The R Word – Routine
You just have to read my blogs to know that no routine exists in my life. Life is so random it makes me dizzy. One day you feel fit and fabulous and you are on top of the world and the next – crash. Whether it’s a personality thing, a woman thing, a generational thing, a Scorpio thing or just a’ me’ thing I am not sure. Some people are just better at routine and do it so well.
I know a lady who told me 30 years ago that every Sunday she planned the following week’s meals, shopped for the ingredients – and I think she cooked new recipes each week too. I just found this astonishing and I have thought about it often since then. She worked full time, owned a business, was married with two young children and exercised a lot. I absolutely love the idea and realise it would save you so much time, money, and stress but there is no way I could stick to it. It’s like a diet. I am full of enthusiasm for the first four days – never make the 2nd Monday.
I have however been excited by My Food Book which I posted on our Facebook page this week, and have been trying a new recipe each night which I must say has been really fun. They are simple meals, well thought out, all with beautiful fresh herbs and produce which produces lovely flavours. I have also discovered lovefood.net.au which I also love and posted a great chicken pie recipe on the page too which the family gobbled up – the recipes just seem to resonate with me. Neither of these people pay us by the way, I just feel the recipes are doable and so it is helping me with routine – new night – new recipe.
Whilst I strive continually for patterns and routines, it never happens. After a recent house inspection I thought right, every Sunday 2-3 hours in the house and yard and it’s done for the week. Well that only happened once. Back to doing it daily with no plan, just knee jerking to needs. I cook a batch of cakes and think right, every week I’ll do this, freeze them and I’ll be set all week for lunches. Again, 6am bugger – no cake or bikkies for lunch. Quick batch or do without.
I have known women who have washed every Sunday for years. They bake on Wednesdays. They clean on Saturdays. The first day of spring they clean their walls, wash their curtains and blinds. They put away their winter stuff in vacuum bags in September and bring out their packed away summer stuff. That is routine. When I have two days in a row of routine I feel smug. I feel sorry for the disorganised masses. I feel like one of “them”.
Don’t get me wrong, we always get to school, sport, events, work and functions on time or even early, we are not disorganised in that regard. I just know having a routine would make life easier. My partner is extremely organised and ex military and LOVES routine. When we first met he would say: “right, if we leave at 6.32 and arrive at 7.17 we can get grab a coffee and be there at 7.49. I would giggle, sure, no worries, good plan – it never happened. So, he has relaxed his high standards a smidgeon and I have tried to meet him some of the way… he doesn’t think I have but I really have……well maybe he doesn’t speak as much so I don’t notice his exasperation as much ….anyway I think I’m better and he sure is……
I don’t think Routine is just a matter of discipline. I think a lot depends on busyness, personality, upbringing, age, lifestyle choices and how much wine you drink. Whilst wine relaxes you, it very rarely helps with Routine.
