routines

goji berry tea, calendar and dark chocolate. yum!

Most of life is routine - dull and grubby, but routine is the momentum that keeps a man going. If you wait for inspiration you'll be standing on the corner after the parade is a mile down the street. Ben Nicholas
 

Call me crazy, but while most people go around cussing routines, I'm the odd girl who loves and thrives in it. I do realize though, that repetitive action can lead to boredom and a lack of new ideas, and I also think that everyone can absolutely benefit from stepping out of their norm and what is comfortable, to see the world in a whole new light. 

But having a structure... Oh that feels so good to me! Routines give me a sense of peace and order.  I don't see them as a limitation, but instead, a framework to be present, recharge, practice a skill, refine my process, and create more efficiently. 

A new constant for me is a hot beverage + calendar planning every morning. Although on most days I get everyone else's day on the right track way before I get to do my stuff, as soon as I am on my own, I reset my energy and focus by taking 30mins to review, prioritize, plan and sip. This has become such a great little routine, and it has increased my productivity by at least 50%.

How about you? Does routine frustrate or nourish you? How can you hold space for new/ sweet things within that same old routine of yours?

Share with us your routines pictures (and views) today.

Comments

[Marcie]

Yes...yes. Daily routines..rituals...practice. To some - it all sounds so boring..but for me - it's what sets me free.
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/home/2012/8/7/summer-stories.html

[Beth-Aime]

I'm inspired to start the August challenge...

Thank you.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/84592585@N04/7745802016/in/photostream

[Katie]

I get slightly manic if my routine is thrown off. I love summers, but they're also really hard for me because my routine that I'd gotten so used to during the school year is suddenly tossed out the window. Maybe by the time our youngest is out of college I'll have become more relaxed about my schedules . . . maybe. ; )

[melissa]

Our normal routines have kind of taken a backseat to the urgent needs of summer (which involve mostly tomatoes at the moment).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/melissatalbert/7747687072/in/photostream

[Angela]

Routine---well let's just say I have some daily activiites that usually manage to happen.

http://walkingthrutheseasons.blogspot.com

[Gennifer]

I love this idea! Taking time to prioritize things is something I struggle with.

My favorite routine right now is taking my cats in the back yard every morning while I enjoy a cup of coffee. The cats watch the birds and I swing in the hammock, meditating or just daydreaming.

http://www.gennifercarragher.com/

[Gabriela Bout]

The routine of school nights is back:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gamaraca/7729396092/in/photostream

[Diane M. Schuller]

I too tend to need routines but I'm not a steadfast routine person. I still like to add space in my life for some spontaneity. That said, if I didn't have some routine, I'd likely flail away and never achieve anything.

[schtanzerl]

Ironing what is needed, thats my routine every day :-)
http://flic.kr/p/cNYnNG

[Sue]

Another opportunity to support the Blog Relay for Good. Thanks for participating!

[Jan Adams]

Because my routine has changed so much over the past year, I've been allowed to establish some daily routines and rituals for myself. It feels good. I'm not as frantic, and I have time to be more an observer of my day. Now that I've recuperated more, it's time to begin to make photography more of a focus.

[DebC]

Test comment :)