On Making and Breaking Routines

It takes 21 days to form a habit.I used to think that I could build a routine, and keep it as long as I was disciplined enough. There is comfort in that mindset, in believing that as long as we find something that works, we can hold on to it and it’s one less stressor in life. I was wrong. Routines are not fixed. They shift because we shift. They depend on circumstances, energy, and the version of ourselves that exists in a particular moment. When a routine is in place, life feels a little calmer. There is less decision-making that needs to be done, less friction. Small actions repeat until they become almost second nature, and even things that used to be difficult are at least manageable. That sense of rhythm can make everything else feel more grounded, and more in control. I think about that when it comes to early mornings. There was a time when waking up before the sun, even as someone who is not a morning person, became my norm. It was not easy (I still complained a lot), but it…