Are Our Routines Meant to Be Interrupted?

I like my routines. I like knowing what my day is going to look like, having time to work on the things I want to accomplish, and settling into the familiar rhythm of my life. I always have projects I’m working on, ideas I’m exploring, and things I want to get done. My routines give me a sense of comfort, and quite frankly, I don’t particularly appreciate having them interrupted.

But lately, I’ve been questioning that.

The other day, I attended a networking group meeting. It was something new, something unfamiliar, and I was nervous about going. It wasn’t part of my normal routine, and I wasn’t exactly looking forward to stepping outside my comfort zone. When it was over, I was relieved. But I was also glad I’d gone. I knew it was important for me to put myself out there and try something different.

Later that day, I spent two and a half hours visiting with Alice, the wife of my boss, Jon, who recently passed away. We had a lovely conversation, and it was one of those reminders that some of the most meaningful moments in life have nothing to do with what we accomplish or check off a list. Sometimes simply being present with another person is far more important.

And then there’s my granddaughter’s birthday party. Of course I want to celebrate with her! But I noticed myself mentally rearranging my day, thinking about everything else I had planned. It’s funny how quickly my mind goes to my schedule, even when something wonderful is on the calendar.

I experience this same tug-of-war when I watch Browns games with my family. I genuinely enjoy that time together. We laugh, cheer, and occasionally question why we continue putting ourselves through the emotional roller coaster of being Browns fans! But there’s also that little voice in the back of my mind reminding me of all the creative projects I could be working on instead. I love spending time with my family, and I love creating. Why does enjoying one sometimes leave me feeling like I’m missing out on the other?

These experiences have made me wonder whether I’ve become a little too attached to the comfort of knowing how my days will unfold.

But here’s where things get interesting. As much as I love my existing routines, I absolutely resist creating new ones, even when I know they’d be good for me.

I know stretching would benefit me. I have exercises for my knee and shoulder that I should be doing regularly. Meditation is wonderful for my peace of mind. Eating fewer carbs and less sugar would be beneficial, and I’ve explored intermittent fasting.

I know all these things. I’ve tried incorporating them into my life. But eventually, I start feeling pressured by the very routines I’ve created for myself. I get frustrated, I resist, and sometimes I simply stop.

There are times when I don’t want to meditate. I don’t want to follow a schedule. I don’t want another obligation, even one I’ve created with the best intentions.

Sometimes I just want to do what I want to do!

So let me get this straight. I don’t like having my routines interrupted, but I also don’t like being told what to do by my own routines. There’s a little contradiction for you!

Recently, I was listening to a recording of Wayne Dyer’s radio show on Spotify. A caller was struggling with consistency, and Wayne’s response really caught my attention.

He challenged the idea that consistency is always something we should strive for. He talked about the freedom to change our minds and do something different, rather than believing everything must happen in a certain way or be kept in perfect order. He described that need for perfect order as a trick of the ego.

And then he encouraged the caller to be happy with his inconsistency as he became more aware of it, and to take the “have to’s” and “shoulds” out of his life.

Oh, how I loved hearing that!

I felt relief.

How often do we burden ourselves with things we believe we should be doing? We should exercise every day. We should meditate. We should eat better. We should be more productive, more disciplined, more consistent.

And when we don’t meet those expectations, we feel guilty or disappointed in ourselves.

But who decided that every good intention has to become a rigid obligation?

I don’t believe Wayne was suggesting that we abandon healthy habits or stop taking responsibility for ourselves. At least, that wasn’t what I took from his words. What resonated with me was the possibility of approaching life with more flexibility and less judgment.

Maybe I can meditate because I want to connect with that peaceful place within myself, rather than because it’s something I’m supposed to do every morning. Maybe I can work toward taking better care of my body without turning every missed day into another reason to criticize myself.

And perhaps I can enjoy my familiar routines without becoming so attached to them that I resist the unexpected experiences life brings my way.

Because when I look back at my week, the things that interrupted my routine weren’t wasted time. Attending that networking meeting was an opportunity to grow. Spending time with Alice reminded me of the importance of human connection. And celebrating my granddaughter’s birthday is another opportunity to enjoy the people I love.

Those moments matter, too.

I think there’s a difference between having routines that support our lives and becoming so attached to them that we forget to make room for life itself.

And there’s also a difference between choosing to do something because it benefits us and feeling obligated to do it because we’ve decided we should.

I’m not suggesting that consistency has no value. Some things really do require commitment, repetition, and effort. But maybe we don’t need to measure ourselves by how perfectly we follow every plan we’ve made.

I’m still figuring this out. I still like my routines. I still have a long list of things I want to accomplish. And I’m quite sure I’ll continue to feel a little resistance when something unexpected lands on my calendar.

But Wayne Dyer’s words reminded me that I have choices. I can change my mind. I can be flexible. I can recognize that something would be good for me without turning it into another source of pressure.

And maybe, just maybe, I can learn to welcome an interruption now and then without worrying so much about everything else I could be doing.

After all, what good is creating a life we love if we’re too busy following our routines to fully experience it?

I love the comfort of what’s familiar, but I never want that comfort to stop me from reaching for more.

What about you? Do your routines bring you comfort, or do you sometimes feel trapped by the expectations you’ve created for yourself?

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