How do you make routine your friend? Some people loathe routine. Others welcome it. In between these two extremes, however, is a powerful lesson. If you make routine your friend, nothing seems out of line.
You can get through the ordinary and the mundane and even derive some comfort from the sameness of your actions. The key to mastering this by walking the fine line is attitude.
“The pleasure of doing a thing in the same way at the same time every day, and savoring it, should be noted.” – Arnold Bennett.
Make Routine Your Friend
Do you want to make routine your friend? Think about how good it always feels to know what you will do at a particular time. Then, it’s easier to make routine your friend. Make the routine work for you, not against you.
Daily Grooming Rituals
Take brushing your teeth when you get up, for example. It’s a little thing, to be sure, but acknowledge how squeaky clean your teeth feel after you give them a good brushing. It’s a way to jumpstart your day, something good you do for yourself.
- Granted, sometimes you feel like you must rush through the task because you’re late for work, the kids need to be fed, or you forgot to put out the trash, and the garbage trucks are coming, but it’s still a comforting routine.
What about the pleasure you feel when you get dressed and look in the mirror and admire how you look?
- You must put on clothes, which you do every day at the same time. While you don’t typically wear the same things, you do get dressed.
- The care and attention you put into deciding what to wear and assembling your wardrobe is another pleasure to savor. It’s not being selfish. It’s being self-aware and proud of your ability to be creative.
How to Make Routine Your Friend When You Don’t Like the Activity?
What about routine items you don’t like to do? Take the example of exercise.
You hate to exercise, but your doctor has prescribed a regular exercise regimen to improve your overall health and well-being. You may be in physical therapy following an accident, surgery, or illness.
Whatever the reason for regular exercise that you don’t want to do, there’s a way to glean something positive and memorable out of it.
- Start by acknowledging that this is a good thing for your body.
- Remind yourself that you’re gaining more than you lose. Over time, you’ll feel better physically and mentally because you were diligent about exercising.
- Avoid constantly peeking at the clock or your watch to see how much time has elapsed and when you can quit the routine. Instead, visualize your body getting stronger, your longevity enhanced, your lungs getting more apparent, and your skin beginning to glow.
- Relish the opportunity to do your absolute best. Sometimes illness, recent surgery, or injury compromises your best.
Doing your best is the best you can do. in all your life experiences. This should make you feel proud of your efforts. You put everything into it and deserve to congratulate yourself.
Find Pleasure in Every Routine – And Make Routine Your Friend
While these tips are for exercise, they can easily be applied to any routine you face. Find the tiniest bit of pleasure in that routine and focus on it. Savor it and relish the opportunity to do it every day.
Knowing that you have this routine to look forward to gives you a purpose. Beyond just something to do, it helps you maintain momentum and resilience. Little things mean a lot, including routine. Make routine your friend, and you’ll never dread it again.
