The new routine

Routines are (mostly) great, right?  They give us boundaries… guardrails… help us create meaning out of the great expanse of time and space.  Except right now, every routine we’ve ever had has been disrupted and most of us are having to make some hardcore routine adjustments to our new reality.   For many of us working from home, with no outside social life, no group activities, no ROUTINE is a whole new thing (and having kids at home all day is TOTALLY NEXT LEVEL).

In other words, there is a lot of adjusting going on.

While these adjustments can be painful (particularly for those whose financial situation is now much more tenuous), there’s also the whisper of welcome adjustments. Less commuting. More family time. Less waste. More appreciation.  More self-reliance.

More community.

So yes, maybe this great disruption is causing us all to have a new routine in how we manage our lives. But it also might be instilling in us a new routine for what we value in our lives – the experiences, the people, and ultimately the purpose that we bring to our time on this planet.

Now THAT would be a routine change worth embracing.

Here’s a dose of optimism to help you with your new routine:

Tip: Don’t make excessive worrying part of your daily habits. Here are four ways to embrace fearless positivity in the face of uncertainty and a way to “find joy in the morning”.  (via Forbes and The Washington Post)

Part of the challenge of any new routine, especially one where you are stuck at home, is avoiding boredom. Here are 100 ideas for how to beat Coronaboredom. (via i-D)

Even better than avoiding boredom, maybe your new routine can help you find your authentic self.  Here’s how you can learn from your restlessness. (via Thrive Global)

Yes, it’s ok to binge watch some shows as part of your new routine (as long as it isn’t your entire routine). Check out this list of the 51 best shows to watch while quarantining. (via The Los Angeles Times)