Perfect little lesson from life. When I retired from employment I promised myself I would spend time doing nothing at all. I've managed to do that quite a lot. And it's quite beautiful.
I'm definitely more rhythm than habit - in awe of your discipline but know it is not for me. I hope the spell of spontaneity survives the return to work!
Wow, absolutely incredible. Outside GOING to work, I can't hold a routine to save my life. I admire your tenacity and hard work. My wife is a routine person, too. Most Japanese are.
Nice piece! Another advantage of routines is they have a smaller cognitive load: you don't have to think as much when you do a series of tasks in the same order every day, compared to thinking and deciding on your next move hour after hour.
I always hated routines and to this day I try to take different routes to get to the same point, just for a change of scenery. :-) But probably we need a mix of both, routines and free-flow experiencing of life.
I feel a bit identified with the feelings that you describe. I have an extraordinary power to distract myself with a fly that flies around... For avoiding that and use the time wisely, I tryed to follow a writen schedule. It's very useful for me, and very efficient to avoid distraction. At first is not easy, but if you have pacience with yourself in the end you'll be successful.
But, It should came from the inside. Do things as a must is tyring... So I'm happy to read that you've found your balance and enjoy your free time as it should be. 😉
This really resonated with me! I’ve spent years living on a routine that choked my life experience. How can new things happen if you never let them? It took a long time to realise that I needed to ease up and allow life to happen to me, not try and control my life. I’ve never been happier, honestly.
Something about August that begets chaos, it seems. It befell us as well---being the only family in our circle whose kids went to bed at a certain time, had a semi-structure through out the days, I was determined to continue with our routines during the summer. But... Spain happened and something in the air wiggled its way into our heads and everything was unpredictable from then on (imagine a toddler on a "who knows when the next nap will be" schedule! Horrifying!) It was messy, to say the least, but in the mess I found myself in a weird state of bliss.
Oh wonderful you shook things up and it felt right and free for you! Maybe you can make it more balanced with some structure and spontaneity in your life. I also played Venba. What a touching game! It was fun to make these delicious foods and learn about them.
I hope you're able to find a balance when you return back to your work! Letting go of routines and letting your body and life just do its thing is a great epiphany.
I think I'll follow your lead and take a quick nap; I've been tired all day today and have been trying to keep myself up and telling myself a bunch of "should"s, but I'm just gonna see what happens when I embrace what my body's telling me I need.
As someone who also craved routine it was very discombobulating when I left it behind. But, eventually you find a balance. It sounds like you adjusted well to the vacation of spontaneity. Best of luck with your re-integration. I'm sure now that you've discovered the beauty of the non-routine you'll be able to find a way to balance it and have both. All the best.
"I’m not sure how sustainable this new approach of mine will be." - it will most likely be balanced out by the need for a certain routine when we have a job. But you may wish to keep integrating the two: routine and spontaneity.
Perfect little lesson from life. When I retired from employment I promised myself I would spend time doing nothing at all. I've managed to do that quite a lot. And it's quite beautiful.
Love this sentiment. I think I need to allow myself more spontaneity. Have far too much guilt when I’m not doing something I consider productive
I'm definitely more rhythm than habit - in awe of your discipline but know it is not for me. I hope the spell of spontaneity survives the return to work!
Wow, absolutely incredible. Outside GOING to work, I can't hold a routine to save my life. I admire your tenacity and hard work. My wife is a routine person, too. Most Japanese are.
Nice piece! Another advantage of routines is they have a smaller cognitive load: you don't have to think as much when you do a series of tasks in the same order every day, compared to thinking and deciding on your next move hour after hour.
I always hated routines and to this day I try to take different routes to get to the same point, just for a change of scenery. :-) But probably we need a mix of both, routines and free-flow experiencing of life.
Oh routines! What a wonderful word 🤣
I feel a bit identified with the feelings that you describe. I have an extraordinary power to distract myself with a fly that flies around... For avoiding that and use the time wisely, I tryed to follow a writen schedule. It's very useful for me, and very efficient to avoid distraction. At first is not easy, but if you have pacience with yourself in the end you'll be successful.
But, It should came from the inside. Do things as a must is tyring... So I'm happy to read that you've found your balance and enjoy your free time as it should be. 😉
Thank you to share again your thoughts with us 😊
This really resonated with me! I’ve spent years living on a routine that choked my life experience. How can new things happen if you never let them? It took a long time to realise that I needed to ease up and allow life to happen to me, not try and control my life. I’ve never been happier, honestly.
Something about August that begets chaos, it seems. It befell us as well---being the only family in our circle whose kids went to bed at a certain time, had a semi-structure through out the days, I was determined to continue with our routines during the summer. But... Spain happened and something in the air wiggled its way into our heads and everything was unpredictable from then on (imagine a toddler on a "who knows when the next nap will be" schedule! Horrifying!) It was messy, to say the least, but in the mess I found myself in a weird state of bliss.
Oh wonderful you shook things up and it felt right and free for you! Maybe you can make it more balanced with some structure and spontaneity in your life. I also played Venba. What a touching game! It was fun to make these delicious foods and learn about them.
I hope you're able to find a balance when you return back to your work! Letting go of routines and letting your body and life just do its thing is a great epiphany.
I think I'll follow your lead and take a quick nap; I've been tired all day today and have been trying to keep myself up and telling myself a bunch of "should"s, but I'm just gonna see what happens when I embrace what my body's telling me I need.
I'm glad you enjoyed being more spontaneous!
As someone who also craved routine it was very discombobulating when I left it behind. But, eventually you find a balance. It sounds like you adjusted well to the vacation of spontaneity. Best of luck with your re-integration. I'm sure now that you've discovered the beauty of the non-routine you'll be able to find a way to balance it and have both. All the best.
"I’m not sure how sustainable this new approach of mine will be." - it will most likely be balanced out by the need for a certain routine when we have a job. But you may wish to keep integrating the two: routine and spontaneity.