Moments of Consistency Matter in a Chaotic World!

In this world of ours, things we engage in seem to last for shorter and shorter times. Maybe it's just me, but I have always found constantly changing conditions to be difficult to live with.

For many people, change seems to be "exciting," or "challenging," or even "rewarding" or something otherwise positive... but for me, it has never felt anything but disruptive and turbulent... and outright unsettling.

I will hasten to point out that "disruptive and turbulent" stand aside from such ideas as necessary, essential and/or desirable. When something simply has to be done that involves change, I saddle up and deal with it.

Over the years, I have become increasingly aware that I depend on my "Oases of Reliability" — that is, being able to count on certain things in my life to always remain the same — as cornerstones of being somewhat functional and well-balanced.

I'm aware of the fact that I may be mildly autistic in certain ways... particularly when it comes to facing a stream of unexpected things.

Explained a little differently, a tendency to flit around and look at many different things directly upsets and irritates the more sensitive parts of me that would rather have everything be the same, all the time.

But getting back to the main event, here... I feel more balanced if I know I can rely on certain routines... and that's *particularly true in terms of how I start my days.

For example, I really like to know that in tomorrow morning, I will get up and

• Get the coffee going
• Give the cats their morning snack.
• Give the dog her morning snack.
• Clean the cat box.
• Unlock the front door.
• Put away the clean dishes from last night.
• Pour my first cup of coffee.
• Turn on the work lights in my office.
• Take the dog out.
• Empty the tray in the dehumidifier.
• Clean the downstairs cat box.
• Sit down and check my email.

In that order... and I actually feel somewhat thrown off for the rest of the day if somehow I am expected to have a different morning routine. Does that mean I'm excessively rigid and set in my ways? Possibly. But in the end, successfully navigating life is about finding the routines that work for us, as individuals!

The above is just a small example... I like to be able to rely on these things, as part of maintaining my sense of sanity and inner balance.

I'm not sure exactly what that says about my character... maybe it merely "says" that I am getting older!

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great remainder of your week!

How about you? Do you like having routines? Or do you find it better to have new challenges, all the time? Do leave a comment if you feel so inclined — share your experiences — be part of the conversation!

(All text and images by the author, unless otherwise credited. This is ORIGINAL CONTENT, created expressly for this platform — NOT A CROSSPOST!!!)
Created at 2023.04.13 00:07 PST
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