Routine is Good -- No, Really!

I feel like I post about this at least once a year, but it's worth it. We have been brainwashed into thinking that routine is bad, drab, constricting, boring. In fact, routine is the opposite. It's good, calming, and freeing.

Think about how much time you waste every day thinking about what needs to be done or the time spent re-running errands because you forgot one? How much extra gas do you waste? How many penalties do you pay for being late with things?

Routine can make those things disappear. With a routine, you'll know your bills are paid on time because that's what you do. You won't run out of clean work shirts because you've done your laundry or made a stop at the dry cleaner's. You'll have what you need when you need it which makes everything go faster and with less stress. You won't have to back out of social plans because your house is a mess and your mother-in-law is coming tomorrow.

Developing a routine makes doing your regular chores brainless. You know what you need to do and you do it. Wednesday, I'll discuss the "how-to" of creating a routine. In the meantime, give me your best critiques of routine. I'll respond later in the week.

Comments

[Louise]

OK, I'll bite!

I really hate routine. I don't destest it for other people - if it works, go with it. But I find myself getting very depressed and listless when things get too 'samey.' I have structured my work so that I get enough variety, but my husband is a creature of routine, so my home life isn't as varied as I'd like. Still, we are moving halfway round the world soon, so that should spice things up!

[Mary]

I need routine more than ever because my life is always busy and I do fall behind with housework and projects. Then again, I love spontenaity and putting routine aside for something fun. That may be why my house cleaning isn't what it used to be!