Thoughtful Thursday // Life-Giving Routines

I was a little shocked to realize that I don't really have an answer to today's question! I'm a planner; have been since high school, at least. I like having at least an outline of a plan and I like knowing what I'm doing in advance. I struggle with spontaneity (though I am getting better). You would think that routines would be right up my alley, right? Well...

"What routines need to be in your life in order for you to thrive?"

I have come to realize that I have very little in the way of routines. I tend to have my "slow hour" most mornings and that definitely helps me have better days. Obviously things like Bible study and church happen on the same days and times each week, but other than that, my weeks and days tend to be very different.

Take the library for instance. I was going to the library for several hours one day a week to get books but also to work. That hasn't happened in months. (Partly because I was reading on Kindle Unlimited for several months).

We do family night one day each week, but the day changes depending on the scheduling of that week's activities. Even cleaning, laundry, and washing my hair can be shifted depending on need!

I guess our routines are that we do laundry twice a week, go to the grocery store once a week, I wash my hair twice a week, we have our cleaning day, and we do family night. And while those things typically happen on the same days week after week, it's not a rigid thing. You'll also notice that most of these aren't solely related to me. Maybe I need to evaluate and see if I need more routines in my life.

The trick and challenge with routine is watching to make sure it doesn't become rigid and enslave you rather than serving you. Sometimes routines need to shift, change, or drop entirely and that's okay!

So what about you? Do you have a lot of routines? How do they help you? Or are you now inspired to create some routines for your life? I'd love to hear your thoughts!