The Balancing Act: Routine vs. Spontaneity
Achieving a balance between routine and spontaneity is not easy. It is truly a balancing act that evolves as you grow and change as a person. Sometimes, routines may take precedence when stability is necessary, while other times, spontaneity takes the stage when adventure calls.
Historically, I set aside moments throughout the year to review my goals for that year inorder to assess where I am on track or off track. This year I have let that slide for the worse. So, at the start of September, I took out my goals journal to review what I wrote down in January [with great dread that there are only four months left of the year 2023 and questioning if I even accomplished much]. The thing with being human and living in the age of hustle culture is that we GO GO GO without prioritizing a stopping period to question where we are even going and to what end.
Something about September and the approaching new season (aka Fall) encourages me to reset or reevaluate what needs refreshing. As I reviewed my goals for 2023, I realized that I had written down in January to have more space for "me" fun in the year, considering I am juggling a full-time job, a Master's program, a side hustle business and life in general. "Me fun" meant planning more date nights with myself, spending more time with friends, and engaging in solo activities on a whim to events, galleries, art exhibitions, etc. So far, I have kept a routine ish of planning solo dates every so often and spontaneouly spending time with old and newly met friends over the past few weeks.
I am realizing the responsibilities and routines of daily life often make it challenging to find time for spontaneous fun as we age (at least in my case). Whether spontaneous or not, fun can often feel like a reward for achieving certain milestones. Sometimes, it comes after a long stretch of life's stressors or even experiencing a long week that does not seem to end. However, I have been pondering since the start of September about I can have fun just because. How can I create moments of pure joy and escapism simply because I desire it?
Interestingly, some need a routine to thrive in life (older adults and parents come to mind). As someone with a hate-love relationship with routine, I have to admit that sometimes routines are crucial for maximizing productivity and efficiency. Still, I am worried about their potential to become barriers to avoiding new experiences and having fun. Are routines making us inflexible and risk-averse, ultimately hindering our personal growth? Why does switching up a routine make us feel anxious? After all, we created that routine and should be able to change it whenever and however.
My aim here is not to dismiss routines but to question why we feel bound to them and sometimes at all cost sacrifice our sanity for them. Sundays are typically my rest and plan for the week ahead, so I don’t experience the “Monday Scaries'“. However, when asked to do something else on a Sunday or plan something, I prioritize routine over new experiences. I've realized this is a trap I have set for myself and naturally fell into. I know I am not the only one who feels bound to routines set, but I hope someday we achieve a balance between routines and spontaneous adventures in a way we do not know we need to so that we can create a life that is uniquely ours.
Keep spilling,
Mairo
(Blog entry photo credit: Laura Davis)
