Routine & Structure: Room for Flexibility

I appreciate a solid routine, but I also crave a bit of leniency. While I value the consistency of my daily schedule, which allows me to accomplish necessary tasks—like work, gym sessions, appointments, and household chores—I've realized that I rarely allocate time for enjoyment. This could be the source of my anxiety.

Perhaps it's time to reconsider how I structure my days. Initially, I believed my schedule was overly rigid, but upon further reflection, I might just be prioritizing the wrong tasks. This realization has been an eye-opener as I pen this article.

Going forward, I intend to balance my essential responsibilities with activities that nourish my spirit, such as relaxation and fun. Or, here’s a radical idea: maybe I should scrap the schedule altogether!

To Be Continued…

Less Moodiness, More Playfulness

I often get so caught up in my endless to-do list that it drags me down into a specific state of mind. There's a constant pressure to complete just "one more thing" before I can allow myself to unwind. It's as if I must earn my essential downtime. Yet, the truth is that the tasks will never be entirely finished.

If everything is a top priority, then nothing can be done well. For someone with a Type-A personality, this is a tough pill to swallow, but it’s affecting my overall quality of life. Maybe it's time I accept this reality.

To embrace this mindset, I plan to shift my focus from productivity to play. As a child, I loved dancing alone to my favorite songs (hello, Spice Girls and Backstreet Boys!). It’s disheartening to realize that I can’t even remember the last time I let loose. But tonight, while tidying up the kitchen, I vow to change that.

When life throws challenges my way, I sometimes fall into a "woe is me" mentality. It’s time to pivot and embrace laughter instead. For instance, the next time I tackle a work task that takes far longer than expected, instead of spiraling into frustration, I’ll crack a joke and move on.

I need to channel my inner child more through laughter and dance.

A Tension Between Achievement and Frustration

That never-ending to-do list often comes with a side of anxiety. What if I can’t finish all my chores on my day off? Oh well. What if I miss a gym session due to work demands? I can always go for a walk instead. What if life interferes with my writing deadlines? Time to adapt.

Recently, I've allowed anxiety to have too much control over me, worrying about the "what ifs" rather than focusing on what I can manage—my time and mindset.

Returning to that earlier point about routine: I need it, but I also need some wiggle room. Having a structured day allows me to complete what truly matters, yet an overemphasis on the "must-do" tasks leaves me feeling frustrated.

At the end of the day, I often feel both exhausted and accomplished, which seems contradictory. I drain my energy to check off items on my to-do list, but upon reflection, how fulfilling have those tasks really been? Sometimes they are, but often not.

So, I commit to incorporating more activities that genuinely bring me joy, while perhaps pushing those obligatory tasks to the background.

Don’t get me wrong; some tasks, although not exhilarating, provide a sense of calm and routine. I will continue to prioritize those—there’s something satisfying about starting a new week with freshly laundered clothes and a tidy kitchen.

However, when my spirit craves tranquility, I’ll choose a good book over cleaning supplies.

For the remainder of 2024, I promise to adopt a more relaxed routine, laugh more often, and simply chill out. Taking myself too seriously has led to moodiness and anxiety, and it’s time for a change!

I’ll check back in at the end of the year with my progress.

KW Davis offers valuable writing advice, insights on personal growth, and encouragement for all. Explore more of KW Davis’s work 🖤

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