26: Routines
I am anti-routine. Okay, I said it. I am anti-routine.
In fact, I am beyond anti-routine, I rebel against natural routines like brushing my hair every day, because I don’t want to be brought down by “the man” even if “the man” is me, even though I’m totally a chick.
That said, when dealing with the stressors of mental illness, it is not a bad idea to establish some basic routines to get you through the hard times. When I am not doing well, especially when depressed, I fall into a nonpattern of nonactivity. I do nothing, in short.
Thus, even though I hate routines, I try to establish small ones when I am well, so I have that one list of things to hold onto when I am low.
If you are a fellow routine hater, welcome! This entry is for you.
Tonight, I want you to make a list of five everyday activities. Simple ones, preferably. Here’s mine:
1. Get dressed.
2. Brush my teeth.
3. Take glass from nightstand down to kitchen sink.
4. Check snail mail
5. Make one phone call.
It’s a list so simple one might call it, well, simplistic, but I have found more benefit in this tiny list than in just about any advice I’ve ever had to get me through the darkest days. If I accomplish nothing more than what is on this list, I know that I will be okay, because I am still taking basic care of myself and my home.
Routines are so vital, and one day, I hope to appreciate them rather than just doing them because I know I should.