Rituals / routines

[1001 others]

Do you have them?

I was just reading an interesting article in Mindfood magazine about the psychological importance of them.

Personally, I find that if I don't lay my work clothes out the night before, and put the dishwasher on before I go to bed then the next day won't get off to the right start. I also put the jug on to boil for my morning coffee before I have my shower ... if I do it before or after my day gets all messed up.

(These differ to superstitions or OCD tendencies ... of which I have plenty too!).

 

[Pinkblush]

I have things I do just out of habit/routine but it wouldn't affect my day negatively if I broke any routine. If my car broke down I wouldn't think its because I had toast before a shower when I usually have it after. I don't think it would occur to me to link the two things. Its interesting though because I do have a friend who has certain rituals - the order she does her housework in. The ktichen has to be cleaned first and the bathroom last.

 

[CherryAcid]

I wouldnt say I have any rituals where my day would be ruined if they differed, however i always make my bed. As soon as I wake up my bed gets made, unmade beds really bother me.

 

[Giggling Squid]

I have things I do just out of habit/routine but it wouldn't affect my day negatively if I broke any routine. If my car broke down I wouldn't think its because I had toast before a shower when I usually have it after. I don't think it would occur to me to link the two things. Its interesting though because I do have a friend who has certain rituals - the order she does her housework in. The ktichen has to be cleaned first and the bathroom last.

I didn’t think I did but reading this, I’ve realised I cleaned in a different order to normal last night and it felt all wrong. Kept feeling like I had missed things

I have to clean my downstairs starting in the loo and working through utility, kitchen, living room and hall. Not fussed about the order upstairs is done in though

 

[watermelon sugar]

Every day feels like the same routine with covid and bloody lockdown

Although if I go to bed without wiping the kitchen counter and fixing the throws of the couches, and I wake up the next day seeing them not done it gives me the rage and stresses me out. So i do that everyday so I wake up and the house looks nice and tidy

 

[Dont swipe up!]

Every day feels like the same routine with covid and bloody lockdown

Although if I go to bed without wiping the kitchen counter and fixing the throws of the couches, and I wake up the next day seeing them not done it gives me the rage and stresses me out. So i do that everyday so I wake up and the house looks nice and tidy

Im the same but then I feel I have to wipe the sides down again and hoover
So it feels like I’m constantly cleaning needlessly
My husband says I just make work fit myself lol

 

[lemonlime]

Rituals: I have plenty but they aren't habits that I absolutely need to make my day go right. I just see them as a part of my me-time or a more mindful slice of my day where I focus on something purely for feel good reasons. For example, (pre-Covid) if I had evening plans with friends such as drinks or get together at someone's place, sometimes before that I'd go to a restaurant I like for lunch or dinner by myself, have a meal without people or distractions, have a glass of wine and just indulge in some people-watching before I met my friends. It's a small habit that I couldn't really explain to others. It just feels like a treat and having that time frame for myself, alone before I'm in others' company made me feel better (as I find crowds draining, even if they consist of people I like). Once a week or so, I also like waking up earlier than usual, make myself a cup of tea, sit out on the balcony if the weather is good or by the window if it's cold, drink my tea and and just be. The city is quiet and the sun isn't fully up yet so it feels private and calm and helps me make sure I've got all my marbles. I don't really have many of these with other people. Before my best friend moved abroad, we had our own thing several times a year. We'd go to the opera or the ballet, then go to one of our favourite bistros for a late snack and a glass of wine. It's one of those things where you know what you'll be doing, nobody even asks what's the plan. I really miss it tbh. I used to journal semi-regularly but I've somehow lost that habit. It's something I want to get back into as it also feels along the line of my other solo rituals where I just get to be with myself and my thoughts.

Routines are everyday stuff for me that I more or less depend on haha. Before bed, I make sure I don't have dirty dishes lying around, I also sort out any dirty laundry that are lying around if I've been lazy with them. Cannot go without making my bed in the mornings, it just makes me feel like I'm postponing my day. Cleaning is half way between a ritual and a routine for me. I enjoy it but God knows I'm not always in the mood for it and sometimes mental health gets in the way or everything. I try to switch my mindset and try and see it as something I "get to do" rather than something I have to do. Most of the time, it works.

I struggle with OCD (mildly) but those things anger and annoy me too much to see it as a habit so I don't really count them as a part of my routine.