Many of us have an idea in our heads of what 'having your life together' looks like. That being said, many of us also think that having a good routine, and sticking to it, is necessary to feel like you have it all together. This is something I have struggled with greatly, as I have discovered I am not too fond of routine. I have gone through trial and error, creating and breaking several different routines that were supposed to help me 'get my life together'. What I've discovered lately is that having a routine is not necessary- it's having rituals that really matters.
You can have rituals without enforcing them in a strict routine. For example, I wanted to make a routine of going to the gym. Therefore, last week, I woke up early and went to the gym at the same time all week. It helped me to feel accomplished, but I quickly got tired of it and didn't want to go this morning like I have been. But who's to say I can't just go tonight after work? Why had I convinced myself that I will only feel successful if I go at 7 every morning? I can make going to the gym a ritual, but that doesn't mean it needs to be a routine. Going to the gym at any time of the day will help me to feel accomplished.
That being said, some of us find comfort in a routine. You can plan your day out and know what you will be doing at different times of the day. However, my life is so incredibly unpredictable, which has led to me becoming frustrated if I plan something out and it doesn't go how I had hoped. On top of that, I have fought with myself and convinced myself that having a routine is important, despite the fact that I KNOW in my heart I despise routine. I am definitely a more spontaneous soul. I don't enjoy having my life planned out to the minute and trying to meet those expectations I set for myself every day. That's why I have created rituals- not routines. I want to exercise, work on my projects, meditate, and do a little homework every day. That doesn't mean I need to do all of that at specific times every day. As long as I fit it into my schedule, I'll feel great! Don't beat yourself up over not having a routine, especially if you know that developing a routine is not right for you. Have rituals instead!
One final note that is somewhat related- do the things your heart is yearning to do, despite the fact it may be out of the ordinary or a little spontaneous. Since I got my apartment, I wanted to put my bed by these big windows near my front door. However, there was a bedroom for that. It seemed logical to me to put my desk by the windows and put my bed in the bedroom. Yesterday, however, I was decorating for fall and decided to say screw it. I live here, this is my apartment, and I'm putting my bed by the big windows. So that is what I did, and I absolutely love it. Everything you do does not have to make sense by societal standards. My 'bedroom' is now my office, I don't want to work out every morning routinely, and not everything I do has to be perfectly structured and make sense. Make your own rules, try things out, and do what makes your heart happy.
You can have rituals without enforcing them in a strict routine. For example, I wanted to make a routine of going to the gym. Therefore, last week, I woke up early and went to the gym at the same time all week. It helped me to feel accomplished, but I quickly got tired of it and didn't want to go this morning like I have been. But who's to say I can't just go tonight after work? Why had I convinced myself that I will only feel successful if I go at 7 every morning? I can make going to the gym a ritual, but that doesn't mean it needs to be a routine. Going to the gym at any time of the day will help me to feel accomplished.
That being said, some of us find comfort in a routine. You can plan your day out and know what you will be doing at different times of the day. However, my life is so incredibly unpredictable, which has led to me becoming frustrated if I plan something out and it doesn't go how I had hoped. On top of that, I have fought with myself and convinced myself that having a routine is important, despite the fact that I KNOW in my heart I despise routine. I am definitely a more spontaneous soul. I don't enjoy having my life planned out to the minute and trying to meet those expectations I set for myself every day. That's why I have created rituals- not routines. I want to exercise, work on my projects, meditate, and do a little homework every day. That doesn't mean I need to do all of that at specific times every day. As long as I fit it into my schedule, I'll feel great! Don't beat yourself up over not having a routine, especially if you know that developing a routine is not right for you. Have rituals instead!
One final note that is somewhat related- do the things your heart is yearning to do, despite the fact it may be out of the ordinary or a little spontaneous. Since I got my apartment, I wanted to put my bed by these big windows near my front door. However, there was a bedroom for that. It seemed logical to me to put my desk by the windows and put my bed in the bedroom. Yesterday, however, I was decorating for fall and decided to say screw it. I live here, this is my apartment, and I'm putting my bed by the big windows. So that is what I did, and I absolutely love it. Everything you do does not have to make sense by societal standards. My 'bedroom' is now my office, I don't want to work out every morning routinely, and not everything I do has to be perfectly structured and make sense. Make your own rules, try things out, and do what makes your heart happy.
Hello Destiny. I am a Pastor from Mumbai, India. I am glad to stop by your profile on the blogger and the blog post. I am blessed and feel privileged and honoured to get connected with you as well as know you and about your interst in writing and in love with travelling and helping others and being a light to the people. Your bold post is very thoughtful and encouraging. I love getting connected with the people of God around the globe tob e encouraged stengthened and praying for one another. I have been in the Pastoral ministry for last 40 yrs int his great city of Mumbai a city with a great contrast where richest of rich and the poorest of poor live. We reach out to the poorest of poor with the love of Christ to bring healing to the brokenhearted. We also encourage young and the adults from the west to come to Mumbai to work with us during their vacation time. we would love ot have you come to Mumbai to work with us during your vacation time. I am sure you will be the light to the people in the darkness and an opportunity to travel as you love to travel and help those who are need and as you like writing will have live stories of the life in the slums of Mumbai. You will have a life changing experience. Looking forward to hear from you very soon. Though you have not visited this blog for almost half a year yet I am writing to you and even if it is late but the opportunity will always available for you. God;s richest blessings on you your famly and friends as well as a blessed and a Christ centered new year 2020. My email id is: dhwankhede(at)gmail(dot)com and my name is Diwakar Wankhede
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