunch plans. Should I get my afternoon coffee from a new place, or will it really give me the same energy boost as the corner shop I always go to? Can I blow off that errand I need to run to take up my boyfriend’s invite a movie in the park? Should I hang out with a roommate when she wants to order pizza and watch 90210 reruns after she’s just had a really bad day, or does that mess up my plans to finish the leftovers in the fridge that I had to have today or they’d go bad?! It’s enough to drive me (and everyone around me) nuts. Not to mention, a lot of it leaves me feeling pretty selfish and control freak-esque, too.

Routines are a great help in getting things done, prioritizing our lives, and finding out what we like and dislike. But we can also become slaves to habit, and that can be exhausting. I get a stomach ache just thinking about how tied down I can make myself into what I always do, what I need to do, what I have to do. Sound familiar? The thing is, like a lot of other women I talk to, if I really give myself an honest evaluation, I don’t always want to follow my habits. A lot of times, I want to mix it up, be spontaneous, follow my gut instead of my head.

We’ve all heard it a million times: variety is the spice of life. Well, then I guess some days are spicier than others. Here are a couple things I’ve tried to get out of my routine:
• Enter uncharted territory. I’ll try something new-anything-food, a new walking route, call a new friend, anything to make things feel different. This opens my mind to new possibilities and allows me to see that variation from what you’re used to makes me feel great. And, that I survive when I don’t do the same ol’ thing!
• Go on a date… with myself. We are all so busy with social gatherings, being surrounded by others at work, and scheduling out our free time with the group. Social interaction is crucial, but so is a little time alone. Plus, this alone time gives me time to explore new places, have unique experiences (that I can later joyfully share with others), and also to reboot for the social energies I know I’ll later need.
• Abandon technology. That’s right- I leave the Blackberry (or iPod or watch) at home. You can do it! Even if it’s for a few hours, go it alone, and see how free you feel.
• Forgive myself. Falling out of my routine and habits is a process! I try to think of each time I succeed as a mini-victory. If I fold and go back to my norm, I try something new the next time. It’s not a failure; it’s practice, and a step in the right direction. Having a little grace for myself goes a long way. In fact, I had to do it today, when I slept through my alarm and didn’t get that all-important run in. I started to panic a little bit, but caught myself, shook it off with a couple deep breaths (OK, a mini-hyperventilation), and get ready in time for my appointment. On the subway, I forgave myself. And you know what? The appointment went fine, even without the run. Who knew?

Clearly, if I have toast with butter and jelly, OJ, and an omelette for breakfast, and it dictates my day (and much more- my happiness), I’m a sad case. My breakfast menu definitely doesn’t let my soul free, make me grow as a woman, connect me to my community, or increase my awareness and appreciation for daily life. Heck, I’m ready for someone to ask me to brunch…on a weekday. Bring on the spontaneity.

My dad has always told me, “Taylor- the sun will come up tomorrow-just like it did today, yesterday, and the day before that.” I’m confident he’s right. And that’s one routine I can handle.

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