Rinse, Repeat
It occurs to me that I have never done anything for my entire life.
I mean other than the basics, sleep, brush teeth, but I don’t even do those the same way every time. I don’t have a habit, something I’ve done my whole life, or even my adult life. I think I’m a bit intimidated by the idea of doing something over and over again…forever. Forever feels way too long.
I’ve moved furniture around when a room got boring. I drive different ways to places, sometimes I brush my teeth first and then wash my face. I’m not sure it’s conscious, but I’m a little all over the place. I suppose I have been committed to the same man for my adult life, but he changes. That may be why I’m still with him, he hasn’t been the same guy, he grows.
I was driving home today, thinking about what it means to do something for the rest of my life. I eat grapefruit every morning, but that’s just in the last year. Will I still be eating grapefruit when I’m 75? Weird to think about. I wonder if “shaking things up” is my way of avoiding something. Maybe I feel if I start getting dressed in the same order, or wearing my hair the same way then I’ve settled in.
You know when you’re on those rides at an amusement park, I’m specifically thinking of the Snow White ride where the little carts come around? There’s energy in line, the anticipation and even figuring out which cart you’re going to be on, who’s riding with you. You know when you get in, they lower the bar, and it clicks? That’s the sign you are on that ride. No backing out for cotton candy or picking a different ride. You’re there for the duration. All you have left to do is sit back and ride through to the end.
Routine, habits could be like that. What if I sort it all out, schedule it all in, hear the click and then I just blindly roll through the rest of my years?
I’ve always wondered why I can’t just get into a routine. Actually, I’m still wondering.
My thoughts from the laundry room. I’ll Sleep on the Other Side.
adulthood balance life meaning organization Routine amusement culture life people rides routine schedules Snow White thoughts whatever winging it
I think it’s good to shake things up! And for me, seeing my children become adults forces me to do things differently. They are built-in shaker-uppers!
They really are “built-in shaker uppers.” Which is interesting because when they are little, it is all about routine and schedule, but as they grow those things change. Very true.
You are right – it’s like the little ones have to get used to the all the routines we set up and then WE have to get used to all the things they start doing as teenagers and adults…eek!
Greetings from the other end of the spectrum. I’d prefer not to think of myself as a rut-ish kinda guy, but I have to admit to taking considerable comfort in a certain (fairly high) reliance on routine. Sometimes My Beloved Sandra refers to me as “Rainman.” I think doing so overstates reality, but I guess I can see why she does. Fortunately, she does it lovingly.
I recently learned that Connecticut (my home state) is informally known as The Land Of Steady Habits. I like that. It feels less judgmental.
Steady Habits…I like that. Steady seems like a good thing. I’m sure I will fall into habits eventually, at some point I will get tired of always looking for my keys. Now I can imagine I’m simply steady. Thanks for that, Ron. Oh, and Rainman was a rock star. Nothing wrong with Wapner and some cheese balls.
“I’ve always wondered…. Actually, I’m still wondering.” (Sounds like a habit) LoL
Hahahaha. I think you’re right. I have a habit of wondering. The question is, do I wonder the same way each time? Hmm…not sure.