Routines are defined as "A sequence of actions
regularly followed; a fixed program," according to one dictionary. And handy they are. It can be nice not to think about which day to do the laundry or water the plants. We simply know when we do it.
But sometimes they don't work, or they stop working We always had a salad on Monday nights because my
husband frequently worked late that day, and having a dinner salad ready to go after his long day worked.
Then his schedule changed, yet we continued our "Salad Mondays." It was a routine.
Until one rainy, chilly Monday, I found myself thinking how good soup would taste, rather than the typical salad.
And with one meal, a routine was upended. It was not a bad thing. Suddenly
meal planning felt a bit more creative and a little less boring.
My friend Sara used to work out at home on Friday mornings, shower, and then clean house. One day, she decided to shower after cleaning and was surprised that the housework seemed to go faster.
Part may have been the energy and endorphins from the workout that kept her momentum going. But part may have just been a change in routine.
Changing a routine does not have to just involve home activities. Try taking a new route to work. Or eating lunch at a different time or place.
Change your regular workflow if you can. Schedule an hour in the morning to read instead of reading at bedtime.
Shaking things up has benefits. You may find yourself more energized and less bored. Doing something
differently can help increase your focus on a task. You may find your creativity enhanced.
It's good for your brain, creating new neural pathways. You may notice things around you that you
have become habituated to. It can just make you feel happier to make some change, just because.
What can you change this week? Maybe something as simple as what you usually eat for breakfast. Or perhaps your work routine. If it doesn't work, change back, but you at least took the
chance.
