Gentle Reader,
Something to ponder:
How was she created? I’m not sure if you realize this, but it was in God’s image. How can anybody dare to speak ill of something which bears such a noble imprint?
– Christine de Pizan, The Book of the City of Ladies
Born in 1364 in Venice, Italy, Christine de Pizan must have been in possession of a TARDIS, for her work was far ahead of its time. Regarded as the first professional female writer in Europe, she published both prose and poetry, participated in literary debate and commented on theological topics at a time when many wondered if women should read or write at all. (Our brains being ill equipped for intellectual pursuits and all that). de Pizan dared to state that women are equal to men, that rape is a crime and that we have a talent for governing well.
Sad, isn’t it, that over six centuries later, in some circles, these ideas are still regarded as radical?
Kate says: routine.
Go.
Ah, yes. One of my favorite words.
I don’t function properly without some idea of what the day is going to hold and how I need to navigate through it. This doesn’t mean that I am never spontaneous; I can let go with the best of them as long it’s in a quiet, organized fashion. I wish that were true, actually. Illness leaves little room for spur-of-the-moment decisions, though, on a really good day, when all the planets are in alignment (if I believed in that sort of thing, which I do not), I can rouse myself from the couch and the books and sally forth on an adventure.
Some think of “routine” and immediately scowl, but it’s not as bad as all that. Everyone needs a schedule. Everyone needs order. Nothing would ever be accomplished without lists and timetables. Within those boundaries, there’s really quiet a lot of room to play and explore. I can’t calculate the number of documentaries or the amount of music I’ve listened to while running errands, keeping house and sitting in lines. In our technologically-advanced era, even the most mundane, mind-numbing of tasks can be made bearable.
This is not to say that everyone’s routine should be the same. We’re all different. I, for example, will never be a night-owl (willingly, I should say, as insomnia does keep me up many nights) but I’m friends with those who are. I find it easier to get things done earlier in the day; they prefer handling tasks when all others have gone to bed. Some roll out of bed and directly into exercise, others first need coffee in order to become human. There is no ten-step program that guarantees harmonious living for every person.
So, have a routine. Work on that self-discipline thing we all love so much. But don’t stress if you don’t do things exactly the same as someone else. It’s okay. As they say, “You do you, boo.”
Stop.
This has no connection to anything whatsoever, but I just discovered this lovely piece of music. Enjoy.
I’m someone who craves routine as well. When I don’t have some kind of plan I feel like I just fritter my time away. Even my leisure time has some kind of structure to it. (My husband is rather the opposite and finds lists constricting. To each his own.) 🙂
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My husband and I are both similar in that we need at least a loose plan for the day. Neither of us does well if we just laze through the hours; in fact, it contributes to depression and anxiety in both of us.
Thank you for stopping by, Bethany!
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This is something I recently discovered. I had always been somewhat “anti-routine”, but I’d been in a creative slump for awhile and realized structure was what I needed. Now, I’m creating literally every day and exploring so many things I hadn’t before. A little bit of routine in my life didn’t hurt. 🙂
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That’s wonderful, Holly! I’m so glad that a little order has opened up new avenues for you. That’s the point! 🙂
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You do you boo! HA! Love it! Lately I have personally felt the pull to conform to the “mainstream” or the way others do things and it only gets me down on myself! Been really praying that God would keep reminding me afresh that I am His and created just the way He wanted to create ME. So good to be reminded that we don’t have to be like the rest!
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I relate to what you’ve said here, Myriah. There is definitely a pull to be just like everyone else. I need to remind myself that I am supposed to be who God made me to be, not who He made others to be. Thanks for stopping by!
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The beginning of your blogpost reminds me of a classic Jewish parable: Rabbi Elazar and the Exceedingly Ugly Man.
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I like that quite a lot.
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Nice post, especially the intro!
I look at routine as a way to save time and energy. Both are in short supply now.
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Barbara here.
“…don’t stress if you don’t do things exactly the same as someone else.” is so true, in a civilized cookie cutter society meeting assembly line protocols, we tend to forget we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Each a unique influence to the world and our approaches to life are intended to be different.
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“Each a unique influence to the world and our approaches to life are intended to be different.”
I really like that, Barbara. I wonder if we’d all get along a little better if we could learn to see the beauty and importance in our differences.
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Andrew, my prayer for you today is that you are able to feel our Lord’s arms around you, holding you close.
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I agree, having some kind of routine definitely helps. As you say, it’s different for us all and the key is finding out what work for us rather than feeling our routine should be the same as someone else’s. I enjoyed learning about Christine de Pizan too!
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Isn’t she fascinating? I was looking for a quote on GoodReads, don’t remember what, and I came across some information about her. I want to learn more.
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Yes! “And you do you, Boo!” 🙂
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I had a feeling that you would like that! ❤
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There is something freeing about the structure of a schedule. Thanks for this reminder.
Stopping by and saying Hi! from #57. God bless!
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Isn’t it funny how we think that we’ll be free without boundaries? Yet inevitably, at least for me, without them I end up in a tangled mess. Thanks, Vicki!
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I am with you. I crave routine. It gives me a sense of security yet freedom. I’m also a morning person.
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I think I gave the wrong impression here. I am definitely NOT a morning person, I just happen to despise it a bit less than any time after 9:00 p.m. Give me the hours between noon and 5:00 p.m.! 🙂
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Routine is like a life jacket – it keeps me afloat on the sea of chaos!!!
FMF #63 this week.
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Gosh, I like that! What a good visual!
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