Notes from Sarah Campbell | December 16, 2021 Non-toxic tactics for finishing a project you care about.
Routines: puzzling through how they hold or lose us
How do you feel about routine when it comes to your self-directed work? Austin Kleon writes, “When you don’t know what to do next, a routine tells you.” I love the comfort in this proposition, but I also know the ‘rebel’ part of me has resented routines. I waffle, though. When it’s externally imposed, I often resist and grumble. When I’m the captain of my schedule though, I often feel myself craving more of it, designing one I think will work, and then watching as it sometimes holds me and sometimes loses me.
You know what really messes with my attempts at a routine? A deadline. It swoops in like an eagle and sends aflutter all the little pieces I’d been trying to coax together, scattering in every direction.
Routine feels like a piece to a puzzle that I’m still trying to solve. I have the bookends and spine of one—mostly due to my family’s contingent routines. Mornings, afternoons picking my daughter up from school, and dinner time—they each have a routine. But the rest of my hours are a jumble these days (chores bumping into project time tumbling into “day-job” work). Sometimes I love the freedom of no-routine hours. Other times, it feels confusing and unsettling a set flow.
As part of my puzzling, I’ve been collecting others’ thoughts about routine, and thought I’d share some this week in case any of you also puzzle over making or breaking with a routine.
“I used to hate the idea of living a life with regimented and consistent routines, until routines saved me from anxiety and depression during the toughest periods of my life. Who knew simple things like making the bed every morning, taking a walk around the neighbourhood after lunch, or going to sleep at the same time every night could have such a powerful effect?
So if you’re going through a tough time, resist the urge to throw all your usual routines out the window. Instead, find a way to maintain consistent routines in your life. Doesn’t matter if the tasks seem mundane, repetitive, or insignificant. Do them enough times and you’ll feel their magic.”
“What I didn’t realize about routines is this: It wasn’t that I wasn't disciplined enough to follow one. What I’m bad at is forcing a routine that I don't actually like very much. I didn’t keep in mind that we often get into a routine totally organically—we repeatedly do the things we like to do because they feel good. I forgot that a routine should, uh, make sense for my life. Mari Andrew, “My Non-Routine,” Out of the Blue newsletter
If you have any notes/quotes on routine to share back, or ideas you’ve developed about your own routine, I’d love to hear. Its benefits, its deficits, its evolution ... ? How you flex and bend it?
Sarah
PS: Finish It newsletter won't arrive next week due to the Christmas holiday. Wishing you all the warmth this winter solstice and season!
Bell Hooks, 1952-2021. Rest in peace and power
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