A classic adventure movie always starts with a future hero who is a regular worker with a routine that he follows every day. Matrix portrayed it well in their 1st and 4th movies. I liked how they showed the main character “escaping the matrix” when he realized he was in a trap of capitalism.
As a senior-year high school student, I often question myself, is it bad that most of my days are gone by in a similar way? I wake up at 6:30, eat the same food, study the same set of subjects, talk to the same people, and take the same bus every day. Does this make my life miserable?
This is a highly personal question as some people can’t stand routine and will survive the week to get to the weekend which will save them from the boring reality.
Routine bad
The industrial revolution was probably the cause of the regular work schedules we see today. I think that the 40-hour work week can be made significantly shorter. Often, capitalism prioritizes profits over human well-being, which sadly reflects on entire generations. What if we took the time to rebuild the social order and put human well-being first? Scandinavian countries did it well.
Routines are extremely dangerous. That’s Philosophical is meant to be a reminder- the rabbit that takes you from the regular world to the imaginary. A reminder, that there is so much more to life than what we are doing in our routines.
Routines result in tunnel vision. Tunnel vision doesn’t let us develop any bright ideas. That’s why research suggests that the most optimal time span for a job is 4 years. You simply get caught up too much if you stay in one place.
Changing small parts of your routine, like taking a different route home, or changing something big, like switching to a new field, can benefit you in many ways. It removes tunnel vision and you can apply your past knowledge from other areas to the new one- something that people with experience in one field can’t do.
But of course, if you are doing something that you don’t enjoy and you don’t get any long-term benefit from it, then it obviously won’t become better if you keep repeating the same thing every day.
Routine good
The introverted part of our brain likes control. That’s why some of us feel comfortable sitting in our room and not being bothered by anyone- you are under the control of everything. When you are sitting in a coffeeshop, you can’t control anything.
We like to control our environment, it makes us feel comfortable. Maybe that’s the reason we like routines- they give us that sense of control over our lives. Which is ironic, because our routines are determined by the people around us. We are just trying to adapt to what society wants from us.
What separates an amateur from a pro is the ability to show up every day. This is what routines are powerful at. As Steven Pressfield says:
“The most important thing about art is to work. Nothing else matters except sitting down every day and trying.”
Having a routine removes the difficult mental load we have to struggle with daily to make decisions. Making a significant part of your day a habit will help you free up that space in your brain and focus on other things.
Why I enjoy my routine
My personal take is that routines are not so bad. Yes, they are repetitive in nature, but despite their negative image, I feel like they are beneficial for me. If you are doing the same thing every day, it’s likely to become a habit. The action will now take less mental power and you can focus on improving yourself in other areas.
I am judging only by the time I have in school, which can be completely different if you have a job. I get to do different things in class, have free time, and allow myself not to do work if I feel like it. Considering this, I like how my days pass in a similar way, but they always have something that makes them unique.
Even though I do the same things every day, I still enjoy my life because I like the routine. Even if it can be monotonous.
I think people are what makes routines so much better. You can’t break the human spirit in any situation. Have good people around you, and any day will be much more enjoyable and will pass quicker!
Final Thoughts
If a routine brings you joy, then you become more aware of your everyday life. But again, there is still a risk that you will simply get used to it and no longer appreciate the luxury of your existence. That’s why occasional breaks from the loop are vital to keeping your awareness.
Probably the best way to live is to combine routines with novelty. We can use our mental resources for the things we care about, and let everything else be handled by our routines.
A good routine is a well-oiled, efficient machine that works for you. A bad one is a machine that you have to work for. We have a tendency to get used to things and not question them. Do the thing most people don’t- break the cycle and question the regular everyday decisions that drive your life forward (or not).
“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems”
-James Clear
What do you think about your current routine? Would you change it?
Did you have an experience with a routine that made you more efficient?
Thank you for reading this issue, have a great rest of your week! <3
I like the quote: "Instead of dreaming about your next vacation, build your life in a way that you'll never want to run from it"
I like my routine. but sometimes it can be boring, end I somthing change