“Oh, it’s been a hard day’s night, and I’ve been working like a dog
It’s been a hard day’s night, I should be sleeping like a log
But when I get home to you I’ll find the things that you do
Will make me feel alright
You know I feel alright
You know I feel alright”
~Hard Days Night, The Beatles~
I called a dear friend of mine on New Year’s Eve and was talking to her about our New Year’s Eve plans. My friend believes in one word New Year’s Resolution’s mantra as to my fellow sober sister and hero Dr. Brene Brown does. My friend is also an inspiration of mine as she has been through hell and back in 2021 with her husband succumbing to his cancer battle. So really; they are both sober sheros of mine…
Anyways…
We were talking about where our lives were pointing us towards in 2022 and what words we should use for the incoming year. 2021 was a challenge for so many us. We all keep hoping for that glimmer that ends the pandemic, and with whiplash and vengeance, it keeps on coming back for another. We talked for a bit about the year and how so many people survived instead of thrived. I shared with her (and now with all of you) there is one reoccurring word that keeps coming back to me.
The word is simple and boring.
The word is routine.
So what’s in a routine?
Routine is the crucial cornerstone that was taught to me in both treatment and A.A. as an essential way of life to keep myself together in the form of mind, body, and soul. Routine to me is attempting to go to bed at around the same area each night in some type of format and practicing a formula each morning. Routine is an appeasement to the anxiety I was born overdeveloped with. It means setting my coffee maker the night before, reading my devotions, attempting some form of daily exercise, journaling daily, and practicing conversations with God as often as needed. Routine is setting my clothes out the night before work, and making my bed every morning. Creating a schedule that includes the same meetings each week. Looking ahead and planning.
Do I have control issues?
Absolutely.
Is this a form of OCD?
No.
When I don’t practice the principles of simple routine practices my disease comes out in forms of prickly sarcasms. Toss and turning transforms the restful sleep I need. My jagged edges of thinking and taking my own will back surface and I cannot even begin to start being the best version of myself. I have worked too damn hard to not even let myself have a chance at being the best version of myself too.
I don’t do resolutions. A resolution is an absolute. You are doomed to fail. None of us are perfect. Instead, I am going to set my mind on crafting this little nooks of my life that help create the best version of myself. It may seem so minimal-yet in the big picture its the very ant crumbs of nourishment I need to flourish in life.
What is your word for 2022? Have you given it any thought? I encourage you all to be kinder to yourselves and each other. Also, if you haven’t heard it yet today…you are loved.
As for me…its time to get cracking. Sundays routine is for laundry, relaxation, reading, (now writing?) walks, and football. What I will do when the Super Bowl ceases the season will be a stay tuned…
toughasteal 